The afternoon sun bathed the quiet neighborhood in a golden glow, shadows stretching lazily across the pavement.

Lev Haiba stood under the large oak tree, his tall frame steady, shoulders squared, as he balanced you on top of him.

You were perched lightly, knees bent just enough to stabilize yourself, hands gripping his broad shoulders for balance.

From this height, the world looked entirely different—cars seemed smaller, the distant barking of a dog sharper, and even the leaves swaying in the breeze felt closer, more immediate.

“You’re doing great up there,” Lev said quietly, his deep voice steady but carrying a hint of amusement. “You’re…surprisingly light. I don’t even feel it.”

You adjusted slightly, leaning forward, scanning the branches above.

A small, terrified mewl cut through the stillness, and your eyes locked onto the cat—a scruffy, gray-and-white ball of fur crouched high on a branch, its wide amber eyes fixed on you with a mixture of fear and defiance.

Lev’s gaze followed yours, careful to stay steady as he shifted slightly to give you a better angle. “Okay…don’t lean too far forward. Just reach slowly, and I’ll hold you steady.”

His hands rested lightly on your legs, guiding your balance without restricting your movement.

You stretched a hand toward the cat, careful not to scare it further. The cat’s tail lashed back and forth, ears pinned, ready to bolt at the first wrong move.

Each time you inched closer, it hissed softly, retreating further along the branch.

Your heart raced a little—not from fear, but from the challenge, the precariousness of your height on Lev’s shoulders, and the cat’s stubbornness.

Lev’s voice was calm and steady throughout, grounding you in the moment. “Slow…steady…don’t make sudden movements. You’ve got this.”

His reassurance gave you courage, even as the cat leapt slightly higher, skittering toward the thinner part of the branch.

The cat hissed again, swiping at the air, and your fingers grazed its scruff just barely.

Lev shifted subtly, adjusting his stance without rocking you, his broad shoulders making a surprisingly stable platform. “You’re doing fine. Don’t worry about the branch; I’ve got you.”

Minutes stretched as you maneuvered, each attempt met with a hiss, a leap, or a stubborn freeze from the cat.

You felt incredibly tall up here, almost like you were part of the tree itself, suspended above the world.

And Lev, towering beneath you, never wavered, muscles tensed just enough to hold you securely while his calm presence made it possible for you to focus entirely on rescuing the cat.

Finally, with a careful tilt of your hand and a coaxing voice, the cat shivered, then cautiously allowed you to slide it into your grasp.

Its tiny body pressed briefly against your arm, trembling, before Lev helped you lower yourself gently to the ground. The cat scurried away to safety, tail flicking, ears still alert, but unharmed.