MIA
Sunlight streamed down my face, enveloping my entire body in a gentle warmth. I yawned and rolled over as I stretched my paw…
Paw…
Paw…?
Paw?!
My body jolted, my eyes fully snapped open.
The first thing that came to my view was a furry black leg and pink toebeans. A paw! A paw?
'It's still a paw! I still have a paw! It's not passing, it's not a dream at this point.'
I glanced at the broken mirror wall somebody had discarded in the garbage. And the reflection that greeted my vision was that of a tiny kitten.
I had wished for this to be a dream but now I know it's not. This has become my reality. I have somehow become a kitten.
Suddenly, my stomach twisted in pain and I rolled over on the side of the road. I opened my mouth to scream but all that came out instead was—
"Meow... Meow..."
A nearby store owner was startled by my cries.
I reached out the little paw in hopes of help. The cause of my stomach ache was the fact that I have been starving since the past two days.
Out of nowhere, a sharp pain hit my abdomen as the man kicked me away.
"Dang, where did this black cat come from? Such a bad omen this early in the morning! No wonder there have been no customers till now!"
'There are no customers probably because you are a scoundrel but it seems like nobody has told you that' I scowled as I walked away.
But it seemed like with every step I took, my body seemed to grow weaker.
'HONK!'
As I crossed the street, the loud noises of the vehicles made me shiver.
I have never been scared of roads all my life but suddenly my body seemed to have frozen in the middle of the street.
All the fur on my body seemed to have gone erect as an electrifying terror filled me.
A shiny black car sped up in front of my vision but I couldn't move. I couldn't budge an inch from where I stood.
Helplessness struck me. I have yet to do what I came here for.
But now it looked like I was going to die before I could expose to the world what kind of a beast Killian Volkov, that jerk of a billionaire was!
Beyond my control, my body curled on the streets and my eyes widened in horror.
'Screeeech!'
…
In the car, there was an atmosphere of terror. The driver glanced at the man in the backseat.
The man had features that could defy the heavens and bend angels. He looked like a kind immortal who had lost his way and ended up in mortal land.
But one couldn't measure the ruthlessness behind his angelic face.
The file in his hand had flipped over and the seat was full of loose papers.
The man sat there quietly, eyes containing a hint of ice and face holding a trace of confusion.
"Young Master, we should take the other route," The driver began to speak as he stepped on the accelerator, "A black cat crossed the path. It's not a good sign…"
The driver's words trailed off when the man looked at him icily, "Since when have you entertained such foolish notions?"
Kevin gulped, "My grandmother used to say… Moreover, things have been chaotic in the Capital City since you returned. Right now, your safety is our first priority. We shouldn't take chances—"
The man propped his chin on his hand, visibly bored with the discussion, "Go check."
"Ah?" Kevin blinked, stunned.
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Right away," The young man pushed open the car door and left immediately.
But two minutes later, he returned with three striking blood streaks streaming down his face. His face looked like he was on the verge of tears, "It's a kitten indeed, Young Master. It has a collar around its neck so it has probably been abandoned by its master. We should—"
Kevin's words hadn't finished yet when the car door opened and the man stepped out, fixing his classic black suit jacket.
"Young Master, you shouldn't! That's a violent one…" Kevin nearly hyperventilated when he watched his handsome young master crouch in front of the dirty kitty.
Knowing that the man barely listened to anyone, Kevin half-closed his eyes, awaiting what was about to come but a few moments passed.
And nothing happened.
One crouched man and one curled up kitten looked at each other, neither moving an inch.
...
A/N: This story includes a few scenes inspired by the harsh realities stray animals often face. While they may be uncomfortable, they are written with care and purpose, not to disturb, but to reflect a truth that exists beyond fiction.
That said, Mia and Killian's journey is not for the faint-hearted. If things start to feel overwhelming, please feel free to read at your own pace or step away.
For those who stay… thank you for reading with an open heart.