The Shadow
The haughty buildings cowered over the enervated man, who stumbled across the arid cobblestone. It was in the nocturnal hours that he stopped abruptly in the middle of the deserted town and stared up at the moon. A nonchalant black cat with turquoise eyes looked over the uncanny fellow. The man pondered at the moon, tilting his head. He continued on his way to the red door, the only color on the canvas. His mundane shadow slithered across the ground, trailing behind him for all eternity. He knocked thrice. It echoed against the buildings, like a confused rat in a maze.
A tall fat woman, who wore a scowl on her face, stood pretentiously in the frame. She grunted a greeting which allowed the reclusive man to enter her grand chamber. They exchanged no words, only nods. He proceeded to the stone fire-place, staring with a blank expression. His cheeks soon became florid with the heat, and his lips were parched. The woman yelled and alarmed, he backed away.
That night he dreamt of fire engulfing him and snakes entangling his legs. He could not scream, only wrinkle his forehead with fright. When the world came to, he went to the woman, who told him to not be as impetuous as he was the night before. In return, he stared her down, lips closed, and she tumbled to the Persian carpet, only a sinking shadow left without its partner.