Run| m.c.

one

The heel of my shoe catches on the edge of the curb, my body connecting with the abrasive edge of the concrete for a short moment before I can shove myself back into a standing position, my legs twisting into motion once more. I push myself as fast as I could go, the mass of fur and teeth and growling a constant reminder of why each breath I take is stolen out of my lungs before I can catch it.

My head tilts over my shoulder before I can stop myself, the darkness of the fur and the sheer size of the wolf distracting me from noticing the increasingly small amount of distance between the giant creature and me.

I force my eyes off the wolf and ahead of me, attempting to dodge the rough crack splitting the sidewalk in two but failing, flesh meeting pavement once more. I shift onto my back, trying to scramble backwards but only meeting the side of a building. The animal's movements slow only slightly, his muscular legs shifting him forward gracefully as he runs closer, black eyes trained on me as a growl rips from his throat. I shut my eyes as he is about to reach me, tucking my head down and huddling into myself as I await the inevitable.

But somehow the inevitable doesn't occur.

-

"Luna, stop being difficult," I let out with a huff, lifting up the small kitten and sending her an exasperated look before trying once again to get her into the carrier. And once again she clings to my hand, her claws scratching at my palm as she lets out small mewls of protest.

"Do you need some help?" A soft voice asks hesitantly, my body twisting towards the voice as I nod gratefully. A small smile grows on my lips as I realize who the voice belongs to, Michael Clifford. I've known Michael since we were young but never really talked to him, his presence has just always been a constant feature in my classes.

Michael has always been quiet, shy almost, and calm by nature. He always sat in the back of the room and never attracted attention to himself, only talking when he was called on and keeping to himself the majority of the time. Even so, he always was one to hold a door open for people or offer a helping hand when needed.

"That would be great," I reply softly with a smile, looking down at the small bundle of fur clinging to my arm. "I was trying to figure out what size carrier she would need but she won't let me put her in one to try it out." I explain, Michael's head nodding in understanding before he glances over the shelves, pulling a medium sized carrier off the ledge.

"She's a snowshoe, right?" He asks, the white paws and otherwise black and gray body confirming his guess at her breed. "Mind if I try?" He asks, waiting for my affirmation before reaching towards Luna to pull her into his arms.

Luna flinches away from the unknown hand, letting out a small hiss and baring her small teeth at Michael. This does little to deter him, Michael squatting down till he is at eye level with the small kitten, his green eyes locked onto hers as he slowly reaches out a hand towards her. This time she concedes, dipping her head and letting him touch her, his fingers eliciting a purr from her throat as he scratches gently behind her ears.

Michael hooks his hands under her front paws, pulling the small bundle into his arms as he places a small kiss to her forehead. He holds her against his chest with one hand while he uses his other hand to twist the latch and open the door to the carrier, gently placing the small kitten into the plastic kennel.

"This size should be good because when she grows she should still be able to fit," He explains, pulling Luna from the cage and handing her back to me while closing the carrier door.

"Thank you," I reply gently, Michael finally looking up to me as he gives me a small nod, his warm mossy eyes latching onto my own. He bites down onto his bottom lip as he looks at me, the emerald in his eyes deepening slightly as he lets out a shaky breath.