[ Poor thing… Let me grant your mother's wish. Come, little one. ]
A voice echoed from far away.
And then, Bao Bei's consciousness faded into darkness.
"Oh my, there's a little one here. Did someone abandon him? Poor thing."
Bao Bei slowly became aware as someone gently lifted him up in their arms.
Huh? Didn't I die? Am I… still alive?
"Father, is this an abandoned child?"
"It seems so. He was lying on the steps at the front door. He's so small. Maybe just over two months old? It's a cruel thing to do."
"He looks very weak. I'll go prepare some warm milk."
The quick footsteps pattered away, fading into the distance. That's when it hit him.
Wait. Humans? These are humans, aren't they?
Bao Bei's fur puffed up all over his body. He started to thrash and struggle in panic.
Let me go! I hate humans!
"Now, now. Don't struggle like that. You'll hurt yourself," the man holding him said calmly.
Even though Bao Bei scratched with his tiny claws and kicked wildly in fear, the human didn't let him fall. He held him steady, firmly but gently.
Suddenly, tears began to spilled from Bao Bei's eyes.
It's because I was so small. That's why I couldn't run. That's why Mama died. She tried to save me. She was killed by humans because of me.
"Mama! Mama!"
Once he started crying, he couldn't stop. Big, heavy sobs came out of him—sniffling, hiccupping, and wailing with all his strength.
Mama, I want to see you! I miss you! I miss you so much!
"There must be a story behind this," the man murmured kindly.
He softly patted Bao Bei's back again and again gently, never rushing him, as Bao Bei cried and cried.
And for a brief moment, Bao Bei remembered the smell of the old man who used to care for Mama.
Before long, his little body that was tired from crying, drifted into sleep.
When Bao Bei opened his eyes, he found himself lying in a bed with white sheets. He was curled up right in the center, like a human would sleep.
Huh…?
He wriggled a bit and stretched out his front legs. But then he suddenly froze.
Wait… something's wrong with my hands!
The paws that used to be covered in soft fur were now smooth. Their shape was completely different.
These aren't my hands! No! What is this?! These aren't dog paws!
He sat up and stared at them. Five small fingers. No paw pads.
No way… are these human hands?!
He was also wearing rough-feeling clothes.
Huh? Human clothes? Am I… wearing clothes?
He looked down and saw a simple gray tunic with holes for the head and arms. His knees were sticking out. Panicked, he lifted up the fabric and checked his belly. His white skin was smooth, with no fur—at least up to his chest. From just below his belly, the familiar white fur started again.
Below his belly button, he was wearing plain off-white underwear.