Celeste woke. She was aching and sore and, well... nothing felt good. She supposed that was expected when one is dying from the plague.
With effort, she looked around the room. Based on the shadows, it was past noon. Beside her on the floor was an apple, some jerky, and a mostly empty cup with soiled water. In disgust, she knocked the cup aside.
She reached for the apple and held it in her hand. It was flawless. Completely wasted on her, but such a kind gesture regardless. He... what was his name? Come to think of it, she didn't think they'd ever properly introduced themselves.
Whoever he was, she admired him. The last weeks had been torture for her, but he had probably been collecting bodies far longer – maybe since the beginning. She couldn't even imagine how painful that would be, though she saw a glimpse of it whenever she looked in his eyes. The poor man.
She set the apple down and clasped her hands in her lap. Her back was stiff, but the mere thought of trying to move somewhere more comfortable was laughable. She knew the floor upon which she sat would be her final resting place and found that certainty somewhat comforting.
Of course she regretted having so little time. She'd had hopes, dreams, a loving family; now she had an empty house, an apple, some jerky, and...
As if on cue, Kitty leapt from the shadows onto the apple sending it rolling across the floor. She chased it – batting at it a few times – until she became more interested in licking one of her legs. Then she turned back to Celeste and with a small mew rubbed against her skirt and purred. Celeste reached out. Kitty rubbed on her hand then bit her before running away. Celeste's heart thumped and she smiled.
After their family had been quarantined, Celeste had been going through chests in the attic looking for something to do. She'd seen a strange black fuzz on some old sheets and went over to poke it. When it moved, it startled her half to death, but then it turned its little head to stare at her with striking teal-colored eyes. It was love at first sight.
The people of the city blamed cats for the sickness, but Celeste couldn't believe that such a darling creature could be evil. Of course, no one would have listened to a young girl's opinion so it was fortunate that Kitty was shy and never made noise or showed herself unless they were alone.
Celeste reached for the jerky and waggled it. Kitty pounced from somewhere, biting and kicking. After she was sure the "prey" was dead, she ate. Celeste still worried what would happen after she was gone, but Kitty was as ready as she could be.
The long days chasing the toy rats Celeste had sewn and pulled with string. The efforts Celeste had made to get her used to meat before the last of the milk soured. The window above her that she'd propped open so Kitty could escape. Celeste had done all she could. She hoped it would be enough.
She sighed and looked out the window. The sky was orange-colored and filled with smoke. It seemed they'd started burning bodies early today. Celeste felt her time was short. She closed her eyes and let her mind wander.
Her mother spent her final hours reminding Celeste that they'd see each other in Heaven. Celeste was happy her mother found comfort in that belief, but now Celeste was alone and her only comfort was the company of a kitten who was biting her hand again. She wanted to believe death wasn't the end, but couldn't quite accept what she'd been told in church.
In the end, it didn't matter what she believed about death any more than what she used to believe about her life. She would not have children or grow old. She was going to die and what happened, happened. Her body would simply be gathered and fed to the fire like all the rest. She could almost hear the sound of cracking wood, the stench of smoke, the sight of leaping flames flashing behind her eyelids...
Celeste jolted upright. The wall was on fire.
Without a second thought, she searched the shadows and corners for kitty. At last, she saw bright eyes staring at her from under the bureau.
"Kitty!" she called weakly. "Run!" she commanded, pointing to the window above her. Kitty ran to her, but instead of climbing to safety, buried her head in Celeste's sleeve and mewled.
No! Celeste thought. You have to go. Leave!
Celeste wrapped her hands around Kitty and tried to lift her to the sill, but the kitten was terrified and had her claws sunk deep into her shirt. Celeste tried to pull her free, but her body couldn't muster enough strength to do even that.
Her mind raced, but panic, sickness, and smoke made her dizzy and disoriented. The fire was rapidly chewing its way through the draperies and furniture and Celeste could already feel it's heat searing her face and legs. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around Kitty and curled into a ball.
The fire roared in her ears, smoke blasted across her exposed skin, she felt the fire stroking her back. She went numb from the shock and pain, but her only concern was the terrified kitten trembling against her chest.
"Don't be afraid Kitty", she pleaded. "Don't be afraid!"