David had been running along the trails of the scenic nature preserve for half an hour when his athletic solitude was interrupted in the most relentless fashion.
"Hey, where are you headed in such a rush?" A young woman in her early thirties, wearing a brand-new tracksuit, suddenly pulled up alongside him and began matching his pace.
David shot her a look as if she'd lost her mind, remained silent, and picked up speed.
The woman sped up too.
"You didn't answer me! Where are you running to?"
"I'm just running," David finally replied, trying not to break his breathing rhythm. "That way."
"How interesting..." The woman was clearly struggling at this tempo, but she fought to keep up. "And do you run 'that way' often?"
"Every day. For two hours."
"Wow!" she exclaimed. "Mind if I join you? You don't object, do you? Take me with you... somewhere."
David gave her a disgruntled sidelong glance and said nothing.
They ran in silence for about two minutes. The woman was huffing and puffing loudly, leading David to suspect this was likely her first ever jog. The hunch was soon confirmed when she suddenly pleaded:
"Sir, could you please slow down a little?"
"Why?" David asked, annoyed.
"Well, I can't keep up with you! Can't you tell?"
"If you can't keep up, then drop back," David replied. "Why do you feel the need to run right next to me?"
The woman fell silent again, though her heavy breathing intensified. Her face turned a deep crimson, and beads of sweat broke out on her forehead. Yet, she persisted. Soon, she spoke up again.
"Aren't you afraid to run out here alone?"
"What?" He didn't follow the question.
"I mean, aren't you scared in these woods? Look around, it's practically a forest now."
"What, do you think there are bears out here?"
David found himself amused. He took a good look at his strange companion and noticed she was nearly spent; she looked like she might collapse at any second. Taking pity on her, he slowed his pace.
"Thanks..." she wheezed. "This is much better. But seriously, why do you come out this far?"
"Because no one interferes with my workout here. Look, there isn't a soul around."
"You're not some kind of serial killer, are you?"
"Do I look like one?" David smirked.
"Not really," she admitted. "But still, I don't think it's a good idea to go this deep into the woods."
David checked the watch on his left wrist.
"In exactly ten minutes, I'm turning back."
"Oh boy..."
The girl was already swaying on her feet, and David had to slow down even more.
" I can't run this slowly," he said irritably. "Maybe you should just head back on your own?"
"I'd love to, but I'm a total chicken," she confessed. "We've come so far. It's like a wilderness out here."
"So?"
"So?" She pointed toward a thick grove of young aspens. "Look how creepy it is. Oh!" The woman suddenly stopped dead in her tracks and dug her sharp nails into his t-shirt. "Look!"
"What is it?" David cried out, exasperated. "Let go of me!"
"Look over there!" With one hand, she pointed fearfully at the bushes, while the other kept a firm grip on David.
"Where? I don't see anything."
"I thought I saw something moving in the grass by those bushes..." Genuine fear flickered in her eyes. "And the sounds... how can you not hear them? It sounds like a baby whimpering."
"Where?" He listened intently. "You're right... something's there. Something alive." David started toward the source of the strange noise, but the woman held fast to his shirt.
"Don't!" she begged. "What if it's wolves?"
"Wolves? In the suburbs?"
"Yes! Wild ones! They'll eat us..."
"You're losing it," David said, prying her frantic fingers off his shirt. "You aren't Little Red Riding Hood, and there are no wolves. Let go! What if it's a child?"
He finally wrenched himself free and disappeared into the tall grass. A moment later, his surprised voice called out:
"Come here, don't be afraid! You were right!"
"What?" She stepped tentatively toward his voice. "Are there wolves?"
She cautiously pushed the grass aside and saw two black, nearly blind puppies on the ground. They were whimpering and reaching toward the warmth of David's hands.
"What are those?" An expression of both anxiety and tenderness washed over her face.
"Puppies."
"I can see they're puppies. Are you sure they aren't wolf cubs?"
"Will you give it a rest with the wolves? They're just dogs. But where's the mother? Did she actually abandon them? What are we supposed to do with these little guys?"
"What do you mean 'what'?" The woman tentatively picked up one of the puppies, held it to her face, and smiled. "To be honest, I've wanted a dog for a long time. I wonder if they're purebred? Actually, who cares? Do you think it would be weird if I kept this one?"
"It would be perfectly fine," David smiled. "But what about the second one?"
"First, they both need to see a vet. The sooner the better. Grab the other one and let's get moving!" she suddenly commanded. "I know a clinic nearby."
David's first instinct was to protest her bossy tone, but realizing she was right, he followed her lead.
***
About three months later, along that very same trail—though it was now covered in autumn leaves—two people were running together: David and Sophie. Beside them, two black, scruffy, but very happy adolescent dogs trotted along, thoroughly enjoying life.
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