Escaping The Line

The forest stretched endlessly in every direction.
Rose checked her GPS for the tenth time.

No signal.

"Fantastic."

Beside her, Rosy walked quietly through the brush.

The giant black-and-tan Central Asian Shepherd seemed unusually alert.

Her ears remained upright. Her eyes constantly scanned the forest.
Rose frowned.
Normally, Rosy was relaxed.
Today she looked tense.

Almost nervous.

That thought unsettled Rose.

Very little made Rosy nervous. A sudden rustling sound erupted from the bushes ahead.

Rose froze. So did Rosy. Silence. Then another sound.

Closer.

A low growl.
Rose's stomach dropped.

The bushes exploded.

A massive lion burst from the undergrowth.

The animal landed less than twenty feet away.

Its golden eyes locked onto them instantly.

"Oh..."

Rose whispered.

"Oh, that's not good."

The lion lowered itself.

Preparing to charge.

Rose slowly stepped backward.

Rosy stepped forward.

The shepherd's posture changed completely.

Gone was the affectionate dog who slept in her office.

In her place stood a guardian.

Massive.

Unmoving.

Dangerous.

A growl rumbled from deep within Rosy's chest.

The lion roared.

The forest shook.

Rose felt her blood turn cold.

Yet Rosy didn't retreat.

Not an inch.

The shepherd barked once.

A thunderous sound that echoed through the trees.

The lion hesitated.

For several terrifying seconds, predator and protector stared each other down.

Then something changed.

The lion suddenly looked beyond them.

Its ears flattened.

Its muscles tensed.

Not toward Rosy.

Toward the forest behind Rose.

The animal released a strange sound.

Almost a warning. Almost fear.
Then it turned and vanished into the trees.

Just like that.

Gone. Rose blinked.

"What..."

Rosy wasn't watching where the lion had disappeared.

She was staring into the darkness behind them.

Completely still.

The fur along her spine stood upright.

Every instinct in Rose's body screamed.Run.