The Lion King V:
Man Comes to the Pride Lands
Chapter 4
Four Years Later…
Simba sat upon the promontory of Pride Rock, gazing out over his kingdom. The years were starting to show in his appearance, his mane flecked with gray streaks on either side of his temples. But it was not his age that weighed the most heavily on him. It was the loss of so many loved ones throughout his long life. Since Rafiki's passing four years previously, other beloved pride members had gone to join the Great Kings of the Past; Nala's parents Leo and Sarafina, the widow Sabini, and even "King Joe." It wasn't that they left this world badly – they all passed on peacefully, reaching ages that were unheard of among lions. Male lions generally didn't live past the age of twelve but Leo had miraculously lived to see his eighteenth year of life before slipping away in his sleep. Simba could not have wished for a more serene end to the full lives of his elderly family members and friends – but it didn't alleviate his grief, which slowly grew heavier and heavier with each loss.
Simba shook his head, forcing himself to focus on the present. His eyes wandered to the distant oribi territory, where the lionesses were hunting. He couldn't make out the tiny leonine figures in the distance and he sighed, lowering himself to take a moment's rest.
Meanwhile, in the valley where the lionesses were hunting, the teams were carefully positioning themselves upwind and downwind. Kiara led the hunts now, Nala having relinquished authority as her daughter grew to become a more powerful huntress. The queen was presently the only lioness of her generation that continued to take part in the hunts, having amazingly kept her vigor. Nala and Kiara crouched near the edge of the tall grass where they spied on their intended prey.
"The downwind team is in place," Nala whispered.
"Okay," Kiara whispered back. "On my mark…"
Suddenly, a white streak dashed towards the herd before Kiara could voice her signal. Like lightning, the snow-colored lioness latched her jaws around the mouth of one large male oribi, blood gushing from the beast's crushed snout. The lioness brought the creature down and suffocated it with her kiss of death. It's companions fled in terror from the white huntress, unknowingly rushing off to meet the downwind team.
"Nyota!" Kiara shouted, coming out of her hiding place with Nala. "You were supposed to wait for my signal."
Nyota looked over her shoulder at Kiara, oribi blood dripping from her mouth.
"Honey, clean yourself off," Nala sighed as she approached her granddaughter.
Nyota rolled her eyes and wiped her muzzle clean with the back of her foreleg. "What's the big deal?" she asked her aunt. "We got our kill, didn't we?"
Vitani hurried over. "Nyota, that was incredible," she declared. "Simply incred…" she trailed off when she saw Kiara's furious look. "Err, I mean – bad girl," she corrected herself unconvincingly. "Very bad girl."
"All right, all right," Nyota groaned, "I'll wait for the signal next time."
The rest of the upwind team rose from their hiding places and the downwind team returned not long after with their own catch, setting it beside Nyota's kill.
"Nyota, you really shouldn't attack a herd like that on your own," Timira scolded. "They may be prey animals but they can be dangerous to a lone lioness when they're in large groups."
"Ugh, will you all please stop lecturing me, I get it already!" Nyota exclaimed.
"Everyone calm down," Boga laughed, "Nyota was great out there."
Uzuri trotted up and stood by Nyota.
"I'm not questioning her skill," Kiara said crossly to Boga. "It's her inability to rely on her teammates." She faced Nyota. "You either hunt with us or you don't hunt at all. Do you understand?"
Nyota gave Kiara a petulant look. "Thanks for standing up for me, Mom," she muttered scathingly to Vitani.
"Nyota," Vitani replied in a hurt tone.
"Come on, Uzuri," Nyota said angrily, rushing past Kiara. The other youthful lioness followed.
As the other huntresses took the slain prey back to Pride Rock, Kiara sat with her mother and three companions. "All right," Kiara sighed, "be honest. Was I too hard on her?"
"Your tone might have been a bit too authoritarian," Timira conceded, "but your concern is valid. When you're going up against large herds, attacking by yourself is unwise."
