The Hell Of Home

Lions Cave: Part One

I said that we had to go quickly. We had to escape this place of horror and get to my father. He needed me so much. I'm the only one he has left, supposedly. He's probably been tortured without me around. We went to the door and I slowly and shakily grasped the cold golden handle.
All of a sudden, my chest felt like it was torn open like a paper envelope. I fell forward gasping for breath, coughing and choking. Leah rushes to my side. Not knowing what to do, Leah started whining and freaking out. She had tears in her eyes, believing she couldn't help me. Richard didn't know what he could do. All I knew was that my father left, and I felt alone. I knew I had to be dying and for once in my life, I had become aware of how much pain I had felt. I had felt the pain of my father, watching as I was torn apart quietly. All of a sudden, it stopped. I gasped and was breathing heavily. Leah stood on my legs and showered my face, neck, and hands with kisses, wagging her tail. I giggled a little and hugged her. I opened the dark wood door and said, "Let's go back home." And we went out the door.
It was a beautiful sunset, and there were stores everywhere for us to get at least something to eat.
"This way, Layla." Richard said, pointing to the left. He lead me and Leah through dirt and ash roads. Suddenly, as usual, rapid fire from behind. Richard pushes me to a hidden passage. Little did we know, it was just as dangerous as the street if not more. Behind us, we heard something strange. It was both an angry and pain filled, bone chilling snarl from close behind us. We turned around slowly.
"Oh no." Richard said.
"Shhh!" I hissed. Whispering, I said to Richard, "We have to find a way to sneak around them, and get deeper into the cave."
"Got any ideas how we're supposed to do that?" He replied whispering.
"I don't know, but we cannot let Leah attack them. She'll never make it against these lions." I replied.
"What do you want." The biggest lion snarled.
"We... uh," I stammered.
"Look at that, she's afraid. Well, you should be if you don't tell me what you weaklings want." He laughed.
"We need to pass through your cave, great lion." Richard said.
"Why should I let you pass?" Said another lion, bigger than the other one that had spoken.
"We need to get home. Please, let us pass through. We come to give no harm to you, just to have a shorter way home." I said nervously.
"I see. You're a traveler trying to avoid the soldiers." He continued, "And you wish to get to Russia so you can return to your world."
"Yes, sir." Said Richard confidentially.
"Young girl, why are you not confident in what you say like your friend. Are you not in a hurry to be home?" The female lion said sweetly.
"I...I just never met lions before. Or talked to any of course." I replied.
"Animals do not talk where those creatures are from Mocha." Said the first lion to talk.
"Quiet! Humans, I am the king . I welcome you to pass on one condition." Said the great lion.
The condition was simple. I wasn't sure about it though. We had to give the king a gift. I didn't have anything to give. Except my services. Even with that, I can't give much.
"I will accept that gift. Now, you may pass. But, you must have an escort through the cave. That escort will be my faithful son, Golden Crown." The king said.
"Let me come. Please, sir." Mocha said.
"You! A peasant!" He laughed. "Why would you want to go?"
"Everyone else has gone in the cave. I want the same privilege." She replied.
"You are at the bottom rank. You do not get what the others do." The King said.
"Because of my mother! I am not like her!" Mocha roared.
The king roared, "Fine. You are banished to their world."
"Good! I'm sick of this blood bath! It's your fault that I'm like this!" She replied angrily.
"Watch your mouth peasant!" The king roared.
"You have always called me that. Why do you choose your non-blood son over your own daughter? How could you hate your daughter who tries to make you impressed so hard, and so often, that she has NOTHING LEFT!" She roared louder than any lion in that cave.
"You are nothing to us." The king said.
"I never have been! Because of YOU! I hate you, father!" Mocha cried.
"Who are you to talk." The king growled.
"I am your daughter. The true hair to the throne." She cried.
"Go! All of you leave!" He commanded.
The lion that was called to escort us came up to us and told us to follow him.
"That was brave of you to stand up to the king." I said to Mocha.
"He's not much of a king, young girl." She replied.
"I can tell." I replied.
"How did you get here? And where did you get that dog?" Mocha asked.
"Shut up." Said Golden Crown.
Mocha had so much pain in her eyes, I did something I was afraid to do to any predator. I hugged her. Mocha smiled and giggled a little.
"Thank you." She said.
I nodded. I was surprised that she was a kind lion when she first spoke. We arrived at a pit or something. The escort pushed us inside it. It was like a fighting ring. Everyone was gathered in the seats. I was worried. I couldn't walk well. I could barely stand. Then, suddenly I could. Everyone was staring at me, wondering how I had done that. I was wondering too.
"I guess there has been a miracle tonight." Said Richard.
"How long do you think we've been here?" I asked.
"Don't know, kid. A couple of hours maybe?" Richard replied.
"Who cares about how long you guys have been here, let's focus on getting out of here." Mocha said.
"She's right. You humans really need to figure out the best times to wonder about time." Said Leah.
"Did you just talk?" Mocha asked concerned about her sanity.
"Well, my mouth is moving and a sound is exiting like words. Obviously, yes. I can talk." Leah replied.
"Stop being a smart allec, Leah." I said.
The king jumped down into the ring, growling. We all backed up slowly. We needed a plan. But we spent the time we could have been planning, talking about nothing important.