The faint flicker of lightning—and its fading clap of thunder—wears away.
The rush and thrum of rain on the frayed straw roof and sodden leaves wanes into a soft, muffled pitter-patter.
In the womb of the dark forest, late afternoon—bare of sunlight—the abandoned, tattered little thatch house offers the boy a sanctuary.
He huddles in a corner, chin shored against folded knees, shivering from the chill wind that gushes through the open door, the ripped windows, and the broken roof.
A golden retriever lies curled by his side. Sensing his cold, it leans in close, nuzzling the side of its face against Rhean's legs.
Rhean's gaze meets the dog's deep brown, affectionate eyes. A smile blooms on his face. He rubs it lovingly, running his hand through its soaked golden fur, now darkened by rain.
But then—the dog stiffens.
The loose posture turns alert. The hair on its back rises. It stands on all fours, staring toward the open door.
"Where are you going, Zoro?" Rhean asks, rising and trailing behind his friend.
And then—through the rustling leaves, chirping birds, tinkling insects, and the soft patter of rain on trees and straw roof—comes the sharp crunch of twigs beneath footsteps. Close. Nearing.
The sky begins to clear, the black and gloomy clouds parting. Sunrays drip through the tight-woven canopy, slowly illuminating the misty, dark green forest.
Hazy voices follow, echoing in Rhean's ears.
"Do you really think a kid could survive out here?" a man asks.
"Can you shut your mouth for a fucking second?!" a woman snaps back.
"Hey!" "Goddamn, you're hurting my head!" "You—" "Look!"
"Huh? Where?"
"Look at the hut, dumbass!" Sky huffs, ducking beneath a low-hanging branch that drips rain onto her blue raincoat. She steps over a tree trunk half-snapped from a storm.
Ace follows her.
The narrow path through the tangled wilderness scratches at him—twigs, thorns, and nettles itching his skin.
Sky moves ahead toward the vine-covered thatch house, her hands veering away the hanging leaves and branches in her way.
"I swear to God, Sky, if a leech sucks me—"
His words cut off at the low growl of an animal.
He freezes.
Sky halts as well, her feet rooted.
A golden retriever stands between them and the hut, stiff and defensive. Fierce, glaring, its tense posture poised for a fight.
"We're not gonna hurt you, buddy," Sky says gently, raising her hands and inching forward.
"Calm down…" she murmurs, eyes locked on the dog's dilated pupils. But its growl grows louder, then erupts into sharp barks.
It's guarding something. No—someone.
From the hut, she hears light footsteps retreating—confirming her suspicion: someone's inside.
"Did you hear that?" Sky asks without shifting her focus.
"I did," Ace replies, squinting at the gaps in the cracked hut. "Could it be him?"
"I'll handle the dog. Go inform Boss. And get the boy out."
"Okay."
"Such a good dog… stay calm," Sky soothes, inching closer as the dog barks louder, fangs bared in warning.
Inside, Rhean stands frozen against the wall, swallowed in shadow.
He doesn't know these people. He's not ready to reveal himself to strangers—especially in the middle of these woods. He's survived three days without a single human. Why now? Were they here to punish him for beating those boys at school?
His eyes round in fear. Heart pounding in his ears, his little body taut and trembling.
"Is someone here?" a man's voice calls out as he steps inside.
Zoro's barking has ceased.
Did they hurt him?
Panic bubbles in his chest. Tears brim in his cocoa-brown eyes.
He backs deeper into the corner, hoping to vanish into the dark.
"Hey! Reveal yourself!"
Ace squints into the dimness, his trained senses catching the faint outline of the small form trying to hide.
"Is he in there?" another voice calls.
Deeper. Calmer. Familiar.
"Not sure. Ace went in," Sky replies. Footsteps crunch closer, nearing fast.
Rhean doesn't move. Eyes wide, staring at the looming figure before him.
He shakes, breath hitched. A tear slips down his chubby cheek.
Then—just as Ace reaches for him—another man storms in through the door.
"Rhean?"
His voice is mellow, cautious. Kind.
Rhean's heart skips a beat. His ears perk up.
He lifts his head, staring at the tall figure, the hood of his raincoat pulled down.
Light seeps through the gap in the ruined roof. And the face before him cuts through the curtain of fear—bringing light. Hope.
"Dada…"
Rhean rushes into his father's open arms as Rhett drops to his knees.
He collapses into his father's embrace, broken sobs wracking his small body.
"It's alright, my boy," Rhett murmurs, holding him tight.
Rhean clings to him, burying his face into his chest, his arms wrapping around him.
"You're safe."
Rhett sighs—relieved yet aching at the sound of Rhean's cries. He presses a kiss to his son's head and strokes his back gently.
"I'm here."
Ace and Sky glance at the two and smile in quiet relief.
Rhett pulls back, brushing tears from Rhean's damp cheeks. The boy sniffs, hiccupping, his breath starting to calm.
"Are you hurt anywhere?" Rhett asks, inspecting him with worried eyes.
"No," Rhean whispers, shaking his head.
Rhett smiles faintly and runs a hand through his wet hair.
"Let's go home. Shall we?"
The boy nods, wiping at his face. The rain hasn't fully ceased yet, so Rhett removes his own raincoat and wraps it around Rhean, zipping it and securing the hood.
He lifts him into his arms. Rhean clings to him, resting his head against his father's shoulder, relief washing over him.
He hadn't known going home could feel this… joyful.
Then he jolts upright.
"My Zoro?!"
"Who's Zoro?" Rhett frowns.
"He's my dog, Dada," Rhean replies, panic surfacing again.
"Don't worry," Sky calls, gesturing toward the golden retriever lying peacefully on the muddy grass, tongue lolled out. "He got a little too protective, so I gave him something to help him rest. He'll be up soon."
"Zoro!"
Rhean squirms, trying to get down. "Is he okay?!"
"He's fine. Uncle here will carry him," Sky says with a grin, nudging Ace with her shoulder.
"Me?" Ace balks, pointing at himself, eyes wide in disbelief.
The kid's backpack already weighs him down, and now this?
Sky skips ahead with a mischievous smile, while Ace groans and eyes the large slumbering golden retriever with dread.
Rhett turns back to Rhean. "How did you meet him?"
"I found Zoro here," the boy replies.
"He didn't mind me staying. We're friends now."
Rhett hums quietly in response, a mixture of wonder and guilt twisting in his heart.
He can't believe his son endured this long, all alone in the wild.
But he's not alone anymore.
He clutches the boy tighter—as if letting go would mean losing her all over again.
They walk together—father, son, friends, and one of their complaining companion—through the damp green trail that leads home.