Lena woke up to the sound of soft scratching at her bedroom door. The faint morning light filtered through the curtains as she stirred. She opened the door to find Shadow sitting patiently, his golden eyes locked on hers.
"Good morning," she murmured, crouching to scratch behind his ears. "You're up early."
Shadow tilted his head, his gaze filled with an intelligence that was both comforting and unsettling.
As she prepared for her day, Lena couldn't shake the lingering unease from the previous night. The man's cryptic warning replayed in her mind. They're here. But who were "they," and why were they after her? She sighed and glanced at Shadow, who was following her every move.
"You're coming with me today," she said finally. "I can't leave you here alone, not after everything."
Shadow's tail wagged faintly, as if he approved of the decision.
Lena packed her things for work, her thoughts racing. The veterinary clinic was her safe haven, a place where logic and compassion ruled. She hoped the routine would help her clear her head. But bringing Shadow with her was a risk—what if he acted out, or worse, what if something strange happened while they were there?
Still, the thought of leaving him behind filled her with dread. She couldn't explain it, but Shadow's presence felt like a shield against the unknown threats creeping into her life.
"Ready to go?" she asked as she grabbed his leash.
Shadow responded by trotting to the door, his movements graceful and deliberate.
The drive to the clinic was uneventful, but Lena couldn't help stealing glances at Shadow as she gripped the steering wheel. His presence in the passenger seat was oddly calming yet slightly unnerving. He sat upright, his back straight and his head held high, almost as if he were royalty surveying his kingdom through the car window. The sunlight caught his sleek, dark fur, giving it an otherworldly sheen.
"Enjoying the view?" Lena asked, breaking the silence.
Shadow turned his head slightly, his golden eyes meeting hers for a moment. He didn't bark, wag his tail, or make any sound at all—just held her gaze with a look that was unnervingly intelligent. It sent a shiver down her spine.
"Okay, then," Lena muttered under her breath, refocusing on the road. "You're definitely not your average stray, are you?"
Shadow didn't respond in any way, but Lena could feel the weight of his presence, like a silent sentinel keeping watch.
The clinic was quieter than usual that morning. The soft hum of the fluorescent lights overhead was the only sound as Lena adjusted to the stillness. It was a welcome contrast to the chaos of the past few days. Shadow, as usual, seemed to be in a world of his own, his head turning at every little sound, his sharp eyes scanning the room. Lena couldn't help but feel the weight of his gaze, always aware of her movements, yet never overly intrusive. She had set up a small bed for him in the corner of the office, a soft blanket she usually kept for small dogs that needed to rest.
But Shadow wasn't interested in staying in his little corner. Instead, he followed Lena as she moved from one room to the next, each time closer to her, his golden eyes locked onto her every step. There was something about the way he moved—graceful, calculated, as if he belonged there in a way that made Lena feel as though he were more than just a dog. He was a presence, a shadow following her every move, even when he didn't physically have to.
She felt a strange comfort in his constant proximity, but also a gnawing unease. Was it normal for a dog to be this... aware? It was as though he understood more than any animal should.
Lena's first client of the day—a woman with a small, sick puppy—entered the clinic with a soft gasp, holding the tiny creature close to her chest. The little puppy trembled in the woman's arms, its small body clearly weak from illness.
"Right this way," Lena greeted the woman, gesturing to the examination room. The woman smiled in thanks, clutching the puppy to her chest as she walked.
Shadow followed Lena silently, his movements fluid as he stepped into the examination room. He didn't get in the way, but Lena could feel his presence at the edge of her consciousness. He sat near the examination table, his body tense, his golden eyes locked onto the tiny puppy. He didn't growl or bark, but his intensity was unmistakable.
Lena felt a chill crawl up her spine. Was he watching the puppy? Or was he watching her?
The woman noticed the large dog almost immediately, glancing at Shadow before looking back at Lena.
"Is he yours?" the client asked, her voice soft but curious.
Lena hesitated for a moment. "Sort of," she replied. "He's... a temporary companion. I found him a few days ago, and he's been staying with me." She forced a smile, though the unease in her stomach hadn't disappeared.
The woman's expression softened as she looked back at the dog. "Well, he's beautiful," she said, her voice full of warmth. "You're lucky to have him."