The mugger turned and bolted into the shadows, clutching his head. Lucky barked once and gave a short chase before circling back to Joshua, tail high, breathing hard. Joshua dropped the knife again and crouched to rub Lucky’s side. “Good boy,” he muttered, heart racing.
The woman walked over, voice unsteady. “Are you okay?” Joshua nodded. “Yeah. You?” She hesitated, then gave the smallest nod. “Yes… thanks to you.” She looked at Lucky, still wide-eyed. “And him. That was… brave.” Her voice cracked, full of stunned gratitude.