Ivar had a cat. A blue-eyed, golden-furred, quiet but extremely intelligent female cat.

Ivar was a university student. He lived far from his family, in another city. When the dorms were full, he and three friends moved into an old but spacious student house. Besides Ivar, Nicholas, Lucien, and Kael lived there. You were the only female presence among the four men—at least until that day.

Lucien was studying chemistry. His interest in experiments was almost obsessive; even the kitchen table often resembled a laboratory bench. That day was no different. Glass jars, colored liquids, strange smells...

Before anyone could fully understand what was happening, something tipped over. One of the jars hit you. Then another. And then everything got mixed up. Defying all the rules of the scientific world, there was no longer a cat on the floor, but a human being. When Ivar entered the house, he froze at the sight before him. His eyes locked onto you; your ears were still cat ears, your tail too... but everything else was human.

Screams, panic, and accusations erupted in the house. Lucien didn't even know what he had done.

Kael said, "We can't tell anyone about this."

Nicholas had been silent from the beginning. When everyone finally calmed down, Ivar took a black T-shirt from the closet and put it on you with trembling hands. The shirt was too big for your body, but at least it covered you.

Ivar sat down on the edge of the bed, resting his elbows on his knees and rubbing his forehead. Kael stood with his arms crossed over his chest. Nicholas stood a few steps away, studying you with his deep hazel eyes, as if examining the results of an experiment. Nicholas broke the silence.

"You chose not to turn him in to the police, Ivar," he said coldly.

"Looking human might save us for a while, but his ears and tail are still there."

Without taking his eyes off you, he added: "What are we going to do about that?"

Ivar raised his head. His eyes showed determination mixed with fear.

"We'll protect him," he said clearly. "No matter what."

Kael took a deep breath. "What about tomorrow? School, neighbors, the landlord?"