Henry looked around at the many cages around him. Hundreds of eyes peered out. Some frightened, some curious and some drowsy. But two of these eyes had pierced him as soon as he had walked in. They were bright, clear blue. He pointed the cage out to the assistant and she swiftly opened it revealing a grey cat. The cat had on a small thread collar with a piece of cloth threaded onto it. The print on this read: 'Falli'. The cat gazed around in a daze and met Henry's eyes. He knew right then that this was the cat for him.

Little did he know, the cat had a strange, sad past and was destined for an even stranger future...

FLASHBACK
Everything was dark, dark and cramped. The kitten wriggled around slightly becoming restless. It had been a few hours since she had had a drink and some food and she was bored. After all, she was only young, nothing more could be expected of her. She had been taken from her family a few days before although she was never worried; she knew she would see them soon. She heard some noise coming from somewhere above her and stood up, ears perked, nose twitching.

Suddenly everything became bright and loud. A high-pitched scream filled the kitten's delicate ears; 'Shes perfect!' and she felt herself being lifted from the dark place. Her bright blue eyes were dazed and she could not focus on one thing. She was not a vicious kitten nor was she spiteful and so despite her distress and confusion, she stayed perfectly still. And then more screaming: 'What can I call her? She's so pretty!', the kitten shivered.

The girl stared at the grey bundle of fur in her hands, smiling greedily. The kitten was exactly what she had demanded for Christmas, as were the new ice-skating boots and completed collector's dolls house. She lived a life of luxury and after her friend Sara had been given a dog for her birthday, it was essential for Maria to have a more perfect, fun pet, so she had asked to be given a kitten.

After a long debate at the dinner table as the kitten lay frightened on the floor, it was decided she would be named Falli, pronounced 'Fay-lay'. Falli had now realised that her family were never coming back. She was young, alone and terrified. The screaming girl who kept touching her, the stern woman who kept tickling and the man who kept looking down at her all frightened her. She was terribly cold, the marble floor froze her paw pads and whenever she lay down, and her thin fur could not keep her warm. Falli knew that she would be unhappy here and she had only spent one day with her new family but apparently, cats have a sixth sense...

ADOPTION CENTRE
Henry Sandville? Yes? And you are looking to adopt this grey cat, Falli?'
Yes, that's correct.
It is our legal obligation to let you know that we believe that this cat has been badly treated in the past. Sometimes these animals may be unpredictable although we have conducted several behaviour tests and she appears to be safe.
I understand, although I still want to adopt her.
That's fine, please sign here, here and here.

And that was that. Henry Sandville left the adoption centre with a carry case dangling by his side. Inside, Falli sat quietly, as always...

FLASHBACK


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