𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑 ,̾ 𝘽𝙍𝘼𝘿𝙇𝙀𝙔 𝘽𝙍𝘼𝘿𝙎𝙃𝘼𝙒

The blare of the alarm ripped Faith 'Archer' Wilson from the depths of sleep. It was her first day at TOPGUN Academy, a day that felt both terrifying and exhilarating. Groggily, she smacked the alarm off, lingering in bed for a precious few minutes before an insistent voice in her head spurred her to action.

Pulling off the pale blue comforter, she swung her legs out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Toothbrush in mouth, she opened her bedroom door to find a fluffy cloud of white and grey fur – Hulk, her beloved Siamese kitten, gazing up at her with beautiful Egyptian blue eyes. He was her constant, her confidante, a small blessing found on her porch months ago.

After a quick breakfast, she spent five minutes scratching Hulk’s tiny head, his purrs a soothing balm. “Hulk, smash. Come on, smash, Hulky-boy,” she cajoled, and the kitten, with an adorable huff of attitude, lifted a paw and stomped it, imitating his namesake. “Great job, sweetheart!”

She picked him up, holding him close, their eyes closing in a shared moment of peace. “Wish me luck, honey,” she whispered, and he reached a paw to her nose, as if to say, 'all the best, mama.' Giving him a flurry of kisses, she gently set him down. “You be good at home, okay? Try not to poop on the love seat again, alright?” The kitten looked back with a mysterious glint, and Faith, a small smirk on her lips, melted for her little boy before grabbing her bag, keys, and helmet, stepping out into the day that would change everything.