I seemed to have walked for hours on end. Slowly, but surely, I would find a road. My clothes torn and mudd, my skin torn and cut, probably infected as well. My right leg dragged behind me, as if life had left it. It hurt to breathe, my lungs pushing, just barely, past the burn. The leg I had left tried to keep the weight, but it quivered under the pressure.

Finally, it all gave out. With a large exhale of air, my knee buckled under me and I fell face first. Turning onto my back, I laid there. I wanted to cry but I already had spent most of the day crying. I was out of tears. Out of emotion.

The sun's rays fell at last and I was shaded in twilight. Stars popped out here and there from above the branches, many more were blocked by the silhouettes of the leaves.

My stomach shrunk inwards, growling at the absence. The left leg quivered, but the dead one laid quite lifeless, only twitching from time to time. It started to feel a little numb at my toes.

Past my feet, the bushes shook with life. I wanted to tense to prepare to run but I was tired of running by now. I might as well let nature take me.

At first, it seemed like it would grant my wish. A head poked out of the bushes before it came fully out. It seemed confused as it gazed at me. Slowly, the creature came to sniff my shoes before it circled me for a good look. With a huff from its muzzle, it settled down by my left.

Its fur matted with dirt and grim, but I didn't complain. The mountains cold winds blew against us. The animal's fur radiated warmth, but I did not move an inch. Neither closer nor away.

It nuzzled my head and with a small whine it settled against me. I carefully ran my hands through its fur, finding a small peace within me.

When morning light came, I heard yelling. I was alone by the tree, my warmth had vanished and I laid shaking in the mountain's mist. The search party sighed in relief upon their discovery. They were careful to lift me up and hurry back to civilization.

I had come back many times but the sign of the creature had all but vanished.

Now as I write this, I realize that in fact he belonged to the mountain and the mountain belonged to him.