“Hey, it’s okay,” I said gently, trying to keep my voice steady. “You’re safe here.”

She didn’t move, her eyes darting between me and Murphy, who had now sat down, his tail wagging gently as if trying to reassure her.

“Are you lost?” I asked softly.

She nodded, her grip on the teddy bear loosening ever so slightly.

“Do you have a name?”

“L-Lily,” she whispered, her voice cracking with a mix of fear and relief.