The driver was driving in silence, keeping close to the center of the road. On the passenger seat, an old dog was dozing.

Then, without any warning, a strange car appeared ahead of them. It was moving slowly. At some point, it slowed down, the back door cracked open — and a black garbage bag was thrown onto the roadside. The car immediately sped up and disappeared around the corner.

The driver tensed. The dog growled and lifted its head, alert. He slowed down, then stopped. The garbage bag on the roadside… started to move.

His heart pounding, he got out of his car and walked toward the bag.

It was covered in mud and soaking wet. The man crouched down and touched the plastic. At that moment, something suddenly twitched inside.

He took out a knife with trembling hands and carefully opened it. Under the plastic was a piece of fabric — and a small living child’s hand emerged.

Stunned, he took a step back. Then, summoning his courage, he gently unfolded the fabric. In front of him was a little boy, about two years old, his face covered in mud, lips pale, eyes closed.

He wrapped him in his jacket, picked him up, and carried him to his car. The dog came over, whimpered softly, and licked the child’s cheek. The baby let out a faint whimper, then fell silent again.

The driver got back behind the wheel, his fingers still trembling. What now? Call the police? Go to the hospital? Or…

In the end, he headed for the hospital.

Later, he heard on the news that a two-year-old child had gone missing, his parents nowhere to be found, likely on the run.

A week later, he filed for temporary guardianship. A month later, it became permanent.