Heart of Gold

Iris

CHAPTER TWENTY
Iris

"Meow."

Eyes fluttering open, (y/n) abruptly woke from her slumber. Groaning, she rolled onto her side, attempting return to her plane of dreams. Sleep sounds inviting, and that was what she planned. Not until she felt something fluffy brush against her nose.

"Meow."

She gasped in silent horror. On her bed, sitting dangerously close to her face, was the cat from yesterday. It stared at her with those brilliant amber eyes, tail wavering ever so slightly.

She gulped and slowly propped herself up with her arms, maintaining eye contact with the feline. Her form went rigid when it opened its mouth to let out another meow. It was quite comical; a teenage girl crouched into an awkward position, completely petrified at the sight of this small, grey cat.

"What're you doing here?" she slurred, muscles tense and lip quivering.

'I knew I shouldn't have fed it! Now it'll keep coming back!'

Struck with fear, she was unable to move. Her fresh, newly-woke state didn't help either.

Sensing its master's distress, Cotton Crown had manifested behind her. Its large button eyes scanned the room for threats, and its compartments opened, ready for combat. When it laid eyes on the small cat huddled on (y/n)'s blankets, it tilted its head in visible confusion.

It seems the cat had noticed the Stand. The feline looked behind (y/n)—the only human it trusts—and hissed. Its pupils dilated into slits, further emphasizing its golden eyes. Its tail now wavered like a snake, ready to pounce on its prey.

(y/n) bit down on her lip, muffling her screams. Ever so slowly, she scooted away, but the cat followed with its own precise, quiet strides.

"Please don't kill me," she uttered, unknowingly crawling off the edge of her bed. Her soul left her body when gravity bound her with its chains, pulling her to kiss the hard floorboards. Do you believe in gravity?

Luckily, Cotton Crown caught her, slinging its hands around her arms. "Please be careful, master," it spoke in its monotone voice. (y/n) turned her head, visage holding a mixture of fear and shock.

"H... how long have you been th—" she was cut off by the cat's hissing. She diverted her gaze to the feline, leaning further into her Stand as it approached her. With each step it took, its sharp talons would pierce holes into the sheets.

The girl was ready to bolt for the door when Cotton Crown spoke once more.

"It can see me," it pointed at the cat. "It is established that only Stand users can see other Stands, and we've been told that Stand users attract one another."

"Why are you lecturing me when I'm literally about to die?!" (y/n) buckled her knees to her chest, the cat now mere centimeters from her figure. Space on the bed ran dire as well.

"Forgive me," Cotton Crown replied.

"Sure, now save meeeee!"

"What do you wish for me to do?"

"I don't know, you came out of my will— shouldn't you have thought of something already?!"

"If my master's heart wavers, I will not shoot."

"Goddam—"

The door swung open, and everyone scrambled about. The cat swiftly hopped off (y/n)'s bed, exiting the room through an open window. The girl watched as it gracefully scurried on the trees residing in their backyard.