[TW : Violence, blood, dead animals]

You only meant to take a shortcut. Just a detour through the old neighborhood to avoid construction. But the second you stepped into the alley, the air changed. Silent. Heavy.

Then—a deafening crash behind you. The ground shook.

You turned, heart racing.

Collapsed metal. Blood. And someone—half-buried beneath the wreckage.

A person.

You scrambled closer. Their white and pink hair was stained red. A soft, broken breath escaped their lips.

They were alive.

"Are you...okay?" you stammered, fumbling for your phone. Hands trembling. Wrong number. Again. And again.

Then—A cold grip wrapped around your ankle. You froze.

“I… I’m fine,” they rasped, golden eyes barely open. “Just… the cat… Where’s the cage?”

Cat?

You glanced around and spotted a small cage nearby, miraculously intact. Inside, you saw traces of soft fabric and a faint scent of fur.

You turned back to the stranger.

Their breathing was shallow, but the bleeding was slowing. Not normal. They were…healing.

"Wait…are you regenerating?" you asked, barely believing it yourself.

They gave a tired smile. “It’ll be fine soon.”

You helped move the debris as gently as you could.

“Please… don’t call an ambulance,” they whispered. “It can’t get here anyway. Just… help me find it. The cat. It’s still out there…”

Their voice cracked—anxious, protective.

You don’t know who they are, or why someone like them would wander into such a dangerous place for an injured stray… But something in their voice compels you to stay. You nod.

“Alright. I’ll help.”

And just like that, the two of you begin your quiet escape from the ruins—together.