NUMINOUS | Harry Styles

ONE

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The cool night air brushed against Vera's cheeks as she strolled out of the automatic doors of the convenience store, hands weighed down with bags of late-night groceries. Her eyes adjusted to the contrast stark against the artificial brightness of the store and the dimly lit street which echoed with the faint hum of distant traffic, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead.

It wasn't a long walk back home, but the newfound chilly air made her movements much slower in an attempt to conserve heat. Turning the street, bags clutched to her side, a flicker of movement caught her eye. Something small and elusive darted across the path, disappearing into the alleyway.

Vera furrowed my brows, squinting into the darkness. Curiosity piqued, she followed closer to get a better view.

There, nestled between the concrete walls, Vera found the source of the fleeting movement—a cat. Its fur, a mesmerizing blend of dark gray and delicate patches of white. "Well, hello there," Vera whispered, crouching down to meet the mysterious feline.

The cat regarded her with luminous eyes, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. A delicate purr reverberated through the night as she extended a tentative hand, feeling a tickle of cold and wet nose sniff her fingers.

The cat circled around her, Vera's hand still stretched out in front of her, before nuzzling itself in between her legs, head rubbing against her arm. As if accepting the invitation, she allowed herself to caress the soft warmth of fur beneath her fingers.

The collar fastened around its neck bore a simple tag with the name Shadow, as if the universe had conspired to align its identity with its essence.

After a couple of minutes, the forgotten grocery bags captured Shadows' interest. His tiny paws rustled with the paper bag, trying to get a peek inside. Instinctively, Vera reached into one of the grocery bags, her fingers searching for the bag of fresh blueberries she had impulsively picked up earlier.

The plump berries nestled in their container, carefully, Vera plucked a handful of blueberries and arranged them on the palm of her hand. The cat observed with a curious tilt of his head, his tail swaying in anticipation.

Wait, are blueberries safe for cats? A flicker of uncertainty crossed Vera's mind. A momentary pause hung in the air, prompting her to reach for her phone and embark on a quick quest for feline culinary wisdom.

With a few taps on the screen, she searched on Google, her fingers typed away across the virtual keyboard. "Can cats eat blueberries?" Vera queried the vast expanse of the internet, seeking reassurance that she wouldn't harm the adorable cat yanking at her fingers attempting to eat the blueberries.

The search results revealed a myriad of information, ranging from scientific articles to forums where fellow cat enthusiasts exchanged insights. A quick scan searching for the 'go ahead' and to Vera's satisfaction, and probably Shadows too, blueberries, it seemed, were not only safe but potentially beneficial for cats in moderation.

Relieved by the positive verdict, she returned my attention to Shadow, who impatiently awaited the outcome of her digital exploration. "Guess what, Shadow? Blueberries are on the menu tonight," she chuckled, the glow of the phone screen casting a faint light on their impromptu feast.

As if he could understand her, his whiskers twitching with interest. "You like those, huh?" Vera chuckled, the sound of chewing breaking the stillness of the alley.

The cat continued to indulge in the berries as she petted his head with a soft hum. Eventually, with satisfied purr, Shadow finished the last blueberry, his eyes expressing gratitude in a language beyond words. She reached into her bag, fishing out a few more blueberries to leave for the gray cat, a parting gift for Shadow.

As Vera shifted her weight to rise, a quiet rustle echoed through the night. "Enjoy the rest, Shadow," she spoke softly, her voice carrying a touch of warmth. The cat, nestled amidst the scattered blueberries, seemed to acknowledge her departure with a graceful stretch and a subtle purr.

As she walked away, the rhythmic echo of footsteps accompanied her, the fading sounds merging with the night's serenade. The bags swayed with each step as she made her way home. What was meant to be a quick run to the store had taken far longer than expected.

She passed familiar landmarks—a solitary lamppost, a weathered bench, the old oak tree with its gnarled branches reaching skyward—Vera felt a comforting sense of routine. She always found herself enjoying nights over the days when the world seemed to be at a pause and the mornings responsibilities felt light years away.

The houses she passed were quiet, their windows dark, save for the occasional warm glow from a living room or kitchen. The neighborhood was asleep, cocooned in the stillness of the night.

Finally, the shuffle of grocery bags and the whisper of the night accompanied her as she approached her front door. With the key in hand, she turned towards the door, the anticipation of a cozy haven awaiting me on the other side.

Just as Vera poised to unlock the entrance, a familiar flick of movement flashed the corner of her eye, discovering Shadow.

A hushed gasp escaped her lips, and she froze, the key suspended in mid-air. The realization struck her—Shadow had followed her. A light chuckle left her lips as Vera assumed her previous position of crouching once more to meet the fur of the cat.

"You followed me home, didn't you, Shadow?" She murmured, a mixture of surprise and awe coloring her words. The cat, unbothered by her realization, regarded her with an enigmatic gaze, as if the night itself had guided him to her doorstep.

"Well, I can't just leave you out here in the cold, can I?" With a tender pat on Shadow's head, she unlocked the door, inviting the feline friend into the warmth of her home. The late windy September air solidified her decision, not wanting Shadow to be out in the cold night.

When the door swung open, she stepped into the welcoming embrace of home, the shadows of the night trailing behind her. Shadow, the silent follower, ventured across the threshold.

Once inside, she set the grocery bags on the kitchen counter. The gentle glow of the overhead lights revealed the contents. She began to swiftly put away the groceries. As Vera arranged the last item in its rightful spot, her attention turned to Shadow, who had curiously made his way into the kitchen. The grocery bags, now emptied and stored away.

Vera grabbed a small bowl to pour milk onto and placed it on the floor along with a can of tuna. The anticipation in Shadow's gaze heightened, and with a graceful leap, the cat approached the offering. The slurping sound of contented lapping filled the air.

With the feline guest tended to, she retreated to my own nightly routine. And with a contented sigh Vera went to bed.

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The next morning Shadow was gone.

Stepping out of her bedroom, the early morning light filtered softly through the curtains. Vera's gaze instinctively drifted to the corner of the kitchen where the cat had nestled the night before, but the spot by the empty food bowls remained vacant.

She searched the house, moving from room to room, her steps quickening with each passing moment. The living room was empty. The bathroom, where Shadow had curiously watched her brush her teeth the night before, was silent.

After scouring the house up and down, a pang of initial sadness gripped her heart in his absence but tried not to dwell on it. Vera stood by the sink, staring out at the empty milk bowl, half-expecting to see a flicker of movement, a flash of gray fur, but the bowl remained untouched.

Amidst the sadness, she came to the conclusion that perhaps Shadow had a home to return to. The possibility that the cat had ventured back to its owner became a comforting narrative. And just like that Vera sipped her morning coffee and went about her day.

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a/n: so so excited to finally start writing again =)