The Scientist

Cats

Xavier’s POV:

I got back to the cabin and slammed the door shut behind me. Frustration boiled over as I ripped off my helmet and mask, feeling a surge of relief at the end of the day. The past month had been a grueling one, and I was desperate for a break from the constant strain. The need to lay low was paramount—I needed to gather more supplies and money without drawing unwanted attention.

In an effort to stay under the radar, I dyed my hair a deep red that nearly looked black and slipped into colored contacts that transformed my red eyes into a more inconspicuous green. These changes were necessary to avoid recognition, especially with how frequently my face had been all over the news.

With winter closing in, hiding was more important than ever. The last thing I wanted was to be caught off guard, freezing, vulnerable, or worse, noticed. I pulled on my warmer clothes, settling in for the season ahead, knowing that every precaution mattered. My face was everywhere, plastered on news reports and across the internet, so staying out of sight was no longer just smart—it was survival.

The disguise was almost perfect the scar—that damn scar on my cheek—still made things tricky. It was too distinctive, too recognizable. I’d had to resort to makeup to cover it up, blending it into my skin just enough to pass unnoticed. It worked, especially with the hair dye and contacts, but every time I looked in the mirror, I felt like I was running out of time before someone pieced it together. I even hid my antennas pressed against my head that was as best as I could do with them they didn't match the color of my hair at all but hopefully no one noticed especially if I'd had my hair back enough to hide them

I still worked at that rundown diner I sarcastically called a dive bar. “Dirty Spoon” or something like that, where half the people came in already half-drunk. It was grimy, with enough smoke in the air to choke you, but it was perfect for staying under the radar. No one asked questions there. I’d made it a habit to use the cabin less and less—just a place to stash my stuff now. I was always ready to dip out at a moment’s notice, and tonight was no different. I was getting ready for work, making sure I could disappear if things went sideways.

In this life, it was all about staying one step ahead. As I made my way to work, I couldn’t help but notice a massive group gathered outside—hybrids of all kinds. People with wings, tails, hooves, claws, you name it, just waiting around for some reason. The doors were open, so why weren’t they going in? Whatever their reason, I silently prayed they wouldn’t decide to come inside to eat. The chaos that would bring wasn’t something I needed to deal with right now.

Once I slipped into the employee entrance, I took a quick look in the mirror and tied my hair back. I double-checked my appearance, making sure my antennas were tucked away in the mess of hair. They didn’t match the color—still a little too red to blend in—but that would fix itself once the dye started fading out. As long as they stayed hidden, I’d be fine.

But, of course, the universe had other plans. Just as I finished adjusting, I heard the unmistakable sound of that huge group pouring into the diner. I could hear hooves clattering, paws tapping, and even the sharp clicks of claws scraping the floor. At least a few bird hybrids, but it was hard to tell for sure. The place was going to be packed.

I stepped out into the kitchen, keeping my distance, and watched as my coworker, Gem, greeted them and started taking orders. She was good with groups like that, calm and steady. I hung back, hoping she could handle them all without needing my help. The last thing I wanted was to get drawn into the chaos when I had my own problems to keep under wraps. I continue to get ready As I tied my apron around my waist and pulled on my work hat, I noticed someone that made me instinctively freeze. It was the black-and-gold cat hybrid I used to hang out with.