(Christmas Special) I am Found

[3.5 years ago]

In the polar, Canadian winter night amongst the back-alley trash cans, a tiny black cat laid exposed to the frostbitten wind. Snowflakes the size of quarters drizzled down. The sparkling cotton piled up on her fur.

*I'm so cold.*

She used to go by Jólakötturinn, the Yule Cat that many feared on Christmas in Iceland and eventually Europe. Wait, was today Christmas? What year was it?

Over time, eating children for the same, spoiled reasons became old. The screams that disturbed the quiet night didn't give her a rush like it once did. She didn't know how to explain the emptiness that had accumulated over the ages. When humans gradually stopped believing in the Yule Cat, it was a good excuse to quit consuming the little cretins and go into hiding from deities who wanted her head.

Now, she didn't have the energy to walk another millimeter. Since she was born on the coldest of nights, leaving the same way was a fitting end to her reign.

*Bless,* saying her goodbyes in Icelandic.

She closed her eyes for the last time.

"Poor thing, are you okay?" A human brushed the thick snow off her side.

*Go away.*

The annoyance rubbed her stiff ears. "You're freezing to death!"

*Then let me die in peace.*

Instead of listening to her, they gently picked her up to be cradled. Their chest was warm.

There was something else besides the bodily warmth; a strong energy she hasn't sensed in centuries.

*His soul is powerful. I think I'll keep you for myself.*

Through squinted eyes, she saw a boy shielding her from the negative-temperature wind.

"Do you have a home? The animal shelter is closed for a week. Maybe I should let you stay with me for the night..." he muttered to himself. His facial expression showed genuine concern over an evil spirit like herself.

"This will be a fast trip." He hid her icy body under his insulated coat. Their heartbeats pounded together.

Her ears perked up in interest. While this boy's soul was extraordinary, there was more to him than meets the eye. Whether that's good or bad, she doesn't know.

If she wanted to eat him in the future, she'd have to look after him from other prying spirits or demons; especially the wicked one that stuck to him like a fly. That one worried her the most.

*You're secret is safe with me. I'll protect you.*

They went home.