Savage

When I wake up, the room is bathed in the soft glow of sunset, its rays filtering through the windows and casting dancing shadows on the walls. I stretch languidly, feeling more at ease than I did before. Auntie Skyler is sitting in a chair by the window, her eyes watching me with a mixture of concern and pride. Before she stands up and walks towards me, her expression softens as she sees the calm in my eyes.

“Are you ready, sweetheart?” she asks, her voice ...