Her Dying Wish

Chapter One

~When It Began~

Kamari packed her bags. This was a trip of a lifetime.
Kamari did research on the animals living around them, learning more about them as she worked.
She just turned twenty-three a week earlier. Her friends had given her a large party. It would be the last time she saw them for three years.
"Kamkam hurry up!" A voice called.
She rolled her eyes, pulling her long, lush hair into a braided ponytail.
"I'm coming, Ada, relax." She called back, annoyed.
Hauling her bags over her shoulders, she hurried outside, into the heat, and into the arms of her elder sister.
"Nala, seriously?" Kamari groaned.
"Shush, let me have this moment." Nala pulled her into a tight hug.
"At least let me put my bags away." Kamari complained.
"Boo." Nala pushed her away, grinning. "Go on, then."
Kamari chuckled, hurrying to the trucks that were parked. She hopped onto the truck of one pale colored truck and set her stuff inside.
"Nala!" A voice called. "Is she here yet?"
"Ada." She groans. He turns the corner, spots her, and the frown on his face turns into a sweet smile.
"Took you long enough," Ada said smoothly.
"Me-mem-mem-eme" Kamari mocked as he turned away.
"What was that?" He called back.
"Nothing!" She replied sweetly.
"If you say so. Hurry it up! We're leaving in a minute."
Kamari focused now. She stuffed dher bags away and turned back to her sister. Nala smiled as Kamari accepted her warm embrace.
"Ugh I'm going to miss you so much!" Nala whined.
"Oh be honest, you're happy to see me leaving." Kamari teased.
"Maybe, maybe not."
The sisters shared a heartfelt laugh.
"Sorry y'all, but we have to go." Ada is leaning against one truck, his eyes watchful.
Nala pressed a kiss to her sister's head.
"Stay safe." She whispered.
"Only if you are." Kamari replied with a sad smile.
And with that, they were off, driving along the bumpy road of their town and heading out to the desert.

~Timeskip~

A few hours later, they arrived at their first stop.
"We've seen a group of giraffes, and they'll travel past here tomorrow morning, hopefully." Ada explains, his face thoughtful.
"So we're making camp here?" A young woman asked. Kamari glanced at the rest of the group. They were all drained, dehydrated, tired.
"Well..."
"Ada come on." Kamari sighed.
"I was going to say yes," Ada shot at her. "Thank you for interrupting."
"Anytime." She stuck her tongue out in a childish manner.
Ada rolled his eyes and promptly ignored her from then on as they began setting up tents and parking the trucks.
"Moore help me with this!" One called.
"Ada over here!" Someone else added.
Kamari put herself to work as well, with the voices of her companions around her.
She began to struggle, growing tired and sweaty in the dry heat, the sun glaring down on her back.
"Let me help." Warm hands covered hers, helping put a stake in the ground.
"Thanks," Kamari said breathlessly.
"Just say the word." Mara replied, standing back.
The older woman walked away, waving behind her.
"I have the water!" Someone cried out happily.
The group pushed past each other, trying to get at the refreshments. Kamari stood her ground, glaring at those who tried to push her.
"Everyone, everyone. Calm down. Hell, I know it's hot, and you've all worked very hard, but there's no need to act like this." Ada said, raising his voice to be heard over the grumpy murmurs.
"Get in a line! You're acting like the children you are." Mara grumbled.
Kamari hid a smile, watching, slightly surprised, as everyone listened.
Mara came over to her side, nudging her.
"I have my ways," she winked, moving into the line.
"I didn't say nothing." Kamari called after her with a wide grin.

~Timeskip~

Soon, night fell. The sky was clear and filled with beauty. Dark blues and greens, yellows, purples, faint pinks, the sky was streaked with colors and twinkled with stars as the warm sun began to set, the only trace being the horizon, the small, bright yellow line in the distance, casting a warm light on the earth for a few last moments before the moon gave off it's shimmering glow.
Kamari loved the night. It was cool, quiet, and filled with distant lights of the galaxies beyond.
She was a night owl, if you wish.
"Don't stay up too late," Zuri, someone who knows her antics too well, said to her as he passed, heading to his tent like all the rest.
"Aye aye captain," she teased. "I'll be right on that."
"We get up early now." Zuri put his hands in the air, smiling.
"I hear ya. I'll be there soon." Kamari promised.
"I'm not waiting up." Zuri replied, vanishing inside.
Kamari sighed, hopping over some rocks in a bored manner.
Gazing out across the desert, she sat down on the front of one of the trucks. Leaning back, she half closed her eyes, soaking up the last bit of gentle warmth from the golden-orange sub.
In the distance, she heard the roaring of a lion pride, possibly feasting.
Opening her eyes, Kamari saw the lions prowling in the distance.
They were elegant, powerful creatures. With the strong, rough built males and their flowing manes, and the lithe, swift females, the pride was gathered near a few trees, resting in the shade.
"Just a few pictures wouldn't hurt." Kamari said cheerfully, hopping down. She hurried to her tent, grabbing her camera, and began to walk toward the pride.
They were closer than it seemed, and she was soon close enough for good pictures.
One male was grooming a female, who had her eyes closed.
Snap, the camera caught a picture.
Kamari clicked a few more times, then she heard a growl behind her.
Freezing, putting her hands down, she slowly turned around.
A light-colored, large lion was staring at her. It's eyes were threatening, it's large mane ruffled.
"Well isn't this just perfect." She muttered. She started to step away from the lion, but it stepped into her path with a snarl.
Then it jumped. She fell to the ground, trying to roll out of its path, when another snarl came from the other direction.
Another, paler lion. They clashed midair, almost collapsing on Kamari.
She froze in fear, watching numbly as the lions fought, growling and yowling.
The pride grew closer, adding their cries to the sharp night air.
The first lion swiped at the other. It ducked with incredible speed and swiped back, landing a harsh hit.
Their snarls grew into yowling, and soon, the lighter lion turned and raced away, blood dripping from harsh wounds.
The other lion turned away. Kamari stared, shocked that she was still alive.
"Idiot." She told herself, shakily getting to her feet. "Why would you just lay there?"
Her legs were cut up, not horribly, from the rough ground, and her cheek had a cut as well. From what, she didn't know.
Kamari began to make her way back, muttering insults to herself.
"You're lucky." Someone called to her.
"Look, I didn't think there would be another..."
She turned around and fell silent in shock and fear.
Nobody was there. Nobody but a lion.