The cold wind outside the window began brushing soft snowflakes against the pane. Spring was coming soon but the snow seemed to linger for a longer time this year than the last. Her breathe hit the pane creating a small circle as she gazed out into the dark wood trees. Lioness sat curled next to the window her knees up to her chest with her arms wrapped around. Her gaze distant and longing, she gazed towards the trees…one in particular. Slowly she put her legs down off of the window bench and pushed off the seat. She put her hands in her pockets, head hanging down, and headed for the door.
The lights of the house were off and the bright sunlight from the snow came inside, the power had gone out and a gloomy tone set over them all…and not just because of the weather. Lioness turned her head to the side and saw hawk sitting on another window bench reading a magazine with one leg hanging down. He usually was smiling imagining himself in the highlights but his face seemed neutral. King walked past her as she made her way to the door and neither looked up at another. Axel noticed her and walked over to her side.
"How are ya feeling lioness," he asked, his voice the only thing in the room making sound.
Lioness lifted up her head and grabbed her coat from the wall. She smiled closing her eyes trying to put on a cheery face.
"I'm just bored here, so I decided to take a walk," she said slipping on her green coat.
"I'll come with ya," Axel said but lioness quickly walked for the door, slightly waving her hand.
"No, it's alright; I just need some fresh air,"
Axel looked at her then nodded his head and she quickly shut the door behind her. Axel stood there a moment squeezing and un-squeezing a book he held in his hands before rapidly turning away.
The cold wind bit against her face as she first entered the snowy landscape. Stepping outside, the crunch of snow filled the air as she made her way along the road until coming along the tree grove next to the aquarium building. She thrust her hands in her pockets and made her way through the dark brown trees which stood out against the snow. Small leaf buds began to emerge on the branch tips, the snow soon to melt. Lioness looked up into the naked branches and continued walking through the cool crisp air.
A breeze brushed by and lioness huddled closer to her jacket slightly gritting her teeth. She made her way ducking under a few branches until she made it to a pretty big clearing. A half smile fit her lips as she stopped for a moment gazing at the thing before her. Before continuing she took her hands out of her pockets and held her arms against her chest. Carefully picking her way, she found herself standing in front of a great oak that was planted in the middle of the clearing. She looked at its dark bark, and sturdy roots, the branches streaking out like lightning, bright green leaves already started to emerge before their time. She looked up high in the branches and smiled her eyes becoming slightly glossy.
"Out of all of the people," she told herself, the woods creating a shield around her words.
"Shark was the one to go,"