The city of New York was very noisy and too frenetic, Robert was used to the tranquility of the vineyards that his father had in Austria, precisely near the city of Sansburg; but this city was the opposite of tranquility. Hundreds of people, well dressed, walking through the streets and several Ford cars, driving through a large pile of cars, all constantly honking their horns as if that were to help them move faster. Robert walked with Companion down the street while some passersby crossed the corner when they saw him, he noticed; but he turned a blind eye to such situations, what could he do to remedy such a situation? Nothing.

They stopped near a restaurant that was opening its doors. This one was called Wonders, apparently it was a rival chain of another that not long ago had opened. Robert dug through his pockets to see if he had even a single coin; but then he laughed as he shook his head and spoke to Companion

 "I must be very stupid friend, I have nothing; but if they have it, I doubt that they will accept my native currency here and I don't think that my presence gives much confidence to the bankers at this time".

The dog barked in response and he retreated to the back of the restaurant. When he arrived he could see the container, which was open with several pieces of food still uneaten. It was a dangerous journey, Robert knew because he had seen some similar things in Vienna a few years before. People who attacked the poor homeless just for rummaging through the garbage, still decided to do it, it was well worth the try.

 "Stay here Partner" Robert asked something cautious "I don't know if this will work or not but I want you to be safe"

The dog barked in response and Robert went to where the container was. He started to check what might be in the trash only to find a half-eaten piece of hamburger.

 "It's not much; but it's something" whispered triumphantly Robert leaving the restaurant area

 "Hey, what do you think you're doing ?!" A person asked behind his back

Robert turned around and saw a police officer parking his motorcycle near the sidewalk.

"I asked him what the hell is he doing?" the officer asked him again, who had his name on his lapel

"I'm just trying to survive Officer Jersy"

"What I can see is that you are stealing filthy sewer rat!" said officer Dick Jersy taking his revolver out of its holster "now put your hands where I can see them"

"It's just garbage, no one is stealing" replied Robert angrily "I'm not a thief"

"Put your hands where I can see them" Jersy repeated angrily "Now!"

Companion started barking and Officer Jersy pointed his gun at him. Robert didn't know if he would shoot or not; but he would not bother to confirm it, he stood in front of the dog while the officer fired, Robert was shot; but he continued in front of the dog who continued barking, running he took him at the moment when a second bullet entered his back. The noise of the gunshots alerted people and Officer Jersy, seeing that that guy was still running, decided not to continue, the last thing he wanted was to be fired because of some human shit.

Robert continued running despite the pain, he had the dog in his arms and his food in his hand. He kept running like there was no tomorrow, remembering, in the process, his late wife who was yelling at him.

"Robert watch out! They're shooting at us!"

"I can save you!" Robert yelled in the present recalling the past "I can save you both!"

He ran as if he were in a marathon, despite being weakened he kept running until he could reach a safe alley and there he could snuggle up.

"I saved them" Robert moaned as pain washed over his back "I saved them both!"

Companion licked Robert's face, who was crying with happiness for having prevented his wife and son from dying. It didn't take long for him to realize that he only prevented Companion from dying.

"I think I only saved you friend" he said sad but also happy "however, as I told you, it is not much; but it is something"

Companion barked with happiness as he continued to lick his face.

After a while they both ate what little they could get. The bullets weren't in fatal zones; but they left him with severe back pain for a few days, however the blood was another story. He would have to heal those wounds as soon as possible; But first he would eat something with his new friend in the alleys of that strange city.