After what felt like endless footsteps, the dogs entered a wide clearing. Lukas and Officer Jones crouched behind thick bushes, holding their breath. Fourteen dogs, diverse in breed and size, formed a perfect circle around a towering oak. The ancient tree stood silent witness.
Suddenly, the dogs erupted into a chorus of barking, loud and synchronized. The noise was relentless, vibrating through the air like a desperate alarm. Lukas gripped Officer Jones’s sleeve, unable to speak. Neither understood the message, but the urgency was unmistakable—something grave was unfolding.