A Darker Leopard

Chapter ten: Freedom...?

I couldn't sleep that night. It was strange not having someone in the neighboring cage to comfort me, she was the closest thing I had to a mother.

Why does everyone around me have to die?

Usually, during a sleepless night, I would watch the peaceful rise and fall of her chest in her dream filled slumber. She was always so nice, at least I didn't have to face her in the ring of death as I call it now. Once again, I tucked myself into a ball and flicked my shredded tail over my front paws.

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The next day, one of the humans brought their own kid to this hell-hole. They weren't allowed to do anything as they would almost certainly be torn to pieces if they so much as moved an inch from their chair.

When no one was looking, she sneaked over to me. I tried to say 'Why?' But I know the child won't understand. The little kid released the clip on my cage door silently and sneaked back. I prodded the door and it slowly opened. Why did she do this? Pity I wonder, I shook my head content with my conclusion and cautiously stepped out. I didn't know what to do.

I could attempt to release the others... but then they would probably try to kill me for killing their friends and family... ugh! Every action has a consequence!

I'll see if I can release three cages and then run for my life. I looked for the most caring and desperate eyes.

The first helped me release another cat and so did the second, but not the last. The last leopard chased me to the other side of the room, all this happened without the adult human noticing. Our near-silent scrambling did catch the human child's attention though. The kid tugged on it's parent's sleeve and the adult immediately grabbed a gun. All cats went our separate ways and I darted for the exit.

Once I set paw on the ground outside, I wanted to scream my triumph to the world! I ran as far away from that loathsome place as possible. I had no idea where I was going or where I was, but my joy outweighed the insecurity.

I swear I felt an almost spiritual presence by my side. I didn't even need to ask, I know it was her. Why couldn't this have happened earlier? Why did she have to die? Why?

As I padded through this unknown landscape, I happened upon a small human village. It's pitch black now and my night vision isn't as good as it once was, due to lack of practice in the arena. With my dark pelt, I melted into the shadows and began exploring. They had clean, fresh water here which was a welcome change to what we would get in our cages. No humans were awake and no humans had any clue I was there. It was all too tempting to slaughter them all in their sleep.