He walked for some time, but stopped when he found someone.

Something.

He looked at it. It was a squirrel.

He crouched down and extended his hand.

The squirrel examined it and tilted his head.

It ran up his hand and his arm, staying on his shoulder.

The boy felt something.

Something broke.

He smiled.

He didn't smile in a long time.

He sat down and moved his hand closer to his shoulder.

The squirrel jumped on it and the boy looked at it.

It had beautiful, orange fur, only white on its belly.

It was his favorite color.

It made him feel warm.

The squirrel looked like it would glow in the dark.

The boy petted the squirrel and it leaned against his finger.

He felt its warmth against his skin.

He liked it.

He didn't feel like that in a long time.

He put the orange squirrel on his shoulder again and continued walking.

He was happy.

He felt accepted.

He had new emotions yet to understand.

And he found someone who cared.

A friend.