Poppit

Damien makes his decision to leave...


Damien huried along the footpath, taking a nervous glance back behind him every few seconds. It was the first day back at school, but he knew he would not arrive there today, and probably never again. He hurried faster, towards the animal shelter where he'd worked the last few weeks. If the owners accepted, which he had a feeling they would, he would not return home, either. This almost excited him. To get away from that place forever would be an utter miracle. No doubt there'd be a search party, but he wouldn't be found, if he could help it. He would disappear from that house forever.

He almost ran to the front block when it was within sight. , closing the door behind him once he was safely inside and leaning heavily against it. Yes, he definitely didn't want to return home today. And he knew a certain someone who would not be happy with him; but when had they ever been happy with him? He was never good enough. He was going to change that, someday.

He looked around the room. It was quiet. There were no visitors, so that was a bonus. Then he noticed the manager step through the back door.

"Damien, your shift is not 'til this afternoon."

"I know," Damien admitted, slinging himself forwards, "Can I start earlier?"

"Haven't you got school, kid?"

"No," Damien lied. The manager looked up at him disbelievingly.

"Yes," Damien sighed, "but I'm not going. And no one's going to make me. I quit."

The manager studied him for a moment, before turning back to the desk and grabbing a clipboard, "Suit yourself. You can start cleaning the cat cages."

Damien nodded in acceptance, before hurrying off, dumping his school bag and coat off in the back room as he sprinted to the cat house. The meows met his ears as he entered, skipping over to his favourite; an old one that had been found locked in a room for several days without fresh food or water. He smiled as he took her out of the cage and gave her a cuddle, before asking her,

"What am I going to do, Poppit? How am I meant to ask that guy for board?"

He sighed. He barely got enough money from this shabby old place as it was. But he'd need it one day. Right now, he needed a place to stay. And this was his only option.

[407 words]