There’s a pause before she crosses her arms over her chest. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
She frowns. “Well… anything,Rosie!”
Kas snickers, then clears his throat. “Hate to ruin this cute little spat,” he says as he steps between us, “but it’s my fault. I offered to take him clothes shopping.”
“I can see that.” Minnie looks me up and down. “You look like you’re going to the beach.”
“I’m not sure I like your custom of wearing clothes,” I confess.
The cat in my arms lets out a little scream. I scratch at it chin with my pointer finger, and Minnie’s expression softens.
“Is that…” She reaches for the cat, scratching between its ears. The creature starts to rumble against my chest again.
“It’s a dumpster cat, Minerva,” Kas interjects. I glare at him. Despite this, he carries on, only looking at Minnie. “It’s a trash cat from the garbage.”
“Don’t be mean to him!” Minnie covers the creature’s ears. “Her? Does it have a name?”
Kas groans. “You can’t be serious…”
We ignore Kas. “I haven’t chosen a name yet. Maybe…” I think about the creature’s eyes. “Leaf?” Kas groans louder. “Kamsa says pets aren’t allowed in the building.”
“Oh, right…” Minnie replies, though she’s still pawing at the cat. “Well, the landlord doesn’t come by that often. Though hiding the cat stuff will be a pain.”
“Do you two hear yourselves?” Kas asks, and finally, he seems to gather Minnie’s attention. “I never thought of you as impulsive, Minerva.”
“Impulsive?” She repeats the word back to him like it’s an insult. “Says the guy who bought some random man a bunch of clothes.”
Kas places a hand on his chest, his voice dramatic and breathy. “I did that out of the goodness of my heart. Or… maybe it was thedevilin me that did it.” He winks.
Minnie looks back and forth between us, her eyes narrowing. “Did you two make some sort of contract?”
“Not necessary,” I tell her. “Kas will do what I say regardless.”
“Um, rude, and not wholly true. You can’t bully me into everything.” He scoffs before muttering, “Just most things.”
Minnie and I look at each other as I say, “Kas, go buy this creature everything it needs to thrive in Minerva’s apartment.”
“Are youfuckingserious?”
I don’t bother to turn and meet Kas’ gaze, only looking at my new companions: Minnie and Leaf. “Now.”
Kas aggressively hands off the bag to Minerva. “Fine!Fine!Whatever you sayRosie.”
It’s only when I hear the name on Kas’ tongue that I realize how much I hate it. “Do not–”
But he’s already waking away.
* * *
“Hold still.”I have Leaf by the scruff in Minnie’s sink, the creature writhing and crying out like I’m torturing him. My fingers are covered in bubbles as I scratch under his chin. The water in the sink reminds me of the rivers of Hell it's so murky.
Minnie stands next to me holding a cloth, her lips taut with concern. “Be careful.”
As she says it, Leaf claws at my knuckle. Past the froth of soap, I can’t tell if he’s broken the skin, but the burning feeling tells me it’s not pretty. I give the beast one last rinse before handing him to Minnie, who wraps him in the cloth, still crying. Washing off my own hands, I see the cut plainly now, an inch long gash between the ridges of my knuckles. I touch it, and it stings like acid.
“I’ve always wanted a cat,” Minnie admits.
