The crackling roar of the fire loomed closer, the air thick with ash and heat as Greg hoisted Max onto his back. Every step was a struggle, the weight of Max’s injured body combined with the treacherous terrain making each movement feel like a battle. Luna led the way, darting ahead, her eyes sharp and alert. The fire was no longer a distant threat—it was a living, breathing monster chasing them down the mountain.

  “Hold on, Max,” Greg grunted, his breath labored under the strain. “We’re gonna make it.”

  Max winced, his leg throbbing with every jolt. “I’m trying, man,” he gasped. “But we’re running out of time.”

  The forest around them was alive with the heat. Trees crackled and snapped, embers flying through the air like glowing fireflies, landing too close for comfort. The smoke was everywhere now, filling their lungs and blurring their vision, making the path ahead barely visible. Greg’s instincts as a firefighter kicked in, guiding them through the smoke, but even he could feel the pressure mounting. The fire was closing in, faster than they could outrun it.

  Luna stopped suddenly, her ears twitching. She looked back at them, her blue eyes wide with fear, and let out a low whine.

  Greg’s heart sank. “She’s telling us we’re too slow,” he said, his voice grim. “We’ve got to move faster.”

  Max coughed, his chest tightening from the smoke. “I can’t… Greg, I’m slowing you down.”

  Greg shook his head, his jaw clenched. “We’re not leaving you, Max. I’ll carry you the whole way if I have to.”

  But Max knew. He could feel the fire creeping closer, the heat on his skin growing more intense with every passing second. He knew they couldn’t outrun it at this pace—not with him holding them back. He felt a wave of guilt wash over him. Luna had done everything—risked everything—to bring help, and now it wasn’t enough.

  “Greg,” Max said, his voice hoarse. “You’ve got to leave me.”

  Greg stopped in his tracks, the words hitting him like a punch to the gut. He turned his head slightly, still carrying Max, and shook his head. “Don’t even think about saying that.”

  “I’m serious,” Max insisted, his voice breaking. “I’m not gonna make it down in time. You can still get out. You and Luna… you can still make it.”

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  Luna barked sharply, as if protesting Max’s words, her body tense as she paced in front of them.

  Greg gritted his teeth. “I’ve seen people give up before. But you’re not one of them, Max. You hear me? We’re going down this mountain together.”

  Max’s eyes welled with tears, the weight of the situation crashing down on him. He felt helpless, useless, a burden to the people trying to save him. The fire was so close now, the roar of it deafening, and he could feel the searing heat at his back.

  “I can’t… I can’t let you die for me,” Max whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I don’t want Luna to lose us both.”

  Greg stopped walking. For a moment, everything around them—the fire, the smoke, the crackling trees—faded into the background. He lowered Max gently to the ground, leaning him against a tree that hadn’t yet caught fire. Luna immediately pressed herself against Max, her soft fur a comforting presence.

  Greg knelt in front of him, his face set in a hard line. “You listen to me, Max. I don’t leave people behind. Not ever. But I need you to fight. I need you to push through this.”

  Max’s vision blurred as he fought back the tears. “I’m trying, Greg. I am. But I’m done. I can’t go any further.”

  The words hung heavy in the air, and Greg felt the ache of them settle deep in his chest. He knew what it was like to face that kind of hopelessness, to feel like you’re a second away from giving up. He had seen it in others, and now he saw it in Max.

  The fire was so close now that it seemed like the entire world was burning. There wasn’t much time left.

  Greg exhaled, looking down at Luna, who was lying protectively by Max’s side. He made a decision then, one that tore at him. “I’m going to go for help, Max. I’ll get you out of here. You hold on, you hear me?”

  Max shook his head, the tears falling freely now. “Greg… don’t. Don’t come back. Just get yourself and Luna out.”

  Greg’s eyes locked with Max’s, and for a moment, they shared a silent understanding. The odds were impossible, the fire relentless, and Max knew that Greg was risking everything by staying. But Greg stood up, his eyes hard with determination.

  “I’m coming back,” he said firmly. “For you and Luna. Don’t give up on me.”

  He turned and started running, disappearing into the thick smoke as the fire raged around them. Luna whimpered, nudging Max with her nose as if trying to comfort him.

  Max watched Greg disappear and felt the weight of everything crash down on him. The fire was so close now that he could barely breathe, the smoke choking him. His leg throbbed with pain, but worse than that was the ache in his heart. He didn’t want to die here. He didn’t want Luna to be left alone.

  He reached out a trembling hand and stroked Luna’s fur. “I’m sorry, girl,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I’m so sorry.”

  Luna looked up at him with those piercing blue eyes, full of loyalty and love. She didn’t understand why Max was apologizing—she only knew that she would stay by his side no matter what.

  The fire roared, and Max closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face. He felt the heat of the flames on his skin, felt the world closing in around him, and in that moment, he made peace with what was coming.

  But Luna didn’t leave. She pressed herself closer to Max, refusing to let him face the end alone. And as the fire consumed the mountain, the last thing Max felt was the soft warmth of his faithful companion by his side.