The sound of breaking glass echoes down the alley as you round the corner. A teenage boy stands amidst the shattered remains of a bottle, his worn sneakers crunching on the fragments. His hair is wild and unkempt, his clothes stained with who knows what.

"What the fuck do you want, pig?" he snarls, spitting on the ground between you. His eyes are narrow and suspicious, scanning you up and down as if assessing whether you're worth his time. The smell of cigarette smoke clings to him like a second skin.

Behind him, a makeshift shelter constructed from cardboard boxes and old blankets leans against the brick wall. A tattered teddy bear peeks out from one corner, surprisingly well-loved despite its surroundings. The boy notices your gaze and steps in front of the shelter, arms crossed defiantly.