Author's Note:

Turns out each chapter I write gets progressively more difficult in the process of creation as I go on, but the support you guys give me keeps me going. I can't thank you all enough...

But I can thank some of you individually (BoltsFan247, Mike101, fanficwriter-25, Dinode, StarDust, bolt fan 21 and Starfiction123) You don't know what this means to me. I love writing, and I put my heart into it every time. Thank you everybody (even you silent people who just read and never review) for your efforts and support.

Though the last chapter was 5,000 flipping words long, this chapter was the hardest one yet.

I present to you guys; my best efforts for Chapter 3... Enjoy.

Introduction:

Mittens' Point Of View:

I watch the white canine play outside from the living room window.

First of all, it makes no sense that he chooses to play with his dog friends in the front yard instead of somewhere else. It's like he's showing off the fact that I'm not a dog and rubbing it in my face that I can't play with them. Not two weeks ago was this point already covered. (that day where I got smashed across the face by... somebody's paw). That's the day that I'll never forget... not in a good way. It seems to have sealed the deal with every soul in this house that stands underneath the door knobs.

Me and Bolt were officially enemies.

There. You're updated.

Chapter 3:

Reflection

"I'm the one that taught him to act that way!" I shouted. "I taught him to be a dog! Why is he excluding me from the life that I GAVE him?"

The room I was pacing back and forth in was Penny's (who was currently at school, as always). I was shouting at myself for lack of anyone else to talk to. Things just didn't make sense to me. Why would Bolt be such a jerk when it came to this?

I then thought of the answer, and felt extremely foolish. "Oh, yah... it's because I'm a cat... what an idiotic rationalization. What did I do to deserve that?"

Wait... Maybe I did deserve it. I was a mistress in an old kingdom, remember? I was taking charge of my own life the best I could. I HAD to have pigeons forage food for me because I was almost incapable of doing it myself. Wow... the more I thought about it the more I feel I DIDN'T deserve it.

I looked down at my small white paws and lifted one up, scanning it's features. I had a mix of black and pink on the padded side... and of course, no claws. The overall usage of them and going around the entire country had left scabs and had them a bit worn, but for the most part they were okay. I looked up into the full-body mirror that I was standing in front of. I saw... well... my reflection.

Time seemed to stop. It was one of the first times I looked at myself and felt... just... I dunno. Nothing.

I set my paw back to the ground again, and just stared into the mirror. I looked at myself up and down, just... how did I become so hate-able? From my tethered left ear, across my flat head over to my other ear. From one green eye to the next, down to that white portion of my face where my nose and mouth were... my whiskers had been straightened and made neat from the groomers. From my chest down my torso, and each of my legs, my black fur was no longer a ruffled mess, but had been pleasantly washed and dried. Then they smoothed it out radiantly into a beautiful shine.

I had even asked Bolt's opinion about it when I first exited the groomer's. I a half-jokingly asked him how beautiful I looked. He answered, laughing. "Mittens... You look amazing!" I didn't believe him until I saw that smile on his face. Ooh, that smile always got to me every time I noticed him wearing it. I felt a warm tingly feeling inside of me, I accepted it and smiled back. The way we smiled at each other, me with a simple little grin on that small muzzle of mine, and Bolt with his that seemed as if the smile itself was big enough to surround you and wrap itself around you so warmly and lovingly... you can't HELP but feel warm and smile back.

Damn... how I dreadfully missed that smile. I knew I'd probably never see it again. But, that aside, still going lower, I saw my tail in the reflection. I was sitting with it wrapped around me, the white fluffy tip rested next to my paws on the floor. I thumped it a few times, sighing.

Then my paws were the last thing I saw in my reflection. They (along with my underbelly, tail tip, and muzzle) were the only white parts of my body I had on me. I don't know why I analyzed everything so much, perhaps I felt like I was saying goodbye... to this room. To the mirror, to ever seeing my reflection in here again...

… I suppose I felt this way for just one reason... because today I had decided to run away.

... J ...

The next few days went by very slowly, but I forgot almost all about my decision to run away. Typical.

