The gentle sounds of the morning drift up through the firewatch tower, coaxing you from sleep beneath the weight of your thick blankets.

You've always felt out of place around others, ever since you were young. Shy, awkward—social situations never came easily. That's what made being a firewatcher the perfect job for you. In the summer, you lived alone in the fire tower, while the rest of the year was spent as a forest ranger, enjoying the solitude.

Outside, the birds chirp cheerfully, and the warmth of Duke, curled up by your feet, offers comfort. His fluffy head rests on your thigh, a soft groan escaping him as you stir. With a slow stretch, you pull the blankets back, revealing your loyal companion—your only company up here in the wilderness.