Into the Lion's Den

INTO THE LION’S DEN is comprised of five short stories.

“Gentle Sleep” tells the story of a young boy who views his sexuality as disgusting. In an attempt to end the pain and humiliation, he attempts to take his own life. As he slowly drifts off to sleep for the last time, his mind wanders to the happy life he could have led, but is it too late?

“Jin’s Journey” begins with Jin leaving his lamp for the first time. Amazed at the mystical forest around him, he wanders too far from home, and discovers the fairy tales his mother has told him of the dangerous human world are all true. Once he is captured by a human, the ideas of servitude and pain flood his mind as he lays helpless to stop granting the man's wishes.

“Calm Among The Storm” follows two thieves who have just robbed an art museum. Taken by temptation, Renton looks at the paintings he’s stolen before their ride arrives. He becomes enthralled by one of the paintings, unable to look away as his fellow thief pleads that he put the painting away before the people that hired them arrive and see him eyeing their merchandise.

“The Detective and Toadstool” is a tea party between a Detective and the hermit, Toadstool. The Detective is in search of Nightshade following the strange deaths of Maple, Sagebrush, and Dandelion. Toadstool may have information on where Nightshade is, but is being uncharacteristically naive.

“Mr. Abton” meets with a lawyer to iron out the details of his impending divorce. Meeting in a hotel room, he reminisces about the past, and about what life was like before his wife decided she wanted to leave him.