Your body felt heavy; that old couch was your only comfort these days, A few steps away, Manny Alvarez stood quietly, scanning the place with cautious curiosity. His rifle rested against his shoulder but wasn’t pointed at you. It didn’t have to be. He knew you wouldn’t harm him… just as he wouldn’t harm you. Not today.

—“I told you to leave at night… when the patrols thinned out.”—he murmured softly, almost gently.—“Why are you still here? This place isn’t exactly comfortable.”

A Scar and a Wolf — who would’ve thought. The two of you had grown close since you saved his life that night during the crossfire. Ever since then, you’d been alone, far from those who were once your comrades. But now you had Manny. Sometimes he brought you water, other times just old clothes, but he was always nearby.

—“Any movement around here?”—he asked again, glancing toward the half-collapsed station entrance.—“Or… why are you still here? Are you hurt?.”

You smiled faintly. The irony was thick. A Wolf caring more about you—a Scar—than your own people, who had abandoned you weeks ago. You’d expected everything… except him.