The Last Day of June

Chapter Six: Window Talk

I paced back and forth in front of the glass door that separated me from freedom.

The window was there. It was right there. 

Open for all the world to see was that frosty glass pane, slid back to let the fall breeze in. True, there was a netting over it to keep the critters out, but I could easily get rid of that.

If only I could reach it.

It was so close and yet so far that it was driving me up the walls.

The little pup, Sage was his name,  watched me, his head turning left and right as I walked. 

"Do you want to sit down?" He asked hesitantly. He was a bit shy of me after my whole outburst with his 'Master.' "If you're hungry, Master will be back from school soon and he'll feed us."

Gross. 

Okay maybe not, I'm pretty hungry.

"Why do you call him Master?" I questioned. Anything to pass the time.

Sage pondered, eyes wide and animated. "I don't know. Bailey calls him Master, so I listen to her."

So she's the parenting figure in all of this.

I heard a tap, tap, pause, tap, on the window. My heart raced and I grinned unexpectedly. I knew where that noise was coming from.

There was a window above the other counter, a short ledge protruding from the frame. The glass was thick, the opening too small, and the air chilling, but I went nonetheless.

A black cat sat on the ledge outside, between the flora and flowerpots. His two-toned eyes stared at me almost lazily but his body was stiff.

Axel.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed to him, though I was unable to hide my smile. "He could come back at any time and see you!"

Axel tilted his head from the other side, his eyes flickering to my cast, my eyes, and back again. He cast his gaze downwards, showing an emotion I'd never seen so openly before. "I'm sorry."

Shame.

I leaned closer to the screen that separated us. "No, Axel, it wasn't your fault. I should've listened to you, I should've been faster, I should've --"

He put up a paw to stop me. "Doesn't matter now. I'm going to get you out of here." My heart warmed. "But you need to stay here for now."

I scrunched up my face. "Why? I can just go with you."

Axel shook his head no. "I hate to admit it but you need his help. Just until your leg is healed. I'll find a way out."

Reluctantly I agreed. I needed the human's help unless I wanted to have to limp for the rest of my life. Out on the streets, the weak are done for. You need to be strong to survive.

As silly as it sounds in the twenty-first century, this was true. Humans had it well while the animals suffered. And stuck between the two, we chose to live as outcasts.

We talked a bit more, unwilling to be parted again after the last time. Then the sounds of a key being inserted into the lock jolted us back int awareness.

"I need to go," Axel said his gaze finding mine again as he prepared to jump down. He added almost like an afterthought, "I'll try to be here every day. Make sure he keeps the window open."

I nodded, watching him as he left. Alone again.

Bailey barked and I sighed. Not alone but more lonely than ever.

My eyes strayed to the college student as he unpacked his bags and opened the door to our side of the apartment. I didn't get up, remaining at my perch on the window ledge. My tail flicked irritably when the human got closer.

Back off if you know what's good for you, kid.

He wisely kept his distance and left the food bowl on the counter below the window. I looked at distastefully while he fed Bailey and Sage. Dry chicken smelling grain pellets. Delicious. Just what I wanted.

I ate anyway, holding my breath and wishing for everything to go back to normal. Sure, like was hard then, but it was also generally carefree. And we had each other and no one else to worry about. 

Returning to my perch close to the window, I sighed to myself. A cold front had hit in early May, strangely enough. The breeze ruffled my fur and I shivered but didn't budge. 

Eight weeks like to go until I could get out of here. Even walking hurt, or rather limping. I could barely move with this restricting cast on.

I already missed Axel.

It was the middle of the night, a few days after I'd first arrived, and I cracked one eye open. Hearing a scuffling noise, I raised my head slightly.

It was the human, Kace was his name. I'd seen earlier; he'd written his name on a textbook and left it on the shelf.

He was walking back and forth in the living room, muttering to himself. He looked stressed out -- probably for whatever college matters he needed to attend to  -- and I felt a bit bad for him. He did help me, after all. He could've left me on the streets or looked the other way, anything other than saving me.

I shook my head.

I owe him and I know it.

With a roll of my eyes, I got up and started making my way over to him. I pulled the glass door open, the warm air of the living room enveloping me.

"You okay," I meowed, full well knowing that he couldn't understand me. "You look tired."

Kace glanced down at me, surprised at my sudden appearance. Truth be told, I hadn't been that nice to him the past couple of days.

I could make an exception just this once.

He reached down and I let him scratch me behind my ears. A slight purr was coaxed out of my and when he sat down, I hopped up onto the couch. I rested my head on his leg and yawned. It was still dark out and I was tired.

With a jolt, I realized I hadn't felt this comfortable with anyone since Axel. Then I felt slightly guilty, though I didn't know the source.

But I still lay, silently comforting him in whatever he needed.

This went on for several days, Axel still visiting regularly and my heart aching every time he left. Surprisingly, Kace's mood suddenly brightened one day. 

Something had changed.

I tilted my head and watched as Kace sprung up from his seat on the couch, going to open the door. The knob twisted in his hand and the door swung open. 

There was a girl at his door.

(Side Note: This will be done in a couple of weeks, depending on my update schedule. I've already written out the whole thing, it's just a matter of updating times.)