If it really was her drawing then… Khani took a bite of the leaf beside her – it was chocolate. Kiwi copied her, and squeaked happily. It was her drawing then, and she was walking in it. Everything was how it was supposed to be. Ivy hung down from trees, perfect for swinging on; honey flowers sprouted delicately from the ground; snakes flitted through the long grass, hissing hello, friendly tigers bounded in the distance, pausing to…wave? Exotic butterflies flitted from tree to tree, their vibrant wings shining in the slithers of sunlight that the trees let through.

”Incredible!” smiled Khani. Kiwi had now re-joined her from his leafy, chocolaty bliss, and together they gazed at the animals. Soon they discovered the flowers could talk, and chatty conversations took place. Eventually, they walked into a small tunnel made by branches. It was shady and homely. Khani stepped forwards and fell into waist deep, cold grass. Kiwi tumbled in after her, and squeaked in terror. Scooping her hamster up, she stepped forwards, into warm grass once again. A few minutes later she was rolling joyfully in the extra long grass. All of a sudden, cold wind blew into Khani’s chest, making her gasp. The wind blew a bit harder, a bit colder. She huddled next to her hamster in the grass. Butterflies still flew, and still sparkled. It was going to be all right. Then the rain started thumping on branches, fast and acidic. The acidity burned small holes in branches, and butterflies dropped, dead. Then she heard it.

A huge shriek tore through the grass. A tree broke from it’s trunk, either from the acid rain or the piercing sound. Kiwi quivered, and fainted into Khani’s hands.

”Kiwi?” Khani asked, scared. Something moved in the grass, low and stealthy. Khani looked around, wide-eyed and frightened. Everything was normal. The butterflies had started flying again, and the sun was shining brightly, too brightly. So brightly, it was a hot white.

Then she saw it. Flying out of the sun, a great, white phoenix flew down, hot with anger. A ferocious beak shrieked again and again, and razor sharp talons reached for Khani, sharper than the sharpest daggers. There was no hesitation, Khani fled. She jumped over the tree, covered herself from the acid rain, and stopped in front of the slowly closing doors. She had forgotten Kiwi. Racing back, tracing her footsteps, she grabbed Kiwi, then watched the door,

Slowly…

Close.

Then it disappeared. Into the air, like a genie getting locked inside a lamp. The jungle stretched on. Silent shadows weaved their way through trees. “Come to me. Or regret it.” a voice shrieked into the sky.