Black Cat //Ateez

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Hongjoong laid exhausted on a chair. Cleaning the house was indeed difficult.

He was sweaty, and wanted nothing else but to wash himself. And that meant leaving the house again.

He grabbed the things he wanted, new clothes and a cloth to dry himself. But since he was going to the river, he might as well wash their clothes.

So entering both their brothers room, he saw a pile of dirty clothes on the corners. He picked them up and putting them inside his bag, he went to their neighbours house.

He saw that the cat was still there, under the tree, looking at him, but Hongjoong didn't pay much attention to it.

He knocked the door and after moments an old lady opened the door.

"Hongjoong, my boy. How come you visited us? How are your brothers? How's Jongho?"

"Mrs Hyuna, everything is fine really. Both of them are good. And Jongho too. I wanted you to ask a favour though" Hongjoong said quietly, fidgeting on his spot.

"Of course my boy what would you need?"

"Can you maybe keep an eye on them? I want to go and shower and wash our clothes"

"Of course Hongjoong. I'd love too"

"And do you maybe have any clothes for me to wash? Since I'll go there.."

"Aww what a sweet boy you are. Yes, I actually do have. They are not a lot, so don't worry" The old woman said and went inside the house, returning with a few clothes.

"Thank you so much for doing this" She said, as Hongjoong was putting them inside his bag.

"Not a problem, Mrs Hyuna. And thank you for taking care of my brothers" He said bowing, making his way away from the house.

"Just be careful Hongjoong. And don't stay there too late"

"I won't. Don't worry" He said as he continued to distance himself.

He started walking inside the forest going deeper and deeper. He wasn't afraid of being lost. Aside from learning the path really well, they had marked the trees, to help them. So, within minutes he was standing in front of the river.

The sun was shining above him, and sat for a few moments in the grass to catch his breath.

He didn't let himself relax too much since he had things to do. He opened his bag, grabbing some rope he always carried with him. He went to a nearby tree and tied it there, and then to a tree opposite. That way he could easily hang the clothes to dry.

Since he knew the place, he knew that there was a huge rock there, his surface smooth, and Hongjoong used that to wash the clothes.

So picking them up, and submerging them into the water, he started scrubbing them on the rock. The rock hurted his fingers, and made his muscles sore. But he passed through it. This was what he did every time.

At some point he heard rustling from behind him, and turned quickly to see what or who it was. If it was an animal, he could at least try to protect himself.

What he saw though, was the black cat. That made his heart beat faster, but he didn't know why.

Hongjoong didn't let it interrupt him, at least not now. He couldn't stay there too late. And if he gave in and watched the cat, he knew that there was no turning back. The cat had a strange aura, that made Hongjoong forget anything that was happening around him.

So he turned to his task, washing the last clothes. Once they were finished, he went and hang them on the rope, letting the soft wind dry them.

The cat was still there, watching his every move, swaying its tail back and forth.

Hongjoong made an attempt to get closer, but the cat moved backwards. That wouldn't work.

Sighing his went closer to the water and started taking of his clothes. He turned and the cat was looking at him.

He felt uncomfortable, he had to admit. Even if it was just an animal, he felt weird.

"Would you mind turning around?" He asked softly the cat. Of course he didn't expect for the cat to respond, but a try wouldn't hurt.

What surprised him though, was the fact that, the cat turned around. Hongjoongs eyes widen at that. He didn't expect that. Maybe he could understand, since it was a witch's.

Without wasting time, he stripped from his clothing and dipped into the water. It was cold, like most of the time, but it didn't bother him. It made him feel refreshed, and surely calmed him down.

As he was swimming around, he watched from afar the cat that seemed to be getting closer. Until he went and stood at the edge, just a few meters away from Hongjoong. His big yellow eyes were burning holes into Hongjoongs head, feeling intimidated by it.

He carefully went a little closer, not wanting to startle the cat. And of course it took steps back.

Hongjoong rested his hands on the grass, looking at the beautiful creature above him.

I was supposed to try and catch you. And look what I'm doing" He said bitterly.

"I don't know what am I supposed to do" He said and extended his hand slowly, trying to touch it.

Surprisingly enough, the cat didn't flinch. Hongjoong was able to bring his finger and just stroke his small paw. The cat didn't back away. It let him stroke its paw.

Hongjoong felt a tear roll down his eye, but wiped it away, sniffling.

"I I'm sorry I didn't mean to cry in front you" He said as if the cat would understand him. He felt so pathetic at this moment. Crying in front of cat.

The cat meowed, as if he he understood him. Hongjoong smiled a little.

He felt like, he was gonna disappoint both him and his siblings. But he wouldn't allow that.

He promised to himself that he would win. He was going to catch that cat, he just wanted a little more time.

Five days. That's how much time he had. He didn't know if that was enough. But he was going to catch it.