Seconds later, police backup arrived, red and blue lights washing across the ruined yard. Sirens pierced the night as officers secured Vale and collected evidence. Manny stood catching his breath, mud-covered and shaking, the dog leaning against his leg as though ensuring he truly was all right. Now Manny had one more thing to do—find Max.
Soon search teams swept through the woods, their voices echoing between bare branches. The dog pulled ahead with renewed urgency, weaving through undergrowth until it stopped at an old drainage pipe. Inside, huddled against the cold, Max stared out—bruised, starving, and exhausted, yet unmistakably alive. Relief crashed over the entire team.