The phoenix groggily awoke to find itself in a small ice box, bound by leather straps. As the fog cleared from its mind, it felt vibrations traveling through the walls and floor, almost as if the box were moving. Suddenly the bird jolted awake, hitting its head on the low ceiling. It remembered the humans that had captured it. No doubt it was being transported, but to where? And why was it still alive? The creature had heard the horror stories carried on the wind by its brethren, and terrible premonitions filled its mind; was it to be a human child’s pet? Or perhaps its body parts were to be harvested for science? Or, worst of all, was it to be taxidermically preserved and hung in some lord’s hall?

Panic set in, and the phoenix began to struggle uselessly against its bonds for a few minutes before letting its head fall back to the cold floor, panting. Again it tried to free itself, this time with fire, but found it couldn’t even conjure a spark. With the ambient temperature of its claustrophobic prison, it had only enough body heat for basic functions.

The bird’s breath whistled in its throat as it looked around nervously. Fear was beginning to creep in from the edges of its mind, but it refused to lose composure. There had to be a way to escape.

Looking at the frost-covered walls, it had an idea.

The bird’s feet were wrapped in a small burlap sack and tied with rope, but inside its claws were still sharp. Scooting over to the wall of the box, it began to scrape the bag against the rough ice, gradually wearing through the material. Breathing steadily to keep warm, the phoenix rub-rub-rubbed away until its talons pierced through. Perfect.

The bird’s body wasn’t flexible enough to bring its claws up to the straps binding its wings, but it had another way. By bracing its feet against the opposite wall and digging its claws hard into the ice, it could rub its back against the wall behind it. Croaking with the exertion, it began to worry away at the tough leather, millimeter by millimeter.

The phoenix’s legs ached from the strain, and its feet were growing increasingly numb, but it refused to give up, ignoring the pain. It couldn’t see how far along it was, but felt it had to almost be free.

And then, the bumping of the box slowed to a stop, and muffled voices could be heard outside.

Fresh terror descended on the poor bird. They had already arrived at their destination! Redoubling its efforts, it began to scrape harder than ever before. It had to be free by the time the box was opened, or they’d knock it out again. Tiny heart pounding, it struggled. It could feel the straps getting thinner. It was so desperately close! The voices grew more clear, making sounds the phoenix couldn’t understand.

“Sounds like its awake in there.”

“Alright, open the box... carefully... and I’ll sedate it again.”

Sunlight blasted in from above as the lid was removed, blinding the phoenix. But it could see just well enough to know what that metallic glint growing closer was.

‘No!’ was all the bird thought as the sight of the medicine-filled needle sent a surge of adrenaline flooding though its body. Summoning its last scrap of strength, the phoenix strained every muscle in its body.

The leather straps creaked loudly, holding the bird for but a moment before bursting violently. It exploded from the box with a defiant screech, sending the humans reeling back from the mass of royal crimson feathers that soared for the heavens.