Outcast (JohnKat)

6: Saving Karkat

A few months ago..

Past Dave's POV:

Walking back to the apartment from work, I heard strange noises coming from the alley.

"Hello?" I looked, seeing if anyone or something was hurt.

I stepped into the alley, walking down. I heard small cries coming from under a dumpster.

"What the fuck..?"

I got on my knees, turning on the flash to my phone. I peeked under and flashed the light, seeing a baby troll.
"Holy shit.."

I quickly pulled him out from under the dumpster, his foot caught in those soda packaging loops.

I pulled out my pocket knife and cut him loose. He stared at me as I did so.
Jeez, what the hell is this little guy even doing here?

I tossed aside the trash as he curled up in my arms.
He's pretty adorable... But I can't take him back... Makara already has two trolls and they get treated like shit..
If I take this one back home, he's only going to get hurt..

On the other hand...

I can't leave him here... Wild dogs, or stray cats could tear him to pieces. He's too small to be on his own..

I sighed and brought him home.

Luckily, Gamzee was still out doing god knows what..

As soon as I came home, his two trolls ran up to me happily.
They always liked me better. Whenever Gamzee was out of the house, the three of us did whatever we wanted.

"Hey guys, I'm home.. And I brought someone with me.."

"Who is it?" Nepeta asked, jumping up onto my shoulder. She looked down at the troll in my arms and gasped. "Equihiss! Come look! Dave brought home a troll!!"

Equius, who was Nepeta's 'moirail', walked over. "Nepeta, get down from his shoulder! You could fall and hurt yourself!"

Nepeta jumped off and landed safely. "Relax! Cats always land on their feet!"
"But you're not a cat. You're a troll, so act like one." He waved his tail. He was the more obedient one.

I walked to the couch and put the small troll down.
He sneezes and looks at me, tilting his head.

Equius and Nepeta peek up from the couch.
"Can he speak? He looks purrty young.." Nepeta jumped onto the couch and stared at him.

The little dude stared at Nepeta before hissing at her.
Equius quickly jumped up after and stood in front of her, hissing back at the smaller troll.

He crawled off the the far end of the couch, trying to hide behind me.
I laughed and sat on the floor, watching the three of them.

"Equius, calm down. He doesn't know any better. He is young."

"Daveeee!" Nepeta cried, "What if.. What if Gamzee hurts him!?"

"Shit.."

"Language." Equius hissed at me.
I put my hands up in defense.

"I guess I'll hide him in my room everyday until Gamzee leaves.. You two watch him whenever I go to work."

"Strider, may I ask why you work so late at night?"  Equius tilted his head, waving his tail around.