Looming mountain range

Lydia nodded resolutely, slinging her backpack over her shoulders and pushing through the persistent ache in her body. "We can't afford to linger any longer. It's another 6 hours of walking, maybe 7 or 8 if we take it slow. I'd prefer to reach our destination before sunrise," she declared, rolling her head from side to side to relieve some tension in her neck. With little room for a response, she resumed her journey, guiding herself and Finlay up the creek and toward the looming mountain range. Her normally light steps grew heavier, her breath more pronounced. She battled through the fatigue, determined to stay alert as she wiped fresh blood from her nose every 20 minutes.