Mongrels
A Meeting of Sorts
Her elementary and middle school years had long gone, with blurring memories and fun. She'd passed the entry exam, and was now trying on her new uniform. A lovely burgundy with plain white, it looked almost too cute on her. And of course, her body was just starting to fill out, so she could feel confident in anything she wore. Slipping on her shoes, she quickly ran downstairs and hurried to the breakfast table.
Eggs, toast, bacon, and a couple slices of tomato, all accompanied with orange juice. Her mother asked her softly if she was ready for the new experiences ahead, and all she could do was shake her head yes, since there was no full-mouth-talking at the table allowed. She left as quick as she had come, kissing both her parents goodbye and to take care. Humming to herself, she quickly made it to the bus stop where her friend was waiting for her. The old bus came along, letting out that nasty exhaust most school kids were use to by now. Tugging her bags once more over her shoulders, she proudly took her first steps to a new life, and the next couple fun years of her life.~~~***~~~It was a dream, just a crazy mixed up horrible dream. But seeing all the blood, it could only be a nightmare, she concluded. Both of them had been hit headed on, some idiot not watching where he was going, clipping their car, and sending it head long into a building. The news covered it all, because a distant store security camera had caught it all on tape. Not to mention the court time, identifying their bodies, and more arguing of how she was to live now.
The funeral was swift, her relatives not too close to them. Her last living grandparent was nice, but didn't even know who she was anymore. So her Aunt Catherine let her stay at the house as it was, as long as she was careful and kept quiet to herself. No friends, no boys, and only one pet allowed. Well, at least she got to have a pet...~~~***~~~"Lily, are you daydreaming again?" her best friend was right in her face, frowning at her for not listening to excessive talking. She just smiled, letting out a huff.
"Sorry Mary, I'm kind of out of it recently. Still trying to decide on a companion to live with." Mary was Marline's nickname, one she'd used since she was five."Maybe you should try a cat?" her friend rested her chin on her hand, elbow leaning on her friend's desk."Too much hair loss, same with dogs... Birds are too messy too, and fish are just boring." Lily grumbled, putting her head in her hands seriously confused.
"Hmmm, well, I'd say a boyfriend, but those types of pets cause problems." Mary just looked at the top of Lily's head.
"...well that's true. But at least you can have one." she let her eyes wander out the window, grumbling at her 'always losing' outcome. The teacher came back from break, trying to hush all of the bustling children. Her friend turned back one last time.
"Just don't give up Lily, have confidence, you'll find something or someone that suits your needs." it was a small boost she needed."Thanks Mary." Lily gave her a small smile.
After school, Lily parted ways with her best friend and made the long walk home, alone as usual. She thought over all her options for a pet. Dog? Well, it was one, but she was sort of allergic to them. Cat? She'd hate all the hairs on her clothes and around the house. Bird? Too noisy and messy for her daily schedule. Fish? So...boring. She let out a loud sigh, kicking a rock farther on the pavement. So what could she do? That house was too insanely quiet all the time for her liking. Perhaps she could find a small pooch...And so the day dragged on, her making it home, doing her homework, and then showering and getting ready for her part time job. She worked for her Aunt's friend, and as long as she worked, she could help with her living expenses. While tidying the place up a bit, she overheard the radio announcer saying something important.
"Breaking news! A wild animal has escaped from the local Government Medical Institute! Be on the lookout for a large feline, white in color with black spots. If spotted, please call this number at..." Lily couldn't believe her ears. That ugly plain building held such exotic things inside? It was just too weird of a thought, so she went back to cleaning.
"Ok, I'll see you Monday Mrs. Haeven!" Lily waved goodbye to her boss and left for home. It was dark out, but the streetlights littered the way with their brightly dim bulbs. She tugged her jacket up more to cover her neck after feeling the hairs stand up. She couldn't break this chill that she felt, even though it was fair outside for a autumn night. Her shoes make a soft clomping sound as she walked, trying to ignore her sense of dread.
