cover
Kai in a carpark on a rainy afternoon (in office wear pants suit ) with Savannah following close by make the cat smaller kitten
On a rainy Friday afternoon, under clouds as darker than the usual noon, Kai left her office door, then she heard a sound once more. A tiny cry, so soft and small, not from the wind or rain at all. She stopped and turned. She strained to hear. There was a kitten… somewhere near.
Kai in the office calling the animal shelter on the phone, Kitten, savannah in her lap
She followed footsteps to her car. Meow! grew louder from afar. “Is someone lost? Is someone stuck?” Kai whispered, “Little luck!” Doors were opened, trunk was too. Nothing furry, nothing new. Where was kitty? Where could she be? Under the hood— a surprise to see! A tiny face with eyes so wide, shivering from the rainy ride.
Warm kitchen lamplight glows as Kai kneels by the stove, holding a steaming towel nest where Savannah curls like a teacup. Gason stands guard beside the food dish, yellow eyes alert despite the peaceful scene.
Kai warmed a towel and offered food. 'Just a lick?' she asked. Kit-Cat blinked, and Gason sat guard like stone. 'We’re watching,' Kai smiled. The kitten curled, small as a teacup.
In the bright veterinary exam room, Vet worrried with stethoscope gently supports Savannah sick on a metal table while Kai watches anxiously, hand hovering near the kitten’s side. Fluorescent lights reflect on medicine vials and a freshly unwrapped syringe.
Morning came, and lifting hurt. The kitten squealed. 'Hang on!' Kai rushed to the vet, a kind woman with long black hair. 'Spine’s okay,' the vet said. Medicine given, the kitten boarded overnight.
At night outside the clinic, Kai smiles by her car, while Gason and Kit-Cat watch through the window.
That night, she ate and purred. 'Good news,' the vet phoned. Kai exhaled, 'Brave kitten.' Outside the clinic, Gason and Kit-Cat waited in the car. 'We’re cheering,' Kai told them, tapping the steering wheel.
Fluorescent morning light fills the exam room as Vet shows a burn chart, while bandaged Savannah lies on a soft pad. Kai stands at the table edge, determined eyes tearing yet steady, one hand near the kitten.
Sunday brought worry. 'Two abscesses from burns,' the vet explained. 'She’ll need stitches, antibiotics, and strict care.' Kai’s eyes stung. 'We won’t give up,' she promised. Gason thumped his tail like a drum.
In Kai’s sunlit dining room littered with colorful flyers, she tapes another poster to the wall while Brittney stretches tall beside the chair and Eli nudges her knee. Phone, marker, and stack of papers clutter the table.
Kai asked everywhere. 'Can anyone foster?' She posted flyers and called friends. Brittney, a large orange ginger, meowed hello; Eli, a white tom, bumped her knee. 'Thanks, helpers,' Kai smiled, heart stubbornly hopeful.
Evening lamplight bathes the sofa where Kai, phone pressed to ear, beams with relief; Savannah, bandaged, lounges beside her bed while Kit-Cat chirrups from the armrest. A notepad with scribbled names lies open on the coffee table.
At last, Leasha called. 'We can love her,' said the warm-voiced woman with medium brown hair. Kai whispered, 'Thank you.' Kit-Cat chirruped. 'A family!' Kai told the kitten. Tiny paws flexed like blossoms.
Shaved kitten savannah with bandage, gentle vet hands worried looks.
The kitten stayed one more week at the clinic. Stitches, clean bandages, and cuddles helped. 'You’re healing, brave one,' the vet said. 'Your name is Savannah,' Kai whispered. The kitten purred like rain.
Morning sunlight pours into Leasha’s living room as she kneels, carrier door open, watching Savannah touch noses with CeCe on a woven rug. A basket of toys and a watering houseplant frame the gentle meeting.
Home at last, Leasha opened the carrier. 'Welcome, Savannah.' CeCe, a black-and-white cat, tiptoed close. They touched noses. 'Slow and gentle,' Leasha coached. Savannah blinked, then followed CeCe to a sunny rug.
Afternoon rays slant through Leasha’s window while Kai sits cross-legged on the floor, smiling as Savannah and CeCe bat a bright feather toy between them. The room’s soft cushions and a steaming tea mug add cozy warmth.
Kai visited with treats. 'Hi, sweet Savannah. Hi, CeCe.' The sisters batted a feather toy together. 'You’re safe now,' Kai said to Leasha. 'Always,' Leasha promised, stroking Savannah’s orange, gray, and white fur.
Under starlit living-room windows, Kai kneels by the couch, telling Brittney and Eli the good news while they purr, tails curled around paws. A framed photo of Savannah and CeCe glows softly on the nearby shelf.
That evening, Kai told Kit-Cat, Gason, Brittney, and Eli, 'She’s home.' The cats purred like engines. 'Kindness fixes hurts,' Kai said. Stars winked. Somewhere, Savannah and CeCe curled, safe, wanted, and loved.