The Beast

The Beast (9)

I was being obedient today, not wanting to have a replay of what happened when I tried to escape from Adrian.

And to think that it was only yesterday that it happened.... and yesterday that I forgave him in the park after giving me candy.

After we finished the rest of the candy yesterday, having given a few to some children who came around to play, he walked me home, insisting that he needed to do it.

Why did he need to do it?

I rubbed my arms in an attempt to warm myself as I stepped outside into the cold morning air. It wasn't snowing, the sun was actually shining quite brightly up in the sky, but the wind was cold.

I was starting to wonder if it would always be like this everyday.

I rubbed my eyes with my fists as I silently stood on my porch, waiting for him to arrive. I knew I was early but I didn't know what time he would pick me up. He just said he'd come by today so, to be safe, I woke up earlier than I usually do.

I played with the hem of my loose, red shirt and stared at my sneakers nervously. My hair was going over one shoulder, held tightly by a red string that matched my dress.

I tilted my head to the side as a small kitten approached me, meowing quite adorably as it stumbled on its little feet. It's fur, which was surprisingly clean, was orange with stripes of white here and there and it had wide dark brown eyes that stared up at me with great curiosity.

I had to resist the urge to giggle as I gently scooped it into my arms, cradling it as it meowed and snuggled up to me.

I was stunned. Cats.... Actually, any animal that I have ever seen always tried to avoid me but here this little thing was, snuggling up to me like I was its mother.

A small smile tilted my lips and we stared at each other, my face softening at the sight.

"Meow."

"Hello." I whispered and if cats could smile, then the little thing was smiling at me. "Are you lost?"

"Meow."

I looked around, looking for any sign of a frantic person looking for the kitten but the road was empty of any form of life besides Mr. Berns who was watering his bushes a few houses down. I diverted my gaze to the kitten and scanned it legs or neck for any tag.

I found none.

It was staring at me curiously as if saying: What are you looking for?

I gave it a small smile. "Well, it seems like no one's looking for you. Do you have any family?"

"Meow." 

I felt confused as to why I was highly fascinated with the kitten but I found I liked it. For the first time, an animal actually liked me and I liked that it liked me.

"Is...Is it alright if I take you in? You seem hungry?" I asked, and deciding that it was still too early for Adrian to arrive, I hurried inside, shutting the door behind me before I headed to the kitchen.

I gently placed the kitten on the counter and surprisingly, it sat still like it was behaved. Its eyes were still wide.

Milk....

I rummaged through the fridge for some milk and took out a small bowl from the cupboard before filling it up with the liquid.

The kitten remained still.

"You need a name." I mumbled as I approached the kitten and placed the bowl in front of it. It looked at the bowl and then at me.

"Go ahead." And as if it understood, it immediately lapped at the milk hungrily and I took in its skinny form.