Neighbor

Porcelain Cat

Simi and her mom had lived in the same apartment building her whole life.

She remembers her three year old self holding her mom's hand as the two of them entered the house together for the first time, it was months after her dad was ruled out to be dead by the police department after his mysterious disappearance.

The house had two bedrooms, a bathroom, a quaint kitchen and the living room took up most of the space. Little Simi loved her new home so much, she ran circles around the house, screaming in excitement. Her mom watched her contently, relieved her baby was so happy to start a new, simpler life.

That day, a kid walked into the house. A little boy. Angelina had noticed the little child standing at the door cluelessly. She didn't think much of this little boy as he seemed to be about a year older than little Simi, she figured he just wanted to make friends with her. She greeted him and let him inside.

"What's your name?" Angelina had asked the little boy.

"Basil," the little boy answered, although he seemed to be zoned out the entire time. He pointed at little Simi who was sat on the floor unpacking a moving box full of toys.

"Simi, a new friend has come to play!"

Simi clapped her hands together in excitement and the little boy ran over to her with a smile plastered on his face. They sat together playing for a good hour or two while Angelina unpacked everything, until things turned sour quickly.

The little boy had picked up a little porcelain cat from the box that seemed to have been Simi's favorite. Simi was very possessive of all her favorite things so her attitude towards her new friend changed.

"Give that to me," little Simi demanded, holding a hand out to little Basil.

Basil didn't like being told what to do.

"No!" The boy clutched the shiny white cat to his chest.

"That is mine!"

Simi didn't like to be disobeyed.

The bickering went on between the two little kids for a few minutes before Basil ran out the door with the porcelain cat. Simi chased after him but the mischievous boy had run into his house and slammed the door on her. That was the last time Simi ever saw that cat. It was the last gift she had received from her dad before he was gone.

That was the day her hatred for the boy from house no. 406 sparked.