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Toola

Few people knew about my existence, including both friends and enemies. I don't remember living without fearing being discovered. When footsteps echoed in the living room, I leaned my back against the door, sinking down to crouch. I wouldn't have eavesdropped if I had known it wasn't about me. But I didn't know. Today, my father's longtime friend was supposed to visit, and I suspected my father wanted to discuss me with him.

For now, they discussed spatial topics, and I began to yawn. They talked about mundane matters and asked each other how they were doing.

"I'm afraid they'll come for him," I heard my father say those words, and I perked up, listening closely.

"I've already said I'll gladly take care of him," a hoarse voice, belonging to his friend, replied.

"Thank you."

I froze, my hands clenched into fists. My parents had discussed my moving away with me many times, but this conversation stirred protest within me. I didn't want to leave my parents. I couldn't.

"Toola, come out!" my father called.

Standing up, I opened the door and stepped into the living room. Seeing me, they both rose from the couch and stared at me. I bowed and approached them.

"This is Erlan, my old friend," my father indicated the slightly overweight middle-aged man and turned to me, placing his hand on my shoulder. "And this is my son."

"Hello," I greeted and extended my hand. Erlan smiled and shook my hand. He seemed kind to me, perhaps due to the wrinkles around his eyes softening his stern face.

"Say goodbye to your son, I'll wait for him outside," Erlan said, walking away.

I stared at my father.

"You want me to live with him?"

"You need to understand us."

"I won't go."

"Toola, if they catch you, something terrible will happen, worse than death. They won't look for you in the city, and they won't be able to find you. They're looking for you here; those people will come to us soon."

"That's why I don't want to leave!" I shouted.

"Listen to me carefully! If you're not with us, they can't do anything. Your mother and I are too old to transform. It's easy for us to pass as humans."

"But..."

"Go," my mother's voice interrupted as I turned. She approached me and hugged me tightly, then abruptly let go, pushing me towards the stairs. "I packed your things and put them outside."

"No!"

"I said go!"

Turning to my father, I shook my head.

"Leave faster, while it's still night in the yard," he replied with a heavy sigh.

Looking into my mother's pale gray eyes, I saw restrained tears. At that moment, I realized their decision wouldn't change. I wanted to remember their faces; I didn't know why such a feeling came over me. It's not like it's the last time I'll see their faces. I hoped it wouldn't be the last time.

Taking hold of the staircase railing, I climbed a few steps and turned one last time before reaching the ceiling and opening the hatch.

My home was kind of like a basement, but not under a house, under a cave. When I stepped outside, I placed the iron lid of the hatch back in place and covered it with dirt. Looking around, I found two travel bags my mother had prepared and took them with me.

Erlan was waiting for me near the cave exit.

"You drove here?" I asked. "Where did you park?"

"Three kilometers from the road."

So we would have to walk about twenty kilometers to reach the car. Too far and too long. We had to leave before sunrise so we wouldn't be noticed.

"Here, take these," I said to Erlan, handing him the bags. He looked at them hesitantly before taking them.

"I hope you realize I'm not entirely human," I clarified just in case.

"Don't worry about that," he grinned.

"Alright!"

I stepped away from him and began to undress. When I threw down the last item, I sat on the ground and transformed into a cat. But hardly anyone would call a meter and a half tall creature a cat.

Sitting on my hind legs, I glanced at Erlan, expecting to see shock in his eyes. But he stood with a calm face. It seemed my father had already explained to him before. I nodded towards the scattered clothing. Understanding my silent cue, Erlan gathered the clothes and stuffed them into my bag. Then I nodded again towards myself. He stared at me in surprise. This time, Erlan didn't understand my hint. I wanted him to sit on my back so we could get to the car much faster. I turned my head again and gestured to my back with my eyes.

"Can you handle me?" Erlan asked.

I chuckled as Erlan sat on my back, his arms wrapped around my neck. Stretching out on my front paws, I bent my back and sprang forward. When we reached his car, Erlan signaled for me to stop. I hid in the bushes and transformed back into a man. Once dressed, I glanced back one last time.

How soon could I return to these places?

Would I ever be able to return?

He placed a hand on my shoulder, indicating it was time to go. I sighed and tossed my bags into the trunk of his car, settling into the back seat. "You can rest while you can sleep; we still have a long way to go," he said. Silently, I closed my eyes. He was right. I needed to sleep to be better rested.