A friend visited, commenting on the faint scratches across Elise’s hand. Elise laughed them off—“clumsy with the pruning shears.” But as the friend leaned closer, Shadow hissed, fur rising. The sound startled them both. Elise scooped the kitten away, pretending calm, though inside her pulse raced. The secret grew heavier.
Neighbors began whispering of missing birds and rabbits. Elise avoided their eyes, praying no one guessed that the “cat” that roamed their backyard was responsible. She cleaned Shadow’s paws more often, noting faint traces of blood. When asked if she’d noticed anything unusual, she shook her head, heart pounding with each practiced lie.