The Lion Within
An in the Cards Short Literary Thriller
Welcome to In The Cards, a multi-author collection of standalone thriller and horror short stories. In this series, you’ll find stories inspired by the meaning of a specific Tarot Card, thoughtfully written with that thread woven through. Whether you’re a Tarot Card lover or not, you’ll find thrillers and horrors that will creep under your skin and into your thoughts. *Knowledge of Tarot Cards is not necessary to read or enjoy these stories.*
For Strength (Reversed)
They call him Lion Strong.
In this town, banners hang higher than questions, and boys learn early that strength is proven in silence. Push through. Don’t complain. Only the strong survive.
But when the roar fades, one mother begins to question what was built in the name of greatness, and what was quietly destroyed along the way.
Some cages aren’t made of bars. Some are built with applause.
Make sure you come back and check out the other stories, because you never know what’s In The Cards.
Content Warnings: Depression • Anxiety • Death • Grief/Loss • Bullying • Suicide/Suicidal Ideation • Emotional Abuse
Reader Reviews
9 ratings
Koen S.
A story that starts about family legacy, and playing sports turned into an emotional roller coaster, where a kid gets pushed too far and a mother that has to grieve such an amazing story and a definite must read. Talks about strength, grief, and everything in between. Talks about the words left unsaid, and the silence left hanging.
tanya k.
This is a tough one. It is a raw, unfiltered look at what some kids go through for validation and approval. Sadly, some adults need to read this and take a long, hard look in the mirror. This story will grab your heart with both hands and squeeze into it breaks.
Grace .
Resilience. Grit. Sacrifice.
We learned to call it strength.We were taught to push through the pain. That exhaustion is discipline.We were wrong.
Chapter thirteen. I’m crying my heart out.
This is so heavy for a short story. And I loved how it really brought out all sorts of emotions in me. We all face our own challenges, and it’s okay not to be okay at times
Brandy A.
A fast paced short read that resonates long after your finished reading! The storyline shows the emotional and not talked about side of what athletes go through in their careers that needs to be talked about more.A great read that will have you thinking about the meaning and the story a while after reading!
Katlin S.
Oh my heart is hurting so much right now after finishing this one. I literally bawled like a baby. It was such a good story but so heartbreaking.
Sabrina B.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book absolutely broke my heart.
What starts out feeling like a story about sports and carrying on a family legacy slowly turns into something so much heavier and more emotional. Watching a kid put that much pressure on himself just to avoid disappointing everyone around him honestly hurt to read at times — because it felt real.
The way this book handles mental health in young athletes was probably the strongest part for me. The fear of letting people down, pushing through pain because that’s what you’re taught to do, pretending you’re okay when you’re clearly falling apart inside… none of that felt exaggerated. Because the truth is, this does happen to our teenage athletes every single day.
That’s what made this story hit so hard for me. Beneath the sports storyline is a very real look at the pressure we put on kids to perform, stay strong, and keep going no matter what it’s doing to them mentally or emotionally. So many young athletes are taught that struggling means weakness, and this book shines a light on the damage that mindset can cause.
And honestly, you don’t even have to care about sports to connect with this story. At its core, it’s about a kid trying so hard to be enough for everyone else that he slowly starts losing pieces of himself in the process. I think a lot of people will see themselves in that feeling.
There were scenes in this book that stayed with me long after I finished reading because they felt so honest and painfully true. It really makes you stop and think about how much pressure children carry while the adults around them call it dedication or toughness.
A powerful, emotional read that feels important in today’s world. More people need to read books like this.
Samara H.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-Star ARC Review
An absolutely gripping and emotionally charged read. This short story took the Strength (Reversed) concept and turned it into something powerful, unsettling, and beautifully written. The atmosphere, the tension, and the way the author layers meaning beneath every line kept me hooked from start to finish.
I loved how the narrative slowly peeled back the truth behind “Lion Strong,” revealing a story that’s as heartbreaking as it is compelling. The writing is vivid and haunting, giving you a real sense of the weight carried in this small town—and the quiet courage it takes to question what everyone else accepts.
A standout piece in this collection. Brilliant, bold, and deeply moving. Five stars!
Crystal O.
ARC
The Lion Within by Kay Elem is a powerful story that is part of the An In The Cards Short Story collection. It will sit with you long after you finish the last page. A town that doesn't take responsibility and instead continues to push their children to be the best and do their best, no matter the cost. If you complain or look weak, it reflects poorly. These kids rather stay silent then speak up. Kay Elem does a great job writing about the social pressures parents and children put on themselves to be the best and to be better than their peers in school and sports. We need ro do better and she put it in the best perspective!
Rachel B.
“The Lion Within” by Kay Elem is a powerful, dark thriller that lingers long after the final page. As part of the In the Cards short story series, it delivers an intense and emotionally charged look at a town where strength is measured by silence and suffering is hidden behind praise.
It’s thought-provoking, haunting, and deeply moving, shedding light on the damage done when vulnerability is mistaken for weakness.
A gripping, emotional read.
Jen S.
Kay Elem’s The Lion Within is a haunting, heartbreaking read. Fast-paced yet deeply engaging throughout, this beautifully crafted short story serves as a powerful cautionary tale regarding the devastating consequences of neglecting physical or mental health. Through excellent, evocative writing, the narrative captures a striking, urgent reality by holding a mirror up to the intense pressures currently found in sports at every level. It is a great read with an even greater message. If you are looking for an emotional book that will stay on your mind long after you finish the final page, this is an absolute must-read.