Chapter Eight: No Where to Run

Simba emerged from the hole, and tumbled down the side of the rock, landing in a muddy puddle at the bottom. The rain was still falling heavily from the sky, and now thunder and lightning were rumbling and flashing at regular intervals. The ominous sound and giant storm clouds did nothing to relax Simba at all. He was alone, and terrified. Scar was coming.

Standing up on shaky legs, he shook his head to try and clear away the terrifying images that were swirling round and round his mind. It only made them clearer, causing him to cry out in sheer panic.

"Stop!" he screamed, "STOP!"

No use. All he could see were the dark images of strange lions all around him, and they slowly parted to reveal…

He screwed his eyes shut to try and block it out, but this only made the images even more vivid than before. Scar was right in front of him, sneering, unsheathing his claws, raising them into the air…

Get to Rafiki's tree! Simba thought, Now!

With that, he began to run. He could barely remember where Rafiki's tree was, and the thunder and lightning were just disorientating him even more. He had never been out at night by himself. His parents had only ever emphasised how dangerous it was to him. There were jackals, crocodiles, hyenas… though, were they still there? He knew the hyenas had left when Scar had, but where had they gone? This thought just unsettled him even more. Soaking, terrified, and gasping for breath, he bravely pushed on.

Mufasa watched as his son slipped through the hole and disappeared. He was safe for now, at least. Pausing for only a second more, he whirled around and prepared to leap into the fray once more to find Sarabi. The rest of his family needed protection, and there was no telling what Scar might do when he found them. He leaped out from behind the boulder, teeth bared and claws unsheathed, ready for anything that came at him. Rapidly scanning the cave, he spotted Sarabi on the far side, and began to run towards her. The rogues had now collected a large group of cubs together, and were holding them near the centre of the den. They seemed unharmed, for now, so Mufasa continued across the den.

He was so close; Sarabi looked up and saw him, her relief evident through her facial expression. But, it was gone as quickly as it had come. Now she looked panicked, eyes wide.

"MUFASA!" she screamed.

Mufasa turned his head just in time for a rogue to smash into him. The impact sent him sprawling across the floor, and he hit the opposite wall. He lay dazed for a few seconds.

Get up! Get up now!

He stumbled to his feet, and spun around to face his attacker. He had to suppress a gasp when he saw who it was.

"Damu!"

"Why, hello there, Mufasa," the oppressor crooned, "long time no see."

"For good reason," Mufasa spat back, "why are you here?"

"Oh, no reason… just as a favour to a friend of mine…"

Leaving no time for Mufasa to react, Damu leapt at him, sinking his teeth into his shoulder. Mufasa roared with pain as he slowly collapsed under the crushing weight. He had forgotten how hard it had been last time… no! Don't think about that! Just get him off!... though it was no use. He was too big, too heavy, too strong. As he lay, spread-eagled on the floor, he could only watch helplessly as the females were driven to the opposite side of the den. One was now completely isolated on the near side.

"Sarabi!"

He dug his claws into the rock and tried to pull himself out of Damu's grasp, but to no avail. His razor teeth were now locked into the back of Mufasa's neck, practically paralyzing him.

And then, there was a huge clap of thunder, a flash of lightning, and a shadow appeared across the den entrance. It was instantly recognisable to all…

Scar strode into the den, a huge, ominous sneer etched across his face, eyes alight with malice. Everything had gone exactly to plan.

"Lions!" he called, "I have returned!"

Nobody said a thing. The only sound to be heard was rapid, panicked, heavy breathing.

Sarabi gave a small squeal when she saw him. He had seen her too. His green orb-like eyes locked onto her, as she crouched lower to try and conceal the cubs cowering beneath her. She remained steadfast through it all, determined to protect the last thing that she held dear, even as Scar began to approach. Mufasa tried to struggle harder, but the vice like grip Damu had on him meant he was practically locked into place, powerless to do anything. Scar stopped right in front of Sarabi, sneering right in her face. She held her gaze at him, staring straight into his eyes, unwavering, unfaltering, though she was absolutely petrified.

