A Tiny Target on the Wet Pavement
Water slashed against the asphalt as heavy tires rolled past.
A tiny orange kitten sat planted directly in the middle of a wide, rain-slicked highway lane.
Gray water pooled around its small paws, splashing upward every time a vehicle sped by.
The animal tipped its head back, opening its mouth wide against the falling rain.
Its fur was completely matted, pressed tight against its thin frame by the sheer weight of the downpour.
Every few seconds, the glare of approaching headlights swept over the kitten’s shivering body.
The orange coat was darkened by the wet, blending dangerously close to the color of the oily road.
The kitten tucked its ears back, squeezing its eyes shut as another wave of gray mist washed over the blacktop.
It did not try to run or hide.
It simply kept its mouth open, entirely exposed to the elements and the rushing metal passing by.
The rain continued to fall in thick, heavy sheets, bouncing off the surface of the highway.
Headlights Pierce the Downpour
A dark vehicle pulled forward, its yellow headlights cutting through the curtain of rain.
The car came to a stop just a few feet from where the kitten sat.
The driver’s side door swung open, exposing the dark interior to the harsh weather.
A man wearing a heavy dark jacket stepped out, planting his boots directly into the deep puddles on the road.
He pulled his collar up against his neck, lowering his chin to block the wind.
He walked straight into the headlights’ beam, closing the distance between the vehicle and the small orange shape on the ground.
The man did not look back at his car or check the other lanes of traffic.
He stepped in front of the bumper and slowly lowered himself down.
He dropped to both knees, letting the cold water immediately soak right through his trousers.
The rain battered his shoulders and plastered his hair flat against his forehead, but he kept his eyes on the animal.
He slowly extended his right hand, keeping his fingers flat, and reached through the falling water.
He pressed his palm gently against the kitten’s back, letting his thumb slide softly behind its wet ear.
The kitten blinked, its small body shuddering under his hand.
The man slid his fingers down the animal’s sides, supporting its ribcage, and scooped it up from the pavement.
He lifted the kitten toward his chest, holding it firmly with both hands as he rose to his feet.
He tucked the orange ball of fur under his chin, wrapping his arms around it to block out the wind.
Safe Behind Plastic Grates
The harsh glare of the highway slowly gave way to the steady fluorescent lights of a clinical room.
The man sat on the edge of a bed, wearing a light blue patient gown.
The collar of the gown rested loosely around his neck, and his hair was entirely dry.
Right beside him, sitting on a rolling tray table, was a hard plastic pet carrier.
The man rested his right hand flat on the top of the carrier, tapping his index finger softly against the plastic ridges.
Inside the crate, the orange kitten sat up, peering out through the metal grating of the door.
Its fur was fully dried now, fluffed out brightly under the hospital lights.
The man leaned his head back, letting out a long, slow breath as his shoulders dropped lower.
He spoke toward the carrier, moving his hand down to stroke the plastic sides.
The kitten pushed its small pink nose against the metal bars, blinking up at the man’s face.
The man smiled, his jaw loosening as he watched the dry, warm animal settle down against the towel inside the crate.
A Shared Meal and a Quiet Rest
The clinical walls were eventually replaced by the warm, dim glow of a dining room lamp.
The man, now dressed in a dark blue button-down shirt, sat at a round wooden table.
A plate of food sat directly in front of him, a silver fork gripped loosely in his left hand.
Right on the table, just a few inches from his plate, the kitten stood over a small white bowl.
The animal dipped its head down, chewing quickly as the man brought his own fork to his mouth.
With his right hand, the man reached across the table and rested his palm on the kitten’s back.
He slid his fingers down its spine, from the base of its neck all the way to its tail.
The kitten’s tail twitched slightly, curling upward as it continued to eat.
The man set his fork down, resting his elbows on the edge of the wood, and watched the small orange cat clear its bowl.
Hours later, the bright lamps were switched off.
The man lay flat on his back beneath a heavy white comforter.
His eyes were closed, his head sinking deep into the pillow as his chest rose and fell in a slow, even rhythm.
The orange kitten lay curled in a tight circle directly on top of the man’s chest.
Its head was tucked in, its small back rising and falling in perfect time with the man’s breathing.
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