Max stood frozen at the summit, staring down at the forest fire that raged below. The flames moved faster than he had anticipated, devouring the trees in their path, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air. The sky, once clear, was now marred by dark, twisting plumes, and Max could already feel the heat radiating from the flames, even though they were still far down the mountain.

  Luna whimpered beside him, her ears pinned back as she paced anxiously, sensing the growing danger. The acrid scent of smoke thickened in the air, carried by a restless wind that rustled the sparse trees around them. Max clenched his jaw, taking a deep, steadying breath. His pulse pounded in his ears, but he forced himself to think clearly. They couldn’t stay here—every second wasted brought the fire closer, an unstoppable force swallowing the forest below. Yet barreling blindly into the flames would be suicide. He scanned the landscape, searching for any possible escape route, his mind racing for a plan that could get them off this mountain alive.

  Max dropped to one knee, unzipping the side pocket of his pack with trembling fingers. He pulled out his map, unfolding it carefully against the rough ground, weighing it down with a nearby rock to keep the wind from stealing it away. Luna sat beside him, her ears perked, watching him intently as if sensing the importance of the moment.

  His eyes scanned the familiar lines and contours, tracing the ridges and valleys with a calloused fingertip. The main trail was the fastest way down—but it cut straight through the valley, now a blazing inferno devouring everything in its path. Going that way was suicide. He exhaled sharply, his breath shaky, and focused on the thinner, fainter lines crisscrossing the map.

  A few side trails splintered off from their current position, winding precariously along the eastern face of the mountain. They were less defined, barely more than game trails in some sections, and far steeper than the main path. But if they could navigate them, they might just avoid the worst of the fire. It was a gamble, but staying put wasn’t an option.

  Max lifted his gaze from the map to the distant horizon, where thick columns of smoke churned into the sky, turning the sun into a hazy red disc. His stomach knotted, but he forced himself to focus. He had to make the right call.

  “Okay, girl,” Max muttered, glancing at Luna, who was watching him intently. “We can’t go the way we came. But there’s another way around. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s our best shot.”

  Max worked quickly, his hands moving with practiced efficiency despite the tension knotting his muscles. He secured his pack first, tightening the straps and making sure nothing was loose. Every second counted now. He double-checked his supplies—water bottles sloshed inside their pouches, a few protein bars and trail mix were still tucked safely in their compartments, and his first-aid kit was within easy reach. If they got stuck or had to take shelter again, they needed to be ready for anything.

  His fingers brushed against the fabric of his tent as he rolled it up, stuffing it into the side of his pack. The thought of setting it up again felt almost laughable now—there was no time for comfort, no chance for another peaceful night under the stars. The fire was creeping closer with every passing minute, thickening the air with its acrid scent. Still, he couldn’t leave anything behind. Every bit of gear could mean the difference between survival and disaster.

  He slung his pack over his shoulders, adjusting the weight before giving Luna a quick glance. She was watching him closely, ears flicking as if she understood the urgency of the moment. “We’ve got to move, girl,” he murmured, tightening his straps one last time.

  Max took a final look at the fire below. It was growing, faster than he had hoped, and the wind was pushing it up the mountain. They had to move now.

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  They started down the trail. This new path was less defined than the main route, more of a rugged, narrow cut through the rocky mountainside. It wasn’t a trail most people used, and Max knew it would be more difficult to navigate, but it was the only way to avoid the fire.

  The first hour was tense. Every step felt like a race against the encroaching flames. The further they descended, the more the air filled with the acrid smell of smoke, which made Max’s throat burn. He tugged the collar of his jacket up over his mouth, trying to filter the worst of it, but it was impossible to block out entirely. Luna kept close to his side, her ears flattened against her head as they moved steadily downhill.

  Max kept his pace brisk but careful. The rocky terrain was unforgiving, with loose stones and sharp drops along the sides of the trail. One wrong step could mean a twisted ankle or worse, and the last thing they could afford was an injury this far from safety.