"Please Scar!" she suddenly cried, "they've done no wrong!"

"Well," he replied, smoothly, "I never thought it would ever be you begging me."

"please… I'll do anything. ANYTHING!"

"Stand aside, Sarabi," Scar crooned, only a hint of danger creeping into his voice, his eyes narrow. Sarabi did not move or say a word. She merely continued to stare at him, eyes wide. Mufasa's heart was pounding so fast he felt it might burst. Every beat seemed to make his entire body rumble. Sweet Aiheu, please don't let anything bad happen! As Scar turned away from her, he let himself relax slightly.

Then, without warning, Scar wheeled around struck Sarabi across the face. The force of the blow knocked her sideways, and she slid across the floor. Several more males closed in around her, preventing her from returning to her cubs.

Mufasa cried out, "NO!" and began to struggle harder than ever, his claws scraping across the rock and leaving score marks, but it was a hopeless struggle. Kobe and Shanni were now completely alone in the middle of the den, Sarabi being pinned to the floor by several rogues, sobbing hysterically.

Scar stared with revulsion at the little creatures before him. Both looked almost exactly like small versions of their father: golden brown with amber eyes, all four of which were staring up at him. He sneered downwards, before turning to face his brother.

"New meat, eh, Mufasa?"

"Don't… you … dare… hurt… them!" Mufasa growled back, with difficulty, for Damu was now bearing his entire body weight down on him. It was all he could do to prevent Mufasa from moving, who was now using every ounce of strength he possessed to try and get up.

"Oh, no, Mufasa, I would never hurt them!"

Mufasa paused.

"You – you wouldn't?"

"No, of course not," Scar said, almost shrilly, "I'm just going to kill them instead."

He didn't even try to suppress his laugh at Sarabi's scream from behind him, or at the panicked expression that was all over his brother's face. Chuckling once more, he began to circle the cubs before him. They stumbled about, confused, tripping over their own feet. Where was their mother? Who was this strange, scary lion? With that, one of them began to cry, it's wailing echoing around the walls of the den, only putting Mufasa more on edge and causing Sarabi even more anguish. Scar batted at them with his paws, flipping them over, snapping at them, doing his utmost to savour his oncoming revenge.

"Not to worry," Scar said quietly, "your big brother can go first!"

Scar swept over to the group of cubs assembled at the centre of the den. They all shrank back, whimpering with fear as Scar's piercing eyes passed over them. He furrowed his brow, confused.

"Oh, Simba!" Scar sang, "Simba, where are you?"

He cast his gaze all over the den, but Simba did not appear.

"Not here, eh?" he wondered aloud. Once again, the room remained silent.

"Not to worry, Kuzimu!"

A lion with a severed tail emerged from the crowd of lions on the other side of the den.

"Scar?"

"Go out and find our little friend, won't you? Bring him back here, it's been too long since we've seen eachother."

Kuzimu dipped his head, and left the den, taking off into the pouring rain. Scar watched him go, before turning around and addressing the pride.

"Things will definitely be changing around here," he called, making sure everyone could hear him, "tonight, we begin afresh, meaning new cubs, a new leader, and a new regime. Do as we say and you'll remain unharmed."

Panic reinstated itself. New cubs? New leader? Had Scar actually lost all feeling that he would proceed to slaughter all the cubs before him.

"Once Mufasa's brood are safely done away with, the others will follow the same way."

"Like hell," Mufasa seethed, all but suffocated underneath Damu.

"Don't think I've forgotten you, brother," Scar said, turning to face him, "I have something special lined up for you, believe me."

Mufasa just stared back at him, hatred and anger and fear filling him.


Simba collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air, soaked to the skin. He seemed to have been running for hours, when in reality it had been much shorter. Surely Rafiki's tree should be close by now? Squinting to see through the falling rain he finally spotted it. Thank the Gods, it was only a short distance away! Quickly getting to his feet, but slipping slightly in the mud, he began to bound towards the tree, desperate to get out of the rain.