"I would have bribed her," Boga suggested.
Kiara looked at Vitani. "I'm sorry she snapped at you," she told her sister-in-law. "I'm the one she has a problem with."
"It's not your fault," Vitani sighed. "She's too impulsive sometimes."
"What do you think, Mother?" Kiara asked, turning to Nala.
"Honestly, this is territory I'm unfamiliar with," Nala replied. "When it came to hunting, you, Kopa, and Asante were all very respectful to your instructors and embraced teamwork." She looked at Vitani. "Nyota has a tempestuous spirit and, while we may all love that about her, that wild nature has its drawbacks."
"I think we could all use some R and R," Boga suggested. "How about a little sunbathing by the waterhole?"
"That sounds heavenly," Kiara chuckled.
"Let's go then," Timira said with a grin, nudging Vitani ahead of her. "You too, Tough Girl."
"All right, all right," Vitani groaned. "Stop pushing."
"You coming, Mother?" Kiara asked the queen.
"No thanks," Nala said, coming closer and nuzzling Kiara. "You go ahead. I'll head back to Pride Rock and save you four some oribi."
The older lions relaxed on the lounge boulders at Pride Rock. Their numbers currently included Nala's brother Mheetu, his mate Madoa, Madoa's sister Alama, Nala's childhood friends Chumvi, Kula, and Tama, and Simba's childhood friend Tojo. Mheetu glanced up as a slender lion walked past. "Afternoon, Asante," he greeted. "Aren't you supposed to be at the sparring sessions?"
"I was on my way now," Asante replied. At five years, he closely resembled his mother, except with a slightly darker pelt. Asante's brown mane was fully-grown and silky-smooth. He took note of Mheetu and the other two venerable males. "What about you three?"
"Kopa said he could oversee the lessons without us," Mheetu replied. "Us oldies need our rest, you know." He gave Asante a wink.
"You guys aren't old," Asante protested.
"That's sweet, Asante," Madoa said, nuzzling Mheetu's shoulder sleepily.
"Well, I'll see you all later," Asante said, starting to leave. He looked up and noticed Simba napping on the throne. He was already late so he decided it wouldn't make much difference if he took another few moments to check on his father. He trotted up the rocky incline to the base of the throne and then walked out to the edge. "Dad?" he asked, nudging the king.
"What?" Simba jerked awake. He looked at Asante and chuckled ruefully. "Sorry, you startled me."
"You all right?" Asante asked, nuzzling his father.
"Just closed my eyes for a few seconds," Simba explained.
"I'm heading out to the sparring lessons," Asante explained.
Simba rose. "I'll come with you," he decided.
"You don't have to," Asante protested. "If you need to rest…"
"I'm fine," Simba assured Asante, walking ahead of him.
Half an hour later, the king and his younger son arrived at the location of the training arena for the Pride Land Knights. It was a shaded clearing bordered by five evenly spaced egg-shaped boulders, the space suitably called "Five Stones." This was actually the location where Rafiki first met the royal family when King Ahadi saved him from hyenas many years ago. At the moment, a heated sparring match was taking place between Timir and Bado, Kopa coaching from the sidelines. Timir was the larger opponent, distinguished by his golden fur and thick blond mane. Though smaller, Bado was more wiry and dexterous. His fur was light brown and his mane dark brown.
"Come on, Bado," Kopa called. "Timir may have more brute strength but you know how to turn his strength against him."
Timir pounced at Bado but the smaller youth crouched low and dodged his opponent, using a paw to give Timir's lunge a little more momentum that sent Timir sprawling.
"Hey, come on, Kopa!" Babu protested.
"This isn't an official match, Babu," Kopa replied. "Timir can't actually lose. This is just an educational match."
"Whatever," Babu mumbled.
"Why are you even here?" Afua asked. "You didn't join the knights, did you?"
