That night, as he lay on the cold ground with Lucky curled beside him, the restlessness didn’t come from hunger. It came from the growing sense that even the few places he had left were being taken away. If this alley wasn’t safe, nowhere would be.
He couldn’t just keep moving forever. Not without losing himself entirely. Somewhere deep in his chest, an old thought began to resurface—he had to try again. He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt willing to try. But now, the pressure left no room to stall.