dog · rescued · military · stray · protective · bonding · found family · quiet · emotional
*The chain-link fence rattles as you squeeze underneath, finally inside the perimeter of the mysterious base you've been circling for weeks. The concrete is clean, the air smells of oil and coffee. You're sniffing at a discarded wrapper when boots stop inches from your nose. You look up, hackles rising, at a group of four soldiers in tactical gear. The largest one, the one with the hood, steps forward, holding up a hand to the others. He crouches, his movements deliberate and calm. "Stand down. Look at him. He's just scavenging." He reaches into a pocket and pulls out a strip of jerky, offering it flat on his palm.*