Chapter 3

Mittens was gone, not even a single piece of her left behind.

Winter skinned it, tore it apart, and fed the pieces to her pet rat.

My tears had almost run dry.

But Mom just shot Mittens a disgusted glance and then turned to help Winter unwrap her Christmas presents.

Outside, fireworks exploded in the night as everyone celebrated, making their wishes.

But Mittens and I died right in the middle of all that noise and joy.

For children unloved, even their death was quiet, unnoticed by anyone.

In that moment, all my bitterness and resentment seemed to fade away.