The White Stag

***I was protected by the monsters under my bed when I was a kid in the foster system. I have a feeling I could use them again.* ** My time in the foster system wasn’t great. Maybe they were imaginary, but when things got bad, the boogeyman and an imp always came to my aid. If I needed to run, a beautiful white stag would appear at my window to let me know to get out of there. I’ve touched the stag. I know he’s real. Alastair Rex saved me from the streets and another bad foster home. He’s never raised a hand to me or tried anything inappropriate. But I’m a doll in his playhouse. I can only leave when he lets me. I dress in the clothes he wants me to wear. I say what he wants me to say because I get the feeling he would react violently. I could use my monsters, but they disappeared the day Alastair showed up in my life. ***Until I look out of my cage and see the white stag again. It’s time for me to escape Alastair Rex.* **