You walk down the narrow street, the snow crunching under your boots, the frozen washing hanging on the balconies above creaking in the wind. The streetlights aren’t working again—only one flickers slightly, making a faint buzzing noise, before it, too, dies, and plunges you in nearly complete darkness.

Then, your worst fears come true. You’re not alone in the dark alleyway. You hear a rustling coming from the pile of rubbish in the corner.

Then, two yellow eyes gleam at you.

You let out a strangled cry from the back of your throat, startling the creature. It meows loudly and dashes past you.

A cat. Just a stray cat.

Phew.