Spirit Guides

The sounds of the dark city flow around me as I walk through the streets home to my apartment. Phoebe is probably already waiting for me to get home so she can make dinner. I snort as I imagine her belting it out to Ariana Grande in our kitchen while she waits for me.

I freeze as I hear a shoe scuff on the ground a few feet behind me, but when I glance behind me no one is there. 'wierd. I could've sworn I just heard someone behind me. Better walk faster.' I pick up my pace a little, heart beating faster in my fear of an attacker hiding in the alleys around me.

'it's really empty for this time of night, I think to myself. Usually there are many people out around this time going to clubs, or restaurants around the city. Shaking my head, I continue down the street, but abruptly I hear voices yelling from behind me and several pairs of feet getting closer and closer by the second.

Heart beating out of my chest and breaths coming in short gasps, 'im not usually the athlete in any given situation', I take off at a sprint. The footsteps also increase in pace and a man yells, 'well, more like slurs,' "Heyyyyyyy, stop for a sehcunnd. We just wannaa talk to yuuu."

I toss a glance behind me, shouting, " Not interested buddy! Go find some other poor woman to harass. And maybe sleep that alcohol off! It's not a good look for you!".

Just when their drunken shouts start to fade behind me I begin to slow down, only to run feet first into a fallen trash can, I scream as I tumble face first into the dumpster right behind it. Garbage squelches as I land in a heap in the bottom of the dumpster. My hands are in old cat food, my hair is in blue hair dye, and my but is in spilled apple juice. Who knows what the rest of me is in. 'eughhh. Gross!! How did I end up here if all places? Is that throw up?!?' I screech as I scramble to the other side of the dumpster only to land on something soft and furry.

I furrow my brow as I glance down and see that I'm sitting on a black cat! Yelping, I crawl off of it as fast as I can. "Oh, I hope I didn't crush it!". I put my hand on its neck and there's a faint pulse. 'its still alive!'.

I grab it gently and in my attempt to get out of the dumpster I land on my back with the cat on my face. Spitting out candy wrappers and cat fur I look up to see the old woman across the street frowning at me with a broom in her hands. She starts backing away into her house as I get up and step forward her.

I reach my arm out, yelling, " No! It's not what you think! I'm not dumpster diving! I fell in on my way home!". A little bit if crazy laughter slips out of me when she slams her door shut in my face. I look like a hobo searching for food in the trash, planning to eat this cat. Which I will not!

I turn on my heel and make the trek back to my little apartment. Phoebe is gonna be so shocked.