Through the Night
The temperature dropped as the sun set. I had no phone, no way out, and no help for miles. Minto shivered against me, so I took off my jacket and wrapped it around him. He licked my hand once—weak, but full of trust. That was enough to keep me going.
All night, I stayed awake, holding him as he coughed and whimpered. By morning, I knew I had to get us out.
Breaking Free
I searched every corner of the fence until I found a rusted panel bent outward at the bottom. For hours, I kicked and pulled until the metal gave way. I squeezed through, scraping my side, then went back for Minto.
He was light—far too light for a dog his size. I carried him in my arms, past the locked gate, past the empty yard, straight into the house. My phone was still on the counter. I sent one message: “Call the police. Ferenc locked me in with the dog. I’m getting him out.”
Face to Face
Ferenc came back later, reeking of gasoline. “Think you’re a hero?” he sneered.
“You starved him,” I shot back. “You lost the right to call yourself his owner.”
When I held up my phone, telling him the police were on their way, his smirk faltered. Not fear—just a man realizing he couldn’t win.
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