The Scars On His Heart

Chapter 4 ~ A New Home

I had finally found a nice clearing to at least make camp for the night. It was two large redwoods rest in against another. It seemed like one was pulled half way from the ground as it leaned heavily on the larger redwood. It made the perfect shelter because the ground was dry and the surrounding branches made a sort of wall around it. I wanted to start a fire first before setting up camp so I went to go pick up some wood. Putting the pistol back in its holster I went looking for wood. The only issue was finding any wood that was dry enough to light. Touching every branch, twig, and log to see if it was wet, I was beginning to lose hope in finding anything at least slightly damp. Then I spotted a rock formation that had a slight dip in its path. Making the perfect little hiding spot for a small animal. I noticed an abandoned nest of dried leaves and twigs. At least enough to get a small fire started and help dry the rest of the wood. I crouched down and started to gather as much as I could carry. My arms were almost full when I felt the hair on the back of my neck tingle up. I froze and tensed immediately. Dropping the kindling. I slowly turning around I searched quickly at the surrounding woods. I pulled the gun out of its holster as I slowly stood up.  I had done a complete sweep of the surrounding area and didn't see any danger. I was about to write it out as paranoia when out of the corner of my eye I saw something moving towards me. Out of reaction, I rolled forward feeling something crunch into the wood behind me. As my feet touched the ground I started to run. I heard a loud screech behind me making my ears ring and my heart pounds faster. Not looking back I kept running, not even sure of the direction I was heading. Saving Kovu was the only thing on my mind. He whimpered as he clutched my shirt. Burrowing himself against me in fright. I had almost forgotten I had the gun in my left hand. I needed to find a higher ground or some sort of shelter to give me a chance. Whatever was attacking me was gaining on me from above. Hearing the rustling of trees I pushed myself to run faster.  Running around a tree I spotted what looked a red ball with a 76 in the distance. Maybe I could hide there.

Heading towards it, I had almost made it when I felt my right foot sink and twist painfully as I fell. I yelped in pain and I had twisted my body at the last second so I would land on my side and not crush Kovu underneath me. Looking to see what caught me I saw the rotting log my ankle was stuck in. The wood had managed to pierce my boot. Blood dripped where it scratched me.

As I pulled my foot out of my boot, I heard a large thud in front of me. I looked up in panic, using both hands to point the gun towards the sound. I gasped as I caught sight of what was trying to kill me. An ape stood tall and menacingly while he loomed over me. A spear was drawn back mid-throw.  He had several scars all over his body, the most gruesome was the one on his left eye. He bared his fangs as he locked eyes it the gun. We stared at one another freezing time as we waited for someone to make the first move. 

My heart was pounding in my ears and my breath ragged. I wanted so badly to pull the trigger but, I couldn't shoot something that resembled Kovu.   At that moment Kovu decided to make an appearance. He had managed to turn himself around so he could peer over the neck of my hoodie. The ape in front of us, mouth fell open as he caught sight of the green eyes baby.

*Koba's Pov*
When he caught sight of the small green eyes and small ape hands peering out of the humans clothing Koba blinked dumbfounded. All he could do was stare at the baby bonobo, his mouth hanging open. He was lowering his spear when he heard his name.
"Koba!" Ceasar shouted as he neared him on his horse. The Ape King jumped off his horse making his way calmly towards him. Caesar signed for the rest of the apes to stay back. Least the human might panic and shoot the gun.
"Put spear down" Ceasar commanded. He was still stemmed by the appearance of the tiny ape so he didn't hesitate to lower his weapon and take a step back. Letting Caesar take over the situation. The human looked shocked as it heard Caesar speak.
"Mean no harm. Put the gun down " Ceasar spoke calmly to the human. Surprisingly it did slowly lowering the gun and putting it on the ground next to it. Though it did put it in easy reach so it wasn't so stupid to trust them blindly. Koba watched as the little ape raise itself out more from its hiding place looking at them in wonder. It's little mouth forming an o shape as he studied him and his brother in awe. Koba hated to admit it but, he couldn't help how his eyes softened and his anger faded at the sight of the ape. It was just too darn cute. Caesar too was stunned when he saw the baby. He was better at hiding it though.

"Why have baby ape?" he questioned. 

*Original Pov*

What in the world was going on here? I was attacked and surrounded by talking apes! They rode horses and had spears too! I was startled out of my thoughts when the leader I was guessing spoke to me

" Mean no harm. Put the gun down" He said. It brought me back to my senses and reminded me that I was currently pointing a gun at their face. I didn't want to put it down but, what choice did I have? I was surrounded by who knows how many apes? I was injured and could no longer run on my hurt ankle. I had a hunting knife and a gun with only six rounds as of right now. The rest in my backpack for safe keeping. If I even managed to kill any of them, I have never shot a gun before in my life so I was guaranteed to miss with most of my rounds. Letting out a slow breath to calm myself I lowered the gun to my side but, put it near me. If only to make me feel a bit better. 

"Why have baby ape?" The leader spoke again. I met his eyes and noticed how green they were! Just like Kovu! I looked at the other ape that attacked me and noticed his right eye was green too! The other was milky white with cataracts. I looked down at Kovu and noticed he was practically hanging out of my hoodie in awe at seeing his own kind. I then knew I had to try to reason with these apes. For Kovu's sake. I was human and he was ape. Even though I loved him as my own and would do anything for him. I knew I could not replace his own mother and kind. He would get older and would want to feel like he belonged somewhere...maybe find a wife one day. All things I could not provide for him, no matter how hard I tried. I had to make friends with these apes for Kovu's happiness. Even if it meant I wasn't in the picture anymore.  Determined I looked up meeting the leader's eyes. 

" I helped his mother give birth before she died," I said, the leader looked sad as he processed the information

"HUMAN LIE! HUMAN KILL APE AND TAKE BABY APE!!", the one eyed ape yelled making Kovu and I flinched at how loud he yelled. Kovu retreated back into my hoodie hiding from the ape, crying as he burrowed in me in fright. The one eyed ape looked guilty for a minute before returning his glare to me. As our eyes met, all I could see is how much hate he had for me...or for humans in general since i know I have never done anything or met this ape before. 

Calmly I said, " I am not lying. I don't care if you believe me or if you have a problem with me. Just don't hurt my baby. " I glared at the apes meeting both their eyes defiantly. I wrapped my arms around Kovu, rubbing his back to try to calm him. The leader looked at me calmly as he studied me for a moment, not the least bit angered by my disrespect or lack of fear. 

"Caesar." He introduced himself while using his hand to tap his chest then pointed it towards me as if asking for my name. I looked at him for a moment before replying. 

"My name is Serena." 

~ 

Let me know if you liked it so far! Or if there are any issues I need to fix or  could improve on.

DarkSpiritDemon