Chapter 7: In the cage

I woke up to a damp face from the heat, but the blinding sunlight made me shut my eyes again.

I realized it was morning, but I wasn't in my bed. I couldn't quite place where I was but the hard surface beneath me felt dusty and smelled of dust.

I forced my eyes open, trying to clear my vision, but avoided looking up.

The dry rough ground was right in front of me. Slowly, I let my gaze travel from the ground to my body, and a sudden realization made me curl up tightly. I was completely naked.

Hugging myself I glanced around and discovered I was inside a wooden cage, made of tough solid wood

I was surrounded by similar cages in a wide open space, with trees forming a circle at the edge.

The sun shone brightly in the center where I stood. It was an odd and unsettling situation.I felt like someone had intentionally put me here, and it frightened me.

As I tried to recall what had happened, memories flooded back.

Yesterday was my birthday, and I had shifted in front of Alpha Eros. He had bee