Well, the main reason I forgot was because Rhino needed to be supervised. The past two weeks have been very precarious with the rodent, and I began to worry that he would do something to hurt himself. I had crushed his heart with what I said to him (in the last chapter). I felt responsible to make things right...er... somehow just watch over him. Besides, I was the only one in the house that he even talks to now.

So... I stalked him! Watching almost every move he made, ensuring his safety. I knew Rhino (if driven to the proper point of depression) ran a risk of doing something very stupid that may just get himself killed. I couldn't... I just couldn't allow that to happen.

Honestly, here's the truth about me and the rodent. He's like a little brother to me... not the one that everyone wants, but the one that you just can't stand to see upset. In a way, you always want them to be happy, even if it's annoying, but it's outweighs the option of seeing them upset.

When he's down like this, it depresses ME!

Before, he had been all jumpy and optimistic about everything, and it actually made me cheer up a bit to see such BIG hope emanate from such a little guy. Now... it wasn't at all like that. He had just lost the connection of his main idol. Whenever Bolt was in the house, Rhino made every gesture to ignore him. There's nothing Bolt can say to change Rhino's mind, and I know he blames me. I was the one that opened my mouth.

I can't even do anything about it now. Neither of them will listen to me. Bolt won't even TALK to me... Which is a bummer. And it's because of one insignificant little feature that I can't change about myself. One thing that I'll always be... a cat... also a bummer...

… I know this part of the story sucks, but I just gotta explain a few things. The damage, the hate and the anger that Rhino feels is my fault. I had brought their relationship all the way back to square one. Believe me, I TRIED making things right. What I said can't be unsaid... like I said, my words were deadly. Rhino was a poor source to victimize and now I have to witness the aftermath of my mistake.

Now, every single day spent here is just awkward. Nobody talks. If we're lucky, maybe I get to say a few words to Rhino, or I'll hear him complain about how the cops in CSI Miami are getting all the wrong clues in finding the punk that strangled his own girlfriend.

Regardless of everything, I've been keeping my eye on Rhino. Weather he knew it or not. Every time he disappeared from my sight I had to make sure he didn't wander off outside the house or try to do anything that would lead him into a path of danger (a very big risk for a small hamster without a ball). Several times, I'd ask him if he's okay, but the answer is always the same, "I'm stiff."

… I suppose he says that because he sits around a lot. He has no ball to exercise his muscles... I never really thought of that until now actually...

Hmm... I think I'm gonna go out and get him a ball. That odda make things better.

... J ...

Okay, enough of that. I'm changing the subject to something that hopefully ain't as much of a downer.

I sneaked out after Bolt the other day, and I'm glad I did because I was in SERIOUS need of getting some air! It helped me a LOT more than I expected. I needed to be outdoors.

Heck, I even mustered the courage to approach Bolt... no closer than 10 feet away, though.

I watched him from my protective perch behind some bushes. Bolt was playing a game of tag with his two buddies, one was a brown Rottweiler named Roscoe, and the other was actually a female Australian Shepherd with black and brown spots. Her name escapes me. I knew there should be a third dog somewhere... a brown jumpy jack-Russel Terrier named Philip. I didn't see him there.

I thought I may as well get comfortable. For about the next 20 or 30 minutes I just watched these dogs as they played together, trying to avoid the fact that I had taught Bolt almost EVERYTHING he was doing right now while playing with these dogs. The way to crouch, the way to tag. Even the way to tackle...

Well, it doesn't matter now. At this point, all I was was spare change, pocket lint, a buried and forgotten bone. My lessons were over...

I watched the dogs do a lot of tackling, rolling on the grass several times before jumping up and doing it yet again. Frankly, I don't see the point of this game. The Rottweiler was naturally kind of aggressive, but wasn't too good at balancing himself when he's caught off guard by Bolt or the female dog. She on the other paw seemed very competitive, so much so that most of the tagging was done between the two other dogs. She seemed pretty fierce, and not someone you'd want to mess with. I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't even play fair...

