One.
!~! Six Years Ago !~!
I trudged home, my feet making scuffling sounds as I dragged them halfheartedly down the New York sidewalk.
The sounds of the city echoed through the alley that I currently walked through, but I payed them no mind, the only sound I heard were my own thoughts tumbling around in my head.
Per usual, I walked down the same alley I always did, because there was no other road to her mom’s apartment.
With that, there came the danger.
“Whatcha’ doin’ out here mutt?” A snarky, not well grammared voice called out.
I glanced back, seeing the large teenagers walking up, their hair slicked back, in their blue jeans with snarky looks on their faces.
They were only 12, but by the way they walked up like they owned the place, some would expect them to be older.
I stayed silent, eyes downcast.
The one in the front, named Belmo, took that as an invitation, grabbing my black hair and throwing my backpack to the ground.
I squeaked, wincing as they threw me onto the ground, the harsh gravel cutting my skin.
Parker drew his leg back, as if to kick me, but a black shadow streaks by, stopping beside me.
It was a cat, his fur light black with super dark black stripes.
The boys laughed, but something about the cat radiated respect, as well as some kind of feeling that drew me to him.
The cat did a smirk-like look. He turned, running back into the alley.
I almost followed him, but fear held me down.
Parker reared back again with his foot, but a growl echoed down from the end of the alley, he froze, and all of the boys watched, as out of the shadows, a enormous black panther padded out, his yellow-gold eyes glowing.
His mouth stretched open, revealing sharp teeth that glinted in the lamplight.
The boys turned tail and ran, screaming like wimps.
My gaze never left the large cat, I was afraid he was going to kill me, but, the shadows seemed to melt around his body, and soon, the black-striped cat appeared, padding up to me.
Almost everything inside me told me to run, run far away from the cat and the shadowy panther. But, something else called my to pet it, so I did, and the cat erupted in purrs, leaning into my touch.
“Hello my friend, thank you for, well... whatever that was.” I speak to him, and the cat gazes up at me like the panther with the yellow-gold eyes.
“Would you like to come home with me?” I ask gently, still stroking his fur.
His knowing eyes carried a look that told me the answer: Yes.
I smiled, standing up and throwing my backpack over my shoulder, turning to look back at the cat, who was padding behind me.
“My name is Hali, I suppose you need a name...” I paused, thinking of a name for this magical cat with yellow-gold eyes, who seemed to pull her closer, who seemed to know the panther.
“Aha! Panther, I’ll name you Panther!” I said, smiling as I walked home, Panther at my heels.
