Marcus didn’t hesitate. “Stay with him!” he shouted over the roar of the storm, sliding down the slick, muddy slope of the ravine. Kelly held tightly onto the elderly man, who was trembling violently on the ledge. From above, they watched Marcus wade into the freezing, rushing water. The dog was completely exhausted, its golden fur matted with mud, its eyes glazing over. It was too weak to fight the rising current anymore.
Marcus scooped the limp animal into his arms, fighting against the mud as he scrambled back up the slippery embankment. When he reached the top, he laid the dog down. The animal was completely unresponsive, its body shivering faintly.
From right beside Kelly, a sound broke out that shattered her heart. The old man dropped to his knees beside the dog. He was sobbing uncontrollably—a deep, guttural grief that had been locked away for five long years. They scooped up the dog and ran back toward the facility.