The Lion Came Out of the Shadows

I knew the precise moment when the Santa Ana winds changed directions. A dagger of fear entered my heart. I felt something dangerous was here. Knew not what it was; heard nothing but felt eyes coming from the shadows. A native ran inside and slammed a door; I was transfixed in place. Incapable of turning, fleeing, or tearing my eyes away from the dark. I watched without listening, instinctively knowing it was coming to devour me. When the lion came into the courtyard I knew that I had stayed too long.