Cat's Rule the world.... since when?!

Unwanted Discoveries

Okay, just gotta keep moving. 

Don't look back, don't trip, don't die.

I was still running. My lungs felt like they were on fire, and my legs were pretty much screaming at me to stop, but stopping wasn't an option right now. Not with those angry cat people still hot on my trail. I could hear them in the distance, their shouts growing fainter but still too close for comfort.

Left, right... No, wait, that's a dead-end. 

Left again. 

Don't think, just run.

The streets were getting narrower, and I could tell I was cornering myself, which was not ideal. I had to do something fast or I was gonna end up back in their claws—or paws, or whatever cat-people used to beat up humans. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted it—a fire escape ladder, hanging just above my head, taunting me with its rusty promise of safety.

Here goes nothing.

I jumped, grabbing onto the metal bars and pulling myself up with all the strength I had left, trying to ignore the fact that my hands were slick with sweat and still shaking from the adrenaline. I scrambled up the ladder, not daring to look down, because heights? Not really my thing. But cat people chasing me? Yeah, that was worse.

Finally, I hauled myself up onto the roof, panting like I'd just run a marathon. Which, honestly, it kinda felt like I had. I lay there for a second, staring up at the sky, trying to catch my breath.

Okay. ...

Made it.

I sat up, peeking over the edge of the roof. No sign of them. For now, at least. But I couldn't stay here. Not if I wanted to figure out what the hell was going on. I stood up, my legs wobbling slightly, and glanced around. The rooftops stretched out in front of me like a maze, but if I could make it across a few more, I might be able to lose them for good.

Great plan, Izuku. 

You've always wanted to be a ninja, right?

With that, I took a deep breath and started moving again, hopping from roof to roof, trying to stay light on my feet. After a few jumps, I found myself at the edge of a large building, a much taller one than the others I'd been scaling.

Okay, no turning back now.

I gathered what little strength I had left and took one final leap, my feet hitting the top of the building just hard enough to make me stumble, but I managed to catch myself before face-planting.

Smooth. 

Totally ninja material.

Once I got my bearings, I noticed something strange. On the other side of the roof, there was a large, walled-off property. Trees, shrubs, and flowers stretched out as far as I could see, looking almost like a botanical garden or... well, something fancy and expensive.

Did I just find someone's garden?

I climbed down the other side of the building carefully, dropping down into the yard below. The moment my feet touched the ground, I felt a weird sense of calm wash over me. It was quiet here, peaceful. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, and there were flowers—actual flowers—lining the path.

Okay, this isn't so bad. 

Maybe I can just hang out here for a while. 

Blend in. It's just a garden, right?

I took a few cautious steps forward, glancing around to make sure no one had followed me. The angry shouts had faded into the background, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn't running for my life.

Just a garden. 

A nice, peaceful garden. 

No cat people here... I hope.

As I walked deeper into the property, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. It was too quiet. Too still. And there was this weird smell in the air, like... fish?

Nope, don't think about it. 

Just a garden. 

Probably.

I pushed through a hedge, coming into a clearing where the garden opened up into a wide space. Statues lined the edges, and there was a fountain in the middle, bubbling softly with water. For a split second, I let myself relax.

Okay, maybe this isn't so—

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the bushes behind me. I froze.

Oh no.

I turned slowly, my heart racing all over again.