A Spot of Shade in an Ongoing Storm [Closed]

Shade observed the churning clouds enveloped the sun, fur rising with the energy in the air. A storm was coming tonight.

The wind tasted heavy and dark, promising a sight to behold for those who braved the streets once the sky dropped its hold on the moisture gathering in the air. But as a cough wracked Shade's lungs, the black and white tom knew it would not be a sight he could afford to see the with the permanent affliction he carried. Green-tinted yellow eyes scanned the area for nooks and crannies that could act as suitable shelter. The tom hoped to avoid worsening his permanent cough- he wasn't as young as he once was.

The storm arrived swiftly a few heartbeats later.

A crack of thunder shook the earth of a scraggly patch of unoccupied grass, sticks and stones hidden in the overgrown brush jittering with anticipation on the violent stormy night as the hardened cracks of his paws stepped nimbly over the shaking objects. Rain began to pelt onto his smooth fur, soaking through the thin black and white coat and chilling his bones. Shade cursed to himself under his breath uncharacteristically as he padded out in the open. It was imperative for him to find shelter quickly before the storm became the death of him.

Despite the current storm, Shade had been doing unusually well for himself in these last few moons. Life in twoleg place was harsh for a loner like himself, but it became easier when he stopped looking so feverously for his missing mate. It had taken a blur of time and a few conversations with strangers for him to get over his tireless quest. But as Shade continued to live, taking one step at a time and two leaps back, he found himself able to breathe more easily as his mind and body adjusted to living with the gaping absence of not having Kenobi at his side. He had found a semblance of peace, strangely enough. No one bothered him too badly or tried to force him into joining their gangs. He was free to do as he wished. And even if Shade was lonely, he knew that pain. It was an old friend, a comforting ache that settled comfortably in the recesses of his body.

Another cough wracked his frame. Shade tasted the air in hopes of scents that would indicate a warm, dry place. Was there anything out there at this point? Two twoleg dens flanked each side of the unhealthy ground, fences flashing with shadows as lightening illuminated strange shadows and the figure of another cat.

"Hello?" Shade asked the air, rain obscuring his nose and vision. "Who-" A cough. "Pardon me. Who goes there?"