"No," Babu replied. "I'm just here to root for my son." He reared up and cheered, "Come on, Timir, don't give up!"
"Dude, come on," Afua groaned. "Don't be one of those dads."
Simba and Asante arrived at a corner of the arena where Kovu, his son Fasa, and one of Mheetu's sons Faraji were watching the match. In total, there were roughly fifteen males present. Faraji and Fasa waved at Asante but Kovu gave him a disapproving frown. "You're late," he scolded.
"I know," Asante said guiltily.
"How are things here?" Simba asked.
"Going very well," Kovu replied.
Timir swiped at Bado and caught his opponent across the face, sending Bado tumbling to the ground. Bado was about to rise when Kopa raised a paw. "All right, that's enough. Good work, you two. You've shown great improvement."
Timir helped Bado up before they exited the arena. Timir took a spot next to his father while Bado wandered over to Faraji, the two youths lounging together for a moment.
Kopa looked over at Asante. "Glad you could fit us into your busy schedule," he said reproachfully. "Now that you've arrived, let's have you against Faraji."
"What?" Asante exclaimed. "I can't beat Faraji, he's huge!"
"All muscle, Boys," Faraji laughed as he entered the arena. Though younger than Asante, he'd grown larger and heftier than his cousin, much like his brawny father Mheetu. He flexed his muscles for the onlookers and theatrically flicked his smooth black mane.
"It's not that kind of spar, Asante," Kovu assured his young brother-in-law. "We're doing educational matches today, working on our form, moves, adaptability…"
Asante sighed and positioned himself opposite Faraji.
"You can do it, Uncle Sante," Fasa called out. Kovu's son now sported a brown mane with light brown streaks.
"As I said before, no claws, teeth, or shots to the groin," Kopa instructed.
"Would shots to the groin be allowed if it was an official match?" Afua called out.
"Dad, please," Bado groaned, covering his face.
"Begin," Kopa instructed.
Faraji and Asante circled each other for a moment.
"Asante, what do I keep telling you?" Kopa scolded. "Don't expose your flank like that."
Faraji charged Asante and the smaller youth just barely managed to leap out of his path, hopping away as the burly lion rounded on him and again charged.
"Asante, evasion won't work forever in this space," Kopa called. "You're boxed in with nowhere to go, you got to fight back."
Asante growled and swiped at Faraji, landing a blow to the other lion's shoulder but Faraji shrugged the attack off and knocked Asante over onto his side, just about to pin him. Asante rolled away just in the nick of time.
"Remember what Bado did in his match," Kopa reminded his brother. "If your opponent is stronger…"
"Yeah, I know!" Asante snapped, looking at Kopa. "Use their strength against them!"
"And don't ignore them," Faraji shouted, using Asante's momentary distraction to leap on him. He drove the smaller lion backwards and pinned him, the impact with the ground knocking the wind out of Asante. He was helpless beneath Faraji's paws, unable to free himself. He started to panic…
Sarabi paused for just an instant, remembering the precious bundle in her mouth too late to notice Adui as he and three more of his followers leapt to block her path.
"Grandma!" Asante cried.
Sarabi turned to Adui just as he lifted his claws to strike. Sarabi dropped Asante and curled herself protectively over the cub, feeling Adui's nails rip through her back.
Asante released a violent roar, claws unsheathing as he kicked Faraji in the stomach.
"Good escape tactic," Kopa complimented. "Now… wait a minute." Kopa's eyes widened. "Asante, retract your claws!"
Asante couldn't hear Kopa. When he looked at Faraji, he didn't see his cousin. In his mind's eye, Adui was standing before him. He barreled at Faraji, the strength of his panic and rage knocking the larger lion backwards. Asante proceeded to pin Faraji, claws perilously close to his cousin's jugular.
"Sante, stop!" Faraji cried.
Kopa rushed out into the arena and grabbed his brother by the shoulders. "Asante, calm down!" he shouted, yanking Asante off his cousin and pressing him to the ground, restraining him.
