CHAPTER 24

The trail to the top of Crescent hill was occasionally very steep. In the ice and snow, Pip's yellow converse slipped on everything. Krey's black boots helped to stay grounded, though even he occasionally felt unsteady.

Pip was clumsy, and all it took was a breathy wind to make him fall. Once Pip was unstable, he couldn't regain his balance.

They neared the top, and the snow was falling harder.

"Have you been to Crescent hill before?" Pip asked, a little out of breath.

"A few times. You?"

"I used to go a lot. It's quiet."

"It is," Krey agreed.

They had seen nobody on the trail so far, until suddenly an older man and his sheepdog strolled into view, walking down the hill and covered in snow.

"Oh, Pippor, hello lad," the man said, tipping the front of his cap. He looked to Krey and said nothing.

"Hi, Daniel." Pip smiled at the sheepdog, who stared at Krey, motionless. Her tail pointed out as though something troubled the dog.