The sun shone brightly, casting shadows across the vast meadows of Cumbria. Leaves gently fell from the aging trees, gliding effortlessly through the slight breeze of the autumn day. The grass rippled across the fields, creating a wave effect for as far as the eye could see. The path made smooth from years of ramblers. Stones, polished with wear, made little sound as I made my way along the path, gradually finding my bearings. I looked about, hoping there would be someone who too was exploring, someone who knew where this infinite path led.
             Originally, I had walked the countryside with my lifetime companion – my dog Rex. Every weekend, we explored the fields together – wandering aimlessly to see where they would take us. Him knowing he has me, me knowing I have him. Had one of us been sad: we would both have been sad. Had one of us been lost: we would both have been lost.
             I remember clearly, I wasn't feeling well that weekend and so I had decided we wouldn't go too far from the village, but as always, my planning didn't follow through.
             I took the lead from around my dog's neck, and off he ran - faster than I'd seen him run in quite a while. I called to him discontentedly yet still he ran.
             Eventually he'd gained too much of a lead and my hollering was to no affect. I strolled in his direction, but nothing - nothing except grass, rustling trees and the whisking wind, crisply caressing my face. I felt alone, disheartened and bewildered as to where he could have gotten to, so I continued following in his direction. I quickly neared to the point at which I had lost sight of him.
             I could see him, stood beside a large rock face. I was relieved to see him wagging his tail from side to side, like a rattlesnake in company. His golden brown fur glistened as he swayed. His eyes fixed upon me like a guilty schoolboy - he'd found something.
             As I ran toward him, the heavens...