First message
“Hey kiddo, time to get up.”
I groaned and pulled the blanket over my head, but it didn’t last long. The door creaked open wider, and Mom padded in behind her, claws clicking lightly on the floor. Even half-asleep, I could feel her presence, warm and steady.
“You heard me,” Mom said, tail swaying. “Breakfast soon. Move it.”
I cracked one eye open. Mom was smiling, arms crossed, clearly not leaving until I sat up. Being adopted into this family meant mornings like this. No escape.
“Five minutes,” she said. “Or I’m coming back and I won’t be alone.”