After my attempt to jump off the cliff, we went inside, she put me to bed, and not a word further was exchanged between us. I fell asleep fast as she went to make arrangements. Morning came. I parted my eyes and saw the fuzzy glow of the golden sun coming through my window. Victoria had let me sleep in. It was the first time that I could remember getting up after the sun. A small smile came to my face. Perhaps things really would be different.

My smile turned to a grimace of fear as I opened my eyes further. I was wrong about the golden haze. It wasn’t the sun. It was a lion, and he was staring me directly in the face.   Continue reading →