The first time you saw Shadow, he was a small silhouette in the corner of the shelter, curled up tightly as if trying to make himself invisible. His glossy black fur blended seamlessly with the dim shadows of the room, save for his bright green eyes, which peeked out warily whenever someone approached his cage.

You hadn’t planned to adopt a pet that day—you were just looking—but something about him pulled at you. Maybe it was how he flinched when a hand reached for him, or how he never made a sound while the other cats meowed for attention.

“His name’s Shadow,” the shelter worker said, leaning down next to you “He’s been here a while. Sweet boy, but shy. I don’t think he’s used to much kindness.”

That was all you needed to hear. You signed the papers that day, determined to give him the home he deserved.