Pain exploded in my side as the bullet impacted my flank. I squint my eyes in discomfort and slowly rise to my paws. I'm not going down that easily. An everlasting fury burns in my amber eyes while my anger makes my blood boil. Hopefully I can buy enough time for my fellow escapee to run.
I flex my claws and my breathing becomes more of a growl. Oh, you do not want to make me mad! Laying my ears back indicating that I am going to put up a fight, the other leopard glances over at me.
"S-Shadowclaw... they'll... kill you." He wheezes. I ignore him.
I am the cub that will take on anything. I have seen my mother and brother die before my very eyes. I have survived being chased by dogs. I have escaped the Leopard Games. I live for blood. I have killed more than anyone can imagine. YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE ME MAD!
The humans quiver in fear, what a pleasing sight. I know what will send at least some of them running for the hills;
ROOOOAAAAR!
Lighting flashes behind me and thunder later claps in the distance as storm clouds roll in.
A smile of content crosses my face as many humans run for their lives. The few that remain are shaking all over. I smirked. I take a step forward, they step back. I advance further, they retreat a few paces. This is fun. I bound forward, another few run. Enough games. I shot forward...
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
One of the bullets hit the ground and I take little notice of the two that hit me. I continue to charge, my resentment driving me on. Propelling myself into the air, I unsheath my claws and bear my teeth. I pounced on the lead human and pinned him down on the floor. I bit chunks out of it's neck, it's almost a fountain of blood! When most of the humans ran, handful that stay get a little trigger happy. I killed them. They are so weak without weapons when they run out of ammunition. I chuckle to myself slightly.
All of this... this was no accident.
I pad over to the wounded leopard, but he only looks at me in fear. Another adult leopard afraid of a tiny cub.
"You... you killed them!" He shuffled back.
"Yes, I did. Now let's get you out of here." I take a step forward to help him up, but he refuses. He's desperate to get away from me. My patience wears thin and I grab the scruff of his neck to continue where I left off. I drag him to a sheltered spot away from the humans, bite him on the leg and leave. If I can look after myself, so can he.
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I walk as far is I can go until I get lightheaded. It's not just the humans that lost a lot of blood. I stop and rest, unfortunately, out in the open. My breathing is getting shallower by the minute. I rest my head on my paws just for a moment...
Author's note:
"I had to have ice in my veins to do what I just did. I expect the ice to melt, but it doesn't. It just gets colder and colder... and I welcome it." -Scourge (warrior cats)
YOU ARE READING
A Darker Leopard
ActionWhen a litter of leopard cubs are born and one seems different from the rest, an unforgettable tale will forever be placed into your mind. Watch this one orphan cub thrive in an unforgiving environment in a land of kill or be killed.
