it's black and white [open]

[FREYA]

The rain screamed down, roaring through the air and landing in huge splashes in puddles on the ground, drenching everything that was even slightly exposed, crushing plants through sheer force. The earth was no longer hard-packed and strong, but a sea of muddy, cold, wet slush. In between flattened ears of corn and puddles of liquid, a dark cat was walking. Soaked to the skin, shaking, eyes narrowed, ears flattened, but still outside in the storm. A cat would have to be crazy to be out in this. That's exactly how he felt, too.

Jay picked his way delicately over the brittle blades of grass, huffing in annoyance. Why, just as he began to travel from one home to his next, did it start raining? The torrential downpour had started in the early hours of the morning, and now, something in the afternoon, it was black as midnight and still going strong. Hissing softly to himself, he splashed through a wide puddle. The water lapped up his legs, his belly and his chin; he almost had to swim at one point. Not that it makes much difference, he thought bitterly. I'm as wet as it's possible to be right now, so swimming doesn't really effect me much.

Finally, his destination came into sight. A red brick building, looming out of the mist, looking tantalisingly close. Pushing himself forwards, he bounded towards it, nosing his way past the old wooden door into the warmth of the barn. Sighing in relief, he shook himself powerfully, spraying a torrent of water from his pelt. Shivering, he leaped up onto a bale of hay, and settled down to lick the water from his fur. Even his tongue felt icy cold, and his shivering increased, despite the warmth inside the barn.

In his desperation to get warm and dry again, Jay had forgotten to check for fresh scents. It was likely that one or more other cats had taken refuge in here, but Jay ignored all that, washing himself furiously.