4. Kai
Chapter 4
Kai
Leo’s jaw hangs open. He grips the cat carrier like a shield or maybe a baby. It’s hard to tell. His knuckles are white. His kind brown eyes are wide as saucers. I prefer it when he smiles. He has adorable dimples, which even his neatly trimmed beard can’t hide. His hair is typically crazy, but it’s also windswept from being outside. He keeps the back and sides of his hair shaved short, creating a messy mop of loose mid-brown curls on top of his head.
“You’re not my cat. Who are you? Where’s Cayenne?”
“No, really, I am. I’d transform. Only I’m kind of low on energy right now. Healing takes it out of me. But I will get better, so no need for a trip to the vet.” I fix him with an ‘I mean business’ stare. “I hate going to the vet, especially when they stick me with needles.”
Leo flattens his back against the wall and hugs the cat carrier tighter. “I don’t know who you are, but if you’re hurt, I can help. I have a car. I can take you to the hospital.”
“I am hurt, but I don’t need help.” I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. “I shouldn’t have revealed myself to you.”
Why did I? Oh, right, because I really didn’t want to get dragged to the vet. I should have kept a low profile until I was healed. Only if I’d done that, Leo would have gone spare looking for his cat.
I wave a sore hand at the milk on the counter. “You should take that to Janice, and then we can talk.”
His eyes and mouth open wider. “How—?” His words die on a squeak. He snaps his mouth shut.
Slowly he puts the cat carrier down and edges around the room towards the milk, keeping as far away as possible from me the whole time. He grabs the milk, holds it as tightly as the cat carrier, and shuffles to the front door.
“Don’t move,” he says.
“I’m not planning on going anywhere. Oh. You didn’t get new milk for yourself.”
“Uh… no… I had other things on my mind.”
Presumably, his cat was one of those things. So, technically, me.
“I’ve got a bit of milk in the fridge. I’ll get more tomorrow.” He shows me the flat of his hand. “Don’t move.”
He rushes out the door, slamming it behind him .
Ouch. I roll my stiff shoulders and pat myself down. I ache all over. I do not recommend getting in the way of killer trollies. I’d do it again if it meant Leo didn’t get hurt. I rub my neck and flex each arm and leg. My arm, which took the brunt of the impact, is broken. I’m covered in cuts and bruises. Mostly bruises. I’m not too worried. All the damage will heal. What I am concerned about is Leo. I wasn’t supposed to reveal myself to him. Not now, not ever. But I did. What a stupid, stupid, stupid thing to do. Still, what’s done is done. My task now is to calm him down and stop him freaking out.
The door opens, and Leo slinks back into the apartment. He closes the door but doesn’t lock it.
“Who are you, really?” He glances at the cat carrier like he might be considering using it as a weapon.
“Your cat.” I sound tetchy. I don’t mean to be short with Leo, but I’m tired and in pain.
“That’s impossible.”
“You called me old yesterday because you’ve had me for nearly seventeen years. I hissed at you. This morning, you threatened to get a dog. I smacked you with my paw.”
Leo gapes.
“You found me when I was a kitten. I was mewling outside the patio door of your parents’ house. You’d lost them a week before, when their car came off the road and plunged into a river. You were the only one who got out of the car, although you don’t remember getting out. ”
Leo stumbles towards the table and sits. His face has turned a sickly shade of white.
“I’m sorry about that, by the way. I didn’t get there in time to save them too. I wish I had.”
I wriggle my fingers as a distraction from the knot of emotion forming in my throat and gut. My arm bones are knitting themselves back together. The effort is exhausting. I need to sleep.
“You couldn’t stand living in your parents’ house, so you decided to sell it and get an apartment. You took me to every viewing so I could help you decide which one to buy. It’s the only time I’ve appreciated being in a cat carrier. It was fun getting to see your reactions to each apartment.”
“You—saved me?”
I nod. “I pulled you out of the water. You’d blacked out during the crash. The water was rising fast, but your mouth and nose were still clear of the water. Your parents—well, it was too late for them. I’m sorry.” Tears well in my eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“ What are you?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
He shakes his head.
“I’m your guardian angel, Leo. It’s been my job to protect you since the car crash.”
He wipes his hands over his face. “None of this is happening. None of this is real. Those trollies did crash into me. I’m unconscious. I’m in hospital. I’ll wake up soon, and this will have been a dream.”
“Nope, that’s not what happened at all. I pushed you out of the way, and you threatened to take me to the vet.”
“You really don’t like the vet.”
I narrow my eyes. “Would you?”
He shrugs. “Probably not. This—this is a lot to take in.”
“I know. Take all the time you need.” I yawn. “I need to take a nap. Do you mind if I—?” I point at the bedroom door.
“You want to sleep in my bed?”
“ On your bed. It’s my favourite sleeping spot. It’s even better when you’re there. Being close to you gives me energy.”
“Wait. If you’re an angel, why don’t you have wings?”
“Oh, I do, in my true form. But I can’t show you that.”
He frowns. “Why?”
“It would melt your brain.”
“Any more than this conversation?”
I stare at him sadly. “Yes, Leo. You wouldn’t recover.”
He opens and closes his mouth a few times.
“Sleepytime?” I ask in a pleading tone.
“Uh, sure, go ahead.”
“Thanks.” I walk towards the bedroom but pause beside him and put my hand on his shoulder. “You’re a good person, Leo. Thanks for not kicking me out or calling the police.” He hasn’t called the police, has he? “And letting me sleep. ”
He nods, although he seems to be in a daze. I can’t blame him. He’s got a lot to process. If only I could help, but I’m too tired. Need sleep. Need to finish healing. Everything else can wait.