A Peak Between Realms (Short Story Collection)

Why Me

It was late at night when I lost my cat to an intruder, I cried so hard that night. I loved her because she was the only real family to me, everyone else abandoned me and blamed me for all of my trauma and mental health issues. I remember how loud I sobbed when I lost Hollie, how I held her when they had to put her down. How I kept thinking if only I got home sooner...

Yet here I was in a pet store, looking for an emotional support animal. I saw a cat with fur as dark as coal and pink eyes “You have albinism in your eyes” I said to the cat gently “such beautiful eyes and fur” I said to myself, reaching out to the cat to let it sniff my hand. I smiled when I gently pet it, letting it lean into my hand. I called someone over and they hummed “Oh, you want Batibat?” the person said, and I nodded “here’s my paperwork for an emotional support animal” I say, and they took the paper.

“I’m afraid Bati here will only make your situation worse, she’s a little terror,” the worker said. “She’s so sweet, I don’t think she would” I say, and the person's eyes widen “She’s never been sweet to anyone.” They say as Batibat hisses at them. “See?” They say and I giggle, petting the cat listening as she purrs “That’s impossible” they say as they go to fill out paperwork. I smiled as it was filled out, finally adopting the furball.

On the way home I bumped into a strange man, he was roughly six-foot-four and had a more mesomorph inverted triangular build. His hair was long, curly and the color of sand and his piercing blue eyes stared through my soul as I fell back. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice was completely different from his intimidating stature, it was soothing and honey-like, almost like he was luring me in. I was knocked out of my trance by him reaching out his hand to help me up “yea um- sorry,” I say as I accepted his help and made sure Bati was okay.

“Thank you, but I need to get home” I said with a soft smile and he nodded “of course, I understand, be safe” he said and I began my walk home again. Once I was home my legs just gave out beneath them “what was that? Why did I feel so spellbound by him?” I say as Batibat just nudged her hand underneath my hand with vocalization. “You're vocal today Bati,” I said with a smile as I stroked her fur. “Come, let's get some food and go to bed, Bati” I say with a smile.

…..

Weeks go by and every night I have dreams about that man when I sleep, they’re all the same and repeating. It’s like my dreams are a broken record until today when Bati just keeps yowling at our door as if she’s waiting for someone. Then, we hear the knocking, it’s soft but loud enough to hear and I open the door to find the man from the other day. “I come for two things” he says with a devilish smile and I tilt my head in confusion.

“It appears my cat has taken a liking to you” he says with a smile “what do you mean?” I asked. “You see I was the one to put her in the shop, whomever she chooses would be my bride” he says “Who are you?” I asked “Lucifer” he said and soon I felt the world around me fade and one question went through my head why me.