A distant sound broke through the rustling leaves. He stopped mid-step, listening. The sound was faint but unmistakable, carried by the wind. His stomach tensed. He scanned the dense undergrowth, his heart kicking up a beat.
Daniel had spent enough time hiking alone to know that the woods could be unpredictable. He instinctively picked up a sturdy branch from the forest floor. He held it with determination, gripping it tightly. Just as he steadied his breathing, the rustling came again—closer this time. Then, a feeble whimper, barely more than a breath of sound.