The Dark Reader

There is rain.

As white moon crawls through cloud and sky, a black shadow cat darts to nearby cove. It’s paws slap rock. It’s fur drips slow and grows light as it rolls into the deep dark.

Stiff.

Its eyes train on unmistakable sensation. One instant and its teeth ease into wriggling whimpering prey. Beads trail behind.

The ball of fur falls before bare feet, Illuminated by orange smoke and popping redwood.

A titanic fist caresses his companion’s damp neck. It purrs then slips back into the night.

The crackle of a page flip dances through the hollowed mountainside.