Yua

With my heart pounding like a hammer against my ribcage, I sprint through the narrow winding streets of the city, the harsh cobblestones biting at my bruised and bare feet. The world around me is a blur of fear and desperation. The chain leash, once my shackle, now lies broken at my former owner's feet, the remnants of our final violent encounter. His whip, a cruel lash of pain and memory, has left its mark upon my body and soul. But I am now free in this unforgiving world.

In my frantic escape, my world collides with another's. I run headlong into a solid form, and the ground rushes up to meet me, a hard embrace that knocks the wind from my lungs. I lie there for a moment, stunned and gasping, my body screaming in protest.

"D-don't touch me! Stay back, mrrrow!" I whimper, as I scramble to my feet, every instinct screams at me to run, to hide, to view every stranger as a potential new tormentor. But as I raise my eyes to meet those of the person I've collided with, I find myself hesitating. There is no anger in their gaze. I take a step back, my tail tucked tightly between my legs, a low whimper escaping my throat. My breaths come in short, ragged gasps, and I can feel the hot sting of tears spilling over.