I woke up before the sun was fully up.
For a moment I forgot where I was.
The small back room was dim, the air smelling faintly of cleaning supplies and old cardboard.
Then the memories rushed back all at once—the bus, the diner, the note.
The bed creaked softly as I sat up.
I couldn't stay.
The nice lady had already risked enough.
Quietly, I slipped off the bed and moved to the back door.
Just like the note said, it opened easily from the inside.
Cool morning air rushed in as I stepped outside.
I didn't look back.
I closed the door gently behind me and walked away, pulling my hood a little lower over my face.
The streets were already waking up.
Cars rolled past slowly.
People walked toward work, holding coffee cups or talking on their phones.
The city felt busy but strangely calm at the same time.
I blended into the crowd again, keeping my head down.
Just another person walking somewhere.
That was the plan.
But after a while, my thoughts started drifting.
My mind replayed everything from the last two days—the fall, the gas station, the radio announcement.
'Fifteen-year-old boy named Viktor Kardy went missing…'
My stomach twisted.
I wasn't paying attention anymore.
And then—
I ran straight into someone.
The impact made me stumble backward.
"Hey, watch—"
The voice cut off.
My stomach dropped instantly.
Because the uniform was impossible to miss.
Police.
And like an idiot, I looked up.
Our eyes met.
For one frozen second, neither of us moved.
Then the officer's hand shot forward, trying to grab my arm.
I ran.
Adrenaline exploded through my body as my feet slammed against the pavement.
I pushed through people, hearing confused shouts behind me.
"Hey!"
"Stop!"
The officer's footsteps followed.
My lungs burned as I turned down random streets, trying to lose him, but deep down I already knew the truth.
He knew this city.
I didn't.
I turned another corner — and stopped.
Dead end.
A tall brick wall blocked the alley.
My breath came in sharp gasps as I pressed my back against it.
"Fuck,"
I whispered.
Footsteps echoed closer.
Then the officer stepped around the corner.
His walkie-talkie was already near his mouth.
"I found the boy,"
he said calmly.
"I will bring him to the department. Inform the father."
My knees went weak.
"Please don't,"
I whispered.
My voice shook.
"Don't bring me back… please… I beg you."
Ä
My eyes burned as tears threatened to spill over.
"He will kill me,"
I choked out.
"Literally."
The officer paused.
For a moment he just looked at me.
Something in his expression softened slightly.
"Young boy,"
he said quietly,
"you are a minor. I have to report you and at least get yo—"
"No!"
I interrupted.
My voice cracked.
"I won't tell anyone you helped me! Please!"
The alley fell silent.
The officer sighed heavily, rubbing a hand over his face.
"I swear this could cost my job…"
Then he tilted his head slightly toward the wall beside me.
"Get on the fire escape."
I blinked in disbelief.
"Be quick."
He pointed to the metal ladder attached to the building.
My body moved before my brain could catch up.
I grabbed the cold metal and pulled myself up, climbing as fast as my shaking arms allowed.
Below me, the officer lifted his walkie-talkie again.
A short pause.
Then he spoke.
"Lost him again."
His voice sounded annoyed, but there was something else beneath it.
Something deliberate.
Our lie.
I climbed onto the rooftop and stayed low, crawling behind a large ventilation unit. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might give me away.
Minutes passed.
Then ten.
Then twenty.
Eventually, the alley below went quiet.
Completely quiet.
Only then did I finally allow myself to breathe.
I looked out across the unfamiliar rooftops of the city.
I was still free.
For now.