My mind has been fighting its own memories and thoughts. Lost with where to go next, I wonder where I've been in the world.


Chapter 2: A World With No Future

The bleak sunlight peeked behind the window blinds as the sun rose early in the morning. Its tender rays stirred me from my sleep as they crept into my eyes. I turned my sore body and got up from the bed, opening up the blinds, looking out towards Megakat City. Even though I was high up in my classy apartment room on the outskirts of the city, I could still see the grim, dirty and dark shadows festering from the city itself. Once I thought the city was a rich land of opportunity, filled with hope and endless possibilities. But now, all I saw was a world with no future. Even though the sun would rise and fall each day, I felt that time itself had stood still for the city, a city filled with evil holding it back from an idealized peace it so desperately grasped at. I couldn't stand looking at the city anymore and closed the blinds, walking away.

Even though I had just returned home from the hospital, I did nothing but sleep the night I returned. It's all I had on my mind when I got home, just a strong desire to sleep everything away. My head felt so twisted and in knots that I hardly could notice my sore body, though I still felt the slight twitch of pain. Quickly leaving the bedroom and looking down at the ground, I headed straight towards the bathroom for a cold shower. The numbing sensation of the cold water helped to alleviate my swelling head and its thoughts and aided in cleansing my cuts and bruises. I got out of the shower, dried off, and looked at myself in the mirror. It had been a while since I had seen myself, but now I could see the extent of the damage on me. My crimson fur was filled with darken spots as blood and bruises covered the sides of my body. The sides of my arms were covered in cuts where I had covered myself up and protected myself from assault. Even though I saw such damage to my body, I only thought about how long it would take to be fully recovered. The only thing that shocked me in the mirror was my own face. I could no longer recognize it. It looked the same but I just didn't see me anymore in my blank and emotionless face. It was as if I were staring at a ghost of myself. Scared to even look anymore, I left the bathroom and headed back to the bedroom to get dressed.


The morning passed listlessly as I sat down in my white leather couch, staring at the empty fireplace. Nothing seemed appetizing and I had skipped breakfast and resorted to lounging about downstairs. My head still wouldn't calm down and kept spinning and spinning with thoughts. I was glad to be out of that hospital room, but being back home just made me feel worst than before. Just by the sight of looking at anything in my home made my head swell up with memories and emotions. The classy two story apartment room was trendy and filled with expensive furnishings, high up on the twentieth story with a gorgeous view. I hadn't been here long, just the last two years since I moved out to live on my own. It had been lonely at first but I grew accustom to it, being independent and all. Yet what really got me through was knowing that part of her would always be here with me. Even though I tried hard not to, I couldn't help but reminisce about the day I moved in and what Valentine told me that day.


Two Years Ago…

"Well here it is, my new place. What do you think of it?" I asked Valentine, wanting her opinion on it.

"I LOVE IT! How did you manage to afford and get such a classy place like this?" The prissy kitty shouted in awe.

"Since I got into that law firm and explained to them my situation of having trouble finding my own place, they decided to give me this place as a bonus. I didn't think I'd get such a place. Guess they really value me even though I'm new to law and all." I said feeling very fortunate.

"I never imagined you'd get so far and so quickly, Brent. Guess being a bookworm and advancing so quickly got you far. I'm really proud of you!" Valentine ran up and gave me a hug.

"Thanks Valentine. I wouldn't be here if you weren't there beside me. It's been really difficult for me trying to get out and be on my own." I hugged her back and earnestly thanked her.

"No problem, Brent! We've always been there for each other since I can remember." Valentine stretched her way up and kissed me on the cheek.

I blushed and looked away. "Well then, why don't we look around this place? This is actually the first time I've been here myself. All of my baggage has already been delivered and placed upstairs."

The entire downstairs was huge with a beautiful, functional, form-fitting and economical kitchen, a large, delightful living room, a bar area, as well as a balcony behind some glass sliding doors. Even the stairs were sleek, giving off a post-modern look with its design popping out of the wall and circling up like each step were like a piano key. I was very taken aback by the entire design. It felt so huge and homey and looked utterly magnificent. Whoever designed this apartment knew what they were doing and it was just as nice that it was fully furnished as well with couches, chairs, stools, tables, and it even had a new big screen tv. Nothing was spared of value and I could tell that this apartment was indeed top-notch and much different than I was used to. Perhaps Valentine knew I felt strange in such a place and was trying to make it like home to me as much as possible. I guess that's why she decided to come with me today to try and warm me up to this new place. But in any case, I was glad to finally have a place of my own.

