Deciding that it may be quite nice to lie on my bed and take a nap, that’s what I did. Only I didn’t nod off completely, I just lay with my eyes closed and soon I heard Matilda talking on her iphone.

         “Hi, I think the time has come, she is getting very restless and I don’t think we can keep her locked up here any longer.” I heard Matilda whisper down the phone.

         Oh goody I was going to be set free at last. I had to stop myself sitting bolt upright in my bed and shouting out to Matilda.

        Matilda continued to talk. “Well I am very aware that she is the last of the virgin maidens but I think we are just going to have to let go of that tradition once and for all.”

         I slowly sat up and watch as Matilda ended the phone call. She looked over at me then slowly walked over and sat on the edge of my bed.

         “As you know you are the very last of the virgin maidens on this earth and we must protect you if it’s the last thing we do.”

         “Who is we and what do I need to be protected from?” I asked Matilda.

         “When you were born your Mother was very ill and died a tragic painful death. Your Father went to see the witch on the hill, to make the pain go from your Mother but she tricked him and told him she would do nothing until he promised she could have you at the time you became ripe. That rose in your garden, glowed when you were ripe. Your Father had to banish you here to Las Vegas, the wicked witch has an asbo set against her here and she cannot enter the city, however the asbo is about to be lifted and she will soon come for you, bringing with her a following of unsuitable men that will beat you and rob you of your beauty.

         I was shocked into silence. My poor Mother and Father. Tears started to well up in my eyes as I searched into Matilda’s face.

         “Don’t worry girl, you will be safe and lead a happy existence far, far away with your new family, now take these pills and get some rest.”

         I woke a while later, in my sleep I had been transformed into a beautiful snow goose and at my side stood a beautiful snow goose male. We stood on the open window ledge and prepared to fly. Saying our goodbyes to Matilda we took off, fleeing the city of Las Vegas and heading out to the icy nesting grounds of the Arctic.

         This is why we don’t see any virgin maidens any more.