This one was extremely simple and quick because I was tired. I think the cat is cute.

Day 4: Radio 

...and here's Day 5 (yesterday's). I'll probably continue to post mine as either a weekly dump, or the next day.

I'm really happy with this one, even if it didn't take me long to do.

Day 5: Blade 

Day 6, a jerboa:

Day 3, Bulky! Wow, I'm so behind XD

And day 4, Radio! I kind of hate this one, I messed up the inking in like twelve places, but I'm behind and didn't feel like starting over.

Oops, I'm way behind on posting this, I promise I've done more! Here's day 2 of my prompts, Moth. I kind of regret choosing a different list than the one everyone's doing, but I feel like I can't back out now.

Evey almost said windex!

Here's days 5 and 6! "Blade" was supposed to have vitiligo but I messed up a bit. We're just gonna... ignore the anatomy on both of them. Please. "Rodent" is fan art of a character named Mattie from the Webtoon "Under the Aegis"; I 10/10 recommend! She's always seemed sort of rodent-ey to me.

Day Six: Rodent

My eyes held all of my baggage, yet were plastered open. The pain of the searing white light shooting from my computer had been reduced to a throb as dull as my mood. Sweat glued a thick blanket around my poorly postured body, held in place by the same adhesive. I wouldn’t have used my arm to dry my eyes anyway; they had gone dry from all the tears. My pitch-black room only enunciated the lines on the screen.

Family of Five Robo Hamsters, Choose Your Babies

$490

How many hours? At least four, maybe five, of staring at this dumb computer with no freaking responses. It wasn’t my fault, Mom would tell me. It’s just not meant to be, Dad would sigh. Screw that, I wish I could scream. We’re so close to being able to pay for private school. We’re so close to Dad getting the high payroll needed to support it. We’re so close. I’ve worked so hard for this, we all have. How much have we sacrificed? How many times have we denied family members’ invitations in order to save money? We can’t give up now, and they know it. That’s why I’m sitting here, and why I will for the rest of my life if I have-

Ding.

I screech and fling backwards out of my chair. My heel slammed into the light switch and the ceiling fan blinkity-blinked on. I hurl myself towards the screen and pant like a sugar rushed dog. Yes! A chat! Someone’s gonna give us the money, and I can go to Waterman, and they’ll take the…

My face drops its expression. Like a doorknob in a horror movie, my head gradually turns to the cage. 

Pika and Chippo. I remember first getting them when I was eight and they were pups. Chippo was a big ol’ chonker, lovey-dovey and so close to his mama. Pika, though; she was a fighter. She hissed, bit,scratched, and escaped twice, and that was just before we put the two in separate cages. Over time, she kept her fiery spirit but calmed down to us. Chippo’s mom died when he was two months old. It was sad for all of us, but Chippo took it the hardest. Normally energetic and loving to play, he would sit in his hamster house for hours. He skipped meals as much as he could and even bit us.

Then, Pika did something crazy. Even our vet couldn’t explain it. She popped out of her cage one night and snuck into his. We were terrified that she’d tear him apart if this happened, but she just cuddled with him. It was adorable. Afterwards, the two were inseparable. We sold the cages and bought them a bigger one. One day, they even gave birth to a litter; Espeona, Bokua, Allisa, Chroma, and Dakota. 

And now a select few would join their parents in leaving their home to this stranger.

Apparently, my eyes weren’t cried out yet, but I sniffled the tears away and clicked on the chat message.

Maya Brown

Hello, I’m interested in the hamster family. Is it still able to be bought? 

You bet, sweetie. A whole pack of five, just waiting to be torn from their home.

Jack Masolly

Yeah. Have you filled out the form?

Maya Brown

Yep. Here it is! 

Good thing. We need to know how much time and money you’re willing to spend with our hamsters. Our hamsters.

It took me a bit to click on it. It felt like some giant, terrifying force was keeping me from doing it. I just sat there, cursor above the link, for infinity. I picked myself up and shambled over to their cage, crouching so it was directly across from me. The pups were sleeping, but Chippo and Pika were awake. I opened up the cage and patted them on the head.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered.

My stomach felt sick as I looked through the form, but I knew I shouldn’t. Mrs. Maya had a husband with a high payroll, so they could pay for the guys. They were both at work during the day, which was concerning, but she said she’d take them to work with her. More people would be able to experience the joy they gave me. I tried to feel better about my decision, tried to think about all the advantages of my new school, but I just couldn’t.

Then I stopped cold. Blinked. Read it again. Rubbed my eyes. Read through the entire thing so that I made sure I was reading it right.

JOB:

School Nurse at Waterman Private High School

Jack Masolly

You can have them for $400. 

Maya Brown

...are you serious?

Jack Masolly

We only need $400, we just put it higher for negotiations.

********************************************

“Hi Mrs. Brown!”

She rolled her eyes and looked at me - specifically, the wad of tissues I put up to my face. 

“You completed all of your assignments this time?”

I mocked offense. “I would never!”

“Correction,” She jabbed a pencil towards me with a smirk, “You won’t anymore because you realize that your school duties take first priority.”

“But mostly because I got caught.”

“Jack-”

“Shh, no fighting in front of the kids!”

I crouched next to the cage and stuck my finger between the bars. “Ow! Chroma!”

Mrs. Brown chuckled. “You have to forgive her, she’s been getting pets from kids all day.”

“I can imagine - she’s such a cutie!”

“Now come on, we have to treat your nosebleed.”

The period ended right after she realized it was faked yet again, so I ate lunch in her office. We talked about random things like robots taking over the world, how giraffe necks got so large, and the newest movies. Mrs. Brown asked for permission to adopt another for breeding purposes. I told her I’d have to ask my parents, but to absolutely breed them during the winter break coming up soon. I knew from experience how terrifying it can be for a toddler to be holding a pregnant hamster, and Mrs. Brown can’t watch all the time like a babysitter could. It was worse that Waterman went all the way down to first grade.

“Hi Jack and Mrs. Brown!”

A cheery brunette leaned on the counter where the nurse could see the kids in the waiting room.

“Hey Double-A!” Mrs. Brown and I greeted - her real name was Alex Alicia, but it’s easy to see why the nickname stuck. 

“Where’s Mahhammed?” She asked as Mrs. Brown prepared her medication. 

“Not here,” I began to pack my things, “Think he had a doctor’s appointment.”

“Shame. I brought bubble gum.” She tossed me a pack. 

Soon, I was ready to go. Right before, I turned to Mrs. Brown.

“Thank you.”

She smiled. “Don’t mention it.”

This is my first time doing Inktober, and my first time inking overall! I've been doing one every day, but I haven't been posting them, so here's my first one. I'll post the rest one after another.

Day 1-- Fish

Day 2--Wisp

Day 3--Bulky

Day 4--Radio

Day 5--Blade