The night closed in on me and hid my face in the hood of my jacket, letting the cold stay out and the heat inside. I can't see the stars because of light pollution, but at least I know they're there, looking at me.

I stop. I look to the sides. A slightly lit alley that I always pass through to cut through the city is the only thing I have if I want to get home on time, before sleep and exhaustion completely affect me.

I take this alternative and walk down the dirty alley. My footsteps echo and bounce off the walls to get lost in the fresh air and its slight gale.

My brown hair looks whipped everywhere even with the hood up, tickling. I scratch my hair and continue on my way.

For a moment I feel watched, as if someone was following me, but it's impossible, because I don't see anyone.

Suddenly, I find a man in front of me, completely still and with his hands in the pockets of his jacket. I don't know wheter to ask why he's likek this or to run away. Unconsciously, I take a step forward and ask him.

—Are you alright, sir? —big mistake.

He walks to try to reach me, but while he takes a step forward, I take two steps back.

My heart races when I see that from his jacket he takes out a knife that shines in the artificial light, threatening my life.

Without wasting another second, I turn around and start running thanks to the adrenaline that acts quickly through my veins and makes me not feel tired, but it does make my breathing heavier.

We left the alley and entered a sparsely inhabited urban area. This street is seedy, the bums are dangerous and want the money to eat. The thieves are even more dangerous than the others and kill for anything.

Without thinking about it anymore, I keep running through the streets, where I meet homeless people with burning barrels to warm their bodies. None can help me. They can't and they don't want to.

When I think it can't get any worse, I'm wrong. A body interferes with my escape and grabs me before I fall to the ground from the heavy blow.

I look up and panic settles in my movements. I wiggle my body to get rid of his grip, his honey eys makes me fear even more for my life and his frown doesn't give me much security.

—Please, don't kill me! —scream without thinking.

Someone stops behind me. The man holding me looks at him, confused. After a couple of seconds that seem like minutes, he understands the situation and releases me to get behind me.

I look at the scene behind the chunky tiger with white hair on his head. His orange and white fur is covered in scars.

Without speaking, the man approaches the killer and becomes nervous. So nervous that fear shows in his reddish eyes and he turns to run, to flee I would say.

The tiger turns around, looks at me and, with a sign, tells me to go away. But I can't just walk away like that.

—Er... Thank you, sir —he starts walking, and I with him—. Thank you very much. If it wasn't for you, I would have died for that man.

—Don't thank me —his deep voice is cold—. Now go away.

—But...

—I said go away! This is no place for a kid like you.

—Sir, I'm twenty years old, and if it's not a place for me, why don't you put me in a safe place? —I ask mockingly, although it's not the best time.

—A safe place... —he whispers as he stops, scratching his nose—. Okay, I'll take you. But no talking! I don't want to be your fried —he walks again, but in another direction.

—Thanks —he growls when he hears me—. Okay, I won't thank you again.

With his hands in his pockets, his muscles relaxing, he tries to pull me to safety. This man sounds like something to me, but I don't fall for it right now.

Arriving at a safe street, where my house is more or less close, he leaves me alone without saying goodbye. This tiger is a mystery, I would like to know what is going through his head, but I am certain we will not meet again.

Going through the last streets, I find some posters that report a fight. What I did not expect is that tiger being part of it.

—Boxing club. Championships awarded with money. Tomorrow night, fight between "Bulldogator" and "Crimson Tusk".

I can see the number of victories and defeats they have. The tiger has not one, but a large number of defeats. So... why did he became a boxer?

It intrigues me, I really want to know him. He has saved my life, I need to at least talk calmly with him, if he will allow me.

Tomorrow night? I'll be there. Oh, kitty. We will see us again.