Unforeseen Happenstance

I check the time on my phone and jump up. The studio is about to close. Quickly gathering my art supplies and canvas, I lock the door behind me and make my way to the front of the Fine Arts building. I still need to walk across campus and by this time all the shuttle buses have stopped running. Stepping into the dark night I realize it’s raining, it must have started sometime in the afternoon without me noticing. It’s my own fault and lacking a proper jacket or an umbrella I start my long walk back to the residence. There is no one around and everything is quiet except for the thunder in the distance and water splashing at my feet.

Halfway across campus it starts pouring down and the storm begins in earnest. I set my canvas down having decided to take refuge under the overhang of a nearby building until the shower passes. I tried my best to shield the artwork but water had gotten through, the beautiful charcoal colours smeared leaving no evidence of the detailed work that had taken me that afternoon. Continuing to walk, tiredness and disappointment accompany me. Carefully crossing a slick, wooden bridge spanning a river, the water rushing quickly by below, I stop. On the other side of the bridge a small box sits on the ground, the cardboard dark from the water splashing up from the overflowing bank. I go to step around it and something quiet but just audible over the sound of the rain comes from the box. The light of a lamp nearby offers some light as I take a look and discover a tiny whimpering kitten. From the bottom corner which it had curled up, it peers at me with small round amber eyes. I'm not sure what to do. Looking around trying to see through the rain, I hope for there to be another cat or at least somebody searching for the package but I’m all alone. Gazing down again I notice the kitten’s body is soaked. It can't be left out here in the cold and damp. As gently as I can manage in and take the kitten out of the sodden bottom. Standing back up quickly unzipping my sweater and zipping it up with the shivering form inside, I turn my body simultaneously away from the wind that now gusts sideways. Holding it firmly against my chest I hurry back the rest of the way to my dorm, my mind now filled with worry for the abandoned kitten I had stumbled upon. Entering the dark room and making my way to a lamp on my desk and switching it on, I lean my canvas on the panelled floor against the far wall avoiding the carpet situated in the centre. With the room illuminated in a soft glow I grab several small towels from my closet and sit on the bed, cautiously depositing the kitten on the soft covers.

Beginning with creating a nest out of towels around the kitten's body, I move to grab a heating pad kept folded on a top shelf of the closet. Calmly I plug it in near the bed, turn it on to the lowest setting and return to my place near the kitten. Memories of the farm from my childhood flit through my head and I know how to help this little creature. Now I must look at its body in order to check if there are any injuries. As I wait for the pad to warm, I use a small clean sponge I had also grabbed to pat dry the kitten's body. Slowly moving across its tiny head, I wipe away mud in relaxed movements from its ears and face. Continuing to move the sponge down its neck and small back I notice in relief that it has stopped shaking and ceased to cry. The kitten tilts its head moving it back and forth, looking around curiously. Smiling in amusement I find myself hoping that it's comfortable and feels safe. Wiping the short tail and slight underbelly I am also happy to notice no signs of apparent injury and am grateful that the kitten remains still among the towels. Finally wrapping up the impromptu bath with the four tiny paws I spot the pink pads on each toe that match the petite moist nose, that twitches slightly, perhaps taking in the smells of the new room. I set the sponge aside and reach for the pad, now warm. Using a small cozy blanket as a heat protector I shift the dry fluffy kitten to the middle of the pad, folding the corners inwards and swaddling its body. I sit back comfortably against my pillows and set to keeping an eye on it. About a half hour later the kitten begins to clean itself, its little tongue moving across it's patchy fur. It moves around in the blanket, appearing to have regained some strength from the heat. As it steps timidly towards me over the covers I can see that it has a mainly white body with evidence of slight grey stripes around the base of both ears and covering its tail. Reaching to adjust the kitten's blanket and placing it once again in amidst the heat, I grab my room keys and jacket heading towards the door. I had happened upon this kitten and now I would do my best to care for it, and for that reason I was more than content to accept the responsibility. Time to grab some food!

The End.