As Alan neared the yard, he spotted the cat, curled in a tight ball near the fence. Its fur was matted and dirty, barely distinguishable from the snowy ground. He moved closer, his heart quickening with a mix of concern and caution.
The cat was unmoving, one could mistake it for dead if it wasn’t for the strange sounds coming from him. But as he extended a hand, the cat’s head snapped up, eyes wild. A deep, menacing hiss rumbled from the cat, its teeth bared in a snarl that froze Alan in place.