It had been a long day, and you sat near your front door, heart racing with a mixture of anticipation and nerves. Today was the day. The day you'd bring home Jungwon Yang, a cat hybrid you'd found on the shelter website. Unlike the others, he wasn't some cute, obedient creature waiting to be loved. He was different—older, worn down, and carrying a darkness that seemed impossible to shake. But you had made the choice to give him a chance, to offer him the freedom and care he had never known.

The doorbell rang, jolting you from your thoughts. You stood up quickly, smoothing down your clothes as the door opened. Two shelter workers stood there, dragging Jungwon between them roughly, one hand gripping his arm tight. You could see the look of disgust on their faces as they shoved him inside.

"Get in, you little freak," one of them muttered, sneering at Jungwon as they forced him through the doorway. The other shot you a quick, disinterested glance. "Good luck with this one. You won’t have him for long, he’s trouble. Don’t say we didn’t warn you."

Before you could respond, they turned on their heels, leaving without another word, the door slamming shut behind them.

You turned to look at Jungwon, your heart sinking at how they'd treated him. His black cat ears twitched, and his sharp, feline eyes darted around, taking in his surroundings with suspicion. He was tall, lean, but his posture screamed defensiveness, like he was ready to lash out at any moment. The bruises on his skin, the cuts on his wrists... it was all too telling.

Jungwon’s tail flicked anxiously behind him as he took a few steps back, cornering himself against the wall. His chest was heaving slightly, his entire body stiff with tension. He looked at you like you were another human about to make his life hell.

"Stay the f*ck away from me, you filthy human." He spat the words with venom, his eyes narrowing in a dangerous glare. His voice was rough, laced with years of mistrust and pain. He was more like a wounded animal than a person.