Family Instinct | First Book in the "Majira Blackstripe" Book Series

Chapter 3 - Topaz's Visit

We try finding another clue as to what actually happened to Echo, but alas, the only thing we could find was the knife.

"Hey, mom," Jasmine yells from the den. "Come here! I think you wanna see this!"

Unlocking her door, my still devastated mother walks out of the door of her bedroom, and walks to the voice of her daughter.

I run to the den, as well, and as I get there, I notice a startled Jasmine holding up a DVD. Instinctively grabbing it out of her paw, I read the title: 'I Have Echo.'  "Oh, man..." I say, almost whispering.

"Can...we put it in?" Jasmine asks, in a monotone voice.

"Yes, son," my mom says to me,still crying. "Put in the damn disc. I wanna see who has my son, and what's happening to him."

As instructed, I hesitantly put in the disc, and press 'play.' This is what it reads;

* * * * * * * * *

Hello, Jasmine. Hello, Catrina. Hello...Majira. I am so glad you found my DVD! As you can see, I have your son. And, as you can also see, there are many lavafalls behind me. That's right, Blackstripe family...your son is trapped in the Underworld. Now, Majira recently got something, let's just say...special. That's right, Majira. You have a remnant of the Great Lion's throne. One of the most valuable materials in the ENTIRE Animal Kingdom. Now, if you want your precious brother, and son back, you are to hand this remnant to me. Otherwise, this little kitty will be thrown into the lavafalls...never to be seen again.

* * * * * * * * *

So, basically, we have to travel to the Underworld, and give this guy my crystal? I think to myself.

"Majira, do you know who that is?" Mom asks me, in a shaky, demanding tone.

"You don't?"

"Um...no? Who is it?"

"It's the Felidae..."

"Wait! The...the ruler of the Underworld?!" My mother is starting to go into a state of panic. She has never been to the Underworld, yet she knows the pain of living there.

"Yes, mom..." I say, gently. I'm trying desperately to stay calm, yet everything going on already, is starting to get to me.

My brain is going a million miles an hour, at this point. I still have to worry about Sarah, and...wait. Ms. Feral Is supposed to be going into the Underworld soon! Does that mean she's gonna be even more evil than before? What if she hurts my brother?? Oh, god, this is bad...

"Great Lion," my sister says to herself, as she looks up and puts her hands in a praying position. "Please help us."

"Yes, Great Lion," my mom chimes in, softly. "Please protect Echo. He really needs it right now."

Knock knock.

"Um, was that the front door?" I ask. "Who could be here right now?"

"Let's at least check," Mom tells me. "We wouldn't wanna be rude...would we?"

"No, we wouldn't." I walk to the door and open it, seeing the last person I want to at this moment...

My idol, my best friend, my cousin. It's Topaz.

"Hey, Majira!" The blue-furred tiger hugs me tight, as we have not seen each other since our family reunion in October. It's now April. "How's my favorite cousin been?"