Entirely astonished by the place, I sat down on the white leather couch in the living room and just took a break from all the excitement of my new home. Valentine, like the young kit she was, went all over the apartment and explored every corner and room. She was rambunctious and I could see she was very happy for me. I felt happy myself because I had gotten so far and was proud to see that she believed in me and loved me. Before I could really rest up and continue taking in this new feeling of finally getting free of my old life and into my new one, Valentine tugged on me and beckoned me to follow her outside to the balcony.

"Come on Brent, I want to show you something!" Valentine said insistently.

"Alright! Stop pulling me so hard." Shrugging off her annoying attitude.

"Seriously, wake up and look." She pleaded as she held my hand and dragged me out to the balcony.

"What is it..." I paused as I looked up, the light slightly blinding me. Covering my eyes, I waited a moment for them to recover. When I finally opened them, I saw the golden blue skies over Megakat City. It truly was a sight I had never seen before in my entire life.

"I knew you'd like this. Look at you, you're speechless!" Valentine chuckled.

"I've never seen such a sight before. It's so beautiful." Tightening my grip on Valentine, I did my best to not let my fear of heights as well as the beauty making me begin to tear up inside.

"You know, this is what I think the city is like all the time. It's covered by so much beauty, good people, like a metropolis of happiness. Every time I hear about the crimes in the city and all the sad things that happen, I feel like people forget the true beauty and innocence that exists there too. If everyone could just look up at these skies like we can and see what Megakat City really is, I believe that our world has a bright future to look forward to." Valentine smiled as she looked out deeply towards the city.

"You've never said anything like that before. I didn't know you thought so much about the city." I was fascinated from what I heard from Valentine. Never had I seen such honesty and radiant confidence from her.

"I love my city, my home, Brent. Even though I know you haven't had the best life in Megakat City, I know that there's so much we can do to make this city the best for everyone." I looked at her as she strongly spoke out.

"I wish I could believe in the city like you could, Valentine. All I can see is nothing but a corrupt and empty city with fake kats everywhere." I spoke honestly.

"Don't worry about it. I know someday you'll see what I see out there beneath those beautiful skies. Even you will have a bright future just like this city as long as you believe in it. Don't ever lose sight of that, Brent." Valentine came in close and hugged me.

"I promise. I'll believe in this city like you do Valentine." I held her tightly as we both looked at the city as the cool breeze of the night began to shift as the sun began to rest for the day.


Those memories kept haunting me in my own home. I felt so guilty because the moment I stepped back into my own home, I knew that I wouldn't be able to keep that promise I made with Valentine that day. How could I love and believe in a city that had taken away the only thing I truly cared for in my life? It tormented me inside so deeply and had me riddled with guilt and hate. Never going through something so difficult in my life before, I decided the best thing to do would be to move on and continue life. It was just the logical thing I could think at the time as I didn't bother to take the time to understand or process any my emotions as I had blocked them out to stop the pain. Nothing would bring her back and there was nothing I felt I could do. She made my home feel warm and she made my life feeling meaningful and brought a sense of happiness I had never felt before. Her strong convictions and belief in a better tomorrow stirred me to do my best. But with Valentine gone, I felt that such childish beliefs and feelings were nothing but a hindrance to hide what reality truly was. Shrugging off anymore lingering thoughts involving Valentine, I looked to prepare myself to return to a world without a future, with nothing to save. Work would have to start again soon and I would need to return as if nothing happened to avoid all the troubles of having to explain everything all over again.

Getting up from the couch and moving over towards the counter of the kitchen, I got up on a stool and checked the answering machine. A few weeks had passed by since I had been home and there were several messages left for me. Most of them were from the office at the law firm wishing me well and telling me to take my time to recover. Although I felt appreciation for their concern, I was more annoyed that they would rather have me sit on my ass and have someone else take over my important work, but I just shrugged it off as just being an excuse to use company policy to avoid lawsuits over showing no concern for employees. The boring messages just made me more eager to want to return to work sooner so everyone at the law firm could stop worrying themselves about me. But one message really stood out and was quite a surprise.