"Asante!" Simba called out, hurrying out into the arena.
"Just calm down," Kopa whispered, holding Asante as his trembling subsided. Gradually, Asante remembered where he was and covered his face in shame.
"What's wrong with you, Freak?" Faraji shouted.
"Faraji, lay off," Kovu instructed.
"You okay?" Kopa asked, loosening his grip.
Asante pushed Kopa off and fled from the arena, several of the other youths nervously moving out of his way.
"Asante!" Simba called.
Asante hid up in a tree near Zulu Falls, laying along a thick branch with his face buried in his forelimbs. Never before had his grandmother's murder haunted his waking hours. He could hear his cousin's epithet ringing in his ears. "Freak." He moaned and shredded the bark under his claws.
"What do you think that was all about?" Asante heard Bado ask, his voice somewhere below.
Asante stiffened, keeping deathly still so that Bado didn't sense his presence. He couldn't bare to face his peers yet
"I don't know," Faraji muttered. "He just went psycho on me."
"You shouldn't be so angry."
Asante carefully pushed some leaves aside to gaze on the two lions below. They came to the river and sat down near the bank.
"What do you mean I shouldn't be so angry?" Faraji scoffed. "Didn't you see what he almost did to me?"
"Yes, and I also saw that he was very scared."
"Of what? It was just a stupid sparring match. It wasn't even an official spar, we were just practicing."
Bado gently touched Faraji's shoulder. "You should talk to him about it."
Faraji looked at Bado, his expression softening. "Why do you have to be so compassionate with everyone?" he asked.
Bado smiled. "I just don't like seeing you and your cousin fighting."
"Would you rather I fought you?" Faraji asked, leaping on the smaller male. They rolled playfully on the ground, wrestling like cubs.
Would you please just go away so I can get down from here? Asante thought.
Faraji and Bado's wrestling turned into playful nuzzling.
Um, wow, they're really affectionate, Asante noted.
Faraji sat up and Bado rose to nuzzle him under his chin. The younger lion stepped back and looked up into Faraji's eyes. "I love you," he said in a tender voice.
Asante's eyes grew wide. Wait, what?
Faraji smiled warmly at Bado. "I know."
Bado lightly hit Faraji's shoulder. "You're supposed to say it back," Bado scolded with a chuckle.
Faraji wrapped a forelimb around Bado and pulled him against his chest, stroking Bado's mane with his paw. "I love you too."
Asante's jaw dropped.
Bado snuggled up in Faraji's silky black mane, purring lovingly.
I got to get out of here! Asante thought, moving backwards. As he did, he missed a step and his back legs slipped off the branch. He tried to hold on with his front paws but his claws slid off the already shredded bark. He fell, leaves and branches bursting apart as he plummeted out of the tree and landed on his back with a loud flop.
Faraji and Bado leapt away from each other and Faraji took a defensive stance, growling at the noise until he saw who'd fallen out of the tree. "Asante?" he shouted.
Asante propped himself up on his elbows and stared at the other two lions blankly.
"Were you spying on us?" Bado gasped.
"No," Asante protested automatically. "I mean, not on purpose…"
"Asante please, you can't tell anyone," Bado begged. "I don't know how my family's going to react."
"Um – react to what?" Asante mumbled, trying to feign ignorance.
"React to us, you fool!" Faraji shouted.
Bado touched Faraji's shoulder to calm him down. "We're lovers," Bado admitted.
Asante nodded. "Yeah, I kinda gathered that much." He rose off his sore rump and faced the two romantically involved males.
"Stop staring at us like that," Faraji growled, placing a comforting arm around Bado's shoulders and nuzzling him.
"Sorry," Asante yelped, averting his eyes to the ground. "I just – I mean, I know there are individuals who – you know. I just didn't – I mean you guys of all people – I did not see that coming."
"Asante, please," Bado insisted.
