Dustin didn't step closer. He remained at the doorway and spoke gently.

"It's okay. I won't hurt you. If you're hungry, you can come eat anytime."

The white fox's amber eyes glimmered in the dim light. They stayed locked on him, sharp and wary.

He stepped back and grabbed more food from the fridge. Then, he placed a few slices of ham and a small bowl of milk in the corner of the kitchen. He returned to the living room with a book and pretended to read while watching the kitchen from the corner of his eye.

Half an hour passed before the fox finally limped out from the storage room. It scanned the area carefully. Only after confirming that Dustin posed no threat did it dart forward to grab the food, then hurry back to its hiding spot.

Over the next few days, Dustin left food in the kitchen corner every day. Sometimes it was sliced fruit, and other times, cooked chicken or pet treats he'd bought at the store.

The fox came at irregular times, appearing at dawn on some days and late