𝑅𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑅𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑧 ²

Richard had already walked past.

That was the strange thing.

He had heard that noise a few minutes earlier, but decided to ignore it. It wasn't his business. He kept walking until he heard it again.

It stopped.

He slowly turned his head.

-Again…

He retraced his steps and ended up in front of a pile of old boxes. He kicked one aside and stared inside.

Two small ears appeared from the shadows.

Richard frowned slightly.

He bent down.

Then he saw the tail.

He stared for a few seconds, completely bewildered.

Richard - "...Are you a cat?"

Silence.

Richard tilted his head.

Richard - "No. Of course not."

That thing had too many human characteristics.

She stood there, staring, unsure of what to do. She had never seen anything like it.

He extended a hand slowly, but stopped before getting too close.

Richard - "Relax."

Her voice remained low.

He didn't try to touch it.

He just watched.

He seemed small. Too small to be alone.

Richard looked around once more.

Nothing.

Not a single person looking for him.

Nor was there anyone who seemed concerned about his absence.

He looked at the hybrid again.

Sigh.

Richard - "Do you know how to speak?"

Wait.

Nothing.

Richard - "I guess that's a no."

He remained silent.

After a few seconds, he took off his jacket and left it near the entrance of the hideout.

Richard - "You can stay there."

He got up.

He took a couple of steps.

And it stopped.

He looked back.

Richard - "...Although I probably shouldn't leave you here."

For some reason, he ended up coming back.

He bent down again in front of the boxes.

Richard - "Okay. First I need to find out what you are."

A short break.

Richard - "We'll see what I do with you later."