My vision suddenly wandered onto Bolt. Something I hadn't noticed before. Was his fur always that bright when sunlight reflected it? I couldn't help but admire the shine. I stared at it wondrously. He would tackle the Rottweiler playfully and as he rolled in the grass, he got back up and instantly shook it off, as if he wasn't fond of the idea of getting a spec of dirt on his white coat. And he stood up quickly... I was surprised. I could tell he still had some of the Old Super-Dog left inside him because when a tackle happens, he doesn't stay on the ground for longer than a few seconds, he stands right back up... and his stance was fierce. His legs spread and his paws seemed like they were glued to the ground. He always stood very firm, and strong. Everything that canine did seemed almost perfect. Or... maybe not perfect, but very... organized. He was indeed a dog that doesn't like to mess around.

Kinda makes me wonder what I'm even doing in his life... I'm not organized at all. I probably hold him BACK from being organized. It's not like I mean to do that... I...

Wait... where'd he go?

I peeked around from outside of the bushes, the other dogs were still playing together but Bolt was out of sight. I couldn't see him.

Wait... I knew why. He was standing right behind me.

I rolled my eyes and turned around, sure as danger, Bolt was there... and he didn't look pleased.

I cleared my throat, "... Nice day, huh?" I asked sheepishly.

"What are you doing out here, Mittens?"

I widened my eyes. "Uh... being awesome. Being myself. Enjoying the sun right here in the shady bushes cause that's how I roll-" What the hell was I mumbling?

"You're not supposed to be out here."

My eyebrows furrowed. "Look, dog. It's my yard too! There's no sign saying "no backstabbers allowed" because if there were, you wouldn't be here."

Bolt stood up. "Go home." He turned around and started leaving.

I clenched my teeth. No, don't say it. Just go on home. "What's wrong with you, Bolt?"

He didn't respond.

"LOOK AT ME, BOLT!" I shouted.

The dog stopped in his tracks. ...What's the freaking matter with him? This was not like him at all. I wanted to scream. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing."

"Really? I don't believe you."

"I said nothing's wrong, Mittens. Go home!"

"Oh, you mean back to New York?" I retorted. "Yeah, well my flight got cancelled so I gotta stay here longer. Tough it out, Super-dog!" Why wouldn't I shut up?

"I mean back to Penny's house." Bolt responded, irritated.

"Don't wanna."

Bolt turned around, his teeth clenched. "I'm warning you, Mittens! You'd better get back inside the house immediately or-."

"Oh, NO! I'm so frightened! What are you gonna do? Strike your paw and hopefully BREAK my neck this time? Yeah, that'll shut me up... because I'd be dead!"

Yeah... I'm dead.

And that was it. Bolt released a heavy bark and ran up to me. Terror instantly took hold of me as I attempted to hold my ground and readied myself for what was coming. He shoved me hard back into the bushes and landed on top of me, knocking out my wind. It was then when I knew he was going to devour me. His jaws opened. I shut my eyes tightly. I was pinned to the ground and completely helpless, I couldn't even breathe.

My eyes were closed, but I suddenly heard his intense whispering in my ear. "I don't WANT to hurt you, Mittens, but if you stay out here I will HAVE to! You need to go inside, NOW!" He turned abruptly and ran off into the distance. I lay there on my back, still shaken by what just happened. My heart was pounding in my ears, and my first thought was... he didn't eat me.

My second thought was... I guess I had to go home now.

... J ...

I walked through that doggy-door and felt like my life just flashed in front of me. I was very confused, and physically tired, and sleep-deprived... I just walked into that house onto Penny's bed and stayed there... I stayed there for... I have no clue how long. I could barely move. My mind was spinning and my reality was a blur. Something was bothering me, and it was bottled up inside me. My thoughts were simultaneous at some points, and at other points I thought of almost nothing at all.

... then nothing... then nothing... my body ached... then nothing...

When I did start to think of something, I thought of Bolt... I just couldn't get over how much I've been continuously watching him, lately. Why was it I couldn't just forget about him? He and I don't get along, we're too different... too opposite. We're never going to be friends, it's been that way so long, why am I STILL thinking about him like this instead of accepting the facts?

What was I doing? ... I was destroying myself, living a false hope. We shouldn't be together, I had to run away, like I said earlier. We don't belong in the same place. I don't want to see that canine anymore, it hurts too much... his white fur, his figure, his eyes, his... smile.

