“I feel it now.” Her eyes are fixated on the dark clouds that now dominate the overcast sky.

“What’s that?” He asks sitting beside her, paying close attention to the features of her face that reveal nothing.

“It’s been a long time, but I seem to remember it well.” Her hand drifts to the end of her sternum and she presses down deep. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Are you unwell?” He stands suddenly and jumps backwards as she collapses in a heap and retches upon the ground beneath her.

When she looks up there isn’t much need to wipe the bile lingering upon her lips, as the dark clouds above her seemingly sigh and water begins to pour fourth. She holds her head up and sits back upon her legs letting the pain wash over her.

Having fled to take refuge beneath a bush the cat watches wide eyed. As the woman begins to shake in the cold, and shudder between sobs, the wind around her whips up and moans.

“I can’t take this pain.” Her words shuttering out between moments of catching her breath.

“You are strong.” The cat replies encouragingly. Then his gaze faulters and he looks at his wet paws. “I miss him too.” He confesses.

Her rain soaked hair sticks to her cheeks when she turns to the cat. “I’m so sorry. I should have been better to him, to myself. There’s no excuse for my neglect.”

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed… but I am a cat.” He says with a hiss

“I know what you are.” She says as rain and tears mingle upon her face.

“Then you know I am always watching.”

His voice drops. “He was not the only one who smelled off, who was alone.” Their eyes meet and his ear flicks as a drop of water falls from a leaf.

She nods in understanding as the pain inside threatens to rise further. Pinpricks of sweat build on the back of her neck. “Could I have done better?” She asks desperately.

“I will not lie to you.” He sits up.

“Was I really so mean?” She searches the cats eyes for answers.

He slowly closes his eyes nods back to her. “Ask me, I know you want to.”

The tears come hot and quickly but she does not faulter“Will he come back to me?” She shouts as another painful wave crashes down and she wails in visceral pain.

“I don’t know… I wish I did.” His ear shakes and water flicks away. “But you should never give up on someone you love.”

Thunder cracks and booms off in the distance and a streak of light cuts across the sky. Catching their attention, they watch on in silence.

“My love is in a dark place and I feel as though we wont be able to see or hear each other if I try.” She wipes at her puffy face and pulls at the hem of her shirt.

“If he’s searching for you too, you will find each other again. I have no doubt about that.” The cat casts a quick glance to the dark clouds as the last bits of rain fall. He gets up and begins to head off down the hill, but suddenly stops. “I would visit Thera on that hill before you go. You will need her to navigate the road ahead.”

She looks up and can see the house on the hill from here, a steep sloping hillside with a muddy trail that twists and winds its way upwards towards Thera’s house. She rises and her legs shake with fatigue.

A sudden surge of courage over takes her, and facing the thunder she shouts at another flash of lightning. “I will not give up on you!” She declares. Her fingers grope at the hair on her face, clearing her sight. “I love you!” Her heart pounds against her chest. She turns and begins along the path that takes her through the winding trail.