Each day, Jacob spent his hours teaching mathematics to high-school students in the town. The return home was a ritual he cherished—Bernie always waiting at the door, tail wagging, eager for their evening walk. It was a simple joy, grounding and familiar, a counterbalance to the day’s demands.
Their walks followed a familiar route, weaving through trails cloaked in towering pines and soft patches of golden light. As the world quieted around them, Jacob let his thoughts wander, the rhythm of Bernie’s steps beside him a comforting constant. It was an ordinary evening, or so it seemed.