by: Ikran Abdi
On Friday the 13th, in the middle of the spooky season, Eli was born. Unlike most babies, Eli didn’t cry. He was completely silent as if he’d been through this a million times. But this was only his first. He had pale skin, and big eyes that stared into the nurse holding him. Then, he was dropped, and fell. Nobody rushed to pick him up. Instead, they all surrounded him, their murmurs filling the room. Nobody cared, nobody wanted to love him. Eli laid on the cold hard floor looking into his mothers eyes, which were filled with anger and disgust. “What an unlucky boy,” she said.
Growing up, Eli could never remember the name of his condition. But from what his mother tells him, he knew his face was messed up. She blames Eli for all of her misfortune and poverty, and he blames himself too. He only attends school because his mother wants to get rid of him, but life is just the same over there for Eli. It’s just another reminder of how different he is.
On one stormy day, Eli was on his way home when he saw something in the bushes. It was a black cat. Eli’s eyes instantly opened wide when he saw the little kitten. It had a scar on its left eye, and burn marks all over his body. He was so thin that the harsh winds could blow him away. “You're just like me,” Eli whispered to the tiny kitten.
The cat stayed silent staring at him with his big black eyes shivering in the bush. Eli knelt down and picked up the kitten “You’re friendly. Okay.” he told the cat with a small little smirk, shivering from head to toe.
Ever since that day, Eli cared for the kitten like they were family. On nights when it was cold, Eli would give his friend his thin blanket. When his friend was thirsty, Eli would give him his water, and when his friend was hungry he would give him his food. Eli voluntarily gave up all his needs one at a time until he had nothing left for himself. Anything to make his friend feel loved and warm, he told himself.
One cold night, Eli was lying down on his stained, worn out mattress with his friend all snuggled up in his blanket next to him. Eli tossed and turned, but was not able to fall asleep. He was starving, thirsty, and cold. He looked at his friend who he had given everything to and whispered, “Friend, I’m cold. Could we share?”
The cat didn’t respond. His stomach was full, he was warm and cozy, and was ready to fall asleep. Eli reached out and grabbed some of the blanket so he could be warm too, but his friend snarled at him and he let go. “Why?” Eli asked, puzzled.
The cat snuggled back into the thin blanket. “I gave you everything I had. My food, so you're not hungry, my water so you're not thirsty, and my blanket so you're not cold. So why won’t you help me? I’m your friend.” Eli whimpered.
The cat’s eye’s slowly shut tight, putting him asleep while Eli stayed awake waiting for an answer. His stomach rumbled loudly, Eli hadn’t eaten in days. His throat was so dry, he hadn't had anything to drink in days. His body had begun to turn blue because he had nothing to warm himself. Eli’s eyes slowly began to close, not in the same way his friend’s did. He had nothing left, and in his final moments he cried, never being able to have what he always wanted. Warmth.