A couple years ago one of my cats, Toby, went missing, and he was mostly an inside cat so he always stressed when he got out. So we looked everywhere we could and put out fliers and checked shelters and went door knocking, but nothing.
Six weeks passed and we had pretty much given up hope.
So anyways, my sisters friend who lives around the corner from us was always complaining about this feral cat that was living under her house and fighting her cat and dog, and stealing her dog's dinner. This had been going on for weeks. My sis was over there one time, heard the cats fighting and went out to check on them / break them up.
Yep, turned out it was Toby! He is back now, and he is a changed cat, for the better.
So anyways, I hope your story can have a happy ending too