"Done."
I lift two sticks of roasted fish. The skin splits into a golden sheen, still sizzling. One for me. One for him.
"This one's yours. You won't believe how good it is."
I offer it to the cat—
—GMRRRR.
He grabs the end of the stick and drags it closer, tearing into the top as if he has been waiting forever.
I eat slowly. My head feels heavy—filled with noise, pressure, and thoughts that refuse to settle.
The sun softens. I need to move before dusk. There is somewhere I have to reach.
"All right." I wipe my mouth and straighten my robe. "Time to go."
I follow the river again. Pebbles crack under my feet. I walk while finishing what remains of the fish.
The cat… maybe he will show up again. Maybe not. It is strange, but I am grateful either way.
That man… what was his name again?
As I walk, nothing follows me. No sense of danger.
Whatever waits—I will face it.
Mother… Father…
"Not yet," I whisper.
A small movement beside me—the cat again, running through the grass. He still pulls away when I try to touch him.
"Too bad."
I look ahead. Time keeps moving. But why me?
"What am I alive for…?"
The question slips out.
Right. Of course.
I open the pouch at my waist and pull out a photograph. Father, Mother, and a smaller me. Still intact. Thank goodness.
I put it back.
"Bleh." Walking slowly is boring… but it saves energy.
I glance at the cat. "Want to…?"
A small smile rises before I notice.
"RACE!"
I burst forward. Stones and roots blur past, river spray flicking my legs. "Hahaha! Cat!"
He runs beside me—closer—closer—
"Hey!"
He shoots ahead like an arrow. My steps fall apart. My breath tears. I crash down.
"Phew… exhausting. But fun, right?"
Silence.
He is gone again.
I lie back. Blue sky above. Birds drifting by. My eyes fall shut—
—GMMMRRR.
That sound again.
"Hmm… should I rest now?"
Darkness tugs a little.
No.
I force myself up. The cat walks ahead, as if guiding me with the soft sway of grass.
Before night falls—I need to hurry.
"Wait for me!"
—
When I arrive, the sky is drenched in dusk.
"Still the same," I mutter.
The place Father once showed me—unchanged.
The cat keeps walking. I pause on the hilltop, take a long breath, then follow.
At the base of the hill, he slips between houses toward the livelier part of town.
"Should I… cover my face?"
Farmers return home. Children are carried in arms. Merchants pack up their goods. A blacksmith polishes a hammer. A bard hums. Warm. Safe.
My eyes track the cat into a quiet yard.
Does he have an owner?
I still have time. Food later. Selling things later.
He stops.
A girl waters the plants. The evening light catches her hair. The cat jumps to her, and she lifts him gently.
I freeze and turn slightly away.
"Um… who are you?"
Her voice locks my body in place. I do not look back. I am terrible at talking to girls my age.
The cat comes back to me, circling my legs. She walks closer.
"Wow… that's rare. Lucy usually only likes me and my aunt. Ever since… my father passed away."
I stay silent.
"Do you want to come in?"
I force a small smile. "Th-thank you… but no."
I turn away.
"Really? You…" Her voice cracks. "…you remind me of my older brother."
My step falters for a moment, then continues.
—GRRROOOWWL.
My stomach.
"Hm?" She steps closer. "I heard something… interesting."
Her head tilts.
"Was that your stomach? Or mine?"