"Yeah, okay," Asante assured Bado. "I won't tell anyone, I promise. Believe me, I – I know what it's like to be different."
Faraji narrowed his eyes at Asante. "Wait, do you mean you're like us?"
Asante's eyes bugged out. "What? No! Not like that!" He paused, regarding the two lovers. "I mean, not that there's anything wrong with what you do – or are." He sighed. "Yeah, I'm just gonna go. We keep this between us? Good, mums the word." He turned and started to leave.
"Wait," Bado called.
Asante paused. "What?" he asked, looking over his shoulder.
Bado nudged Faraji and gestured at Asante.
"You've got to be kidding me," Faraji groaned.
"Do it," Bado instructed.
Faraji looked at Asante. "I'm sorry about what happened at the arena," he called. "I shouldn't have called you a freak."
Asante shrugged. "You had a good reason, me flipping out the way I did."
"Still, it's a bit hypocritical for someone like me…" Faraji began.
"You guys aren't freaks," Asante asserted, turning around to face them. "What this is between you – there's nothing wrong with it, really."
Bado smiled appreciatively. "What happened in the arena?" he asked. "Why did you get so…" Bado tried to think of a diplomatic way of saying it.
"Why'd I go psycho?" Asante supplied ruefully. "I – I saw something…"
Faraji raised an eyebrow. "You'll have to be more specific than that."
Asante bit his lip. "I saw my grandmother being murdered," he explained. "When Faraji pinned me, I just panicked and then – I don't know, it was like I was there again, a cub and Adui…" He sighed. "There you go." He waved a dismissive paw.
Sarabi's murder occurred before Faraji and Bado were born but their parents had told them about Adui and his attack on the Pride Lands. Faraji's eyes softened. "Oh Sante, I'm so sorry."
Asante shrugged. "It's not your problem."
Faraji left Bado's side and approached his cousin, making to embrace him. Asante jerked away in surprise. Faraji narrowed his eyes at Asante. "It's not contagious," he said crossly.
Asante nodded. "Right, yeah, I know that," he replied, shrugging it off with an unconvincing smile.
Faraji hugged Asante, patting his shoulders comfortingly.
Asante uneasily patted Faraji's back in return. "Yeah, this is really awkward," he noted.
Faraji chuckled as he stepped back. The cousins stared at one another for a moment and then their ears twitched simultaneously, rotating towards the same direction.
"You hear that?" Asante asked.
"Yeah," Faraji said in a hushed voice.
"Hear what?" Bado asked.
Faraji shushed him. "Listen."
They were silent for a moment and Bado's eyes widened. "What is that?"
Asante turned around and ran back towards Pride Rock, Faraji and Bado following close behind.
Kiara, Vitani, Timira, and Boga returned to Pride Rock about the same time the Pride Land Knights did. The princess hurried over to Kopa, who was organizing search parties. "Kopa, what's happening?" Kiara demanded.
"Asante's missing," he replied solemnly. "He had some sort of – I don't know, a psychotic breakdown during a sparring match with Faraji. Then he took off."
Nala hurried over with Fasa and Nyota. "Kiara, have you seen your brother?" she asked anxiously.
Kiara shook her head.
"Faraji's gone too!" Mheetu declared, his family gathered around him, minus one son.
"And Bado!" Boga called out, scanning the crowd with Afua and their other children.
"Faraji and Bado wandered off when class ended," Kovu noted, coming to stand beside Kiara.
Nala lowered her head and moaned.
"Take it easy, Mom," Kopa whispered, nuzzling Nala. "It's gonna be okay."
"Aunt Kiara," Nyota said, eyes averted to the ground awkwardly. "I want to apologize for what happened on the hunt."
Kiara looked at Nyota and nodded. "It's all right," she replied. "I overreacted."
Vitani hurried over and nuzzled Nyota, who returned her mother's affection. "Do you think Uncle Sante's all right?" Nyota asked.
