Chapter 9: Visitor

Vix came awake to the morning light seeping through a wide window set above her. She could not remember where she was. But she was surprised to find that did not bother her.

She stretched luxuriously, warm and happy and sleepy. A double layer of woolen blankets were wrapped tightly around her, the softest she had ever felt. The bed she was laying on felt like a cloud.

Vix burrowed deeper into her blankets, wanting this moment to last forever. She drifted on the edge of sleep, dreamless, the sun warming her through her closed eyelids. Vix could have stayed like this forever.

A loud noise suddenly came from her feet. Vix snorted and launched herself bolt upright. It was coming from beyond the closed door at the end of the room. At once, all her fears from the night before returned, chasing away her easy happiness.