- Your POV -

Startled, you fall off the bed and roll underneath it.

"Hey, it's just me honey. I'm not gonna hurt you," Queenie's soft voice reaches your ears, making it's way past the roaring of your blood.

Gradually, you inch from under the bed.

You whisper, embarrassed, "I'm sorry. . ."

"It's fine, come on, look what I got you! I know you're just gonna love it!" She motions for you to follow, and you do. She leads you to the kitchen table and shows you a few bags filled with clothes.

You look on in silence as she opens each bag and reveals their contents. Beautiful clothes each outfit in a new, glorious color.

Queenie looks to you, expecting to see a smile. But, instead, she sees you tearfully sobbing.

"Oh, honey! What's wrong?! If you don't like them we can get something else-"

"No, it's not that! I'm just-" You burst into more sobs, crumpling onto the floor and crying hysterically.

She rushes to your side and tries to comfort you. She rubs your back soothingly, which makes you cry even more.

The surge of raw emotion makes your body want to change into a form more suitable for defense. You fight back the burning pain of a shift and try to calm down. But, you can't, and so you change into a fierce lion.

The form of a lion is one all too familiar to you.

At the circus, you were forced to shift into an array of different creatures, ranging from a lion to a lamb. Though, the audience loved it when the beast you turned into was monstrous.

Soon, a plain lion wasn't enough.

No, the crowds and the ringmaster wanted something amazing. Something like dragons and phoenixes and griffins. But those were too difficult for you to turn into. The agony when you had first tried was enough of a reminder of your failure. Of course, the punishment from the ringmaster was horrible too. Almost worse than the pain from the failed transfiguration.

But you escaped, and now no one would enslave you again.

At least you hoped.

Queenie backs away from your dangerous lion form. Bright e/c eyes stare at her retreating form.

"Hey, honey, are you alright? Can I help somehow?" She asks, reading your sad thoughts.

No, don't worry, I'll change back when my emotions are in check. I'm sorry for scaring you Queenie. . .

"Oh, it's alright. I know you didn't mean it."

I can't control it sometimes. I'm sorry.

"It's fine. But, hey, why are you crying?" She asks, daring to lightly stroke your fur.

She breathes out in wonder, "I'm sorry, I've never pet a lioness before."

It's fine, you chuckle in your mind. I-I was crying because no one in my entire life has ever been this kind to me. It's kind of overwhelming.

Queenie smiles, though her smile is a bit sad. "I knew you'd love the clothes, Y/n."

You purr before transforming back into a human, "I can't wait to try it all on!"

"C'mon, I know which outfit you'll love the most!"

Queenie leaps up and tosses clothes at you, "Go try those on!"

~

After trying on all the clothes Queenie got you, you told her that you wanted to go for a walk.

"Are you sure, honey?" She asks you, using magic to fold your new clothes and place them into the dresser.

"Yes, don't worry, no one's looking for me anymore. And I'll stay away from any potential dangers! I swear!"

At you adamant declarations, Queenie smiles, "I suppose you can go for a bit. But I want you to be extra careful. If there's any danger, come straight back here as fast as you can!"

You smile and nod before excitedly hurrying out the door.

The streets of New York are certainly more friendly when you're not a mutt scrounging for food, you discover as you marvel at the sights that you missed while running for your life.

A bright smile on your face, you retrace your steps from the night you ran away, and, before you know it you've found the church-like building from the rainy night.

You lean against the building across from the church and stare at it. Wondering if he's in there, you wait, trying to form the courage to go over there. But, before you can commit, you spot him.

He walks behind a smiling woman and keeps his head bowed and his shoulders hunched. He clutches some papers in his hand and follows the lady closely.

You grin as you see him, and peel yourself from the wall. Crossing the street, you start to walk towards them. As you get closer, you can tell that the lady's smile is artificial, and you try not to flinch from her.

She reminds you of the ringmaster from the circus. And not in a good way.

Gulping, you plaster your own true smile on your face and continue to walk towards them. His head never lifts as he trudges behind her. You pass the lady, and side-step so that you are on a collision-course heading straight for the boy.

Before you walk into him, his head jerks up suddenly and his eyes meet yours.

Your smile widens, even as he quickly ducks his head again.

"Hello."

He gives no indication of hearing your greeting.

"I'm Y/n," You try again, determined to communicate with him.

Now, he looks at you again, "C-cre-"

"Credence!" The woman calls to him impatiently.

Your eyes never leave his face as you say quickly, "I'll let you go now. I hope I'll see you again soon." You quote what he had said to you before when you were a puppy.

His eyes alight with an understanding and he stares at you in disbelief.

"Bye, Credence," You say before walking away.

~

The boy stares after you for a minute before heading towards his home. When he enters, Mary Lou addresses him sternly.

"What kept you so long, Credence?" She asks, eerily calm.

He mumbles a lie, "The girl was l-looking for her dog and asked me if I'd seen it."

"Well, don't be late again." She warns.

He nods and heads up the stairs to his room.

He knew those eyes. And that girl with the lovely e/c eyes had been so kind even though they had hardly spoken at all.

She was beautiful and warm-hearted, and he really did hope to see her again.