Whatever had killed this hog might come back, and by the looks of it, the blood is fresh. I’m no expert, but a sinking sensation in my stomach tells me that this creature died recently.

I scramble backward with my heart in my throat.

A snowball strikes me in the back of the head. “Gotcha.”

Any interest in having fun or remaining outside has fled along with my calmness.

“Hey, let’s head in for some coffee. I can’t feel my hands or my feet.”

There must be something in my gaze because David’s smile quickly fades when I look at him.

“Are you okay?”

“It’s a dead animal… a hog,”...