<i>He could feel it coming; the stabbing sensation before the fall. He hated how weak it left him but he didn't know how to stop it. His weary legs carried him further from his tribe and deeper into the dead forest that surrounded it. His ragged hot breath steamed out in front of him as he trekked on. He wasn't sure if this was his time to go but, he wasn't going to burden his kin and tribe with disposing of an old useless dog's corpse. He was ready to go if the spirits willed it.

Thats when it hit, the sharp pain in his haunches that he could never grow accustomed to. He slid heavily into the snow, his breathing labored as though a great weight was upon him. His eyes dull stared blankly forward but his mind was sharp and over worked with fear. No! Not like this! "I'm not ready to go yet!" he howled, the silence around him was the only answer he received. Was this all in his mind? "Angakkuq, give me more time!</i>