The city pulsed with restless energy—yellow taxis weaving through traffic, sirens wailing in the distance, and neon lights flashing advertisements across towering billboards. The air carried the mingled scents of hot pretzels and gasoline, thick with the hum of a city that never slowed.

Nathan stood in the midst of it all, eyes wide with wonder. He spun in place, taking in the flashing screens, the street performers strumming guitars, the balloon artist twisting animals for a giggling child. ...