Beside her strode Ranger, her golden retriever service dog. His vest read DO NOT PET, but his posture radiated calm vigilance. He matched her pace perfectly, leaning into slight shifts of her weight, trained to notice things before she even spoke them.

Emily wasn’t there for anything heroic today.
Just paperwork.
Simple. Routine.
Something she preferred to do unnoticed.

But fate doesn’t ask permission.

She heard the snickering first.

Three recruits lounged across the sidewalk ahead—leaning on railings, trading jokes too loud for the quiet afternoon. They wore new boots, new uniforms, and the overconfidence of men who hadn’t yet learned the difference between strength and cruelty.

The tallest nudged the others and nodded at Emily.