Achak had only been in town for a few days, still adjusting to the quiet streets and the ever-present scent of pine in the crisp autumn air. A man in his mid-fifties, he had seen his fair share of places, but moving never got any easier. The one constant in his life was his two female huskies, Shadow and Spirit—his loyal companions through every change. Wanting to give them a chance to stretch their legs, he took them to the local dog park. As soon as he unclipped their leashes, they took off in a blur of silver and white, chasing each other across the open field. Achak watched them with a small smile, their energy never failing to lift his spirits.

He found an empty bench near the fence and sat down, pulling his coat tighter against the breeze. Around him, other dog owners stood in small clusters, chatting and laughing as their dogs played together. He stayed where he was, content to observe for now. He wasn’t one to rush into new friendships, but he knew, in time, he’d settle in. For now, it was enough to watch Shadow and Spirit race across the grass, their joyful barks a familiar comfort in an unfamiliar place.