Private Detective Ray: Behind the Noir Veil

(ONC 2025) In the quirky town of Dullsville, where mysteries are as rare as tourists, young and ambitious Ray Tanner dons his fedora and trench coat, ready to take on the world of private investigation. Armed with his favorite jar of strawberry jam and an old tattered satchel full of who-knows-what, Ray finds himself thrust into a whimsical adventure alongside his enigmatic feline companion, Jana.

This story is written as part of the ONC 2025.
The prompt: 7. You've always suspected that the stray cat in your area is more than it seems. Now you're determined to catch it shapeshifting and prove it's a shapeshifter. But the closer you get, the more questions arise.
The prompt: 5. After weeks of dry weather, a mysterious puddle appears in your garden. You're convinced it's a portal, but the only way to know for sure is to jump in.