Augustus' plan to lead the boy was spoiled by something he had failed to see from the road. There was a crash from the brush before him, and the gradient fur of a large husky bloomed from the leaves. It must have belonged to the boy, hidden from view by one of the boulders nearby. In an instant, Augustus weighed his options. He knew there were only two: slay the dog, or flee towards the tracks and hope they boy was able to follow.

	Cursing under his breath, the masked man spun, sprinting into the thick of the woods. Practiced steps guided him between trees, carrying him forward with all the speed he could muster. He could still hear the dog's snarls, close in pursuit. The thing was quick, quicker than he, even in the woods.

	Still, he moved toward where he had last seen the small tracks. The dog grew nearer still, near enough to lunge, and Augustus felt teeth brush his calf as he broke to the right, putting a tree between the two of them. The animal twisted in an instant, readying itself for another leap, and Augustus threw himself back in anticipation.

	The dog stopped dead, twisting its head around. Its ears perked up. Augustus sucked a deep breath through the roses in the beak of his mask. [i]Someone's there.[/i]

	The husky's tail began swaying and it trotted off in the direction of the interference, forgetting its previous engagement. Augustus watched it go, putting air back into his lungs. He followed after several moments, moving carefully, making all the noise of a mouse.

	The dog's heading took him to another edge of the woods, and revealed something curious. A path was cut through the trees, and bodies had collected on it. But these ones were filled with life. They were speaking among themselves, and though the air seemed tense, there was no hostility.

	Augustus contented himself with a position in the trees, hidden from view. He watched as the dog went to the person closest to him, a small girl. [i]The boy's companion,[/i] Augustus thought. He looked back into the trees. [i]Now I only hope he can follow.[/i]

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