fifty-one
The Demon
*GWENDOLYN*
Felix and I spent a slow evening together, just cuddling on the sofa, watching a silly romance movie. We go to bed earlier than usual, both of us exhausted. With Felix next to me, I just sleep so much better. It doesn’t take me even a minute to fall asleep.
Only to startle awake, confused as to what woke me in such a manner. It’s still dark outside, and Felix is sleeping right next to me; he looks so peaceful in his sleep.
There are no noises aside from the slight scratching and squeaking from our pets. We don’t let them into our bedroom, so in case they make any noise, it’s nothing that would startle meawake. I let my eyes wander through the room until they land on the window, and I look right into a pair of yellow eyes.
The shock makes me almost fall out of my bed. One thing is for sure: I am definitely awake now! Is it an intruder? My hand moves towards Felix to shake him and force him to wake up when the being behind the window blinks and moves slightly.
That’s not a person.
It’s a cat.
Trying not to make any noise, I get up and walk out of the bedroom, towards the terrace. The cat must have sensed my plans, as it’s already expecting me there. It’s not just any cat, though. “Titan?” I whisper.
Titan lies down and licks his paws, while something behind him suddenly pads through the grass. I am expecting something small, but my eyes widen when I see a pony. It looks a bit roughed up, and I can tell its coat and hooves definitely need some work done. It’s limping, so at least one of its legs might be lame.
As if on cue, Tiger flies past me and lands on the pony’s head. This finally fully pushes me out of my thoughts. I carefully walk towards the pony, trying not to make any rapid movements, until I have reached it. The little thing is not afraid of me and immediately presses its nose against my palm. Just like Tulip always did.
My eyes burn at the memory of him and of being eye to eye with another horse for the first time since my loss. I can’t help but bury my face in its mane.
“Gwen?”
I tense up until I realize it’s Felix. “Sorry, did I wake you up?”
“No, don’t worry.” Felix sits down on top of the stairs, watching me and the pony interact. He always lets me handle the animals upon their first arrival, which is good, because horses have a flight instinct. “A new addition to our zoo?”
“Seems like it.” I smile. “Aurelia asked me if I’d be up to keeping a couple of horses and maybe giving riding lessons.”
“And are you?” His eyes look at me thoughtfully, worried almost.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “But I know that this little guy sought me out. I will care for him and see that he returns to a healthy state. Anything else I can decide later.”
Felix’s gaze turns gentle and warm when he looks at me. “Just take your time, babe.”
I am relieved he doesn’t push me, as usual, he lets me proceed at my pace. For now, he helps me with settling our pony in the makeshift stable, and it’s almost 5 a.m. when we are done. “I will go inside and prepare some breakfast,” Felix offers. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel it’s any point returning to bed.”
“I am with you on that.”
He leans over to kiss me softly. “What do you want? Pancakes, eggs, porridge?”
“Porridge, please.”
Felix nods before heading inside. I close the doors of the stable, turning around to almost stumble over Titan. He is sitting right in front of me now, his gaze pinned on me. “You are still here,” I mutter.
Obviously.
For the nth time this night, I startle in shock. I look around frantically to see if anyone is around, but it’s silent; not one sound can be heard. My eyes return to Titan. No way. How is that possible?
You can hear me, can’t you?
Still somewhat floored, I simply answer. “Yes.”
I had a feeling you could.Titan stretches slightly before starting to walk away. He stops to look at me.Come.
