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Panicking, she had thought she would die, that she would never be able to cuddle into the warmth of her female again, nor receive nuzzles and chin scratches. But he had made a mistake. When he had kicked her into the corner of the entertainment unit, she had bolted for the broken door. Adrenaline gave her speed as she'd leapt the fence into the neighbouring yard darting between the legs of the startled owner before collapsing on their floor in a bloodied heap.
Piddle had not heard as the neighbour had called out, nor had she felt the gentle hands pick her up and wrap her in a soft towel before being carried to a car. She had felt herself floating, drifting on an endless sea, before firm hands were prying at her wounds, bright lights and harsh smells assaulting her senses, and then nothing.
Now she was lying on a soft blanket, her tail sore and stiff, a cone around her neck, and something sticking out of her front left leg. When a shadow crossed the front of the cage where she was housed, her heart began to race.
“Oh, Pids, look at you! Pretty girl, he won’t get away with this!”
Piddle focussed one eye on the face floating in front of her. She couldn't open the other, and it burned to even try.
She saw her male standing there, the fingers of one hand threading through the bars, and she stretched out her right paw, lightly touching an outstretched digit. It hurt to move, but seeing her male there made her feel better. He would take care of them. He would protect them. Piddle closed her eyes and drifted back into darkness.
Noah walked up the stairs, freezing in the doorway as he saw Allee on her knees on the floor. Allee felt eyes on her and looked up to see Noah's gaze, filled with pain. She was on her knees, hugging the cat bed to her body, grief welling up inside her at the loss of her beloved cat.
“He killed her. She's gone!” Allee cried out, her heart feeling as though it was torn in two.
Noah knelt down quickly, pulling Allee into his arms, “No, sweetheart, he didn't. She got away and ran next door. They found her in time. I promise, I've seen her myself, and she's going to make it.”
“You promise?” Allee pulled back, her face drenched with tears. “You're not just saying that?”
“I promise. Provided Piddle continues to improve overnight, the vets are happy for her to come home on Saturday.”
Allee continued to cry, this time in relief.
“Do you want to come downstairs? Beth and Mark are also here. We were just about to organise dinner.”
Noah took Allee's hand and led her downstairs, where Beth, Mark, and Charlie waited. Allee dreaded to face the mess that Stuart had left behind, but she was shocked to find that the lounge looked almost normal. Her television had been removed, as had the smashed coffee table. The bookcases had been righted, and the books stacked back on the shelves. A blanket covered the ruined couch, and a box held pictures and knick-knacks that had been strewn around the room earlier. The shattered glass had been cleaned up, and a new window had been installed. The blood had been cleaned off the walls and furniture, and if Allee hadn't seen the state of the room before, she would have believed it all a dream.
“Allee! Are you hungry?” said Mark.
Allee looked at Mark and nodded slightly.
“I'm famished. What are we having for dinner?” Charlie asked
“We were thinking fish and chips,” Beth replied
Allee smiled frailly, nodding her agreement. She made her way to the covered couch and sat down, still feeling shaken, uncertain with how she should behave. Noah and Charlie sat to either side of her, and Beth and Mark pulled a couple of dining chairs around to face the couch. Noah took one of Allee's hands in his and cleared his throat.
“Before we get dinner, we need to talk. Until Stuart has been caught, you are not going to be left alone. I'm going to stay with you, and if I can't, Charlie has said she will. I will be taking you to and from work.”
“No.”
Noah stared incredulously at Allee.
“What do you mean, 'no'?”
“I am not having you put in a situation where Stuart can get to you. He knows where I live. I don't know if he knows we're together or not, but if you stay here with me, he will, and then he'll come after you as well.”
“Let him. I'd like to discuss a few things with that cretin myself.”
“No! I'm not going to let him get at anyone else I love, and if you insist on putting yourself in harm’s way, I'll leave.”
Noah looked dumbfounded, “You'd leave rather than have me here?”
“I'd leave to prevent Stuart from hurting you. I don't want you to stand out to him. I need to know that you’re safe.”
Allee looked up at Noah, her tear-filled eyes pleading. She could see him fighting against it, everything inside him screaming to ignore her wishes, to stay and protect her, but he couldn’t make that decision for her.
“Fuck. I hate this. Okay, But I'm not having you on your own, and I won't have Piddle left here either.”
