Scars and Rainfall [Inanimate Insanity]

Chapter 4

Everything once again happened so fast; glassware darted in all sorts of directions, cutting through the tension-filled air.

Balloon instantly shielded the cat as it screeched with shock.

After a few more seconds a final glass shard stabbed the air, severely slicing the cat in its already scarred leg.

And Balloon screamed loudly.
"OJ!!" he cried out, frightened to a fault.
His eyes swelled with tears and tiredness. This day had just started and it was already exhausting.

Rapid footsteps bellowed through the hallway, and the bedroom door flew open. It was OJ, thank goodness.. but his facial expression looked grim.

"Are you okay, Balloon? Again.."
Balloon's already teary eyes filled with more tears.

"No.. I'm not. The cat was struck in its leg with that large shard of glass. It's injured again! I.. I can't take this anymore! Why is someone trying to hurt — or worse, kill — this poor guy!?"

OJ sat next to Balloon, and he cried into OJ.
Protecting a life, protecting a vulnerable soul was so hard.

"I'm so sorry, Balloon. I'm really sorry this is all happening. You nor the cat deserve to be going through this pain."

"Also, please don't worry too much about this.. but someone's out to get this cat. Someone is out for its demise, and I believe it's the former owners."

"What!?" Balloon felt immensely sick.

"It's unfortunately true," OJ confirmed solemnly.

"This object wants this cat to truly suffer, then die. At the very least, they wish nothing but cruel harm on this cat."

The more OJ explained, the dizzier Balloon grew. He felt tremendously woozy and weak just listening to OJ's awful words about that particular someone.
"You don't look well, Balloon." OJ stated worriedly. "Is everything okay?"

No, it isn't.
Of course it isn't okay.

"I'm fine, OJ," Balloon insisted with a forced smile. "Um, can we heal the kitty? It's still bleeding!!"
"Ah, of course Balloon! Hold on-"

OJ raced into the sink room and grabbed a First Aid kit, then hurried back towards Balloon and the injured kitty.
He quickly covered its bloodied leg in gauze, also dabbing hydrogen peroxide in the nearly infected wound.

He'd also wrapped the gauze in some bandages and gently tapped the kitty's leg. It took a while, but at least the kitty was still alive.
The cat was okay now, thank heavens for that. 

"Phew, that was too close. It nearly caught a nasty infection, but thank goodness it did not."

"T-Thank you OJ. You saved my cat; you're a hero." Balloon breathed wearily. OJ flushed a bit, smiling modestly.

"There's no need to thank me, Balloon. I'm just grateful nothing took a bad turn for the worse. But of course, you're always welcome. The kitty will need plenty of rest, but it can still play with toys and eat like normal."

"Also," OJ's tone was serious now. "You were shot in the leg, correct? And I killed that someone who tried to kill you. Well.. that someone seems to be 'connected' to the Animal Patrol."

"That other someone who tried to take all of those stray animals - including your formerly homeless kitty?

The leader is rumored to be related to that someone.. and they might even be the same somebody who flung all of this glass through your balcony window."

"..They might even the this cat's previous owner."

"What!?" Balloon exclaimed.
"I could be wrong, you know," OJ objected. "But that's always a possibility."

Balloon's heart flipped. He felt sicker, to the point he felt like he would die. So much was happening all at once, he couldn't process everything.

"But.. as hard as it sounds, please don't let it get to you. You're doing great, Balloon, and I'm very proud of you. I always have been, though - and given what's been going on recently.. you really are strong."

He sensed himself blushing deeply at OJ's powerful words of kindness. 

That was true, but still.
Reality was cruel; life was cruel.
Someone had to step in and do what was right. It really had nothing to do with being strong.

But nonetheless, Balloon was super grateful for OJ and what he'd said; it meant a lot to him.

"Thank you, OJ. Thank you so much.. again." Balloon mumbled. He was feeling a bit faint from hunger, but he was too happy and relieved about the kitty surviving that he ignored it.
 
"No problem, Balloon. You're going to eat breakfast now though. I'm not letting you waste away like before, so I'll be right back."

OJ left seconds later, and Balloon gazed at the kitten napping, its poor leg twitching here and there. 

He carefully inched closer to the kitty, and tenderly stroked its leg. 
"I hope you feel better soon. It might take a very long time for you to heal, but I'm right here with you. I'll protect you, no matter what. I owe it to you; life owes it to you."

He wasn't sleepy at all, but Balloon had closed his eyes a little. He couldn't begin to imagine how abusive the kitten's former owners were, but he made a huge promise with all his heart:

That as long as this kitten lived - it would be loved, taken care of, and no form of abuse or animal cruelty would ever set foot near this kitty and its delicate life ever again.