The End

I walked through the hallways of the building, adrenaline forcing my usually sluggish blood through my veins as I watched Socks skitter around. The relief I felt at having her back was so strong I could taste it, so strong that the scowl I maintain to keep people from trying to talk to me was slowly slipping from my features, replaced by an expression of genuine affection for the tiny creature. When I started to smile my neighbors must have passed out in shock. I guess somewhere deep in my brain there's a remnant of my young idealistic self, untouched by cynicism. Idiot. I thought I got rid of that guy a long time ago. I've considered getting rid of him again, but then I'm afraid I wouldn't take very good care of Socks, and I'd rather give up the last shred of my dignity than let her be mistreated. I idley watched one of the residents walk down the hallway, to big boxes teetering precariously in his arms. Just as I was thinking about how unsafe that seemed Sock darted in front of the man. I gaped as the man's foot neared her head. Socks yowled. The boxes wobbled. But at the last second the man moved his foot, peering at the cat. "I'm sorry I almost stepped on your cat," the man said apologetically, "she seems quite sweet." Another spike of relief fueled adrenaline rushed through me. "What the hell were you thinking, carrying that many boxes at once? You've got the muscle tone of a noodle, boy. Give me one of those. You got lucky, if you had put your foot down a centimeter to the right I would have had to kill you." I grabbed a box and walked outside to a moving truck parked at the curb that I assumed was for him. "Th-than-k you" the man stuttered. I put the box down in the truck and waved him off "Yeah yeah, have fun wherever you're going. Let's go inside Socks." As I watched whoever that was finish loading his things and drive away -not out of any concern for him, you understand, just because I don't think Socks would like it if he hurt himself trying to move those giant boxes- I felt as though something was changing. I scratched Socks' head. "Come on kitty," I sighed, satisfied that the guy was safely on his way "let's go to bed."