Back to the Present
Max led the funeral procession into the woods behind the church, weaving between trees like he’d memorized every branch. The forest was silent—until he stopped.
A thicket of brush.
He began digging frantically, sending up clouds of dirt.
Daniel dropped beside him, clawing into the earth.
“Help!” he shouted. “She’s here—I know she is!”
Others joined in, the ground flying, hearts racing.
Then—a sound.
A whisper.
“Daddy…?”
Silence collapsed. Daniel froze, then dug faster.
A tiny face emerged from beneath the soil—pale, streaked with dirt, but alive.
“LILY!” Rebecca shrieked, falling to her knees. “Oh my God—Lily!”
“I… I couldn’t get out,” Lily said softly. “But Max… he stayed. He kept me warm…”
Daniel wrapped her in trembling arms, sobbing into her tangled hair. “You’re safe… You’re safe now…”
Pastor Glenn crossed himself. Others wept openly.
Max sat beside them all, tongue lolling out, tail sweeping the forest floor like a banner of victory.
