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and I felt the rage howling in the recesses of my soul. I fought to suppress
    it, grinding my teeth and clenching my fists at my side. It took at least five minutes to bring myself under control, and then I was able to consider the problem at hand, if not
    dispassionately, then at least more levelly.
    As I saw it, I had two options. I could simply reach down and snap the creature’s neck,
    ending its agony quickly and easily. Or I could try to help it. I looked into the innocent blue eyes of the little cat, and dismissed the first option. I had a duty to humanity, even if I barely represented it myself. This animal had known nothing but the cruelty of people. It was time
    for it to taste the kindness.
    Decision made, I bent over and gently lifted the box, and carried it downstairs and
    outside, trying to minimise the jolting of my steps to prevent inflicting further discomfort.
    I stood outside next to the car I’d bought a few months earlier, wondering where the
    nearest vet was. I was debating whether or not to call Fergus again, or to do some research
    on my iphone, when a simpler solution presented itself.
    “Excuse me,” I called to the blonde teenage boy leaning against the wall of the Harding
    residence. Where can I find a vet that’s open?”
    He looked up at me, surprised.
    “There’s one a few miles up the road. It should be open now. It’s got an emergency
    surgery too.” He had a deep voice for his apparent age, and he spoke articulately. “Why?”
    “I’ve just bought this house,” I inclined my head towards my latest purchase, grimacing
    slightly. “And I found this in one of the bedrooms.”
    The teenager raised his eyebrows. He glanced at the house. “A bit of a fixer upper.”
    I smiled wryly. “Yes, I know.”
    He pushed himself away from the wall and crossed the road, obviously curious to see
    the contents of the box. The kitten squeaked at him as he peered inside. His face darkened
    and he made a decision.
    “Well, I can’t direct you there, because I’m rubbish at directions, but I can show you
    where it is. You can drop me at school afterwards, if you want. I’ll hold it,” he added.
    “Thanks.” I nodded, and handed the box over to him while I unlocked the car. He took it
    carefully, as if it were a precious gift, and waited for me to open the passenger door for him.
    He slid in one movement onto the front passenger seat, where he placed it on his knees
    before buckling his seatbelt.
    “Nice wheels.”
    “Thanks,” I grinned at him. I liked powerful cars, but not the ostentatious ones. I was
    somehow pleased that he recognised the monster that lay beneath the unobtrusive metallic
    shell. I started the engine, and it roared into life. The CD player came on automatically,
    blaring slightly. I liked loud music while I drove. I turned it down.
    “That’s my sister’s favourite.”
    I froze for a second, slightly stunned by the casual reference to someone who had
    become so profoundly significant to us over the past few days. Then I felt absurdly pleased
    that she liked the same music that I did. I shook my head, and pulled out of the parking
    space and onto the road.
    “I’m Mark,” he glanced up.
    “Pleased to meet you, Mark. I’m Angus.” It was typical of me to forget to introduce
    myself. Human interaction was not one of my strong points. It was quite funny in an almost
    tragic way that out of the three of us, I would be the one who would have to become the
    people person. I chuckled at the thought.
    “Left here, then right just after that pub.”
    “OK,” I replied and we spent the rest of the journey in silence. When we arrived at the
    Hillcrest Veterinary Surgery, Mark insisted on coming inside with me. I explained the
    situation briefly to the receptionist, who cooed gently at the white scruffy kitten. I asked her to get the first available vet to have a look at it, and then do whatever was necessary to help it. I gave her my mobile number, and asked her to