It was a peaceful day in the small town of Birchwood, a place where the locals kept to themselves but always enjoyed a friendly chat about their beloved home pets. The sun was shining, and everyone had a smile on their face – until that evening.
The night sky was dark and cloudy, and no stars could be seen. Suddenly, lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the town below. As the thunder echoed through the streets, a priest emerged from the shadows. He was tall and imposing, and his face was hidden by a hood.
He slowly walked through the streets, and as he passed by each house, their beloved pets began to howl in terror. Those who were brave enough to look outside saw the priest, and they were filled with dread.
The priest stopped outside one house in particular – the home of an old widow who had recently taken in a stray cat. The priest walked up to the door and knocked three times. When no one answered, he opened the door and stepped inside.
The widow was found dead in her bed the next morning, her eyes wide open in shock. Beside her lay her beloved cat, its body cold and lifeless. It was then that the townsfolk realized what had happened – the priest had come for her soul, and he had taken her pet’s life in exchange.
From that day forward, no one in Birchwood spoke of the priest or his dark deeds. But when the sun goes down and the night sky is filled with clouds, many of the townspeople can still hear his ominous footsteps echoing through the streets.