I drop everything I was holding, resulting in a loud clatter on the floor. I run towards Mylo, and take the cat out of his hands. Fluffles purrs immediately. Eugene walks in.
"Hey darling, how'd you sleep?" He walks over and kisses my head, I was lost for words, too happy to speak. I just nod.
"Thank you so much My." I utter, once I get the ability to form words back . 
"It wasn't a problem, I missed him too." I finally look at Fluffles. He was malnourished, you could see his ribs through his fur, which was missing in patches. His face was sad, eye crusties forming in the corners of his eyes. 
"What happened to him?" I ask, swallowing the huge lump that was forming in my throat.
"He was really sick, apparently he got into a fight at the shelter, which ripped off his fur, then he refused to eat, and he wouldn't sleep." Eugene pressed his lips to my head again, this time letting them linger there for a while before pulling away.  
"Why didn't they force-feed him?" I ask, my voice breaking.
"He wouldn't open his mouth." Mylo explains.
"I told him not to get the cat." Eugene says. 
"I want the cat." I say. "Just not in this condition." 
"How much longer did they say?" Eugene asks.
"3 days to a week." Mylo answers quietly, looking at me and the cat.
"Really?" I ask, just above a whisper. 
"I'm sorry?" Mylo asks. I hold the cat close to my body, as if its lifeline would go if I didn't. 
"It's okay darling, it's just a cat." Eugene tries to assure, but it wasn't just a cat. I got Fluffles when I was 8, so that was 10 years ago, he was the only family I had, since mine all died.
"No he is not just a cat, he's my family, the only family I have left." I explain quietly, they both nod and try to relate. I kiss Fluffles's small, injured head lightly. He purrs, and stretches his paws, his claws digging into my skin through my shirt. A small smile spreads across my face, I stoke down his back, which used to be thick and fluffy, and now it's thin and coarse. 
"I'll get the groceries." Eugene say, turning away from me, bending down to pick up the dropped plastic bags. I set Fluffles down on the ground, he takes a lopsided step, then wobbles, he repeats this until he gets finds his way into the kitchen. I follow close behind as he walks to his red food and water bowl and starts eating. 
"That's the second time he's eaten in weeks." Mylo says, making me jump. He sets a hand on my shoulder, chuckling quietly. 
"So when'd you get him?" I ask.
"Last night after you left." He answers.
"Oh, okay." I say. "I could've come with you." 
"Well, then it wouldn't have been a surprise!" He says loudly. 
"Ow, my ears." I say, sarcasm dripping of every word.
Hazel stayed overnight at Mylo's place for 4 days. She kept the cat healthy and in line the whole time. Although both Mylo and Eugene suggested she slept, she stayed up watching Fluffles for those 4 nights, she was on the edge of collapsing.
I rub my eyes and pet Fluffles once again, I felt dizzy and heavy-headed at the same time. Mylo walked into the living room, where I was sitting, and sat on the ground next to me. 
"How are you feeling?" He asks, I yawn and nod. "Did you get any sleep?"
"No, Fluffles did though." As reluctant as I am to say it, he is on his last leg, bound to die sometime soon. 
"That's good." He reaches over and rubs my back. 
"It is, I sat here and watched him, he was adorable." I say, my eyes shutting, begging for sleep, I force them open again. 
"I'm sure he was." I looked over at Mylo, he was looking at me, his face laced with concern.
"You looked worried." I point out.
"I am." He says.
"Why?" I ask.
"You won't sleep, and that's not good, you need your sleep Hazee." I look back at Fluffles, resting my head on Mylo's shoulders.
"I know, I just don't wanna be asleep while he passes." Mylo hums in response. I hear shuffling footsteps to the door.
"Is she asleep?" Eugene asks, a small smile spreads on my face. 
"No, she won't fall asleep." Mylo responds. I hear more shuffling then Eugene sits on the other side of me. 
"Hello darling." He whispers.
"Hi Geney." I whisper back. He reaches up and scrunches my already messy hair.
"When are you gonna sleep beautiful?" He asks. I look at Mylo who nods, he starts explaining it. I didn't care to listen so I just focused on Fluffles who was currently laying on his back kicking his legs. I laugh silently. He flips over and lays on his stomach, his head slouching to the ground. I reach out and pet him. He's colder than he was those 5-ish minutes ago. He was dying.
"Are you gonna be okay?" Mylo asks, I nod, not wanting to talk in case I start crying. Fluffles goes limp, his back no longer moving from breathing. 
"It's okay to cry, darling." Eugene says, rubbing my back. I elevate my hand to my mouth. My eyes start watering and tears move to my cheeks.
"Do you want to be alone?" Mylo asks, I nod. Him and Eugene stand and walk out. I reach my hand out and stroke Fluffles' lifeless body, for the last time.