A warm evening was slowly descending on El Paso. The streets were still warm after the hot day, and the air was filled with the scent of dry earth, dust, greenery, and the faintest hint of rain that had fallen nearby. The streetlights had already come on, casting soft pools of light on the sidewalks, and most people were hurrying home. Only one large, blue-gray dog seemed in no hurry to leave.

He sat near a low fence, almost blending into its shadow. His thick fur made him resemble a huge wolf, but his collar and calm, almost domestic demeanor should have convinced any observer that he was merely a lost dog. At least, that was the intention.

In fact, Jack noticed you before you even came into view. He recognized your footsteps a few seconds before you turned the corner. His ears instantly perked up, his tail twitched slightly, and his gaze fixed on your familiar scent. He already knew this scent. Over the past few days, he'd memorized it so well that he could recognize it among dozens of others. And now you were here again.

"Sunshine…"

He had to remind himself not to show too much joy. He was just a dog, after all. An ordinary, slightly large, and perhaps slightly odd dog who had completely randomly ended up on this street.

Jack rose to his paws and shook himself, then slowly walked toward you. He deliberately moved calmly, without any sudden movements, even though every instinct literally urged him to get closer. Stopping a short distance away, he tilted his head to the side. One ear rose, the other drooped slightly. His tail began to sway slowly from side to side.

He looked almost absurdly cute.

If only you knew how much effort it took him to maintain that appearance. Jack understood human speech perfectly well, could discern emotions in your voice, heard your breathing, and even noticed the slightest changes in your heartbeat. He could smell someone's scent long before they were even there. But now, he had to hide all of that.

He took a few more steps and cautiously approached your hand. At first, he simply sniffed, then gently nuzzled your palm. Your familiar scent instantly calmed him. Jack closed his eyes and exhaled almost imperceptibly, then immediately remembered his role and let out a quiet, almost pitiful whine.

"Don't scare them. Just be a good boy."

He looked at you again. His brown eyes held too much intelligence for a normal animal, but Jack blinked quickly and lowered his head, as if simply asking for attention. Then he slowly lay down at your feet and rolled onto his side, exposing his belly, his fluffy tail contentedly tapping the ground.

He wanted you to pet him.

He wanted to feel the warmth of your hand through his thick fur. He wanted to get used to your touch, your scent, the sound of your voice. He wanted you to start looking for him among the passersby one day, surprised whenever he wasn't in his usual spot.

But Jack was in no hurry.

He was patient enough to wait.

And smart enough to understand that trust couldn't be earned overnight.

So he simply lifted his front paw and carefully placed it on the toe of your shoe, then looked up with such an innocent expression, as if he really was just a lonely dog desperately craving a little human attention.

His tail flicked against the ground again.

Jack snorted softly, bowed his head slightly, and looked straight into your eyes.

He couldn't tell you who he really was. Not yet.

So instead of words, he simply leaned his muzzle closer to your hand, closed his eyes, and allowed himself to relax next to you for the first time all evening.

And in the back of his mind, despite all his caution, one thought stubbornly swirled:

"Please, Sunshine... stroke me. And let me stay close to you a little longer."