The Girl in the gilded cage (A Tom Hiddleston story)

A warrior goddess

*Tom*
The tiger's growl reverberates through the air, a menacing sound that grips my heart with fear. As I back away, trying to find a way out, I hear the flap of the tent open behind me. Malina bursts in, a bridal gown flowing behind her like a ghostly banner.

"Tom!" she calls out, her eyes wide with determination. "Get out of there!"

"Wish I could," I mumble. "Maybe you can open the door slightly, and I can make a run for it."

I know She is shaking her head, even if my eyes are locked on the tiger. "He is faster than you, you won't make it, unless..."

"Unless... what?" For some reason I feel fear gripping me.

She is walking closer. "Unless I hold him at bay while you get out."

"Malina, no!" I shout, panic surging through me fierces and more violently than before. "You can't come in here! It's too dangerous!"

But she doesn't listen. With a fierce resolve, she strides toward the cage, her eyes locked onto the tiger. "I know how to handle this," she says, her voice steady as she approaches the door. "I have seen Ioan work with them plenty of times."

"Malina, please!" I plead, but she's already opening the cage door. My heart races as I watch her climb inside, positioning herself between me and the tiger.

"Stay back!" she commands, her voice firm, as she throws her arms up. The tiger's gaze shifts to her, intrigued yet wary. I can see the tension in its muscles, ready to pounce at any moment.

"Malina, you need to get out of there!" I urge, desperation creeping into my voice. My fear is now more about her safety, than my own.

"No, Tom! I can keep it occupied. Just get out!" she insists, her eyes fierce as she faces the beast. She reminds me of a warrior Goddess and she stands there in the white dress, legs akimbo and her back straight with her head held high.

I hesitate, torn between wanting to protect her and needing to escape. But as she stands her ground, I know I have to trust her. If I refuse to go, I will only put her in more danger, cause I know she will not leave me. I inch backward, moving behind her, my heart pounding.

The tiger prowls closer, its body coiled like a spring, ready to leap. "I'm right behind you," I whisper to her, my heart racing.

Malina keeps her eyes on the tiger, her hands raised in a calming gesture. "Just get out."

"I am out, now come," I beg her, standing right outside the door in the cage. "Walk backwards."

She slowly slides backwards, but the Tiger follows, it's body tenses.

"Get out," I whisper. "Get out now."

I shake my head, Holding my breath, "He is going to attack."

"I can hold him a second more, okay? I've got this." She mumbles, her eyes locked on the crunching predator.

As the tiger lunges forward, I see the muscles ripple in its powerful legs. Time seems to slow, and I know I have only moments to act. "Now!" I yell, leaning forward just as the tiger prepares to pounce.

I grab Malina's arm, my grip firm. "I got you!" I pull her back with all my strength, yanking her out of the cage just as the tiger leaps, slamming the door shut with my free arm, hearing the lock click, just as its massive body crashes against the bars with a thunderous roar.

We stumble back, the sound echoing in the tent. We look at each other, breathless and wide-eyed, the adrenaline coursing through our veins.

"Did you really just do that?" I ask, looking at her in awe. "You held a Tiger at bay for me."

"I had to," she says, her voice shaky but resolute. "Ioan won't win. Not today, not ever."

The tiger roars in frustration, pacing back and forth inside the cage, I swallow. "How did you know?"

"My sister said something that made me realize there was something bad going on, so I forced her to tell me." She tells me. "And I ran here as fast as I could."

"You came just in time." I brush the hair from her face. "And I am sorry, but I think I will need to have the police handle your sister and ... ex boyfriend."

She shakes her head. "He was never my boyfriend, he just wanted to be... and I agree, they have gone to far this time... this ends here."