(( This chapter introduces a new character: Wildfire. Ref can be seen above.))

•- Neko POV -•

Neko woke up around 3 in the morning, not wanting to fall asleep again. She didn't have a dream per say, but rather a repeat of seeing Tamarin strung up by a rope. She shook the memory from her head, taking a deep breath. I need a walk.. She sat up from her spot on the bean bag and set the photo of Tamarin back in the pocket of her hoodie, heading tiredly toward the ladder that lead outside.

It was dark out, allowing for the stars to shine through the black, the dark shades of blue night sky. The clouds were hilighted with moonlight and it seemed to have just gotten done raining. It was peaceful as Neko walked down the sidewalk and weaved around small puddles on the concrete. She walked to the local park and took a seat on the bench under the shade of a tree, it was only spotted with drops of water so it was fine to just sit on this bench and not soak her tail or anything. She sat there for a while, calming herself after her not-so-good nights sleep, when she heared footsteps approaching and the slight creek of the bench next to her. She looked over to see a slightly familiar face. "Oh.. sup dude." She said to the tall feline who had sat next to her, his literal flame tail warmed the area around them. "Sup shortie." Neko was quiet for a moment. "... really..?" He chuckled, keeping a half deadpan look that he always did. "Sorry.. Had to." They were quite for a moment.
"What was your name again..?"
"Wildfire."
"How do you even get a name like that?"
"Uh.." he gestured to his tail and the flame hair on his head. "Oh, right.. Sorry." Another moment of silence. "So what are you doing out here at 3 almost 4 in the morning?" He leaned back on the bench. "Oh nothing, just can't sleep."
"Oh, bad dream..?"
"Er.. No um, just a bad memory.."
Wildfire nodded and didn't press on out of respect.

They talked about random stuff that came to mind when Wildfire had noticed the sky had brightened up. He picked up his phone seemingly just to look at the time. "Damn it's already 6.. I better go." Neko nodded, knowing full well what happened last time he was out of the house for too long. Wildfire lived with his constantly paranoid mom who freaked out when he was gone for too long or left without saying anything. The woman got hysterical last time they hung out, having lost track of time working on finding a job for Neko, tracking his phone and literally tackling her to the ground to get their attention and breaking down in tears. She shivered, that woman looked like she had some issues they rather not tell her about, which was fine cause Neko could respect their privacy.
"I'll see ya some other time then, likely when you gotta come pay my bill and check up on me and all that good shit."
"Ya, probably."
"Say hi to you're mom for me, 'kay?" He nodded with a slight smile, but his eyes were always near-emotionless. It was probably patialy due to the injury on the side of his face.

As he walked away Neko took another minute to admire the fresh air and the quiet of the park. Maybe life could be alright.

•- Wildfire POV -•

Wildfire quietly stepped inside as the door clicked shut. "You were out again." His mom peaked through an opening in her blanket, having bundled up, most likely to cope with her anxiety. "Ya, sorry.. Neko says hi by the way." His mother shifted in her blanket on the couch, making room for him to sit if he wanted. "You aren't hurt right? Nothing paining you?" He chuckled slightly, "Not even a scratch mom."

"Good." She sighed. He went back to his room and quietly unwrapped the bandage on the side of his face, revealing bone. He grabbed fresh wraps and some materials to clean his wound so it wouldn't get infected. He did this every morning and every night whenever it felt irritated, his mom saying that usually meant the wound was getting infected. She was probably just being paranoid, but he did what he could to help calm her constant anxiety and overprotective nature. He didn't mind, just as long as his mom was happy. He winced as he put some rubbing alcohol on the edges of his injury, killing off anything harmful. This was life for Wildfire, and it was honestly better then his past.

Life was just alright.