AHH! DAMMIT! DAMMIT TO HELL! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!?

I clutched a white pillow on the bed I had been laying on, I squeezed it between my arms and legs, and banged my head against it's marshmallow surface, each time saying the word, "NO... NO...NO...!" I was going bananas! Over a dog!

Then it happened. I started to cry.

...

I cried because... Bolt didn't care about me.

That's all I wanted. I JUST wanted this canine to care about me! I wanted him and me to be good friends... even BEST friends. I wanted to have his strong chest around to cry on. I wanted to have a someone I could play and mess around with. I wanted to go out on night time walks with him and talk about the places we've been, and the things we've done, and someday running off together and coming back in the morning before anyone knows we left. I wanted to share my secrets with him. I wanted to hear HIM tell me about his own life! I wanted us to be partners, with a bright future, and always have each other's backs. And I wanted, OH, so wanted... to cuddle up next to his beautiful body with his arms and legs wrapped around me securing me and protecting me from anything that may threaten me, including my nightmares.

And dammit... I wanted desperately to see his smile again!

I bit my teeth into the pillow and yanked my head backwards, tearing it. I did the same thing repeatedly until I had completely exhausted myself and the bed had lots of shreds on it. I just couldn't take it anymore! Why does Bolt have to hate me so bad? WHY? I just want him and me to be family, despite our stupid, ignorable differences! Who even cares! I loved him! I LOVE BOLT! ... I wasn't in love with him... but I just loved him to death!...

... And I would shout it to the skies if I had to. I would shout it for the world to hear, regardless of my physical appearance. I loved him so much it formed a giant knot in my stomach, and a lump in my throat the size of California... It hurt me so bad, like a razor blade struck me from behind my back, bleeding so slowly, every passing minute is agony. I was drowning, I was suffocating, I was heaving, I was screaming and I was crying. I was literally dying... because of how much I wanted Bolt... just to love me back...

Why couldn't things just be different? Why did we grow so apart? Why does being a CAT even matter!? What the hell is wrong with our differances? I DON'T UNDERSTAND!

Would it even matter if I ran away? ... Maybe if I did he'd finally realize the big mistake he made... maybe he'd go looking for me... maybe he'd regret ever neglecting me... Damn... "Maybe" is a very hurtful word.

It makes no sense why things had to change. Me and Bolt were friends a long time ago. I know this... I used to see it in his heart-crushing smile.

He used to care about me.

...

I cried for several hours... just cried. I've never cried harder in my life. I felt so alone here... so unloved, uncared for, unappreciated, unacknowledged... I couldn't bare how lonely I felt. It was tearing me up from inside me, feeling this terrible anguish I thought my guts would explode on the inside from the knot in the pit of my stomach. The pain was horrific and unceasing.

At one point as I lay there on my side, I felt a little hand touch my shoulder from behind me. I shut my eyes tightly, it just wasn't the time right now. "Go away, Rhino."

"You sound awful." Rhino said.

"I need to be ALONE right now!" I shouted with a sniffle. I realized the tables turned and it was now Rhino who was wondering if I was okay.

… I didn't hear him again after that. I was alone, as I needed to be.

I fell asleep to my sorrow. Just choking on it like a hairball. What else did I have left at this point? I don't have anybody. My white knight has moved on with his own kind and left me out in the cold. My life is a big pile of rubble, completely demolished of all meaning and purpose. I had nothing left.

This is why I had to run away. Nothing was stopping me at this point.

.... J ...

I waited for the quietest moment. It was still before 3 AM and still dark outside and in, but I didn't care. I readied myself and looked around the house one last time.

This was it... I was leaving.

I exited out the dog door to find that the streets were FLOODED with rain. With a gulp I stepped off the porch and barely touched my paw to the wet ground, I then took another step, and then another...

I stopped around my 7th step, and retreated back to the sheltered porch, shaking myself dry. I looked out over the road once more, and just felt.. helpless. I couldn't do it. Not in this weather... Not today.

With a heavy heart I turned around and headed back into the house. I was startled when I looked up.

Bolt was standing right in front of me.

End of Chapter 3

Thanks for reading.