The Lion

1

The jungle was cold, dark, and seemingly empty.  I knew that if I stared into the darkness for too long, that i'd soon find something peering back at me. I would see another pair of eyes glistening against the moonlight, watching.  I scurried along, my paws quietly padding along the moist soil beneath them. I hear branches creek as the trees around me sway with the wind, an owl warning me of predators lurking.  A stick breaks, followed by the sound of something hurrying around behind me.  I didn't dare to glance back, nor did I freeze in place to listen further.  I picked up pace, my heart beating quickly in my chest.  My home was just a few more feet ahead.  I only had to make it.  I had heard a low growl behind me, my blood ran cold and I hesitated.  I'm a stupid cat, and I knew that.   Still, I hesitated. 

I heard the beast lick its face, clapping its jaws together in anticipation.  He sniffed the air, taking a heavy step towards me. "What's a little cat like you doing out here in the Jungle?"

"I'm just trying to find my way back home."

"I see no need to allow you to return home tonight."

"You won't find much satisfaction in eating me, sir.  Please let me live, i can help you find more food."

"How's a little cat like you going to feed me and my pack? And why should i trust you, when i could just eat you right now?"

"I'm a great hunter, sir.  I can find you rabbits, plenty of them.  Squirrels aren't much for meat but I can bring you them as well..."

"I still think i should just eat you."

My little heart raced, beating against my ribs.  He took another step, and i finally turned to face him. "I think you should reconsider, sir." My mouth was dry, but i'd mustered up the small amount of courage I had within to curl back and hiss at him.  "I won't let you eat me without putting up a fight."

My fight would be in vain, short lived and pointless. The wolf growled, almost laughing. His eyes lit up with joy, the idea of his prey fighting back bringing him delight. "You're just a little kitty."

The wolf lunged at me, jaw wide.  I jumped out of the way, swatting at him with my claws out.  I was going to lose this fight. I merely needed to distract him long enough to make my escape.  He twisted and lunged at me again, his teeth bared.  I scratched his snout and jumped out of the way once more. This time i'd land on his back, using the force of his motion to jump up into the tree beside us.  This will work, it has too.  He growled and leapt for me, but I scurried up the tree as fast as my legs would let me. 

"It's not use to run away, kitten. I will only wait here for you."

"Then you'll starve.  Your desperation to eat me shows how long it's been since you've had a decent meal, and I've just eaten only yesterday afternoon."

"You're small, you'll need to hunt once more before I even begin to starve. Just end what's left of your life quickly, why spend it in fear?"

I licked my paws from a high up branch, ignoring him.  My heart continued to pound away, but I focused on this task. It was all I could do. If i managed to run past him into my hide out, it'd only be a matter of time before he'd dig it out and eat me. 

I observed as he did a loop, two loops, then a third before laying down at the base of the tree.  I could almost hear him grinning. "Then here we shall wait, little cat."