Chapter 7: On the Run

Elliot pounded through the clearing, paws pounding on the grass.

"Fire!" he roared.

The shout sent the animals scattering quickly, Kathy shouting "Come on! This way!"

They followed the fox through the undergrowth, wondering where exactly they were going. Behind them, they could feel the heat of the blaze beating down on their pelts, making them heavy.

"Keep going!" Dean urged, taking up the back to make sure no one fell behind. "Come on! I think there's a river up ahead!"

Sure enough, ahead stood a wide stream. The group crashed into the cold water, Casey letting out a yowl of complaint as Munch sent up a splash, soaking her spotted pelt. They spun around, facing the hungry orange flames that lapped at the trees and danced in the leaves.

"Good nose, Elliot," Dean complemented, the bright flames reflecting in his eyes as he stared at them. "That would have had us for sure."

"What do we do now?" Kathy whined, shivering from the cold water.

"I guess the best thing to do," Dean sighed, "is to keep going."

"We should wait until the flames die down," Fin announced in a tired voice. "At least for a little while. I… kinda wanna catch my breath."

The grouped didn't argue; just lay down in the shallow water. It was quickly warming due to the heat from the fire, and they didn't complain. The water was only about paw deep, and they had no trouble laying their heads down. Dean didn't lie down, however, until he was sure everyone was alright. Then, sighing with relief, he sat down. He wasn't ready to sleep until the group was safe.

Once the flames began to die and everyone had rested, they began to trek on again, unsure of what lay ahead.

Olivia awoke to find herself being tossed round in a box. A wooden box, with splinters none the less. She yowled with surprise as it gave a jolt, and someone yelled at her "Shut up! We're on a truck, meat brain! It's not like it's the first time!"

"Sorry," she apologized.

She felt the rumbling of the truck underneath her paws, and a question popped into her head.

"Where are we headed?" she asked.

"The deportation center," the lion below her replied. "We're headed to Africa, baby!"

"Africa?" Olivia squeaked. "Oh, no no no I can't go there!"

"Sweetheart," the lion laughed, "Africa will be way better than this hellhole. We'll be FREE! No more zookeepers! No more designated feeding times! We can live like lions instead of house pets!"

"But all my friends are here!" Olivia shouted. She looked around the dark box for an opening. "They must be so worried!"

"Forget them," the new lion laughed. "You'll have the pride, honey. You'll have family. You won't need friends."

Olivia sighed and lay down, dropping her head down to her paws. She doesn't know how wrong she is.