[ WP ] It 's New Years Eve . Your best friend died in September , you 've been robbed twice , your girl friend is leaving you , you 've just lost your job and the only one left to talk to is a gay burglar you 've got tied up in the kitchen . P.S . Your cat is dead .

The few people left to me in my life have enthusiastically informed me that it'd get better. That was before I missed my minimum sales amount for the third month in a row, costing me my job of four years. Fingers numb and stiff and slumped shoulders heaped with snow, I manage to twist the lock to the flat I now ca n't afford and step into the dingy, candle-lit cove that is my kitchen. 
 
 
 The novelty of the candles hits me and forces a rumbling chuckle from deep within. “ The bitch left me ”, as an old, long gone friend was fond of saying during the aftermath of frequent failed relationships. The perverse affection and care with which the cheap, stubby sticks are placed amidst the cluttered room is less to do with romanticism than it is practicality. As is the case with love lost, the gaping chasm left within me has dulled my senses to all but the most basic of considerations. The erratic old man I rented this home turned husk from was curiously fast to cut the electricity after learning of my misfortunes. At first, I barely noticed. 
 
 
 A sigh rushes out of me as I dump my bags and damp, heavy coat and begin to prepare my one remaining friend his second meal of the day. The pungent scent of the canned meat twists my face unpleasantly as I step towards the darkest corner of the room. The thought that I might soon be forced to resort to such cheap fare does little to improve my mood. 
 
 
 “ Here kitty, kitty, kitty... ” The cloying susurrus reserved only for babies and animals slips past my lips as I place the plate on the floor and move to light the one unlit candle in the room. 
 
 
 I contemplate how hard it is to place my loyal friend's lineage as my discoloured fingers strike the match and light the candle. He's more of a mongrel breed than anything particular or distinguished. 
 
 
 “ And how are we today? If only I had good news to cheer us both up. At least we have each other, eh? ” I place the plate carefully on the tiled floor and straighten my back. He looks a little worse for wear now. What little hair he has is matted and in need of cutting and a distinctive odour seeps from his corner of the room. What happens next surprised even me. He spoke! 
 
 
 * “ You're fucking... crazy... Untie me..Please.... ” * 
 
 
 This confuses me greatly. Pets do n't speak. Chomps did n't speak, especially after he stopped moving. Why would my new pet do such a thing? He came to me, right into my kitchen. He wanted to be with me! I must be going mad. The thought worries me. 
 
 
 I shrug. The world outside explodes into a riot of fireworks and cheers as the neighbourhood celebrates the turn of the year and the future ahead. I shake my head ruefully and continued to feed my friend. 

