“He doesn’t need me… he doesn’t need me… I need him so much, but he said he doesn’t need me,” she kept on repeating to herself, sobbing.

“Shh, there, there. Stop crying,” I said, not wanting to hear another weep from her. “Let’s see, where will I take you now?”

There was no answer. “Yoonhee-ssi?” I tried to ask again… but again, no answer. I realize that she had fallen asleep. She must be really tired, of everything.

I let out a sigh, walking slower, trying to think where to bring her. I couldn’t leave her on her own out in the streets. I wanted to bring her somewhere safe, somewhere she can breathe, somewhere she can relax. I sighed again. I think I have no choice but to bring her to my apartment.

As we reached my place, I lay her down on my bed; I covered her with my blanket. She looked so tired and beat up. She must have been through a lot.

I continued to look at her, trying to figure out what to do. I cannot think of anything. I sighed.

I guess I have no choice but to sleep on the couch now. But as I tried to stand up, she whined, grabbing hold of my hand, “don’t go… please… don’t leave me”. I just squeezed her hand back as an assurance. And with that she fell asleep again.

“Why did I even take you in? For the 21 years that I’ve been living, this is the first time I’ve felt so protective of someone,” I said to her, knowing she couldn’t hear me, “I feel like you’re a stray kitten who is so vulnerable alone that she needs someone to take care of her.”