I woke up and stretched contentedly. I wondered for a moment why I was so comfortable, when I looked at my surroundings. Where am I? How did I get here? These thoughts ran through my head. Then I saw the masked man walk out of the other room and everything came back to me, the dogs, the food, the man. He was so kind to me. I jumped up and walked over to him. His face was in his hands as he yawned. I rubbed against his legs and he jumped, and then looked down at me. His face contorted into a smile, and he bent down and scratched behind my ears, causing me to close my eyes. He picked me up and said,

"Since you are staying with me, you should have a name,"

I just stretched out lazily at his caresses, not hearing his words.

"I shall call you…Ayesha, for to live, you had to have been thorough a lot, and not end up in the butcher's window,"

At those words, I opened my eyes, and gave him a glare. Of course, humans don't understand the loss of your entire family. They just sit around and be careless and misunderstand the life that you lead. They just scratch behind your ears and pet you when you look upset but don't ever know what is in your heart and soul. They are blind.

"What's wrong? What did I say?"

I just jumped out of his arms and retreated to a corner. He followed me, and then I found that a corner might not be the place to hide when you are trying to elude someone. He crouched down and petted my back.

"You know you can tell me anything, Little One. Anything can be told to old Erik, and he will keep it safe,"

So I just lied on the floor, on my side, and closed my eyes. I did not expect him to understand, but he said,

"O.K. I understand. I won't mention that man again, little one,"

And with that said, he picked me up and caressed my fur. Once again I stretched out, and fell into a deep slumber in his arms.