  The smoke thickened as they went, and Max’s breathing grew labored. He paused every so often to check the map and reorient himself. The trail wasn’t well marked, and there were moments when he wasn’t entirely sure they were still on it. But the alternative—turning back—wasn’t an option.

  By midday, they reached a narrow ledge jutting out over the valley, offering a sweeping view of the unfolding disaster below. Max wiped the sweat from his brow and stepped cautiously to the edge, his boots scraping against the loose rock. From here, he could see just how far the fire had spread—and the sight sent a chill through him despite the heat radiating up from below.

  Thick columns of smoke billowed into the sky, turning the once-crisp blue into a hazy, suffocating gray. The fire had consumed more than he had expected, its hungry flames leaping up the lower slopes, devouring trees and underbrush with relentless fury. What had been a lush, green valley that morning was now a scorched battlefield of flickering orange and blackened ruin. He could hear it, too—the distant roar of the inferno, the crackling of wood as entire trees collapsed into smoldering embers.

  Luna whined beside him, her ears flattening as she tucked herself closer to his side. Max swallowed hard, his mind racing. The fire wasn’t just below them anymore; it was moving fast, creeping higher up the mountain with every passing minute. If they didn’t find a way down soon, their only escape route could be swallowed by the flames.

  His grip tightened around the strap of his pack as he took a shaky breath, forcing himself to focus. Panic wouldn’t get them out of this. He needed a plan.

  He squatted beside Luna, running a hand through her fur as he gathered his thoughts. They couldn’t descend into the valley. The fire was moving too fast, and the smoke would be unbearable. But staying on the mountain wasn’t an option either. The fire would eventually reach them here, and there wasn’t enough time to climb back to the summit and wait it out.

  Max scanned the horizon, trying to find another option. The northern side of the mountain looked promising. It was steeper, more rugged, but it hadn’t been touched by the fire yet. If they could make it to the northern side, they might find a way down that would keep them clear of the flames.

  “We’re going to have to go up a bit before we go down,” Max said to Luna, as much to reassure himself as to explain their plan. “It’s going to be tough, but we don’t have a choice.”

  He stood up and adjusted his pack once more, feeling the strain in his legs from the long hike and the tension of the situation. He checked his water supply—enough for another day, if they rationed carefully—and made sure Luna was hydrated. Then, they set off again, this time heading diagonally across the mountain face, aiming for the other ridge.

  The climb was brutal. The rocks were loose, the trail nonexistent, and the air was thick with smoke that made it difficult to breathe. Max’s muscles burned with effort as he hauled himself up the steep incline, his lungs aching from the exertion and the smoke. Luna scrambled beside him, her agility on the rough terrain a testament to her strength and endurance.

  Hours passed, and the smoke only worsened. Max could feel the heat of the fire on the wind, a constant reminder of the danger they were in. But finally, after what felt like an eternity, they crested the ridge and found themselves on the other side of the mountain.

  The air was clearer here, though still tinged with smoke, and the landscape opened up before them. This side of the mountain was less forested, with more open rock and fewer trees to fuel the fire. Max felt a surge of relief. They had bought themselves some time.

  He found a small, sheltered alcove beneath a rock overhang, where they could rest for a while. Max collapsed onto the ground, exhausted, while Luna lay beside him, panting heavily. They drank the last of their water, and Max rationed out a small portion of food, just enough to keep their energy up for the next leg of the journey.

  As he sat there, catching his breath, Max glanced back at the ridge they had just climbed. Thick plumes of smoke were rising into the sky, and he could see the distant glow of the fire creeping closer. They weren’t out of the woods yet, but they had made progress.

  Max knew they couldn’t stay here long. The fire was still coming, and they would have to keep moving if they wanted to stay ahead of it. But for now, they had a moment to rest, to gather their strength before the next challenge.

  And in the back of his mind, Max knew the hardest part of the journey was still ahead.