The streets of the city were washing themselves in the yellow glow of the lamps, and the cold air slipped between the buildings like an old whisper.
David stood silently, his eyes lost among the passersby, as if his mind were still trapped in what had just happened.
Rio approached him with steady steps and a smile that never left his face. He looked lively despite the fatigue etched upon his features. He said in a voice that carried unexpected warmth:
"Thanks for calling the police. Without you, things would've gotten much worse."
David couldn't find anything to say. He merely nodded slowly, a heavy silence surrounding him.
Suddenly, Rio reached out, took David's hand, and began gently pushing him toward one of the nearby restaurants.
David was startled by the sudden gesture and gave him a questioning look.
"What are you doing?"
Rio laughed lightly and replied with playful enthusiasm:
"Come on, dinner's on me!"
David hesitated for a moment, then decided to go along with it. He knew Rio was the kind of person who didn't easily change his mind—and maybe, deep inside, he felt a bit curious about him.
They sat in a small restaurant overlooking the main street. The smell of hot food mingled with the fragrance of the night, and the lights of passing cars reflected on the glass like restless sparks of life.
They exchanged a few words—mostly about ordinary things—but behind those words lingered in silence that understood more than what was spoken.
When they finished their meal and left the restaurant, the city had quieted down, and the sky shimmered with scattered stars.
Rio stopped for a moment, gazing at the moon, then said with a mysterious smile:
"The world is complicated and unfair... but am I sorry to be part of it? My answer is no. What about you?"
David lifted his eyes to the moon as well. He thought for a moment, then answered softly, his voice tinged with honesty:
"I don't know... I've been through a lot, but I'm glad there's someone who cares about me."
Rio smiled, as if David's words had echoed something deep inside him. He extended his hand gently and said:
"My name's Rio. What about you?"
David replied quickly, the name leaving his lips without thought:
"David."
Rio laughed, gave his shoulder a friendly tap, and said with lively energy:
"Well then, David, why don't you give me your number? I've got a feeling we're going to be close friends."
David smiled faintly, reaching into his pocket for his phone.
"Sure."
At that moment, it felt as though the entire city had fallen silent, just to listen to the birth of a new friendship beneath the light of the moon.