I was walking through the alley by the school when I heard a whimper and the sound of rummaging. Curiosity drove me further inward, despite the protests of my fear inside me. Then I saw it, scared, frightened, alone, I reached into my bag and pulled out some crumbs of a snack I had earlier. It cowered in response to my hand, so I instead sprinkled them on the ground just a bit in front of it.
Finally it came forward from the shadows and I saw its jet black fur glisten with the chemicals on the ground it had rolled in. It gently licked up the crumbs and then looked at me expecting more.
I patted my pockets and indicated to it that I had no more. It looked at me like it understood, I stood up and continued walking to my home. I heard occasionally scurrying behind me, but when I turned I saw nothing.
Eventually I arrived at my Hab-block and as I entered the door I turned to see that the chichid had followed me, now waiting outside the building. I walked back outside to try and shoo it away, it did not understand. I went to pick it up and it ran towards my hands as though I had more food.
I knew my father would never allow this animal inside. I would need to find some way to make sure no one would see it. I pick it up in my coat and wrap it tightly to bring it inside. My parents wouldn't be home for a while. I get into the apartment and bring the animal into the kitchen, putting the chichid in the sink and turning the faucet on.
I began to scrub the chemicals out of its fur and saw as its face began to peek beyond the blue and purple, its small tongue peeking beyond its mouth and its eyes, dark enough to to fall into, but beyond it was a final sense of relaxation.
Then I heard the front door begin to jiggle and I panicked. I grab a cloth and pick up the animal, holding it close. Walking in is my father, I look at him scared that he is going to take the creature.
He doesn't look angry as he walks close to me and kneels down to my level, his enormous hand covering my entire shoulder. “You found that on the street didn't you?” I don't answer verbally but I nod my head holding the Chichid close.
“Look at me” he says with a kindness I never expected. I look into his deep brown eyes as he speaks, “That is a beast. You need to understand that if you take care of it, you are enabling its weakness. Weakness does not have a place in the Varkh. Do you understand?”
“But I would be responsible…” I try to say back, but he just puts his oversized finger in front of my mouth, shushing me.
“You would be responsible for its reliance, its dependence. You are killing it slowly by prolonging its existence. If it relies on you, then it will never be able to take care of itself. You need to get rid of it.” I look back at him and then down at the chichid. He’s right.
I take it downstairs and set it outside as the artificial sun begins to set on our section of Caer Aeternum. It tried to follow me in, wagging its tail, but I closed the door before it could follow. As I turned around I heard its scratches at the door, and then its whimpers. I need to be strong, strong for my family, and strong for the Varkh.
