Trial by Tiger Chapter 1

My three-year-old daughter was mauled by a vicious dog and died at the hospital.

I went to the dog's owner for answers.

He turned, pointed to a simmering pot on his stove, and said, "A life for a life. The dog is dead. What more do you want?"

A week later, that same dog owner was kneeling at my door, begging for my forgiveness.

"Just tell me," he pleaded. "How much money? I'll pay anything."

* * *

Just last week, the weather was perfect. I took my daughter, Lily, to the park to collect leaves.

She was wearing a little yellow polka-dot outfit, a tiny mushroom squatting in the grass.

"Mommy, look! This one is shaped like a heart."

She turned and held up her little hand to show me, then carefully placed the leaf in her small basket.

I was taking photos from different angles, editing a caption for Instagram.

That's when the dog, a massive pit bull, lunged at her.

I... froze.

My mind went completely blank. By the time I snapped out of it, a crowd had gathered. The police were there. An ambulance was coming.

My little mushroom was covered in red flowers.

Lily was sobbing. "Mommy, it hurts..."