Page 75 of Born Savage

Mama took my hand, squeezing my fingers. “So many types of animals. All with different colors of fur, thick and lush. And birds. Lots of incredible birds who sing little songs. Even fish swimming downstream in the clearest rivers.” She made her hand wiggle like my puppy’s tail did all the time.

“Really?” I asked, leaning in. Maybe if I wished hard enough, I’d get there one day. But Mommy would need to come with me. And Jakie too.

I’d never been outside. Mama said it was too dangerous. But that’s why my room was painted like a forest. At least that’s what Mommy had called it.

“Really. Now, get some sleep. And dream of Eden.”

I wrapped my arm around Jake, pulling him close. Close. Close! I loved him soooo much. “Okay, Mommy.” She kissed my face, laughing as she kissed Jake on the nose. That always made me laugh.

Mommy still looked so sad, her face funny looking when she heard a noise from somewhere. She even sighed as if she was angry. I hoped she wasn’t mad at me.

“Mommy?”

“Yes, baby girl?”

“Does Eden exist?”

She nodded. “Yes, it does and one day you’re going to discover just how amazing the earth can be. You and Jake will be able to run through soft grass, getting mud between your little toes. And you can breathe without being afraid of coughing.”

Mommy had told me people coughed when they went outside. Then they weren’t around any longer. She said it was bad, so we stayed inside. “How can I find Eden?”

“Sara, are you up there?” Daddy’s voice didn’t seem happy either.

Mommy didn’t seem like she felt very well. “I’ll be there in a couple minutes.” She closed her eyes. “You’ll be guided to this very special place. Now, you must promise me you won’t be afraid and you’ll go when you’re given the opportunity.”

Why was she suddenly crying? “Mommy?”

“Just promise me!”

Why was she so angry? “Okay, Mommy. I promise.”

“Good. Very good because I only want the best for my baby girl. You deserve everything. All the magic. All the love. All the freedom.” She turned away, but she was still crying.

“How will I know when I’m supposed to go?”

Mommy rubbed her eyes. “The Angels of Destiny will send someone very brave to find you. A true hero like we’ve found in so many books. He’ll be all yours. You’ll know the time is right because a magical bird will crisscross the sky under a rainbow.”

“A bird?” I’d never seen a bird in real life, only in books.

“A divine eagle called a Garuda. A gift from the gods. That’s when you know you’ll be safe. Trust in yourself, my little star and dream bright. The future will belong to you.”

Gasping, I bolted upright, my lungs burning as I dragged in a desperate, ragged breath. Pain tore through every muscle while suffocating pressure left a crushing blow against my chest. I clawed at whatever was holding me down, close to panicking from lack of focus.

I clutched my neck while strangling sounds were emitted, dull yet woeful.

“Breathe, Star. You’re safe now. You were dreaming.”

A man’s voice, dark and seductive, a promise of comfort in the darkness.

His voice.

Rage.

Blinking, I attempted to calm my breathing as if obeying his command. Where the hell was I? Very slowly the dim lights of the room began to create a series of shadows, ominous yet familiar.

I was in my quarters on my bed.

The panic refused to leave and as soon as I wrapped my hand around my neck, I winced.