The author seems almost defeated ("I decided I couldn't run..") but also has a more ethical tone, saying his freedom wasn't worth anything if the city was still under DHS and his friends were still locked up and that his freedom wasn't as important as a free country.
Answer:
Car:tire as cat:paw
Explanation:
I would say "paw" is the correct analogy to a cat because a tire to a car helps the car move and is on the bottom of a car in a sense. Therefore, a paw to a cat is as vital as a tire to a car in the sense of mobilization.
Not 100% sure but its most likely the road of trials.