Officers nearly tackled the man, convinced he was dangerous, but when the police K9 ran toward him it didn’t bite—it wrapped him in a gentle embrace, and the truth that followed made every cop quietly remove their hats in respect.

He froze.

Thor wasn’t just some random K9 to him.

Recognition flickered.

He whispered a name no one expected.

“Bear…?”

Yes.

He knew the dog.

The abductor had once been the one who found that stray originally. He’d used the dog to lure children. He’d used him as bait before losing him to animal control.

Thor wasn’t just some obstacle to him.

Thor was the broken beginning of his evil.

Suddenly the monster standing in smoke wasn’t powerful anymore. He was small. Cornered. Facing the last living witness of his own origin. The psychological break was instant. His hand shook. The lighter dropped.

Entry team breached.

Children lifted out.

Fire suppressed.

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