Living Like A Lion-The Circus

Chapter 10-Speak!

10.Speak!

I laid down to go to sleep; but before I even close my eyes, Louis was releasing me from my cage. “Come my Star!” he commanded as I was walked back to the circle cage. I hopped onto a platform and he yelled, “SPEAK!” I roared and he became furious. “Speak!” he yelled again; so I roared. He lashed his whip out and it struck my leg. “Speak!” he screamed and I roared; then he hit me over and over with his whip.

“Stop!” Annie yelled as she rushed to my side.

“Then get him to speak,” he replied furious.

“He can't. He can no longer,” she cried as she hugged me tighter.

“He will!” he screamed as he lashed his whip out and it struck Annie's leg, leaving deep gashes.

I got ready to attack him, but Annie clung to me crying, “No Dad, don't hurt him.” She then got up and face Louis as she declared firmly, “He can't talk to us now or ever again. His transformation is complete!”

Louis lashed his whip at us over and over until the Ringmaster grabbed his wrist and twisted the whip out. “What is wrong, Louis?” the Ringmaster asked as he stared angrily at his Big cat tamer.

“The lion won't obey and the girl is defending him,” Louis answered as he glanced our way.

“What won't he do?” the Ringmaster asked confused.

“Speak,” Louis replied and I roared, making Annie silently giggle.

“He seems to be obeying just fine. I think you just don't treat the big cats kind enough; so... you're fired!” the Ringmaster exclaimed before Louis left. Ringmaster walked over to Annie and asked, “Little Cub, are you okay?”

“I don't know,” she cried as I licked the blood from her legs.

“Let me look,” he said as he knelt beside her; so I backed a few paces away. “This doesn't look good at all. I'm going to take you to the circus doctor,” he announced; but when he tried to pick her up, I stepped over her to stop him. “Move Simba,” he commanded as he stared me in my eyes.

“Sir. He wants to carry me,” Annie said softly with her eyes closed.

“Alright. Move back Simba,” he replied as he picked Annie up and placed her gently on my back. “Follow Simba,” he commanded and I did to the doctor's tent. “Simba stay,” he told before he took Annie inside.

I listened hard from outside and I heard Annie say, “Sir. Take Simba into your trailer and ask him to speak. He will tell you something of great importantance, but you might have to tell him that I trust you.”

“Fine, my Little Cub,” he replied confused before he returned to me. He glanced at me and ordered, “Come.” I followed him through the tents and into his trailer, which was much bigger than Louis. “Annie said for you to trust me; so Speak!” he commanded as he settled on a rich purple couch.

“If my daughter says I can trust you; then I do,” I obeyed and his jaw hit the floor.

“You can talk to me! You understood?” he exclaimed shocked.

“Yes, I can talk. I'm not stupid! I'm a human,” I purred as I sat up to better look him in the eyes.

“That I don't believe,” he laughed still in awe.

“If I tell you my story; then you will understand,” I told as I beheld his gaze.

“Okay then, tell me,” he replied; so I started from my capture to the point of Louis lashing his whip at Annie and me. “Wow; so you been a lion for how long now?”

“About thirteen years sir,” I answered calmly.

“Amazing. It is a wonder what science does,” he murmured as he rubbed his chin.

“Yes, but now there are many kids living animal lives and can't talk like me,” I cried for all those I had met through the years.

“Those shots that you spoke about... they change you back partially for a short period of time?” he asked as he got up and began to pace.

“Yes sir,” I answered confused.

“Are there any left?” he questioned curious.

“There should be, but my daughter would know more,” I replied still confused.

“Annie was a lion too? Am I right?” he inquired as he quickly glanced at me.

“Yes, but luckily she was able to change back or she would have died,” I told sadly and he nodded.

“Well, I have a deal for both of you; but first, we should check on her,” he said as he started to the door, but he stopped abruptly and looked as my scratched legs. “Are you okay?”

“Yes sir. Can we please hurry?” I replied as I hurried to the door.

“Yes lets. Follow me...James,” he commanded and we ran for the doctor's tent. We pushed through the flap and I saw Annie lying on a table. “Doctor, how is Little Cub?”

“She should be fine, but she lost a lot of blood,” the doctor answered as he looked back from the bandages he was washing.

“Can she come to my trailer? Oh, and you need to come too,” Ringmaster asked as he glanced at me to make sure I was still there.

“Yes, she should be able. Would you like me to carry her?” the doctor asked as he turned around.

“No, Simba shall carry her,” Ringmaster chuckled and Annie was placed on my back. We all walked to the Ringmaster's trailer, where they removed her and laid her on the sofa.

“Why do I need to be here?” asked the doctor as he sat down in one of the plush chairs.

“Hold on,” Ringmaster commanded before looking at me. “James, my brother is a doctor and a chemist. I would like him to run some tests on you.”

“Tests? Why?” Annie asked scared as she put a hand on my back.

“I would like to help change you father back,” Ringmaster answered as a smile crossed his face.

“Change back?” Annie cried happily.

“Well, mostly,” Ringmaster replied and we all looked at him confused.

“Mostly sir?” Annie asked with tears in her sad, little eyes.

“I want him to stay in the circus after to be the animal tamer; so mostly is hoping, he can still talk to the animals,” Ringmaster explained and I purred.

“And how does the circus doctor work into this plan?” Annie laughed as her smile returned.

“My brother is an excellent chemist as well as a wonderful doctor,” Ringmaster chuckled as he stared at my little Annie. “He should be able to figure out a cure.”

“Brother, who is James? And why does he need to change back?” asked the doctor confused.

“I'm James. When I was eight, I was turned into this, a lion,” I answered and the doctor's eyes became glued to me.

“Brother, tell me that Simba...I mean James...didn't speak,” he mumbled and Ringmaster laughed.

“Doctor, please help my father,” pleaded Annie.

“First dear, he must help you,” I commanded as I glanced at her.

“I will take her to the tent to bandage her legs,” the doctor announced as he stepped towards Annie.

“No. Take her to her trailer,” Ringmaster commanded and everyone looked at him. “You get Louis' trailer since you are now the only Big cat tamer.”

“So cool!” she exclaimed before she looked at me. “Can my Dad carry me?”

“Sure,” the doctor answered; so she carefully got on my back and I followed the doctor to the trailer, that I had destroyed a week before. We lay her on the new couch; then he hurried to get bandages. He rushed back and wrapped her legs before returning me to my cage.