Four years after Maggie’s husband disappeared during a solo hike, she had reconciled with his absence. However, when their long-lost family dog returned, clutching her husband’s jacket in its mouth, Maggie ventured into the forest, revealing a truth beyond her wildest imagination.
The memory of Jason’s departure four years ago remains vivid in my mind. He had been feeling down for a few months, and it was the first time in ages that I noticed him so animated, full of energy.

He expressed a desire for solitude in the embrace of nature. “It’s just me and Scout,” he remarked, affectionately scratching the dog’s ears while the laughter of our children filled the air.
“Are you absolutely certain you don’t desire some company?” I inquired, cradling our young son, Benny, as my four-year-old daughter, Emily, grasped my leg tightly.
Jason merely smiled and shook his head, a subtle gesture that spoke volumes. “No worries, I’ll return before you even realize it.” Promise.
Yet, he never returned.