Pride of Prey

Lions Escape Part 1

 The plane traveled further than they were supposed to due to turbulence and the annoying police on our tails. We needed fuel, and we needed it asap. "Jacob, we need fuel?" Mr. Johns yelled from the cockpit. You see, my name is Elroy Mitchell Roy. I am a world export in Lion and mammal studies. I have a doctor it in animal studies and a Master's degree in veterinary care. I would have gone longer, but I was kidnapped by these men. You see they were black market arms dealers who, for some reason, got the expert idea to kidnappers and transport lions.

 The lions weren't the typical lions. They were test tube babies. They were from the Njombie. Like the former dangerous lions that murdered innocent villagers. These were descendants and some of the most vicious lions I'd ever come across. The smaller Lion was bullied and starved because he had a small limp. We called him "Jabari!" In African it meant "Brave or Famous!" 

He needed a strong name. The other two were meaner and hated humans for trapping them. The first one was lighter then the other two. He had a thick mane with a small patch of white over his eye. His eyes were blue and looked at you like they were measuring you up. The second one had a thick black mane with brown eyes and the top part of his eye was stitched over. He was blind practically. The last one and smaller of the three was black as midnight. He was beautiful. He was wanted for his coloring and remarkable mane.

 I hated that they wanted to sell him for human entertainment. It would be a true tragedy of the species and the lion itself. The days would mourn his loss. He was lighter then I expected when I first saw him. His coloring was like someone came and tossed black smoke and coloring onto his skin. It made him look unique. His eyes were narrowed and sharp. He was smarter than the other two. He would be a match for them when he got old enough. They liked to bully him, and over the years it took a toll. He watched them like he was plotting revenge. I knew when he got old enough. He'd seek it. 

One of the men had eyes of the three of them like a dog fighter would have for a cute nose puppy. He only saw a means to end. He didn't see an animal. He didn't care. He was cruel. He smiled as me when he saw I was staring. I gagged internally. The man I was talking about was Roger Ditmore. He was a cruel man with a crow's foot and an upturned nose that pointed down. "Shut up, animals!" He yelled, kicking the metal bars. 

"Stupid Beast!" he yells. He hit the cage one last time. I knew the Lions hated it. It hurt their ear, or it scared them. I knew if they got out. They seek revenge. 

The lions roared, and that angered Roger. He really didn't have any patience. The man had a two second relapse and was back to shouting. The man yelled and smacked his baton against the cage. The cages rippled with vibration and let out a loud echoing bang. Roger laughed and I shook my head. "Leave the animal alone!" The lion roared, and the other one looked at me. 

"Shut the hell up. You're a glorified pooper scooper!" I laughed. "That's funny!" I looked down at the bags. As I looked up, I saw something that made my heart race. I saw a small group of birds, and I knew instantly. He laughed as he watched me. I could feel his eyes drilling into my skull. 

This was not gonna be good. As the birds collided with the front of the plane. Some struck the windows as glass shattered and others crashed thru. The wind picked up, and alarms went off. "What the hell is happening?" Roger turned and stared back at me. 

"Shut up!" He yelled. As the plane screamed, my heart raced. My palms began to sweat. I knew instant doom was coming to us. The lions paced as I grabbed a small sandwich and looked back at the men in the control cockpit. They were scrabbling. I pulled a piece off and tossed it to the Lions. The lions grabbed it and ate it. The other one did the same as its tongue licked its lips. The last lion I throw a bigger piece. He was my favorite. "Don't feed them!" Roger yelled. Opps! 

" A lion roared as I sat up and looked around. My head ached, and my heart raced. I moved to the door that was swung open and closed it. The plane was still in tact. I looked out the window and saw the three lions circling Roger. Roger had a baton out swinging. He held his ground. Then he didn't. Roger moved to hit the smallest black one, and the other two jumped. Roger screamed as I looked down. I didn't hear the kill, but I knew Roger would be dead and soon. I did warn him! 

As I finally gathered some courage I looked up. I came eye to eye with a lion. The lion stood up and stared me straight in the eyes. I screamed. The lion roared, and the other two were eating into Roger. Roger was now dead. The lion that stood upon the door was soaked in blood. He looked like he'd been almost drinking the blood, then licking it. His eyes looked blown out. He pushed on the door. 

The door creaked, and the lion once again slammed his paws into the door. I backed up and looked around. I saw a chair overturned. I grabbed it and put into the slot that was turned down to lock it. I put the chair into the slot and slid it down. There was no way he or anyone was getting in. The lion roared, and the others continued eating. The lion dropped down and looked back at me, then walked back to his meal. The lions stayed for what felt like forever. 

They ate Roger and the other men. Then they slept and did some bodily functions that smelt horrible, but gladly I couldn't smell it and walked off. They were leaving. I could breathe. I was starving but alive. I had survived the crash and the lions. I was finally free of the kidnappers.