"I hope so," Kiara said, looking up to the promontory where Simba was pacing back and forth.
Timon and Pumbaa stood near Simba, nervously watching as he paced. "Take it easy, Buddy," Timon said. "This happens all the time with your kids."
"Yeah, remember that time Kopa got kidnapped by vultures?" Pumbaa noted.
Simba breathed in sharply.
"Um, Pumbaa…" Timon whispered.
"Or that time Kiara was almost eaten by crocodiles?" Pumbaa continued.
Simba's eyes filled with panic.
"Pumbaa, wait a sec," Timon protested.
"Or how about the time Kopa fell in the river and we all thought he d…?"
"Pumbaa!" Timon shouted, cutting his friend off.
"What?"
Laughing nervously, Timon turned back to Simba. "The point we're trying to make is that your kids get into all kinds of trouble but they always turn out all right in the end."
The king closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Looking up, he noticed the majordomo Zeb approaching. "Have you found him?" he asked.
"Yes," Zeb declared unemotionally as he landed. "Asante's at Zulu Falls. I saw him with Faraji and Bado. It looked like they were making up."
Simba sighed in relief. "Thank the Great Kings," he said. He walked to the edge of the promontory. "Call off the search parties," he told the lions below.
"Call off?" Kopa replied. "We haven't finished calling on the search parties."
"Zeb found Asante," Simba explained. "He's at Zulu Falls with Faraji and Bado."
There were murmurs of relief throughout the crowd.
Timon came up and patted Simba's shoulder. "With all the stress these kids cause you, it's a wonder you haven't had a heart attack yet, right Pal?"
"What do you think was wrong with Asante?" Pumbaa asked.
"Hormones?" Timon suggested.
Simba's ears pricked up. "What's that noise?"
Timon and Pumbaa glanced at each other. "What noise?" they asked in unison.
Down below, other lions were tilting their heads, a strange echoing thrum filling the air.
"That doesn't sound good," Kopa muttered.
Simba surveyed the kingdom, his eyes gradually lifting up towards the sky. His gaze paused on a strange white line forming against the blue atmosphere, stretching longer and longer from a strange bird-shaped object. "What is that?" he mumbled.
Gradually, all the lions looked up at the same object.
"What in the world?" Nala gasped.
Kopa walked forward, squinting at the strange object. "It looks like a large bird, except…" His eyes widened a little. "I think it's made of some kind of shiny stone."
"Daddy?" Nyota mumbled, moving closer to Kopa. "I don't like that thing." Vitani came up and tried to sooth Nyota. Their daughter was scared – and almost nothing scared Nyota.
"Fasa," Kovu whispered, gently edging his son towards Kiara and Nala. "Stay close to your mother and grandmother."
"Uh, yes Dad," Fasa replied nervously.
All throughout the pride, lions were becoming frightened. Whatever the object was, the white line it left in its path was turning dark gray. Suddenly, an explosion erupted from one of its wing shaped appendages, setting it on fire.
"Yeah, that's definitely not a bird," Zeb said in a squeaky voice, his normally jaded eyes wide with shock.
The object was coming closer, falling towards the Pride Lands at a sheer angle. It was now close enough that the lions could see strange egg-shaped lumps attached to the wings with bladed airscrews. One of the egg-shaped lumps was on fire and spewing black smoke.
"Everyone inside Pride Rock!" Simba roared.
At his order, the lions began hurrying up to the den's entrance.
Fasa paused, looking out towards the savannah. "Asante!" he called.
Asante was bolting across the fields towards Pride Rock, Faraji and Bado close behind.
"Get inside!" Simba ordered the lions who paused to look back at the three stragglers. The king rushed down the rocky incline himself and ran towards Asante.
A thunderous blast ripped through the sky as the flaming egg-shaped tumor attached to the object's wing exploded, launching the bladed airscrew towards Asante and his companions.
