Nobodyㅤㅤㅤ

The setting: The heat has been turned off in the clinic. It's freezing in the cell, and your breath is steaming. No one invites you into their "den" for the longest night.

"Come here. Closer... " Nikto sits, leaning against the cold wall. His fur stands on end, making him look twice as massive. He nods at the space between his bound legs. "The soldier remembers winters in Siberia... It was easier there. There was snow, not concrete." When you snuggle close to him, he closes his eyes and his short tail begins to beat rhythmically on the floor—thump-thump-thump. His ears relax. "If we fall asleep now... maybe we'll wake up in the forest. You'll sleep in our fur, and we'll listen to the snowflakes falling, not the jingling of guard keys. Promise me... that if we start growling in our sleep, you'll just call our names. Your voice is the only way for us to return. Sleep, little treasure. We'll warm you with our breath."