Winter prepared to go to work, slipping into a new pair of worn trousers and a simple linen shirt. She laced up her boots and rolled up her sleeves, ready for the day ahead. She packed the fresh berries and vegetables she had harvested into her basket and slung her bag over her shoulder.
Just as she was about to head out, Matilda surprised her by hopping onto the back of her bike. Winter paused, looking at her cat with curiosity. It was the first time Matilda had ever done such a thing, but Winter decided not to question it. Maybe Matilda just wanted to stay close.
"Alright, Matilda, let's go," she said softly, patting her cat gently. She began to pedal down the familiar path that led through the forest and towards the town.
The early morning air was crisp and fresh, carrying the scents of pine and blooming wildflowers. The sun was beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the landscape and making the dew on the grass sparkle. Winter took a deep breath, savouring the tranquillity of the moment.
As they neared the Homewoods' residence, Winter's calm was shattered. Standing on the porch was the same eerie black cat she had seen before, its yellow eyes staring directly at her. The cat's gaze was unnervingly intense, sending a shiver down her spine. She stopped her bike and got off, Matilda hopping down beside her.
"I need to drop these off for Mrs. Dolly and Molly," Winter said to Matilda, as if the cat could understand her.
She walked up to the house, the wooden steps creaking under her feet. She placed the basket of berries and vegetables on the kitchen table, writing a quick note of apology for her abrupt departure the previous day and her promise to make it up to them.
As she was about to leave, Winter noticed something strange. There was warm food on the table, and she could hear the faint sound of a kettle boiling in the background, but there were no signs of the Homewoods. The house felt eerily empty, as if they had vanished suddenly.
"Where could they have gone?" she whispered to herself.
Stepping back outside, Winter noticed the black cat was still there, its eyes following her every move. Matilda's fur bristled, and she hissed at the cat, her body tense and ready to pounce.
"Easy, Matilda," Winter murmured, picking up her cat and holding her close. She felt the rapid thump of Matilda's heartbeat against her chest, mirroring her own growing unease.
The black cat continued to stare, unblinking and eerie. She tried to shake off the feeling of dread that was creeping over her.
"Let's go now," she said, more to herself than to Matilda. She mounted her bike again, Matilda securely perched on the back, and pedalled away from the Homewoods' residence.
As they rode towards town, Winter couldn't help but glance back, half-expecting the black cat to be following them, but it didn't.
When they reached the outskirts of town, Winter's unease grew. The streets were unusually empty, with no people in sight. Market stalls stood abandoned, as if the vendors had left in a hurry. Half-finished tasks were scattered about—crates of produce left open, a cart overturned, and a broom lying in the middle of the road. It was as if the entire town had been deserted in an instant.
Winter's heart pounded in her chest, her earlier sense of peace replaced by growing anxiety. "How odd..." she whispered, glancing back at her cat. Matilda was on high alert, her ears twitching and eyes darting around.
To make matters worse, cats appeared from every corner. They sat on fences, rooftops, and windowsills, all staring at Winter and Matilda as they passed. Their unblinking eyes followed her every move, and Winter felt as though she were the centre of some strange, feline conspiracy.
She pedalled faster, desperate to reach the safety of Café Guifi. Her mind raced with questions and anxiety. Something was definitely going on, and she wasn't sure if she had the courage to find out what it was.
Finally, she arrived at the café and hurriedly parked her bike. Matilda jumped off and darted inside, clearly eager to escape the strange scene outside. Winter followed, her heart still racing. She locked the door behind her and leaned against it, taking a moment to catch her breath.
The familiar faint scent of coffee filled the air, providing a semblance of normalcy. She tried to calm her racing heart, but the image of the black cat and the legion of staring felines haunted her thoughts. She moved to the counter, setting down her bag with shaky hands.
Winter glanced at Matilda, who was now perched on a windowsill, watching the street outside.
"What was that all about, Matilda?" she asked softly, more to herself than the cat. Matilda looked back at her and meowed, as if to offer some reassurance.
Trying to focus on her tasks, Winter took a deep breath and started to prepare the café. She cleaned the tables, arranged the chairs, and made sure everything was in order. The routine helped to steady her nerves, but the feeling of being watched lingered.
Hours later, the temperature continued to rise rapidly as the hours ticked by. Café Guifi seemed to be operating normally on its usual afternoon, with everything in place and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air yet again. The sun was high in the sky, casting sharp, bright beams through the café's windows, creating a stark contrast between the light and the deepening shadows inside.
But something wasn't right.
The usual bustling atmosphere was missing. There were no customers. The chairs sat empty, and the bell above the door remained silent. Winter wiped down the counter for the third time, her movements slow and deliberate as her mind wandered.
She tried to shake off the growing unease, but the quietness felt oppressive, almost tangible. It was as if the world outside had stopped, leaving her in a strange, isolated bubble.
She glanced at the clock on the wall—time seemed to drag on, each second ticking by with an unsettling slowness.