A Beast's Freedom

Chapter Three - Kulinda

"I- I think I'm fine," she had whispered, looking back down. "My name is Kuturoka, and some hoo-mans captured me from- from my parents..." the gorilla said, trailing off at the memory of her lost mother and father.

"Ah, the hon-ters. I'm very sorry, many of us here are in this place because of them, in fact. Do not worry, we will be your new family. My name is Kulinda, and I have been here for quite a long time. Here, let me show you around."

Kuturoka started reminiscing how kind Kulinda had been, helping her get used to the "zoo", and encouraging her to interact with the other gorillas and make friends. Not to mention the fact that-

"Kuturoka? Are you there?"

A familiar voice snapped her out of her memory, and she shook her head, fazed for a moment.

"Oh, yes Kulinda, I was just recalling the time that I had arrived here."

The older ape smiled sadly, also thinking of what had happened so long ago. "You have grown since then, and learned much, but I still wish that you could go back to the wild and hopefully reunite with your parents."

"I would love that very much, but I am happy here," Kuturoka stated simply and truthfully.

The two gorillas stared at each other in silence for some time, the moment peaceful and quiet.

Out of the blue, Kuturoka perked up. "Oh, have you spoken to Mshauri lately?" asked the younger gorilla eagerly.

"I have not, little one. It has been quite some time since I last talked to our giraffe friend. Why do you ask?"

"I just thought that-"

Suddenly, a small figure barreled into the two of them, knocking them and the bamboo aside.

"Popote!" snapped Kulinda at the intruder, her son. "What did I tell you about entering this way?"

"Sorry mother, but I'm excited! I've talked to Ajabu just now, and he tells me that Ghasia is planning something big!" Popote said, practically shaking with ecstacy.

"The cheetah told you that Ghasia, out of all lions was plotting something? This can't be good."

"Maybe it's an idea on how to get out of here!" Kuturoka interjected, also happy at the thought of the arrogant cat thinking of an escape route. "Ghasia did say that he wanted to 'bust out', several times in fact! He even said he was formulating a plan!"

"That's exactly what Ajabu suspected!" yelped Popote. "He said that Ghasia had found a way to get out of the cage, that it had a weakness."

"That lion has less brains than a chunk of stone, and the only opening from his exhibit is the feeding door!" exclaimed Kulinda.

"We'll see," said Popote, unfazed. "I for one would love to go to the wild."

"Despite the fact that it is better than sitting here being stared at all day, there are many dangers in the jungle," sighed the gorilla's mother, her expression turning grim. "No matter what, we will always have enemies. The wild cats there are nothing like Ajabu or Ghasia, they are feral and unforgiving. If you even look at them the wrong way, they will pounce on you and rip your throat out!"

Kulinda's demeanor had turned fierce, much different from the usual loving one she had. Popote and Kuturoka had not seen it often, it was quite a rare thing to see the old ape so angry.

She sat down again and sighed once again. "Still, I would like to see an escape attempt," murmured Kuturoka. "Especially one by Ghasia, as much as I hate to admit it. He would surely make a scene."

Ghasia was a prideful male lion, and his enclosure was right next to the gorillas. He was a rather new inhabitant, as he had only been at the zoo for one year. The fresh memory of the wild had only fueled his desire to escape his concrete cage. Ghasia was well known for his aggressive and pompous manner, but he was also very loyal and supporting, especially to Ajabu, who was the first animal to speak to him.

Ajabu was a jaguar, and he had lived at the zoo for ages, even longer than Kuturoka. He was and could be everything. He was unforgiving but merciful, stern but flexible, and harsh but kind. The jaguar was respected very much, and many of his neighboring animals would speak to him through the walls, asking for advice.

The jaguar and lion were very familiar with the gorillas, and the primates and cats were friendly with each other, always making conversation even though they were physically separated.

"Wouldn't it be cool to see the wild for once?" asked Popote dreamily. "Wide open spaces! The freshest fruit! More animals to talk to! New trees to climb!"

Little did Popote know that he would receive much more than he bargained for.