She crouched low on the roof, her body pressed flat against the cool, weathered tiles. Below, the dog's furious barks echoed through the deserted streets, each one a sharp reminder of how close she'd come to disaster. It couldn't reach her here, but every snarl and snap sent a shiver down her spine.
She had to stay hidden and hope it would lose interest. But how long could she wait?
Taking a deep breath, she willed her heart to slow and tried to think. She couldn't stay up here forever, but climbing down was out of the question with the dog still circling below. Her eyes swept over the rooftop, searching for an escape route, a gap, anything that could lead her away without being spotted.
The roof stretched flat and barren in every direction, a lifeless expanse with no easy answers. The thought of being trapped sent a wave of panic through her, but she shook it off. She was resourceful. She wasn't going to let some mangy dog be the end of her.
The barking continued, relentless and echoing. As she perched there, ears swiveling toward the noise, a new thought struck her. Could someone else be nearby?
She looked around again, this time with sharper focus. The church was vast, its stone walls sprawling outward into dark corners and hidden alcoves. If someone had left the mark on the map, could they be hiding here? The dog's presence would make sense if it were guarding them or hunting them.
The idea sent a chill through her. What if the person she was searching for owned this beast? Her fur bristled at the thought.
This dog wasn't like the ones she'd known in her human life. It wasn't a pampered pet or a friendly companion. It was a predator, large and feral, with a strength and hunger that suggested it hunted more than small prey. If its owner was nearby, they might be just as dangerous.
She stayed motionless, listening intently. The dog's barking echoed without pause, but there was no sign of a human presence. If someone was here, they were keeping silent, hiding, just as she was.
The thought unsettled her further. If the person who left the clue owned the dog, they might be somewhere nearby, deliberately keeping out of sight. Or worse, they might use the dog as a trap to lure something or someone out.
She couldn't shake the image of the snarling beast below, its matted fur and piercing eyes.
She had to figure out her next move quickly. She did not want to spend the night unprotected from the elements. The dog was persistent, and she couldn't count on it losing interest anytime soon.
For now, she stayed still, her gaze fixed on the street below and her ears attuned to every sound. Whether she faced the dog again or its possible owner, she needed to be ready. This was a dangerous game, and she had no intention of losing.
She knew she needed to be brave if she wanted to find any answers. But with the dog still barking in the distance, it felt like her efforts might be in vain. She would have to find another way to sneak around and search for clues. But for now, staying hidden and keeping her wits about her seemed like the only option. She would have to wait for an opportunity to arise.
The sound of the dog prowling and growling slowly faded, becoming more distant until it was gone altogether. She let out a quiet breath of relief, assuming it had finally lost interest in her. The danger of the dog was momentarily behind her, and she could focus again.
She crouched low on the roof of the old building, her eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of danger. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the deserted town. She realized she needed to find somewhere safe to spend the night, and fast.
Just as she was about to make her move, she heard a rustling sound nearby. Her instincts kicked in. It was time to move, to find a safer place to hide. She hesitated for a moment, feeling the height of the drop beneath her, her stomach twisting with nerves. But there was no choice. She leaped down from the roof, landing silently on the ground. Her senses were on high alert as she made her way through the abandoned streets, eyes flicking from shadow to shadow.
She prowled through the darkening streets, considering her options. She needed shelter for the night, somewhere that would protect her from the elements and any dangers lurking in the shadows. Somewhere where no dog could reach her. She also needed food, and birds or their nests would be her best bet.
A noise, a faint shuffle of footsteps, interrupted her thoughts. Her heart skipped a beat as she froze, eyes wide, trying to identify the source. The sound was coming from around the corner of a nearby building. She held her breath, preparing to make a run for it.
She approached carefully, keeping low to the ground, every sense sharpened. As she rounded the corner, she saw a figure standing in the distance, its back to her. A frown creased her brow. Who was this? Was it the person she had been searching for? Or was it someone, or something, else?
She crept closer, trying to get a better look. As she neared, her stomach dropped. The man was holding a leash. The same leash attached to the dog she had encountered earlier. Her heart sank as the realization hit her, this man was the dog's owner.
Her body tensed, and just as she turned to make her escape, the man spun around. His gaze locked onto hers, and her breath caught in her throat.