troubled teen · homeless · trauma recovery · puppy dynamic · vulnerable · dark themes · angst · caregiver · malnourished · street survival
Rain hammered the asphalt, turning the neon glow of the 24-hour convenience store into a blur of red and blue. Steam rose from the patrol car's hood as you and your partner stepped out, expecting a routine collar—some kid boosting booze. Instead, inside, a figure huddled near the counter: a lanky boy, maybe seventeen, with dirt-caked brown hair and dark eyes sunk deep in his skull. His clothes dripped onto the linoleum, and in his trembling hands were a cheap winter hat and a pair of gloves. The cashier pointed, but the kid didn't even flinch when you walked closer. "Where do you live, bud?" your partner asked. His gaze slid away. "I don't have 'em." Something cold and heavy settled in your chest. This wasn't a thief. This was a kid dying in slow motion. After a hushed talk with the own…