NUMINOUS | Harry Styles

TWO

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The routine of daily life resumed its familiar cadence, the everyday flow of responsibilities match the ordinary rhythm Vera was used to. Days turned into nights, and nights into days, as they blended into one another. After work, she found herself curled up on the couch streaming her favorite shows.

It was almost exactly a week later, Vera was cooking stir-fry for dinner when a peculiar sound interrupted the calm of the evening. She frowned, turning down the stove burner and making her way to the front door.

Approaching the front door, a soft, persistent pawing and a chorus of meows echoed through the corridor. Intrigued, Vera opened the door to find none other than Shadow, the mysterious cat she had encountered in the alley, sitting expectantly before her on the welcome mat.

"Well, look who's back," She exclaimed, her surprise giving way to her delight. The feline friend, with its dark gray fur and luminous eyes, regarded her with a mixture of familiarity and anticipation.

Purring and meowing, Shadow conveyed a silent invitation to be let inside. Obliging, she stepped aside to fully open the door, the cat sauntered in. His tail raised confidently, as if reclaiming it as his own. Vera shook her head in amusement.

"Make yourself at home, I guess." She shut the door and watched as Shadow leaped up onto the back of the couch, kneading the cushion with his paws. The stir-fry sizzled from the kitchen - Vera had nearly forgotten about it.

After dinner, Vera flipped through the TV channels as she ate, finally settling on a nature documentary. Beside her, Shadow finished his food and then leapt back up onto the couch, curling into a content ball of fur beside Vera. Absentmindedly, she reached down and stroked the cat's soft fur as they both stared lazily at the TV.

Later that night, Vera set up a proper cat bed on the floor with a few old blankets and pillows. She refilled the food and water bowls and prepared for another night with her surprise guest. Shadow followed Vera into the bedroom and nestled comfortably at the foot of the bed.

The next morning, Vera awoke to the gentle purring of Shadow, nestled beside her. Vera fully expected to find the cat gone again without a trace.The initial surprise of finding the feline friend by her side had evolved into a comforting routine.

The cat, it seemed, had chosen her home as its sanctuary. And the second morning brought a sense of deja vu—Shadow, still curled up on the bed, greeted her with a contented stretch and a soft meow.

Over the next couple days, they fell into an easy routine - breakfast in the morning, cuddling on the couch in the evenings, and bedtime with Shadow curled up on the foot of the bed. Vera found herself looking forward to coming home from work to her new feline companion. She stopped by the pet store to pick up proper cat toys and treats, which Shadow was delighted with.

However, by the fifth consecutive day, she woke up to find Shadow still there, Vera knew something was amiss – especially when the morning took an unexpected turn.

Just like a new fixture in her life, Shadow greeted her by laying on top of her head.

Going about her morning, padding into the kitchen to prepare coffee, a sudden, loud pounding echoed through the corridor. The unexpected noise startled her, causing her to nearly drop the coffee pot. Heart racing, she quickly set it down and rushed toward the front door, wondering who would be the source of disturbance this early in the morning.

Her curiosity was tinged with a twinge of anxiety. The incessant knocking grew louder, more insistent, demanding Vera's attention. With a wary breath, Vera steeled herself and swung open the door, bracing herself,