Chapter 1 - THE IRON BARS
The setting sun painted the lake behind the house in bloody streaks of crimson and orange.
Warm, golden light washed over the wooden porch, casting long, deceptive shadows across the floorboards.
Inside the large plastic pet crate, five-year-old Chloe curled her small body into a ball.
Her pink sweater was soaked with tears.
She pressed her face into the cold grid, her knuckles white around her broken hairband.
On the other side of the black metal wire, Evelyn leaned down.
Her grey hair was pulled into an unyielding, tight bun.
Her maroon button-up shirt was pristine, completely unwrinkled despite the heat.
"Cry louder!" Evelyn snarled, her breath hot against the metal mesh.
"Maybe that cage will teach you where useless little brats belong."
Chloe buried her tiny hands into her ears.
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She tried to make herself as small as possible.
She tried to turn into air.
