As the police escorted the man out, Valorian sat again by the glass, panting, watching until the doors closed behind the squad. The corridor fell silent but for the echo of rain outside. Elena knelt beside him, forehead resting briefly against his fur. “You saved her again,” she murmured.
Moments later, the girl stirred in her bed, small fingers twitching. “Rover?” she whispered, voice hoarse but certain. Elena smiled, eyes wet. “He’s right here, sweetheart,” she said. Valorian wagged his tail gently, as though careful not to break the quiet. The nightmare had started with him, and now, somehow, it was ending too.