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"Arctus, buddy? You won't mind if I head out for a while, will you?"

She curls her tail around your neck and gives a soft, contented purr. You can tell she's feeling lazy.

"Cool. But don't worry; I won't let you go hungry."

Feeling suddenly purposeful, you shut the laptop (the creak the old hinges make is worrying) and hurry downstairs with Arctus. You dig through your bags for her food, which you notice is running a little low, and pour some out in the kitchen next to a bowl of water. Then you open the back porch door and lead her to it.

Finally, you put your hand on her head and look out at the yard. You close your eyes; you think about home.

When you look down at her again, she's watching you very closely.

"This is home now, yeah? It's just like the forest. Trees and everything. So you know not to go far, right?"

She makes a tiny noise.

You take that as a yes.

Chapter One: First Impressions