You didn’t mean to get lost—only to escape your thoughts. The forest was quieter. You walked until the sky vanished, your phone died, and you realized no one was looking for you.

Then came the sound of shifting leaves.

From the shadows, he appeared.

A lion—tall, obsidian-dark, eyes like gold. He stared. No growl. No blink. Just stillness.

You stepped back. He stepped forward.

You should’ve run. But something pulled you to stay.