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- Zachary O’Connor
Zachary
O’Connor
Astray
‘Astray’ explores the fragility of life, memory, and the silent struggles of being overlooked. The story follows a stray cat navigating the streets of Japan, whose spirit is knocked loose after a harmful encounter. From there, he is led by a mysterious spirit bird through a torii gate and into an ethereal realm, where he is confronted by the memories of his past.
These memories unfold like stepping stones: a cardboard box, a warm home, the death of a loved one and the cold reality of life alone on the streets. As the cat journeys through this reflective space, he faces physical manifestations of his pain and loss. It is only through acceptance that he finds peace, and with it, a final choice: to move on into the afterlife, or return to the world of the living.
Astray’s goal is to evoke empathy for the unseen lives around us and to tell a story that resonates with anyone who has felt lost, abandoned, or broken. At its heart, this piece is about the power of memory, the pain of letting go, and the quiet hope that can exist even in the darkest places.
Can a stray soul find the will to live?