The shelter was quiet. Rows of cages lined the walls. Dust floated in the thin light.
Sage sat in the dusty corner. He watched a hamster get lifted into a carrier. The cage door rattled. Sage didn't move.
A small child stopped at Sage's cage. She pressed her nose against the glass. A foggy circle appeared.
The child smiled. She pointed at the iguana. 'That one!' she said.
The shelter worker shook his head. 'He's been here a long time.' The child kept her hand on the cage.
The child waited. Her small hand rested on the cage door. She did not take it away.
The child reached into the cage. Sage froze. His green scales stayed still.
The child lifted the iguana onto her arm. Sage did not run. He just sat there.
That evening, the room was warm and sunny. A smooth rock sat by the window. It was waiting.
A family gathered around the warm rock. They sat quietly. The iguana watched them.
Sage blinked slowly. His eyelids closed and opened. He was safe.
The sun warmed the rock. Sage stayed still. This was his home now.
