[Lost in the City]

Through neon lights and past backstreet doors, a four-legged creature leaped past overturned boxes as it ventured into the depths of the concrete forest city. It took no heed to the burn of cigar or foul smell of detritus, neither did it flinch at the sudden clangs of metal against steel and the scuttling of vermin in dark, musky corners.

The feline lifted its glimmering irises to glance at the sky. What was once splashed with streaks of red and yellow were now gradually blanketed by velvet black that unfurled itself across the ether as the golden orb sank below the horizons. It waited for the night's companion's to bestrew the black canvas, but alas, even the moon's fluoresce paled in comparison to the incandescing artificial city lights. It trailed its gaze ahead, and continued down the damp pavement.

The deeper the creature prowled, the more musky the air became. The ghetto it roamed through reeked of booze among the odour emanating from decrepit motels and bars. Those that slumped against the flaking brick walls casted their anaemic gazes at the trespasser, but none divulged their hostility. One even grinned, revealing yellow stained teeth as the dishevelled man tossed a piece of nugget from the leftovers discarded by restaurants. The cat purred, gobbling up the meagre piece of meat.

It understood this world, where its humble beginning had, too, stemmed from.

As it ambled past the narrow streets, the buildings gradually rose from squat shop lots to high-rise apartments, before it eventually widened into avenues and asphalt roads. Here, the world conglomerated into flickering garnish lights of alfresco and towering skyscrapers. The perpetual stream of cars casted blaring headlights that temporarily blinded its eyes. Nonetheless, it weaved in and out between the throngs of people, most which gave no more than a cursory glance, before returning to the luminesce of their mobile.

Just then, a scent cut through the malodour of vehicle emission, and naturally, the cat whirled around to follow the tantalising smell that beckoned it towards a brightly illuminated café. What it had not expected, however, was the moment it slinked passed the maze of legs, a scream shattered the halcyon ambience.

"OH GOD GET IT OUT OF HERE!"

Voices instantaneously rose; murmurs became loud yells. The waiters hurried to approach the source- a woman accoutred in elegant blue dress and adorned with jewellery unabashedly. She peered at the creature with absolute vile spelt bold over her pale features. Everyone watched, but they were deadpanned and blasé, only awaiting to see how things would escalate and amuse them in the mundanity of their lives.

A waiter briskly approached the feline with a broom in hand. At first, it took no mind, languidly licking its own fur, but the sudden shove of the broom sent it tumbling into a crouch. It hissed, refusing to retreat, and when the waiter lifted the broom up high, it finally scrambled down the steps of the café before it fell to the fate of the pummel. It's keen ears could still pick up the fading shrill voice of the woman complaining about hygiene, but it couldn't care less anymore. It had enough for the day.

The black cat disappeared back into the maze of buildings, leaving world of cacophonous honks, hooting and shouting behind.

The rest of the journey was fairly uneventful as it wandered about with child-like curiosity. When it finally reached a familiar apartment, it clambered up the fire escape onto the 6th floor- the only balcony it knew would find solicit during cold, wintry nights.

"Jiji! You're back!"

It mewed and instinctively buried its head into the awaiting palm. A light laugh, like a spring breeze in the humid summer air escape the girl's lips. "Let's get you inside, you need a bath."

The cat watched the fading city lights as the both of them retreated into the apartment. It's world teetered on the edge of the two societies, but in her arms, it knew this place was it's map whenever it became lost in the city.

♤[2/5/2020]♤

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Please remind me why i even decided i could take up this daily prompt challenge it's day two and my brain's already baked.

Feedback n criticisms are appreciated. :")