The sensation of frozen asphalt against her cheek began to make her head spin. The muffled sounds of the city gradually became a murmur, while the pungent smell of damp settled in. Everything went on without a sound. Yuni could feel the uniformed man's foot pressing her skull harder and harder against the floor.

Lined up in a perfect straight line, in the middle of a little used cul-de-sac, the creatures howled in terror. Yuni said nothing. Her gaze was fixed on the grey wall in front of her, already inoculated with blood. Her turn was fast approaching. Looking death in the face gave her neither warmth nor coldness. She was one of those people who had been convinced that there was no hope for them. No chance of redemption, no chance of fulfilment.

But fate is vicious.

A woman silently approached Yuni and pointed the barrel of her gun at her forehead. At that moment, all her fears took over. Tears streamed down her face. The officer's finger went to the trigger and...

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

~~~

A tiny drop landed on one of her whiskers, snapping her out of her reverie. Opening her eyes, Yuni regained awareness of the world around her. The dull buildings as far as the eye could see, the black sky heralding an impending storm... For a moment, her lungs filled as the rain thickened by the second.

"Finally, after weeks of drought!"

The feel of the water against her black fur sent a shiver of pleasure down her spine. In her grey jacket, patched from scratch, she spread her arms to the side and opened her mouth wide to feel the drops on her tongue. Yuni fell back into childhood. Perched on a huge roof of abandoned offices, she could watch the hours pass at the speed of light.

After a few minutes of excitement, the young cat padded over to the ledge and sat down. In the distance, the colourful lights of the city shone for miles, adding a little cheer to the gloomy atmosphere that remained in Nighthaven.

One day I'd walk out there, head held high, no questions asked.

Her eyes wandered to the void beneath her feet. Darkness had settled in over the last few minutes, preventing them from seeing anything in the streets below.

What if...

Yuni leaned forward, ready to fall.

What if that darkness was calling me? That I didn't belong in the light?

A long, heavy silence answered her. She straightened up. It wasn't her time yet.