"Done."
I grab the two long sticks, each skewering a perfectly roasted fish. A thin fwooosh escapes as I lift mine.
One for me, one for him.
"Here. This one's yours. You won't believe how good it tastes."
I hand the fish back to the cat. But—
shrakk!
His claws swipe across my face, two lines stinging near my nose.
—GMRRRR!
He growls, bites the end of his stick, drags it a little farther, and starts devouring the top part. The grass rustles under him.
I eat slowly. My head… noisy, restless, refusing to settle.
The midday sun softens. After this meal, I need to move. Before dusk, I must reach that place.
"Haik."
I slip my cloak back on, wipe my mouth.
"It is time."
I take my long stick and follow the river again. Pebbles scatter under my steps — thump, thump.
The cat?
I think he'll appear again later. It's fine if he doesn't. I'm… grateful to him, strangely.
That man… what was his name again?
Since I resumed traveling, I've felt no omen, no dread. Whatever awaits, I'll face it.
Mother… Father… not yet.
"Not yet," I whisper, barely audible.
I glance behind me—
The cat!
He appears again, trotting after me — rustle, rustle through the low grass.
But still refuses to be touched.
"A pity."
I face forward again.
"Time moves quickly… but what am I doing all this for? For what reason do I live?"
Ah—
I forgot something.
I loosen the small pouch at my waist and pull out a photograph.
My family. My father, my mother, the small version of me.
I haven't looked at it in a long while. Thank the heavens it didn't fall out.
I store it again and tighten the knot firmly.
"Bleh."
Walking slowly like this is boring. But—saves energy.
I look at the cat.
"Would you…?"
A faint smile rises.
"RACE ME!"
I dash forward with all I have. Stones and roots blur by; big rocks become stepping points — thump, thump, water splashing lightly at the river's edge splash.
"Hahaha! Cat!"
He runs with me, closing in—
Getting closer—
I won't let him pass—
"But— aish!"
He blasts past me.
He's that fast?
My legs slow, breath heavy.
huff… huff…
I collapse to a sit.
"Fyuuuh… tiring. But fun, wasn't it?"
The cat?
I lie back.
"Hufft… gone again."
Above me, blue sky, birds gliding freely. My eyelids droop—
—GMMMRRR.
That sound. I don't need to open my eyes to know.
"Hm… should I rest now?"
My eyes close for a heartbeat…
No.
I push myself up again.
The cat trots in front of me, guiding — soft rustle.
Before night falls, before the light fades—I must hurry.
"Wait for me!"