In the geography of the living room, the window perch was the highest peak the throne from which all household activity was monitored. It belonged to Shadow, a creature made of midnight velvet and silence.
But Shadow was rarely alone. He had a permanent shadow of his own, though this one was bright orange and named Spark.
Spark was pure kinetic energy. He vibrated with curiosity. In the bright wash of the afternoon, the window perch became a place of grounding. Shadow would wrap a heavy, dark limb around the fidgety orange kitten, anchoring him to the spot. It wasn’t just a hug, it was gravity. The darkness held onto the light to keep it from floating away. They watched the world outside with synchronized focus one stoic and ancient, the other wide eyed and new.
When the sun vanished, the room underwent a magical transformation. The fairy lights ignited, surrounding the window frame like a constellation of captured stars.
The vigilance of the day melted away. Under the soft, artificial starlight, the relationship shifted. Shadow was no longer the anchor, and Spark was no longer the chaotic energy.
They dissolved into one another. Spark buried his face into the deep, dark fur of his protector, seeking warmth, while Shadow curled tight, shielding the little flame from the draft. Suspended in their hammock, floating between the indoors and the dark night outside, they became a perfect circle of contrast Yin and Yang, sound asleep in the glow of their own private galaxy.
Shannon Willis can usually be found in the company of furry friends. A passionate animal enthusiast, her work is often inspired by her deep love for cats, dogs, and the animal kingdom as a whole.
