Chance Encounter (March, previous year), part 3 of 6

I launch up the trail at a full run.  It’s a terrible idea—she’ll see me as a threat, she has to—but it can’t be helped. The footing grows more treacherous, but I keep pace as best I can.  If I slip, I’ll deal.  If I don’t get there in time, on the other hand . . . not an option. The [...]

This is an excerpt of an article I posted elsewhere.