Aster (Hiatus)

5 - Someone

I dashed through the streets beside Clementine who cradled the cat in her arms. I ran with ease, but I had to slow down for Minty. She was breathing heavily, occasionally stumbling over her own feet. It was her idea to run, so I could suggest to slow down, even if she really needed it. The cat did seem in bad condition, it was best to get it help quickly.

We pass through many stone buildings, seeing many other cat's roaming the street. Minty turned a corner sharply and we passed through an empty alleyway, and there at the end I saw it. A small sign with a cross and the words, 'medical clinic'. I enter the building after Clementine and find the building to be completely empty, not a shock with it being at the end of an alleyway.

"PETER!!" Clementine shouted urgently, ignoring the fact that her legs are shaking, barely even managing to stand.

I took the cat from her and held it gently as I told her, "Sit down, please. I will find this Peter."

Clementine nodded and took a seat in the lobby. I wandered the small clinic, kicking doors open. It was possibly Peter wasn't inside this building, especially since there was no receptionist at the front desk. Still, I wasn't ready to give up. I found myself in a backroom, and notice a storage room with light pouring out from underneath the door. With my arms full of cat, I kick this door down as well and hear a deep yelp coming from inside the room.

I see a man with platinum hair shoot up from where he laid on cot. His eyes looked over me, analyzing the situation. He stared down at the cat and breathed a sigh, "I can't treat a cat, go to a vet. There shouldn't be animals in the clinic."

After hearing him say that I lose hope briefly, but then I decided I'll just do it my myself. I had some recollection of first aid Minty gave me, so it wasn't crazy to try it myself. I put the cat in Peter's arms, he took it reluctantly. I searched the room, finding some boxes of supplies and taking out what I thought I'd need. "What are you doing?" Peter asked, his tone a bit anxious.

"If you won't help it I will myself."

Peter seemed to think for a while, then groaned, "Fine. I'll help you, but you better clean every single cat hair in this place."

"Really!? Thank you!" My face brightened into a smile and I bounced excitedly. 

"Put those supplies away, I'll treat the cat with my own tools." 

I nodded, putting everything I took out back into it's original place. Then I followed Peter out and back through to the entrance where Clementine was sitting. Peter walked past as Clementine stood up and walked toward me. Minty looked at me and asked, "Is he helping?"

"Yes..." I replied, smiling at Minty's relieved expression, she returned with her own grin. She grabbed my hand and turned around to walk after Peter. It wasn't very far to where he lead us, just out of the alley and around the corner. He opened the door to let us into a dimly lit Livingroom. The only light came from a few windows near the front of the building. Peter set the cat down onto his coffee table and opened a nearby closet, he removed a small case and a box of matches. Peter lit a few candles around the room, all of them looking to be on the end of their lifespan. He set the case on the coffee table next to the cat opening up to reveal a variety of medical supplies.

Peter reached into the case and pulled out a large bottle of a clear liquid which he pour onto his hands. He used the same liquid to clean the cat's wounds. He seemed very focus on his work, and didn't even notice when me leaning over his shoulder. Clementine was nearby, sitting on the couch. Peter stitched up a few of the cat's wounds and bandaged a few others. He finished up quickly and began to put everything away in the case.

"So..." I breathed in his ear. Peter twisted around and jumped back, pushing the coffee table toward the couch with the force of his movements. Clementine began to cackle at his reaction.

Peter blushed deeply and complained, "Hey, I helped you! Don't laugh at me!"

"SO!?" I said louder, hoping he'd answer this time around.

"Oh, the cat should be fine, but it won't be able to walk for a while." Peter answered, standing up from where he was kneeling on the floor. Peter looked me in the eye and placed his hand on my shoulder, sincerely saying, "I'm sorry I was so difficult earlier. Normally I'd help in a heartbeat, but... Well, I'm grouchy when I wake up." Clementine began to laugh again, causing Peter to turn his head to look at her. As soon as Peter spotted Minty he flinched away. His startled movements caused him to fall on top of me, knocking the both of us to the ground. "Another one!?"

Clementine laid back on the couch, clutching her stomach as she giggled away. Her laughter went on for a good long minute while Peter helped me up off the ground. Soon it became a bunch of helpless coughs and desperate pleas to make it stop. "No- hahaha- I can't stop!"

I immediately went into worry mode and moved over to Clementine. I tried to see if I could remember anything to help but I couldn't find a solution for laughter in my memory. "Are you going to die?" I asked with a sullen face.

Peter put his hand on my shoulder, reassuring me, "She'll be fine. It's just a laughing fit."

I stare at Clementine waiting for the laughs to end. They did briefly but as soon as she looked up at Peter she started laughing again. "I'm glad," She said as her breathing returned to normal, "I haven't laughed like this in a long time."

Peter and I both remained silent, not knowing what to say. The silence didn't last long as Peter broke it, "So about the cat... If both of you don't want to keep it-"

"I'll keep it." Clementine interrupted, "My friend Aster here put herself in danger for it, so I think it deserves a good home."

"Is she injured? What exactly happened?" Peter questioned, his voice full of concern.

I shake my head with a smile. "It's not important, I'm alright and so is the cat."

"Just- Be careful around here." Peter warned, "You can't save every animal you see. I've learned that from experience here. The townspeople hate cats."

"What!? How could they!?" Minty spoke, taking offense, "Cat's are adorable."

"It's likely because there are so many. They are seen as pests here." Peter explained as he finished cleaning everything up. He made sure everything he retrieved was put back in the closet. "There are also many here with cat allergies."

"Oh... I guess that makes sense. Still it isn't justified." Clementine stated, a stubborn look on her face. I nodded in agreeance. Cat lives are precious, and adorable.  

"What do we name it?"

"Let's think about it a while first."

Peter looked at each of us and asked, "Speaking of names... Care to share yours?"

"You already know... But you probably don't remember." Clementine shrugged, "Oh well. Your failing memory isn't my responsibility. Now give me the kitty!"

"Uh- Wait- How do I know you...?" Peter frowned as he scratched the back of his head. He seemed to want to question us more, but he gave in and gently picked up the cat. He passed the cat carefully over to Clementine.

Holding the cat with one arm she reached into her right pocket and pulled out two shiny gold coins. "This is all I have on me right now, take this as payment." Peter seemed reluctant but he extended his hand to take the coins. As soon as the exchange was made Clementine walked off toward the door and headed out of the building. 

I followed after her but before reaching the door I turned to Peter. I gave him a deep bow and said, "Thank you so much! I'm Aster by the way."

"I know, your friend said it remember."

"Yeah, but... Well it was nice meeting you." I replied with a bright smile. I lingered there for a moment, almost not wanting to leave this kind man. It seemed sad knowing that I might never see him again. I never thought about it before, but there are so many people in the world that I will simply pass by without a second thought. Despite this melancholy, it warmed my heart when he returned my smile, just as I was turning to leave.