It was the day before the popular party to welcome the Mystery Girl. I knew where Jack lived, so the news reached me quickly. But a nerd like me wasn't invited, so I had no interest whatsoever. Besides, parties terrify me—too many people. I hate the thought of being in one.
I went outside to get some fresh air. Passing my house, I headed towards the school and went to the usual tree nearby. The white cat was there, as usual, sprawled out behind the tree, licking her paw. When she saw me, she looked excited and came running toward me. I knelt down and picked her up in my arms. Her white fur was always clean and smooth. Never once did I need to groom her or take her to the vet.
I met her when my mom passed away. I remember walking up to this very tree in my little suit, the rain pouring down hard that day. I felt like the world had lost all meaning. How could she die? She was so strong, so healthy. I was young, but my heart couldn't bear the pain. When you lose someone close to you, it's like falling into an abyss—an endless chasm where you can't find the will to get up and go on.
I kept walking aimlessly in the rain until I saw this oak tree. There was a strange warmth emanating from it, like a familiar presence calling out to comfort me. I walked toward it and sat down, leaning my body against its bark, tears welling up in my eyes.
In the distance, I could see a white cat, petite, walking toward me. The rain danced around her, but not a single drop touched her fur. It was as if an invisible, orb-like aura shielded her from the rain. She walked up to me and climbed onto my lap, resting her head to sleep. Her comfort that day was heaven's mercy on me. Since then, I've always fed her and stayed by her side. But no matter how hard I tried to take her home with me, she would hiss and get mad. I stopped trying after a while.
It's strange—she doesn't seem to age. It's been 11 years, but her white fur is as smooth as ever, and her green eyes sometimes appear to shift color.
I sat on the grass and rubbed her fur, a smile spreading across my face. I just love it when she's relaxed. Suddenly, I heard the snap of a twig. Alerted, I whipped my head around, but I saw no one.
"Hi," a feminine voice called from beside me.
Startled, I rolled onto the ground, clutching the cat in my jacket. Slowly, I adjusted my glasses to see who it was.
"I'm sorry I startled you."
It was her. The Mystery Girl. Anxiety and surprise flooded me. What was she doing here in the middle of the night, much less wearing a black, see-through gown? I could clearly see her hourglass figure, though she wore shorts and a bra beneath. She had on tulle black gloves, was barefoot, and sat down next to me.
I felt my palms grow sweaty. Despite the chill in the air, I couldn't stop quivering in her presence. Her aura felt... different, almost otherworldly.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be here, but I love this tree. There's something about it that makes me feel peaceful," she said, resting her chin on her knee and staring into the distance.
What's wrong with me? Say something, idiot.
"Um, yes. I, uh, find the tree quite splendid," I stammered, awkwardly patting the bark of the tree.
The white cat pawed at my skin, almost as if disapproving of my choice of words.
"Ouch."
"Your cat is lovely. May I know her name?" she asked, her voice tranquil and gentle.
I was nervous but managed to keep my composure. She smiled, her eyes catching the moonlight. They were fiery red, like wine swirling in a glass. I shifted closer to her, holding the cat in my arms.
"I haven't given her a name yet," I admitted, rubbing the cat's fur.
"Can I touch her?" she asked, moving a little closer, her arm just inches from mine. I felt a strange static sensation, as though her aura carried an intense, almost electric force. The hair on my arms stood on end.
"Y-Yes, sure!" I replied, my voice slightly pitched.
She leaned forward, gently stroking the cat. Her face was close to mine. The static sensation grew stronger, and I held my breath, afraid she might feel it if I exhaled. A strand of her hair brushed against my face, and I couldn't hold it in any longer. I exhaled slowly. She must have noticed, but she didn't react.
"Let's call her Scarlet," she said softly, looking at me. Her face was so close, her fiery red eyes locking onto mine.
"Jaze?"
"Um, yes. That's perfectly fine. Scarlet—it's a beautiful name," I muttered, tense but trying to sound agreeable.
She smiled, withdrew her hand from the cat, and leaned back against the tree, sitting adjacent to me. Scarlet suddenly leapt from my arms and climbed up the tree. I looked up and saw the stars. A shooting star streaked across the sky in a brilliant flash.
"Look, a shooting star!" I exclaimed, pointing eastward toward the sky.
"It's beautiful," she replied,her voice tinged with awe as she gazed up at the sky. It was as though she held the image of the shooting star in her mind. Her smile was so beautiful, like Mother's. I stared at her smiling at the sky and looked at what she wore. Wasn't she cold? The air was quite chilly. I felt braver with every passing minute. I took off my black jacket and tried to hand it to her, but she shifted slightly away from me, her look serious.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. You might catch a cold. Please, take my jacket," I said with a glint of affection in my eyes. She seemed to relax. Slowly, she took my jacket and put it on.
"Come to the party," she said while looking at me. I pointed to myself, confused.
"Me? I can't. Jack, he's..."
"I'm inviting you over. Don't worry about him. Just come, okay?" she said while standing up.
"She's hungry; you should feed her," she added, her gaze fixed on the tree. I squinted up and spotted Scarlet lying asleep on a branch.
"But she's fast asl—" I started, but she was gone. I whipped my head around and walked a short distance, searching for her, but she was nowhere to be found. How was that possible? That was too quick. Was she really that fast? Maybe she's an athlete. What do I know? For an average guy with no particular gifts, I guess I don't understand people very well.
Adjusting my glasses, I headed home. I was almost at my door when I sensed something unusual behind me—a strange, heavy aura. Turning around, I peered at the bushes near a neighbor's yard. There, I noticed what looked like blood trailing on the leaves and a pair of eyes glinting back at me.
I froze, shivers running down my spine. But I couldn't just walk away. Slowly, I approached the bushes, inching closer to the unsettling presence. A few meters away, the eyes vanished. Rummaging through the bushes, I found a trail of blood leading to a dead rabbit.
Feeling a pang of sadness, I quickly dug a hole and buried the small creature. I've always hated seeing animals die, especially the little ones.
Just as I was about to stand, I heard a faint growling sound behind me. Slowly, I turned around and froze. A wolf—no, something far larger, almost the size of a cave bear—stood there. Its sharp talons and fangs glistened in the moonlight as it snarled, its gaze locked on me, demanding my blood.
Panic surged through me, and I screamed at the top of my lungs before bolting. My breath came in ragged gasps as I ran, the creature's presence growing closer with every second. Then, I felt a thump against the tip of my shoe, and I stumbled, crashing to the ground in the middle of the road.
The moonlight shone brightly, illuminating the monstrous creature as it howled at the sky. Without warning, it lunged at me. Terrified, I curled into a ball, covering my face and bracing for the attack.
But then, a piercing scream echoed through the air, rippling like a force field. The wolf-like creature staggered backward with every wave of sound. Its eyes shifted from me to something—or someone—behind me. Slowly, it retreated into the shadows, disappearing into the darkness.
Relief was short-lived as a wave of pain shot through my body. The cancer was flaring up again. I crumpled to the ground, clutching the pendant around my neck. I waited for its familiar warmth, its healing power, but nothing came.
"What? Why?" I murmured, my voice weak as I tightened my grip on the pendant. Still, nothing. The pain intensified, and I could feel myself slipping into unconsciousness.
Through half-closed eyes, I saw a white cat approaching me. It stopped a few feet away, its bright gaze locked on mine. And then, as my vision blurred and the world faded to black, the cat's image was the last thing I saw.