Alley

I've lived here for ages. It's not just the city—it's this very corner. I don't know why. I've left this place many times with the firm resolve never to return. But something always drew me here, to this particular corner... but now at least I have a good reason.

She comes here every day. With long lashes, beautiful brown eyes, and always something good in her backpack. Her long legs walk quietly, in a way that's forever etched in my memory. Her long brown hair, pulled back in a ponytail, reaches down to her shoulder blades. When she comes, we can sit together for hours. She tells me everything.

That's why I don't like leaving my corner. I might miss the moment she comes.

Today she's wearing a knee-length denim skirt and a light brown shirt with a blue floral motif on the collar. She's just getting ready to leave. She smiles at me again.

"See you tomorrow," she says to me... As usual.

But something's not right, as usual. A bad feeling overwhelms me. I quickly run after her. As it turns out, I'm quite right.

The thug is holding her backpack. She tries to hit it, but he grabs her wrist. He drops the backpack and grabs her other hand... I quickly jumped at him.

"Puck!" the thug hissed. "Fuck off, you stupid furry!

" He tries to shake me off, but I just dig my claws in harder. I'm not that old after all...

He pulls out a knife and cuts me. Deeply. It hurts like hell. He made a huge mistake, though—he lets go of the girl's wrist.

He strikes it with the back of his hand, then trips him. The thug's head thuds against the sidewalk. For now, we're fine with him.

He gently scoops me up and carries me to the alley. He sits down in our favorite spot and starts petting my head. He worries

needlessly. I've been here for ages... literally. A wound in my stomach isn't enough to get rid of me. I'm cursed, and I truly wish I could die... but not yet. Not in front of her.

Perhaps one day our souls will meet again under more favorable circumstances... but I'm a cat now, and there's nothing I can do about it.

But for now, her gentle hands on my fur are enough for me...