"Oh, Mommy look! I want this one!"

I mentally groaned before opening my eyes. I looked up at the mother and young child. I closed my eyes again due to the bright light coming through the window. Apparently I was in a Pet Shop.

Was this life number eight for me?

It seemed to be, I guess cats really did have nine lives. I opened my eyes again before looking at my tiny white paws.

I was a kitten again. It seemed to be that I was a white Persian. I watched as the mother and young child walked into the shop going towards the store clerk and pointing at me.

I guess I was getting a new home. I remembered my old life when I was with May before Jackelyn ruined everything. Then Charlie came and took care of me and I repayed her by saving her from that retched intruder.

I watched as the young boy jumped up and down I'm excitement as I was lifted from my cage. Away from my siblings that stared up with me with curiosity and slight envy. I quickly memorized their white and or black fur and yellow eyes.

"Snowy!" The kid called me.

I felt sadness go through me, my new name would be the name of the mouse I had failed to save. The kid seemed to cuddle me before they placed me into a carrier.

I watched from inside the carrier the legs and feet of people we walked past. "Remember your gonna help with taking care of Snowy." The woman said to the child.

"Yes, I know!" The child replied excitement evident in his voice. The concept of him having to help look after me seemingly going over his head. He was way to happy that I was going home with him.

His mother didn't reply and kept walking before I felt ourselves stop. I heard a small beeping sound and a click as the mother opened the door and the child walked through. I crawled up to the edge of the carrier where the metal door was. I pressed my face against the cool surface and looked around.

There wasn't much to look at except what seemed to be a hallway with multiple doors on the wall. It seemed like we were in an apartment. "Jared, this way." The mother spoke in a slightly hushed tone before we were moving again.

Soon we stopped by a door that had three numbers on it. 204.  Was this the place where Jared and his mother stayed? I looked at the hallway again before we went inside. The building seemed to be neglected as the lights just flickered on and off.

It gave me an in easy feeling, but what if they couldn't afford a better place? That was certainly a possibility.
The carrier where I was held in was placed on the ground and was soon opened by Jared.

I stumbled out and looked around the small apartment. The ceiling looked cracked and the paint was faded and peeling off the walls. Everything was a mess or out of the place and the TV which looked outdated was making a terrible loud fuzzy sound that was hurting my sensitive ears.

"Turn the TV off, would you?" Jared's mother yelled from the kitchen. Jared grumbled and turned the TV off before returning to me.

"It's not the best place...but Mommy's looking for another place." Jared said which seemed to be directed towards me.

I gave a small mew in response which made Jared smile wide. Though his smile disappeared when his mother walked in and seemed to light up a cigarette.

"I'm having a guest over so go to your room Jared." His mother told him while she let out a puff of smoke.

Jared nodded and picked me up and walked to his room. I didn't really feel a good vibe about his mother. She seemed so nice back at the shop but it could've easily been a facade.

I sighed laying my head down while laying beside Jared on his small bed. My ears twitched a little when I heard the door open and slam and Jared's mother giggle. I smelled more cigarette smoke and wrinkled my nose up, though Jared didn't really seem affected.

He (sadly) must have gotten used to the smell. I knew that this wasn't a good environment due to a feeling in the pit of my stomach and from experience.

May and or Charlie never were in this environment. I cuddled up to Jared who seemed to have fallen asleep. I felt bad for him but now I was stuck here as well.

Jared and I were stuck here and it we were gonna be here for a long while. That's for sure.