Little Harry had always been curious, and today, without his mom noticing, he mustered the courage to sneak out of the house. He had never gone so far before, Harry wandered back to where he thought the front door of the house was, but everything looked unfamiliar now. His small heart raced, and the overwhelming silence of the evening made him feel smaller than ever. He circled the yard, eyes wide and panicked, realizing he had lost his way. His chest tightened as his breath became shallow. Unsure of what to do, he slowly sat down by the fence pillar, his tiny body leaning heavily against the cold, hard surface. He wrapped his little arms around himself, as if trying to find comfort.
At first, Harry didn’t cry—he didn’t want to. But as the minutes passed, a soft moan escaped his trembling lips. It was barely audible, more like a broken whisper carried away by the breeze. His head drooped, and he whimpered quietly, his face pressing against his knees, feeling the loneliness close in on him. His tail twitched nervously, his tiny fingers clutching the rough ground beneath him, seeking some kind of safety or warmth.
Tears began to spill from his wide, frightened eyes, tracing tiny paths down his cheeks. His crying grew more insistent, though still quiet, as if calling for his mom but too afraid to raise his voice. He couldn’t understand why she wasn’t there, and the sadness in his chest swelled until it felt like it might burst. The sky above had turned a dusky purple, and the once-inviting world outside now seemed cold and indifferent.
Each time he sobbed, his body shook gently, and his small voice cracked in the air. Harry slumped further against the pillar, his back sinking deeper as if he wanted to disappear into it. He kept crying, the pitiful sounds of his soft moans lingering in the evening air, until suddenly, a familiar scent reached him.
Harry looked up, his teary eyes catching sight of his mom rushing toward him. She had finally found him. His heart skipped a beat, the relief so strong he almost couldn’t breathe. His mom’s face was filled with concern, but also love, as she crouched down and pulled him into her arms. Harry pressed his small body into hers, the warmth of her fur melting away his fear. His crying faded into soft whimpers as she cradled him, whispering gentle reassurances that he was safe again.
