At first, nothing stirred. Lukas wiped the sweat from his brow, worrying Officer Jones might dismiss him like others. The fear gnawed at him, but he forced himself to stay steady, watching every shadow. Then, just as recess began, a lone stray dog appeared, moving purposefully toward the trees.
The stray paused at the forest’s entrance, as if waiting. Gradually, more dogs arrived, swelling into a pack of varying breeds and sizes. Lukas’s chest tightened. Officer Jones studied the scene, puzzled. Many dogs wore collars—these were pets, not wild strays. Why were they here?