A gilded cage, a dangerous heart

: Thresho

reeze. Everything smelled like toast and morning. I passed by kitchen windows where families sat together, laughing or pouring cereal, and

ore sunrise. That early light painted the roofs in gold, and for a s

ude's

tell. The paint on the porch was fresh. A big oak tree stood out front like it was protecting the house. The

kpack. What if this was just another lie? Another place where peopl

he street again, hiding behind a dumpster or

path, my sneakers crunching against little bits of gravel. Then I was standing in fron

I could still turn back. Run

en I k

n

ic

I w

s. What if they didn't answer? What if they looked at me and sa

like my feet were already facing

d silver hair in a bun and the softest eyes I'd ever seen. Her smile was small

d, her voice calm and warm li

e's Haven. I-I need a place to stay." My voice cracked on the last word. I hated that. But she d

ourse, dear. Come in, yo

t for a second.

ing out of one wor

maybe-and something else, like old books. I glanced around. The walls were painted light colors, soft blues and creams,

ned out to be) closed the door behind me and smiled again. "

Not like a screen or anything, but real crackling flames. The couch cushi

I moved wrong, they'd send me away.

a. With real marshmallows. And a thic

e just gave it to me like it was norm

were stinging. Not from the heat. Just from the way no one had ever be

air. "You don't have to say anything right away. When you're ready, you

word felt so far away. I'd a

said quietly. "

at's a beautifu

to that, so I just nodded

my past like everyone else. She just sat there, giving m

to on the wall of a bunch of kids holding hands in front of the house. They looked happy

ast is in the dining room whenever you're ready. We don't

ord hit me harder than I expected. I wasn't sure if I believed in

th spread through my chest. Maybe, j

girl who still

d there, like an anchor. A quiet one.