"Going somewhere?"

Jumping out of his skin, Simba whipped around, and cried out instantly. A humongous male lion was behind him, sneering broadly down at him. He was transfixed with terror, unable to speak or scream or do anything.

The rogue lunged for him, but, with a squeal of sheer terror, Simba ran, faster than he felt he had ever run in his life. Sweet Aiheu, oh Gods, don't let him hurt me!

Of course, the adult lion ran faster than Simba's little cub legs ever could. With one swift swipe of his paw, Simba was knocked sideways, and sprawled across the ground. He lay, dazed, seeing stars and countless other strange and terrifying apparitions. Then, before he could do anything, he felt whit hot pain in his back leg as some razor teeth sank into his flesh. He was lifted high off the ground, and swung, upside down, in mid air.

"Put me down!" he cried, "PUT ME DOWN! LET ME GO, PLEASE!"

The rogue shook him, hard, before bounding back the way he had come. Hot salty tears began to flow up Simba's face. He knew what he would be returning to.

The trip back to Pride Rock was all too familiar for Simba. He had made this trip six moons ago, although the right way up. The emotions he felt now were the same, if not worse, than they had been before. He didn't know if he would be alive much longer, and he was swinging around so much that he felt sick, and his head was heavy and full of blood that had rushed into it. When he finally saw the grey stone of pride rock below him, he only cried harder. By the time they entered the den he was trembling from head to foot. He heard his mother's voice cry out.

"SIMBA!"

He was then tossed onto the floor, hitting his head hard and landing on his side. As his vision blurred, he could just about make out the images of Koba and Shanni cowering nearby.

"Oh, Simba," an all-too-familiar voice said, "there you are."

An icy chill had come over Simba's body. Dear God, no!

He slowly looked around, and there he was. Scar. The source of every dream and night mare and terrifying image, of six moons worth of pain and suffering, six moons of terror.

"Though, I must say, I'm a little surprised to se you," he stepped closer, and his eyes darkened, "alive."

The cub's breathing began to speed up, faster and faster until it felt like he might suffocate. He turned as if to run, but there was no where for him to go. He was completely alone in the centre of the den.

"Don't worry," said Scar, unsheathing his claws, "I'll try and make this as quick as possible…"

Simba crouched, low to the ground. His time was definitely up now.

Mufasa, pinned to the floor by the side of the den, could only watch in utmost horror as the scene played out before him. Simba looked terrified, tears streaming down his face, whimpering, staring up at the lion before him. The tiny eyes quickly glanced over at Mufasa. You promised you wouldn't let anything happen to me…

In that split second, in that tiny glance, Mufasa saw betrayal. He had promised. He had promised… he never broke his promises…

"Say goodnight, Simba," Scar sneered, raising his paw high into the air. Simba, on the ground, screwed his eyes shut, and turned his head away, preparing for the blow. And, in that tiny window of opportunity, Mufasa scraped together every last gram of strength within him. With an almighty roar, he surged upwards, throwing Damu off and away. He leapt towards his son, protectively enveloping him in his forepaws and sending the two of them skidding away from Scar across the den floor, though Mufasa winced as the blow meant for Simba tore into his shoulder. He leapt up, and seeing that they had landed near Kobe and Shanni, stood protectively over all three of them, baring his teeth.

"Touch any of my cubs and I will kill you," he breathed.

Looking around, he saw rogues beginning to advance on them from all angles. He was ready for them, unsheathing his claws and tensing his muscles.

"Wait," Scar said, raising a paw to hold them back, "this can be hard or easy, Mufasa."

Mufasa simply growled back, not moving.

"Either give those cubs to me… or face the consequences later."

"Over my dead body, Scar!"

Scar raised one eyebrow.

"Fine, have it your way."

He turned to the other rogues.

"Settle in, boys, we're here to stay."