Maya had heard of the infamous cat distribution system, but she had never expected to be graced by it herself. 

Like any other evening, she walked home from uni. And as always, she thought she knew a shortcut through a barely lit dirt path.  But she did not; she never did. 

Even so, that path led her down to find something that was worth more than any puddle she stepped in. 

Because there she found her. 

A beautiful creature with a long coat of orange fur, a bushy tail, paws that resembled white socks and far-apart ears—a traditional Persian cat. And a female, thought Maya, by the cat’s gentle facial features. 

Maya cooed when she saw her, but her eyes cast down to the sadness before her. 

The feline lay curled up in a thicket of brambles. Bloody scratch marks marred her skin and caked her soft fur. Her tail flicked once before it gently fell again. 

It was as if Maya found a thorn princess. 

Carefully, Maya extricated the cat and brought her home. She nursed her back to health as best she could. The wounds may have closed over time, but they left behind traces of white scars. 

Maya stroked the orange princess, feeling a soft purr come from her that turned as loud as a car engine. 

When Maya was not at home, the cat slept on her clothes whenever Maya left them unattended for even a minute. And when she was at home, she’d rub her nose against Maya’s elbow and sleep by her head. 

She was a gentle and calm cat. One that recognised Maya as a source of peace and would never want to leave her site. 

“I’ll call you Val, how about that?” Maya patted Val on her little orange head. Her thick duster-like tail flicked in agreement and licked Maya’s hand. She further curled up into a ball and started to purr on Maya’s lap. 

Maya couldn’t resist petting her some more. “You’re so cute. Val it is then.” 

Then the door to Maya’s apartment opened with a click. Val lifted her head in alarm. Her amber eyes narrowed. 

Fey stepped into the apartment. “Hey, girl, I got the cat food—” 

And then Val pounced on the intruder, ready to bring her down.