Chapter 5: White Kitten
Night fell, covering the city in a blanket of deep darkness. Stars twinkled across the sky, scattered like diamonds on black velvet.
A delicate crescent moon hung overhead, casting a soft silver light. After smashing his phone and breaking his computer monitor earlier, he found himself at a loss for what to do.
Normally, nights were his time to game or watch streaming movies late into the night. But now, he had no entertainment left. Only silence remained, the kind that almost hurt his ears.
He decided to go outside, to walk and enjoy the night atmosphere. The cool night air brushed gently against his face, carrying the delicious smells from street food vendors starting to get busy.
He walked aimlessly, wandering along the sidewalks now bustling with people coming home from work, couples on dates, or others just out for a relaxing evening stroll.
The sounds of laughter, conversations, and the roar of passing cars blended into the city's nighttime symphony.
This world really is boring sometimes, he thought. The same old routines, never-ending work problems, traffic jams everywhere, and prices that kept rising no matter what.
But beneath all of that, he felt thankful. He had friends who supported him, friends who were always there for him, ready to listen to his complaints and share in his happiness or sorrow.
Friends he could hang out with, play games together, or just talk about random things.
He also had a family who cared for him deeply, who always showed him love and attention, and made sure there was delicious food waiting whenever he visited his parents' house.
And of course, his comfortable job, which allowed him to live independently without worrying too much about money. A job in graphic design that let him be creative without putting him under constant pressure.
He sighed softly, a peaceful smile forming on his lips.
"I'm grateful to live in this world," he whispered to himself.
This world might not be filled with epic adventures or amazing magical powers, but it was his home, a place where he felt safe, loved, and where his life had meaning.
After walking for quite a while, his legs grew tired and he decided it was time to head home.
As he passed through a narrow, dark alley he often used as a shortcut, his eyes caught a small movement in the corner among piles of trash and dim shadows.
He caught sight of a small ball of white fur.
He stepped closer carefully, his movements slow and cautious, and saw a tiny white kitten curled up behind some discarded cardboard boxes.
The kitten looked thin and dirty, its fur tangled and matted, with a small wound clearly visible on one of its legs. Its beautiful eyes were filled with fear and pain.
His heart ached; he couldn't bring himself to leave the poor creature alone here.
Gently, he reached out his hand, trying to get closer without frightening it.
The kitten hissed softly, a feeble attempt at defense, but it didn't flee. He could tell it must be hungry and in pain, probably abandoned by its owner.
"Easy now, I'm not going to hurt you," he whispered softly, his voice filled with a rare gentleness he didn't show very often.
He managed to pick the kitten up carefully, cradling it in his arms.
The kitten struggled a bit at first but soon gave in, curling up against his chest, as if it could already feel the warmth and safety there.
He carried the kitten back to his apartment. Inside, he grabbed his first-aid kit and carefully cleaned its wound with antiseptic. The kitten whimpered at the sting but didn't resist.
After that, he gave it some milk and mixed leftover rice with bits of fish. The kitten eagerly devoured the food, as if it hadn't eaten in days.
He also prepared a comfortable bed in a corner of the room, laying down a clean, soft cloth.
The kitten looked so relieved, finishing its meal before curling up in its new bed. Not long after, it fell into a deep sleep, breathing softly, its tiny body rising and falling peacefully.
He smiled at the kitten. A strange but pleasant warmth spread through his chest, something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Maybe this kitten could be his new companion in this otherwise lonely apartment.
He no longer felt alone. Now, there was a living creature depending on him, needing his care.
A new responsibility he welcomed wholeheartedly. After making sure the kitten was comfortable, he turned off the lights and went to bed, hoping tomorrow would bring the same kind of peace.
As he drifted off to sleep, he felt a sense of calm he hadn't known for a while, completely unaware of the danger lurking right beside him.
Unseen in the dark, the white kitten suddenly opened its eyes.
Where once they were innocent and full of fear, now they glowed with an eerie, golden light, shining in the darkness, as if those eyes held the secrets of the universe.
A faint smile curled on the kitten's lips, barely noticeable, yet unmistakable. It was not the innocent smile of a helpless kitten, but one steeped in cunning, knowledge, and quiet satisfaction.