From behind the glass, Noah whispered, voice trembling, “Dad…he doesn’t know it’s gone.” Daniel said nothing. He only held his son tighter as the lion kept his silent vigil. King circled the corner where the bundle had been, pawing gently at the stone.
He lowered his head, sniffing, nudging, a low rumble of confusion slipping from his throat. After a few moments, he curled protectively around the empty patch of ground, as though the fragile creature were still there.