The car door hangs open.
Cold air floods in.
STAR is shaking.
Not from fear—
from the moment finally arriving.
GHOST thinks she might hesitate.
Just a second.
Just long enough for doubt.
She doesn’t.
She practically shoves past him.
Bursts out the cop car door
before the officer can even plant his feet.
Snow explodes under their paws.
Sirens behind them.
Freedom ahead.
STAR runs like she’s been waiting her whole life.
Faster than he expected.
She keeps looking back.
Not afraid.
Daring him to keep up.
This wasn’t a rescue.
This was a choice.