"Let's ask the cards, shall we?"

The soft meowing coming from their closet filled them with slight worry, but Attie was already working on a solution. They pulled their bag on, picking one of their remaining scarves at random. Attie quickly but firmly wrapped it around their body in a makeshift papoose, praying it would be enough. They went to the small box, checking it first before picking up the content. Nixie meowed again, wriggling slightly as Attie maneuvered her into the papoose, shushing her quietly. By some miracle, Nixie stopped any noise once she was secured, and they said a silent thank you to her.

When they came out of their closet, Tina was giving them a look. It wasn’t judgmental, but concerned, and Attie knew she shared their fear of the additional noise of a small kitten would give them away somehow. But it was a risk that they were willing to take; the alternative was unforgiveable.

‘I’m not leaving her,’ Attie signed, ‘I can’t leave her to them.’

Tina’s expression softened, and she gave a nod before taking Attie’s hand. They knew what was coming, and they took a deep breath before nodding too. Tina squeezed their hand, and together they left their bedroom. Attie had never been more thankful to have their room on the ground floor, the creaky stairs a danger that they didn’t have to deal with. Still, the floor also creaked enough that they were forced to go slow, creeping their way to the back door.

They had to pass through the kitchen, and the lingering smell of that smoke nearly made Attie retch on the spot. By another miracle, they stopped their gag, covering their nose and mouth with their free hand. Tina squeezed their hand again as a small comfort as they continued moving, not risking the time to stop.

They didn’t even pause as they reached the back door. Tina just moved slowly, turning each lock on the door carefully so there would be no clicks or loud noise. Attie held their breath until the last one was turned, only letting it fully out when the door was open. They wanted to run out immediately to just get away, but Tina took their hand again, both slowly going outside. The cool night air shocked Attie out of their tension enough they fully realized how hard their heart was pounding, even as Tina closed the door behind them.

They didn’t bother locking it. Together, they walked far enough until the small house was no longer in sight. Then Tina’s hand tightened on Attie’s and they ran. Attie had to keep their free hand on Nixie to keep from hurting her, and she started to meow again as they ran. Thankfully, they didn’t have to go far before they reached their goal.

Tina had a friend that agreed to help them out when it was time, and a small, covered cart was waiting for them close to the edge of the city. The back was already open and waiting for them, and Tina was immediately able to boost Attie inside before climbing in herself. Attie sat down on one bench as Tina went to go talk to her friend, the cart starting to move shortly after. She came back to sit next to them, and they were quiet for a moment, catching their breaths. Nixie was meowing frequently now, and they rested their hand over them again to comfort her.

Attie was buzzing, and they weren’t sure if it was from adrenaline or something else as the reality of what just happened set in. They hadn’t been caught, and for where they were going, they were most likely not going to be found. They weren’t even sure if they would bother looking for them in the morning, but it was a fear that would stay with them for a while. At least for the moment, they were free.

Someone was laughing, and it took them a second to realize that it was them. They only fully processed it as Tina took their face in her hands gently, turning them to look at her. Her brow was furrowed with worry.

“Lemoni, are you okay?” Tina asked softly, thumbs brushing along their cheeks.

Attie could feel something wet on their cheeks then, and they realized they were crying too. Their laughter quickly dissolved into sobs, the utter relief they felt unable to manifest another way. Tina pulled them into a hug, holding them gently. Attie hugged them back with one arm, keeping one hand cradling Nixie as they cried.