Lion Boy

Chapter One

Elijah let's out a small yawn, stretching out his small, petite form, his arms reaching as far out as he can while laying on his back.

One of the lions in the den walks on over to him, giving a small huff.

Elijah recognizes this lion as Jena. She's the one who found him all these years ago. She gives him a small nuzzle, and he nuzzles her back.

The sun is just beginning to rise, he realizes. He is so looking forward to another day of playing with the other cubs!

He runs out of the cave they call their den, and the other four cubs follow right after. Jena, the mother, gives another huff, and he immediately knows she's telling them not to go to far. He huffs right back, and a cub tackles him to the ground.

Two can play at that!

He tackles the little cub back, swatting at it, and nibbling on its ear.

Before they know it, they've used up all of their energy tackling one another, and they all pile down for a cat nap.

He doesn't know how long he slept for, but something disturbed his senses, and he can't help but to look around in confusion and weariness. When he awoke, the sun was beginning to set.

He heard a noise coming from the bushes, and he puffs himself up, trying to look bigger, giving out some warning growls.

A bear cub stepped out from the bushes. He felt a presence behind him, and when he looked up, he saw that it was his lion father, Dray.

In all truth, he wasn't a lion himself. He was found when he was six. He had been kidnapped, but somehow managed to get away from the kidnappers and had no way home. The lions found him and took him in as kin. He is now 17.

The bear cub crouched down, afraid. The lion gave it one last stare down before he started to carry his cubs away, one by one. After he got them a safe distance away, he knew he had to follow. Dray started to get impatient and nudged him in the other direction.

Elijah began to walk away on all fours.

The next day, Elijah wakes up and sees Jena getting ready to go hunt.

She gives him a quick nuzzle and lick on the cheek before heading out of the cave.

Looking around, he sees the four cubs  sleeping in the den and decides to go explore.

He doesn't know how it came to this. One second he was exploring, but he got too far, and without realizing it, he walked into the middle of this long gray platform where a bunch of moving metal was moving towards him and screaming at him. He remembered those things were called cars, and they came in a huge variety. They were swerving and stopping, and now there is a huge line stopped in both directions.

He saw someone get out of one of the moving metals, and the person started to walk towards him. He puffs himself up like his mama taught him, and started growling at the stranger.

The stranger, confused, halted in his steps, not too far from him now.

"I'm not going to hurt you" he says, "I'm Johnathan. What's your name?"

Elijah takes another step back, just to realize he's right in front of another human. Feeling threatened, he starts to whine and call out for Jena and Dray, like the cubs do when they're in trouble.

"Oh you're a mess! Let's get you cleaned up!" the stranger behind him says.

A second later, a giant lion jumps out in front of him and let's out a mighty growl, making everyone scream. Elijah let's out a happy yip and climbs onto Drays back. He holds tight as Dray runs back to the den.

Back at the den, Elijah sits in a corner with his head low as Dray growls at him. He knew this lecture was coming.

The four cubs sit with their heads down low as well, tails thrashing to the side in several quick movements. Jena gives him a worried look before nuzzling Dray.

Elijah lets out a few whines before crawling towards Dray and nuzzling him in apology.

Dray nuzzles back before giving the cubs a warning look as well. He lays down, and everyone, Elijah included, cuddles up to him and falls asleep.

That night, Elijah dreamt of giant hunks of metal trying to eat him alive.