"For the past eternity, Vitambulas have been pets to Prafectas with a steadfast faith. Over the recent century, however, there seems to have been a deformity within the Vitambulas' DNA, causing them to develop thought patterns similar to those of a Prafecta. These deformities are extremely rare, however. Over each day, as we get closer to the damning of our people, we create special bonds with our pets; we become friends, we marry, we perform ancient love and preservation rituals, and die for our Vitambulas. Although many have tried, we cannot mix a Prafecta with a Vitambula, thus causing the void that is expanded knowledge. Knowledge of the mind, of the brawn, knowledge of patterns, of hearts, of love, of opposable thumbs, of rhythms and beats that lay brazen with primal instinct and cherished within society of all types. This is the common knowledge of our people. No matter how far we advance in technology, we still won't be able to find out the secrets of our world."

As if this day couldn't be anymore fucked
I look around, there are Prafectas everywhere, everyone one of them is shocked at my instrumental genious
All I needed was a little practice, now it looks like the feds are gonna try to capture me
The run was good while it lasted, but if this is the way I'm going out, then so be it.

But then something happened

As time went by, nothing particularly scary showed up
It was as if everyone just enjoyed my "performance"

"Stupid fuckin' common folk.", I mutter.

When all's said and done, I head back to my owner by sundown
"How'd your sight-seeing go?" Pofi asked
The cat had an apron on, apparently we were having a fresh meal, for once

"It was decent, I guess. I saw a drumset and decided to give it a whack. Doing that again might actually give us some money for heating. Winter is coming upon us, and my humanity is reaching its wits' end."

"Why would show off your talent in public? Don't you realize that could get us on a watchlist of sorts?! Also, why go through that risk for street performance change when you could be a service boy in a couple of years? If you're worried about being cold, you can just sleep with me in my bed, as you always have!"

"5 years isn't a lifetime, Pof. Besides, I want to be of more use than just doing menial labor. Hell, working fast food seems better than simply waiting for my next chore."

"But you're safer here! You have Sputnik to hangout with, and Shola is always so nice to you! Everyone that studies with you are your friends! So why bother with tearing apart from them?"

I hug her, I love her to no end, but I don't want to crush her heart
"Pof, you're 24. You have an entire life ahead of you that is only wasting away by my being here. If I could help you in anyway possible, it would be helping your finances. And that means I will have to leave eventually."

"That doesn't meant you have to leave the city! You can stay here, with me, and we could be happy! Besides, you're too young to be anywhere that isn't a public venue. So what would leaving now accomplish!"

"Pof, I've lived on the cold, dead streets of Jersey since I was seven... and only came out with one dead eye and a bum knee. Do you understand? I'm able to survive."

"These streets are nothing like your, uh, Hee-yo-u-min world! We have claws... an-and teeth! Who knows? Maybe you could get mauled by a feral Prafecta!"

"You're right, Pof. I shouldn't have suggested that. I'm sorry for making you frustrated. Let's... let's just have a nice, warm meal today huh?"
Upsetting her further was the last thing I wanted to do. Her resting heart rate is already through the roof.

"O-Okay, Arri. I'm fine with that. Just please get those thoughts out of your head as soon as possible."
She sets our plates down on the table
"Tonight's dinner is... chicken and rice!"
Meat? Where did she get the money to buy meat?!

"It looks delicious, Pof. Let's eat."

It's 8-O'-Clock in the evening, Pof and I are sitting on the couch, watching the news and reading donated books from our public library.
"Local Canidae shot and killed over by Galswen and Forrose. Suspects are unknown. Witnesses say the shooter had been spotted multiple times around the neighborhood over the past week. Authorities are looking in to the situation."
"Is that the Russell house?! Oh god, is Rosa really gone?! No... not like this... She was just getting through with her final chemo session! No... no... WHY?! WHY, LORDS, WHY?!"
Rosanis and Pofiari have been friends since Kindergarten. They've been through everything together.

I jolt back into reality quickly and try my best to comfort the cat. Her fur is frizzled, giving falsity to her thin frame. She's shaking violently to and fro, causing our giveaway couch to scratch the hardwood floor. Tears are gushing from her eyes, causing her fur to matte and knot.
As I hug her and start petting her, I catch a whiff of pot. I decide not to point it out, though. I don't want to spring up another argument for today.
"Let's head to your room, huh Pofi? Let's just go to bed for now so we can remorse tomorrow."

We head over to her office-sized room and lie on the bed. As she starts wailing I begin to hold her tightly. No one's going to hurt my owner like that, and I'm going to be there for her when she needs it.
As she stops crying, I begin to hear a controlled, slightly heavy breathing. It's ragged and unpatternized, but it's hers. She's asleep.

The back of both her body and head are soft and warm, and soon I begin to lift off.
------------------------------------------------------PROLOGUE END------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 1: Daunting, They Beseech Thee

"A-Aaaaaarrrrrriiiiiiisssssss.... Yyyyyoouuuurr ttiiiimeee ccomeettthhh"
The Void calls my name. I know not of how it's happened, but being here is disruptive to the flow of this plane.
Every year the gravity pushes ever stronger upon me, and releases by the morning. Like g-forces, they act upon my entire body.
I should really get up and out of bed
If a couple of blankets even count as a bed

I shove the covers off of my body, revealing the frigid air that's contained within our home.

"Arri! Are you awake? Breakfast is ready!"
Just in time

"I'll be out in a minute, lemme get my hoodie on."
I search my closet pile for my hoodie
It's my favorite: Carbon, with crimson and ocean blue highlights
I head out the door, directly into the kitchen, where Pofi sits on the table, waiting patiently for me.

"Eat up, we got a long day ahead of us."
She's traumatized. Last night was the last thing she needed.

"Sure, Pof, whatever you say."
'Whether in a good or bad mood, it's always best to humor your superiors, especially after an unforgiving event.'
At least, that's what I'm always told to do.
I begin to eat my oatmeal

"So, Arri, what did you dream of last night?"

I don't stop, I don't even look her in the eyes before I mutter something along the lines of:
"Nothing really."

"Again? Do you vitambulas really just dream of nothing? I understand the other ones that pee outside can't dream of things... But you? You're basically a prafecta, more so since I've taken you to that independent study house."

I keep eating; Why would she bring up this ridiculous topic?

Did I start sleep-talking again?
Whatever the case, I should probably answer her

"Err, I'm not saying we don't dream, but I just haven't dreamed whatsoever."
I hate lying to her, but as long as she isn't insanely stressed about me, I can bear with it.

"Should I take you to a doctor and have a CAT-scan done?"

"On your budget? I'd hardly believe it. Besides, it's very common for people to just... not dream. Even Sputnik agrees with me. And that man is hard to please."

"I guess you're right, but do tell me if you dream today, or any day, really. It could help with living."

I keep forgetting she studies humans and human thought patterns.

"Oh, shoot! We're gonna be late, Arri! Get your shoes on and let's head out!"

The wind is unusually strong today. Hell, an entire satellite dish fell off of a house.
We head closer to the Independent Study Hall, A.K.A. a home-school.
I can see Sputnik's wavy coat, with its shimmers of black and white. Sholaius skitters behind him.

If it was back in primary years, Sputnik would be carrying Shola on his back.