Determine if the following story takes place in the past, present, or future.
He had been walking for hours, his feet aching from the long journey.
The story takes place in the past.
Complete the following task based on the instruction and optional input provided.### Instruction:
Determine if the following story takes place in the past, present, or future.

### Input:
He had been walking for hours, his feet aching from the long journey.

### Output:
The story takes place in the past.