The bag of food was obviously a trap.
It was too perfect. Nic could smell it through the packaging, fresh and unspoiled. In the world of dumpster diving it was rare that such a meal manifest itself. The other strays on the street would long ago have looted it.
One of his ears twitched first up the street and then down. Aside from the usual late night city noise, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He inched forward on the tips of his toes, bare feet pressed against cold concrete.
Food was scarce. His late night work had been spartan recently. “Animal Services” had stepped up patrols in the area and he was a prime target. Staying out of site and out of mind was how he survived.
Another step forward. His tail was stiff and bristled with anticipation. Froze in place, waiting for the kill.
And then the pounce. Nic sprinted forward towards the open trash bin. The over-sized hoodie he wore shifted awkwardly, its broken zipper ensuring that one or the other of his shoulders was exposed.
The dumpster was within reach when he confirmed that it was a trap. Stupid move on his part. But food was scarce.
Nic mewled loudly and tried to change direction in mid air.
Physics doesn’t work that way.
A man, hidden behind piles of waste and trash bags, loomed up in front of him, reaching out to catch the neko by the leg. The boy yelped and tried to squirm away.
In his flailing he fell further out of the hand-me-down hoodie. It was obviously intended for someone larger than the small, lean neko. He wore a skimpy pair of underwear and little else beneath it. His skin was pale and smooth.
“Gotcha, ya lil’ beastie.” The man leered. “They said somethin’ was raidin’ their trash cans. Didn’t expect a pretty Nictie like you.”
“Lemme go!” Nic hissed, baring his teeth and trying to bite.
The blow that followed was swift and left Nic seeing star.
“Shut it. Behave and I might let you get to Processing with a few less bruises…”