"No!" Simba wailed.
Asante glanced up and gaped at the sharp spinning object falling towards him. He skidded to a halt, grabbing Faraji and Bado with his claws as they were about to pass him. With a heave, he shoved them to the side and made them run a path perpendicular with their previous course. The bladed airscrew struck the earth where Asante and his companions would have been if they hadn't turned. It spun and rolled across the grass, ripping the soil apart with its rotating blades until it crashed against an umbrella tree and fell over.
Simba ran to Asante, the king and prince colliding with one another and hugging fiercely. Faraji pushed Bado low and knelt over him protectively as the vast bird-shaped object soared over them, the noise suddenly shifting as the flying object passed and continued on a wind-bound course away from the Pride Lands.
"Dad, what is it?" Asante shouted over the deafening noise.
Simba only shook his head, holding Asante protectively.
As the flying object gradually moved away from them, the noise also receded. Faraji cautiously rose up, keeping an arm around Bado. "It's heading towards the Outlands," the large youth noted.
Despite his order for the pride to take cover in Pride Rock, several pride members rushed out into the field to see if Simba and the three young lions were safe. Soon, Nala, Kopa, Kiara, and a dozen other lions joined Simba and Asante. Faraji and Bado were then drawn apart and surrounded by their anxious families. Huddling together, the lions watched the flying object as it glided lower and lower, vanishing beyond the tree line. A few seconds later, there was an audible crash and they saw a cloud of dust rise into the air.
"It landed in the Outlands," Kiara gasped.
Kopa glanced at his sister. "Yeah, landed is not the word I'd use," he mumbled.
"It crashed!" Faraji declared.
Kopa rolled his eyes. "That's what I was getting at, yes."
"Dad, what was that?" Asante whispered.
Simba shook his head. "I don't know."
There was pain – a sharp pain in his head. He reached up and touched his forehead. There was something wet and hot on his temple. His vision was blurred, eyes partially closed as he tried to fight through the daze. He blinked several times and his vision cleared to reveal a shattered windshield. Looking at his fingers, he saw blood. He touched his head again and winced as his fingertips brushed the cut, stinging the wound. Pulling his fingers away, he struggled with the straps holding him to the seat. He shook his head hard, trying to clear his mind. He looked around the cockpit of the Antonov An-28.
"Bruce," he said weakly, trying to rouse the pilot. Sitting in a backseat, he could only see the back of the pilot's chair. Bruce was leaning forward in his seat, apparently unconscious. "Bruce," he said a little louder, jerking at his belt. "Wake up, I'm stuck!" The belt buckle released under his fingers as soon as he said this. "Never mind," he moaned. He leaned to the side and looked out the window at the barren landscape. "Where are we?" he mumbled.
Slowly, he got out of his chair and lurched towards the pilot from behind. "Bruce, come on," he said. "Wake up, we're in trouble here." He grabbed the pilot's shoulder and Bruce shifted slightly, torso swaying limply to the right but kept upright by his seat's harness. From where he stood behind Bruce, he saw blood start to drip on the floor.
"Oh God," he moaned. He closed his eyes and eased himself between the seats so he would be able to see Bruce from the side. Taking a shuddering breath, he opened his eyes to examine the pilot.
From outside the plane, a bloodcurdling scream was heard. A few seconds later, Daniel threw open the side door and rushed out, stumbling down to the dry cracked earth and landing on his hands and knees. His stomach heaved and he threw up.
Once his stomach was emptied, Daniel leaned back on his heels. A slender young man of eighteen, he was primarily African in lineage with perhaps a small amount of European ancestry. His curly black hair was cut short and he wore a pair of denim shorts, white sneakers, and a red sleeveless T-shirt. He trembled uncontrollably as he looked around the deserted wasteland.
Bruce was dead, and there had been no one else with them during the flight. Daniel was utterly alone and he released a terrified scream. "Someone help me!"
Continue to Chapter 5