joeislove's 100-word story for May 11, 2025

joeislove wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on May 11, 2025. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

I pass them every morning on my way to work. At first, I pitied them. Then I discovered their dark secret, learned why they are imprisoned there. Now I fear them. I fear the day their magic evolves and those cages made from lightning-stricken oak no longer hold them in. My friend Neeraj told me about when they first appeared and began their hunt. They looked like tigers then, which is terrifying enough, but now we know they can walk among us. The cages keep them from changing shape, but if they escape? I fear they will never forgive us.

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