New friends

I woke to fur in my face.

Scrap was sleeping on my face like a cat. This was going to take some getting used to.

I unburied my head from under the mass of my new pet. He rolled off my bed with a THUMP. Scrap quickly woke up and scurried over to a book shelf on the side of the apartment. He carefully pulled a book from the shelf and carried it carefully over to the bed.

I sat up stretching as he dropped the book in my lap. Its was "King Rat" by James Clavell.

"You are a strange rat, you know that?"

Scrap responded with a knowing look.

"Hey scrap can you bring me... 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell?"

Scrap scurried over to the other side of the room and pulled another book from a shelf. I discovered it was indeed "Animal Farm."

"I could use you in the shop."

Looking at the electric clock next to my bed, I leaned over to scratch Scrap's head.

7:17

Maybe I'll go up to the roof top before work. I slipped on a sweat shirt and stepped out onto my balcony and climbed the ladder.

The air was heavy with mist. The fog rapped around the building like a blanket. The fog caste a ghostly dim light over the roof.

I looked down to see Scrap by my side. How in the world did he get up here?

Looking around more I found someone sitting on the edge looking out over the fog.

They wore a orange marshmallow jump suit.

"The day I escaped, the sun won't shine."

Scrap scampered over to the convict and  nuzzled their hand. The convict turned to reveal an old scared face and rubbed Scrap under his chin.

Well if Scrap trusts him . . . 

Slowly I walked over the roof and sat on the other side of Scrap. The fog opened and closed to reveal small parts of the town like a selective eye. 

"You got a name kid?"

"Um . . . Will." 

"Alright then Will you won't be going around telling people I'm up here will you?"

"If Scrap likes you . . . I might as well give you a chance."

He nodded slowly.

"So that's my furry friends name, huh?" 

"Are giant rats common in prison?"

His face instantly darkened at the mention of prison. 

"I didn't mean to-"

"It's is alright, it's just to soon to tell if I'm free." 

I looked at him as he looked out into the fog.

"You know the world seemed so bright from behind bars?"

A door opened behind us opened. We both turned to see a snooty looking young man.

"Who are you? Never mind that you are not worth my time."

Then he left as quickly as he had appeared. 

That was Richard Knapp, quite an irritable fellow I thought.

"What was that about, Will?"

"That was Richard Knapp one of the more interesting people that live in this building. He mostly spends his time complaining and stomping around."

"I think I'll fit right in here."