Chapter Text
It was one rainy afternoon when you had finished working on the clinic. You took a small detour on an alleyway near your apartment. Since it was still in the afternoon, you weren’t afraid of walking there alone.
The alleyway was large enough to fit a car. It had a lot of garbage dumpster at the side. You were halfway through the alleyway when you heard a soft mewl near the dumpster. You paused from walking.
It sounded like the cat was worried about something—you assumed it was a cat because of the sound.
You looked around, even taking a step back since you passed a few dumpsters. When you finally found the sound of the source, you felt your heart crack at the sight.
A baby fox was lying near the dumpster, covered with dirt, scratches and wounds. They were abused by someone—you didn’t know who. Beside them was also a beaten up orange cat, along with a black sitting beside them. It looks like they are the source of the sound.
You walked to their direction, alerting the black cat. They formed a defensive stance and flinched when one of their paws hit the ground. You crouched down, “Oh no, you poor things.”
You reached out to the baby fox, “Ouch!” You winced when the black cat suddenly lunged and scratched your hand. You withdraw your hand, glancing at them with confusion.
They were protective. You immediately understood their feelings.
“Hey. I’m sorry for reaching them without permission. Your friends are badly injured and I want to help them.” You reasoned while staring at the cautious cat in front of you. “I’m not going to hurt you guys. I promise.”
You smiled a little at their direction. On any day, you would’ve found it funny talking to a cat. You pretty much assumed that every animal you encountered is a hybrid. You can just clown yourself if they weren’t.
Okay. Focus.
However, you are really worried about why they were beaten so badly.
The cat stared at you, analyzing your actions before they relaxed. You smiled at their reaction before looking at the fox again. You contemplated for a moment before placing your backpack down on the wet ground, opening it. The cat meowed so you had a response like you always do in the clinic.
“Hang on, it looks like your friends are in a much worse condition. This place is not good to clean their wounds. I have to take you guys home.” You explained as you brought out a huge white cloth. You earned a hiss from the cat, giving its disapproval.
“I’m a physician, bud. I know what I’m doing. I’ll let you guys leave my apartment after you recover. Sounds good?” You persuaded.
You can’t clean their wounds when they are not in a sanitized environment. The longer they stay here, the more their wounds will get infected.
It looked like the cat was contemplating. You placed the white cloth on your lap, closing your bag and wearing it again. You saw the orange cat slightly opened his eyes and whimpered. You grimaced, it looks like it was in great pain. The black cat glanced at their friend then to you before answering another ‘meow’.
You sighed in relief, “Thank you. Then, I hope you don’t mind.”
You carefully picked up the baby fox first, placing them between the cloth. Your heart immediately cracked when you heard its small cry. You whispered reassurances to the fox. Although you weren’t sure if they could hear you. You picked up the orange cat next.
The orange cat squirmed on your hold, “Bud, it’s okay. It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you okay? I’m just taking you to a safer place to fix you up, okay?”
It looks like the cat understood you, even seeing it opening their eyes and looking at you. You smiled warmly at the cat. They gave your hand a soft lick. You placed him gently on your lap, beside the fox. Finally you glanced at the black cat, extending your hand towards him. He flinched and stepped back.
“Hey, you need to get fixed up as well. I know you are also worried about them.” You mentioned before hearing the clouds rumbled. “It’ll rain again soon. We have to hurry,” you said, looking back to his direction.
The black cat hesitantly walked to your hands. You carefully picked them up, placing them beside their friends. You wrapped the cloth around them, giving them warmth.
“You guys are soaking wet. That’s not a good thing. It’s kinda uncomfortable for you guys but, bear with it for a few minutes, okay? We’ll reach my apartment soon.” You told them as you stood up.
You heard their answer as you walked away from the alley.
———
When you had reached your apartment, you immediately shut the door. You skidded towards the living room and carefully put down the towel on the couch. You unrolled the towel, checking for the creatures underneath. The black cat was asleep. You smiled slightly before snapping out of it.
Focus. You have to treat their wounds.
You stood up, leaving a hot trail to your room to grab your medical kit. While doing so, the black cat woke up. They slightly stretched before observing the new surroundings.
“Oh you’re awake,” the cat flinched and positioned himself in a defensive stance.
They relaxed when they saw, it’s just you. You were holding a medical kit as you sat down in front of the wounded creatures.
You started inspecting the fox first. It looks like they had the worse ones. You turned to the side and opened your kit. You felt a stare in your direction and you know it’s just the black cat.
They were very wary of you.
You understand him that they are vigilant since they could have experienced something bad. You couldn’t help but feel bad. They didn’t deserve such treatment. You lay out the things you need on the table and started treating the baby fox’s wounds.
You whispered encouragement and apologies towards the fox. You can feel your heart break every time you hear it whimper at the touch of the alcohol. It was the same when with the orange cat.
“There,” you mentioned as you finished treating their friends and placed them on a new blanket, big enough to cover the two. You didn’t want them to feel cold. Especially with their condition.
When you looked at the cat, you found them staring. You slightly got used to it so you smiled at them lightly. “They need to rest for awhile. They will be fine. Don’t worry.”
“Your turn, buddy.” You told them. They still look wary but they walked up to you, seeing their right paw was hurting them.
“You shouldn’t walk on them,” you commented as you carefully inspected it. It was covered with wounds. You started treating them. You felt their stare.
“Seriously, what happened to the three of you? Did you get beat up?” You muttered. You never expected an answer from the cat though.
It’s a cat. A smart cat who acts like a human.
“There, all fixed. You should stay put for a while. It could get worse if you use it.” You reminded them. They meowed as an answer, you stared.
“You know I can’t understand you, right?”
You heard it scoff.
What a cat with an attitude.
“I’m placing you beside them. Let me pick you up real quick,” you said and picked them up and placed him on the fox’s other side. They leaned and nudged the fox with their nose. You cooed at the sight.
You cleaned your stuff and threw the dirtied ones on the trash. You had gotten tired and went to bed straight after that.
That was your first encounter with them.