The car had vanished around the corner, its headlights fading, leaving her alone on the asphalt. She crouched low, trembling, fingers pressed against the rough ground, chest heaving as if each breath took too much effort.

He stopped a few meters away, heart hammering, taking in the sight of her small, frightened figure. Every instinct in him screamed to rush—but he forced himself to slow, to crouch, to keep his presence non-threatening.