The following day, they woke up to the warmth of a crackling fire and the faint sounds of the kitten mewing softly in its makeshift bed. Milagro had stayed close to the little creature all night, curled up protectively around it.
The kitten was still weak, but it was alive. Ivy Mae had managed to warm it up and give it some water, but they weren’t sure how it had survived the cold or where it had come from. There were no signs of other animals nearby. The woods around them were quiet, as if holding their breath.
As the day wore on, the tiny creature began to show signs of life. Its eyes flickered open, revealing the faintest traces of curiosity. Milagro, still attentive, nudged it gently, as if to encourage it to wake up fully. The kitten let out a tiny, weak meow and snuggled against Milagro for warmth.
Roman watched the exchange, his expression softening. “I guess he’s not just a stray hunter, huh?” he said, his usual sarcasm replaced with something almost like reverence.
Ivy Mae smiled as she crouched down beside them. “He’s always had a way of finding what’s needed. I think he knew this little one needed us.”
Jas, standing back and watching the bond between Milagro and the kitten, felt something stir within them. They had witnessed so much loss and uncertainty in the last few weeks, but now, there was a flicker of hope. A tiny, fragile life to care for. And in a way, it felt like a gift.
The kitten’s tiny paws stirred, and it let out another mewl, this time a little stronger. It was a sign. They could do this. They could survive. Together.
Ivy Mae gently scooped the kitten into her arms, her voice soft. “Welcome to the family.”
And as the day faded into night, they knew that the world around them might still be broken, but they were not. Together, they would face whatever came next.