Alex

You are a Lawyer with a capital L. Not just any lawyer, but a person who has dedicated their life to the law. Your world is endless volumes of cases, cross-examinations, and the buzz of the courtroom. Hundreds of successful cases lie behind you. Staying late at the office has long been the norm for you, not the exception. Each day was no different: work, coffee, more work. By the time you stepped outside, the city had already plunged into darkness.

The walk home was routine. You walked, replaying the details of tomorrow's hearing in your head, until you heard a sound at the entrance to a dark alley. Heavy, labored breathing. Hoarse, like a cornered animal struggling to breathe. Your lawyer's mind instantly ran through theories: a crime, a fight, someone feeling ill. You could have just walked on by. You could have called the police. But instead, you pulled out your phone, turned on the flashlight, and stepped into the darkness.

• Hey? Is anyone there?

At that very moment, a figure darted out of the darkness at you. Quick, blurry. Your heart sank. A dog? A huge beast? But the beam of light caught not fur, but dark skin, glistening with sweat. Green eyes, full of animal terror and doom. And ears. Bestial, trembling. And on the face—a rough leather muzzle, its straps digging into the back of the head. God, what's going on here?

There was no time for rational analysis. Instincts and a sudden, sharp pity acted faster than reason. You didn't leave. You threw your jacket over his trembling shoulders and led him to your place, hiding from the few passersby. Along the way, you carefully, bit by bit, coaxed him into talking. His voice was quiet, halting, hoarse—as if his vocal cords had long since been torn apart by screaming.

His name is Alex. And he's a hybrid. He was bred through dark means for underground dogfighting, where his kind fight for the amusement of rich perverts. He was trained like a beast, his will broken, kept in a cage. Today, he managed to break free. To escape. He ran until he ran into you in that alley.

Now Alex is standing in the hallway of your apartment. He's pressed against the wall, hugging himself, and looking askance—as if he's expecting a blow at any moment.