Steven

3. Steven

"Gatsby is dead."

Uh oh. I've heard that word before. Dead. Whenever Mrs Susi says it, it makes her sad. And I think I'm starting to know what it means, and it scares me too. But Nick is more distraught that Mrs Susi ever was. Suddenly, I don't think Nick wants space. He wants support. So I slowly walk up to him, and I know I was right when I am invited on to the sofa. After jumping on, I lick off a tear, and he smiled. I like that. And them he strokes me, and I feel the tension easing from him. Mrs  Susi gets him tea.

Once Nick finished drinking, and he wiped his face, his mood shifted away. He looked at me, and I whimpered instinctively. It was bad news.  "Steven. I don't think I can care for you. I'm so so sorry. But I can't."

His voice is broken and rugged, and I feel broken too. I don't want to go. Nick doesn't want me to go! Why, why, why? I can feel myself whimpering, but then I shut up. Nick's not happy. He could hit me. I don't want to be hurt. I want to protect him. Especially now that Nick's vulnerable. But humans are stubborn you know. Really stubborn. He won't let me protect him. He thinks he can protect himself. And he won't listen to me. Oh humans, silly humans.  There's nothing I can do.

The following day, Nick snuggled me for the last time. He tried to smile, but he burst into tears, and used my fur to clean his eyes. I now smell of sad Nick. That's okay. Mrs Susi takes me outside, her professional face pained on, but I know she's distraught. I thought we were going to the pace with the dogs, to get someone new. But she stopped in some quiet side street, and looked me in the eyes.

"The adoption centre has become corrupt. They kill. The world has become cruel. This is your best option. Good luck, Steven. I will miss you." And then she was gone.