Carrying Nora and Adam had been exhausting and painful, but in many ways he had liked it. After so many years alone in the dead zone, it was comforting to have people close to him again, even if he wasn’t exactly sure what to make of them. The air was dry and cool, and it felt refreshing on his face as he jogged toward the spot where he had left the dog and the bags. He kept waiting for the dog’s growl as he approached, but he heard nothing. When the stopping place was only a few paces ahead, Mabon slowed down and moved warily, wondering if the dog had survived. He had half expected it to be on its feet, as it had seemed to be improving earlier as he’d toted it along. Perhaps it had found shelter somewhere nearby, he thought. As Mabon drew close he saw the bags on the ground, but they were no longer exactly as he recalled leaving them. The contents of one of his bags were strewn all about the ground around it, but it looked like most of his belongings were there.