"Hey Brent. This is Chance. We met at Pop's Newstand recently. Sorry if this is awkward and all. I heard about what happened from Pops and I asked him for your phone number your friend left with him when she started that pull list for you. I'm really sorry for your lost. I just wanted to check on you, buddy. If you want to talk sometime, let me know…" I quickly grabbed some paper and a pen to jot down Chance's number. I never expected anyone to call me out of the blue like that but I had felt such a strong desire to meet him again.

I wasn't one to reach out for someone, always waiting for someone else to offer up a paw to me. That's just how I felt about connecting to others, never wanting to be a bother or trouble for people. For some reason, Chance struck a chord in me when I met him. He was such a likeable guy and I felt something from him. Although I was apprehensive of thinking of seeing Chance again, I thought it wouldn't hurt to talk to him. He had already gone through the trouble of getting a hold of me. Grabbing the wireless phone along with the pen and paper I already had in hand, I headed off to the balcony to get some fresh air. The afternoon wind was stale and an ominous gray cloud of smog loomed over the city as I looked out from the balcony.

Dialing the number I had written down, I called Chance. Part of me expected to get a messaging machine and part of me wanted to get that messaging machine. Scared to really hear his voice and talk to him again, I just wanted to return his call and get it over with. Yet he ended up picking it up after just a few rings.

"Megakat City Salvage Yard Auto Shop, Chance here, how can I help you?" The burly tom answered.

"Hey Chance…" I said in a low and nervous voice.

"Is that you, Brent? How are you, buddy?" Chance said worryingly.

"Yeah, it's me. I'm…fine. Just wanted to return your call and maybe take up your offer." Hesitantly, I spoke while I looked at the ground of the balcony.

"It's good to hear from you. I've been worried about you, buddy. I'll be glad to lend you an ear and talk with you. How about we meet soon?" In his earnest voice, Chance asked me.

"Sure, I'd like that Chance. It would be nice to talk. It's fine if it's you…" Unsure, I couldn't help but slowly agree to meet Chance.

"All right. Well if you're free tonight, why don't we meet up at my favorite diner on the outskirts of the city?"

"Sure that sounds fine to me. I could go for some good food." I casually said.

"Great! Let's meet around six then. Here's the address." I wrote down the address as Chance told me.

"Thanks Chance. I'll see you soon then." Feeling a bit better in mood, I let out a sigh.

"No problem at all. Take care of yourself. See you later tonight." Chance hung up.

Although our conversation was short, I felt as if it lasted a long while. My nerves were still bothering me and I was shaking even though it wasn't chilly at all. At least the diner wasn't too far away, a quick drive for me. The calming thought of seeing Chance again did put me at ease a little bit. He was the last connection I could think about and deep inside I felt something for him. Thinking about Chance, I looked out at the scenery in front of me. It was the same looking sky I had shared with Valentine but no matter how hard I tried I still couldn't see what she had seen. Trying to think of something else, I ended up thinking about Chance and what I would talk to him about. Comics, Pops, maybe ask more about him when we meet up. Yet as I pondered such thoughts, my eyes began to water and wouldn't stop. Looking out still at the city, my tears fell down my face and dropped little by little to the ground far below. Even though I had been holding my emotions back, my tears wouldn't stop as I questioned myself as to why I was crying. Were my tears for Valentine and my promise? Were they for Chance and his attempt to help me? Whatever the case was, I couldn't tell why my tears wouldn't stop as I stood out there in the balcony. Disconnected with my own self, I could hardly tell how I felt or why anymore. Brushing off the tears from my eyes, I thought to myself that I had to get ready to see Chance. Heading to my bedroom upstairs, I began to get dress and ready to leave the apartment, out into the world again as if nothing had happened to me. My face still felt unfamiliar, as if I were wearing a mask but I thought it to be nothing than the aftermath the assault had on me. Dressed up and ready, I headed out the door and down to the parking structure to get to my car. With Chance on my mind as I headed my way, I thought about what I was doing meeting him and whether I would regret doing so.


Seems like there's more involved and more happening underneath all that hidden anguish. As Brent draws closer to Chance, what will happen with their encounter together?

Thanks again for reading! I hope you like how I'm progressing with this story so far. Although this story does tie in with my previous one, it can still be read as it's own separate piece. Please look forward to more soon!

Please comment, rate, review! I appreciate your words and opinions as they help me continuing writing. Let me know what you think about this story so far; I haven't heard much and would love to see what you think.

*Brenton*