Chapter 3

I had nightmares all night.

The first thing I did when I opened my eyes was reach for the edge of my bed.

I wanted to hold my cat, Pumpkin. My fingers only touched cold sheets.

My heart dropped. I threw off the covers and ran to find him.

I searched every corner of the house. Panicked, I asked them where Pumpkin had gone.

My mother came out of the kitchen, spatula still in hand.

"Stop looking."

Her tone was as calm as a weather report.

"I found Pumpkin a new home. The family has a big yard and two kids. They'll play with him."

"Chloe is allergic to cat fur. Severe reactions can cause shock."

"Before she comes home, there can't be a single cat hair in this house."

I clutched the little bell in my hand. The metal edge dug into my palm.

I opened my mouth. The sound that came out didn't sound like my own.

"He's seven years old... I've had him since he was born."

"He's scared of thunder."

"In a stranger's house, he'll be too frightened to eat or drink."

The last sentence came out with a sob.

My mother frowned.

"Vivian, your sister has been alone over there for so many years. Isn't she scared?"

"Why is everything always about you?"

My breathing went ragged. I couldn't catch a full breath.

I leaned against the wall until the black spots in front of my eyes cleared. Then I grabbed my jacket and ran out.

"Vivian!" my mother called after me.

I didn't look back.

I knocked on half the neighbors' doors. I stopped the mail carrier.

I posted Pumpkin's photo on Nextdoor. I went door to door asking people to check their doorbell cameras.

The mail carrier thought for a moment. He said that when he delivered mail that morning, he saw a strange black car parked in front of our house. A woman got in with an orange cat.

I followed the direction the car might have gone. By the time I reached the corner, my legs were shaking.

Cold sweat soaked through my T-shirt, layer after layer.

I screamed Pumpkin's name until my voice cracked. I couldn't find him.

In the evening, a new post popped up on Nextdoor.

[There's an orange cat crouching by the mailbox on the corner. Soaked. Won't leave no matter what. Anyone know him?]

The moment the photo loaded, my blood ran cold.

It was Pumpkin.

He was huddled next to a rain-soaked cardboard box, half his fur matted into clumps.

I grabbed my jacket and ran for the door.

My mother blocked the doorway.

"He's already been sent away, Vivian."

"What do you think you're doing, chasing after him now?"

My father came out of the study, his face dark.

"Vivian, how can you be this cruel?"

"Chloe isn't even back yet, and you're already trying to make her unhappy?"

His hand rose high.

I stood there. I didn't move.

In that moment, I actually thought: let him hit me.

But my mother lunged forward and grabbed his wrist.

"Not the face!"

Her voice cracked.

"Chloe is coming back soon. If she sees bruises, she'll be scared!"

My father's hand froze midair.

I stared at my mother's hands gripping his wrist. My throat felt stuffed with iron.

I couldn't speak.

So she was protecting me—only so Chloe wouldn't be frightened.

They pushed me into the storage room.

I grabbed the doorframe with both hands. My father pried my fingers off one by one. My mother blocked the hallway.

The door slammed shut in front of me.

I lunged for the handle. It wouldn't turn.

Locked from the outside.

Late that night, my phone screen lit up again.

A Nextdoor notification.

[An orange cat was hit by a car on the street out front. Someone took him to the vet, but it was too late.]

[A neighbor said he kept hanging around there, wouldn't leave no matter how they tried to shoo him away. Like he was waiting for someone.]

In the photo, Pumpkin lay on the wet asphalt.

The rain had soaked his orange fur to a dark brown.

I opened my mouth to call his name.

But my chest felt like something had been carved out of it. Wind poured through the hole. Every sound was trapped inside. Not a single word could get out.

The tears fell first.

I clenched my fists. My nails dug into my palms, but I felt nothing.

Seven years.

My parents' eyes were always glued to my sister's trophies and videos.

Only he was there. Every day, waiting by the shoe cabinet at the entrance, for me to push open the door.

The whole world was running toward Chloe. Only he always ran back to me.

Now, even he had been "sent away."

Until the very end, he was waiting for me to come home.

The bell in my palm let out a small, clear ring.

The screen lit up again.

[Countdown started.]

[One day left. Vivian will disappear from this world forever.]

I stared at that message for a long time. Slowly, a strange calm settled over me.

Good.

Only one day left.

I would finally leave them forever.