Spotting her house close by, Lily pulled out her key and headed around back. She always used the back door just to be on the safe side. Looking around, everything seemed to be in order. Shed was fine, the door wasn't shattered into wooden fragments, well everything was fine!
Here, there, everywhere was the contents of her fridge, freezer, and cabinets. Bits and pieces of food lay around. But no culprit yet! She froze as she heard a thumping from upstairs. Gripping her rake, she moved over the waste and made her way painfully slow upstairs. The light in her room was on! And in her parent's old bedroom...Lily gripped her rake hard. She'd kill this person if they had dared mess up her beloved parent's bedroom! Since it was closer, she went into it first. Nothing was really messed up except for her father's old sweats drawer. Perhaps this perpetrator was... poor? Well, most of the time they usually are, or just evil. She heard another thump that made her heart almost stop. It was time to face this intruder! Gripping her rake, she looked both ways in the hallway before creeping over to her bedroom's doorway. She was a small prayer and whipped around the corner. And the scene left her mouth slightly agape.
A very thin male lay on her bed, completely dead asleep. He looked like a normal student in her school, almost. His light goatee and weariness around the eyes made him look a lot older. He was dressed in her father's sweatpants and nothing else it seemed, not even shoes. Though what was most odd to her was his hair. It was almost mid-chest length on his right side, but the other side was shaved clean. It was very eye-catching, and...the bizarre spotting on the sides of his face, like that of a leopard. And his ears were long and pointed on the ends! Lily was just studying her odd intruder that she didn't see him wake up. Startling blue eyes stared at her, then at her weapon of choice and his eyes widened a bit. He jerked backwards so he was hiding on the other side of her bed.
"Please don't beat me! I was only looking for a temporary meal and bed! I'm very, very, very sorry! Please don't hurt me!" he was begging with those wide eyes. She could hear the fear in his voice, and swore she could smell it like an animal. Setting the rake beside her, she put her other hand on her hip."So how are you going to pay for the food missing and my father's clothes?" she demanded, giving the intruder an unforgiving look. But she was taken back by his actions. He literally crawled over to her feet and groveled before her, like an animal asking for forgiveness."Please! I'm sorry! I'm sorry..." he whined, his hair dragging on the ground as he humbled himself. Lily was getting a little embarrassed now, noticing a half-naked grown man groveling at her feet. She knew she had to get him to explain before she could make a decision."Come on, get up." She said softly, touching his shoulder. "I won't hurt you or anything if you do the same." Uneasy, but he looked up at her; his startling blue eyes just captivated her.
"Oh thank you! Please, have mercy on me." She swore she felt waves of relief coming off him this time. She made him sit on the bed while she grabbed a shirt for him to wear. When she came back, he was laying on his belly, looking like a happy pet.
'Such a weird man.' She thought as she gave him the old t-shirt. It had a big design of Mickey Mouse on it, bought from their only trip to Disneyland that they took when Lily was seven. It brought back good memories for a brief moment. The weird man was staring at her now, head cocked to one side."Now, explain to me why you broke into my house, destroyed my kitchen, and wearing my dad's old clothing." She crossed her arms, giving him a stern look."Well...I came from the big gray square building from across the city. Umm, my name is Vrene; the last 'e' is silent... Ummm, I like the outdoors more, but you have a nice home..." it was like listening to a child."Wait, gray building. The Government Medical building? I thought they said an animal had escaped.""I am it.""You're what?""I'm that animal. I'm genetically altered...""...""It's true! Just watch." He shuddered, and in a fluid trick of the eye, the spots just on his face seem to be all over him. And in another blink, he was back to normal. Lily rubbed her forehead. 'This can't be happening...' she looked over at the curious stranger. He stared back blissfully giving her a goofy grin, or at least she assumed because she could only see half his face from behind that wall of thick pitch black hair. "...my head's hurting already." She let out an exhausted sigh and glanced at the clock on her nightstand. Nine' o'clock, and she hadn't eaten yet.