The Cat God Left Behind in a Dream

In the back alley of a shabby multi-tenant building, there was a cardboard box soaked in the rain.
When I peeked inside, there was a skinny kitten, and the moment our eyes met, I knew, 'This child is a Cat God.'

'Oh? You can see me?'

I didn't think it was particularly strange that a Cat God could talk.

'Yeah, I can see you. Hello, Cat God.'

'Oh, I see. So you're Apollo.'

I had wanted to meet the Cat God.
I wanted him to save me.

'I know. You're at your limit, aren't you?'

I'm tired. I want to be a cat, too.

'Being a cat is tough in its own way, you know.'

No, it's still much better than being a human.

'Is that so? Then, you should become me.'

Spin.
In an instant, my body and the Cat God's body swapped. Truly, in the blink of an eye, I was a cat.

'See ya, Apollo. Hope you get picked up by a good person.'

Yeah, thank you, Cat God. See you later!

The Cat God, now in Apollo's body, coolly put on sunglasses and left the back alley.
Then, I realized I was starving to death inside the cardboard box.

What is this overwhelming feeling of hunger?

Someone, give me food.
If things keep going like this, I'm in trouble.

Somebody!

Spin.
The moment I screamed, someone grabbed me by the scruff of my neck. It was the shadow of a faceless giant.

'Found you. You filthy thing. You stink.'

Stop it. Help me.

"Hmph. You're not cute at all."

Please, help me. I'm begging you. Let me go home.

"Be grateful I'm not killing you."

Yes, thank you. I will live. Thank you.

From then on, I wanted to dream of being picked up by a kind person and having delicious meals.
I might not wake up tomorrow and might just disappear like this, but regardless, I wanted to sleep as soon as possible.

Must not sle"Don't sleep!"

Sleepy"If you sleep in a dream, you'll really become a cat!"

Meo"Wah! Wah! Wake up!!!"

Ring-ring-ring!

The alarm was ringing.
I realized
I had been dreaming.
No, I had vaguely known that over there, too.

On the table, a half-drunk, cold cup of coffee.
A black down jacket tossed aside.
My hands and feet are still my human ones.
I was hungry, but not terrifyingly so.

Had the Cat God returned to that back alley?
Had they reconsidered and returned my body to me?
Even though I wanted to become a cat, that child must have wanted to be human for a long time before that.

I cannot believe that the thin, small Cat God was just a dream.
The shadow of the large man might also be the thoughts of someone existing somewhere in this world.

I'll add the continuation of the dream to the story I've hidden away.
That's what I thought.

#PureLiterature
#1000Characters
#ShortShort
#Dream
#Cat
#Truth