Well y'all, I am finally back. I apologize for keeping all y'all waiting so long, but my life got incredibly busy, but enough about my struggles and controversies. I'd like to thank everybody who kindly reviewed the last chapter. It is y'all that really make me want to come back and keep writing this story! Well, I believe I have done enough blabbing, so without any further ado, here is the chapter!

DISCLAMIER: I OWN NOTHING

February 29, 2016

Duluth Juvenile Detention Center

Duluth, Minnesota

In the large halls of the Duluth Juvenile Detention Center, only one man moved. It was the dead of night. The birds outside were silent, but the yowls of coyotes were quite evident.

The man had a rugged and disheveled appearance. His hair was an angry shade of grey, with a few light brown streaks still remaining. It was also quite long, extending in a ponytail all the way down to his lower back. Stubble covered the lower portion of his face, its coloring the same shade as his hair.

He wore a dark blue uniform, and he carried a large mop with a small tub of soapy water. His nametag bore a simple name. But this name had a very dark past, filled with very dark deeds and very dark incidents.

The nametag bore the name Brent A. Steele.

Hidden by the uniform were three scars, each in the shape of a circle. One was on his right arm, one was on his left shoulder, and one was in his groin. Those shots changed everything.

Brent Steele had gone from a high-paying office job, to being convicted of domestic assault and child neglect charges. His son, who had been the shooter, had gotten off scot-free, which angered Brent like he had never been angered at any point in his entire life.

He had served his time in a state prison, and he was now relegated to being a janitor in a juvenile detention facility. As he was finishing his shift, he noticed something extremely peculiar lying on the ground.

He took of his gloves, and gently picked up the peculiar item. It was a ticket, an airline ticket. It was to a small airport in northwestern South Africa, two days from then. Brent didn't have a clue how the ticket ended up there, but he was not going to file any complaints about it. Brent Steele had found a way out of his hell.

-TLK-

It had been a little more than a week since Matthew Steele had regained consciousness. Skye had forbidden him to speak until the current day, in order to let his mind and body recover. But now he was once again allowed to speak.

The grey-furred lioness suddenly returned, dragging the mangled carcass of an antelope with her.

"Eat up, soldier. You need your strength."

Steele looked up into her sky blue eyes, a grateful expression on his face. "Thanks, although I could have probably gotten that myself."

Skye sighed and rolled her eyes. "In your dreams Steele, in your dreams."

Steele tried to chuckle, but found that he still unfortunately did not have the capability to do so. Instead, he deduced that a change of subject was necessary.

"So what was life like back for back in your old pride?"

Skye side, her emotions a mixture of happiness, guilt, and deep depression. "Well, there were my parents. They didn't care about me much. I was the fourth, just born to form some marriage alliance to another pride. They didn't even love one another. Physically attracted, yes, but most certainly not love. The marriage was purely political."

Steele nodded slightly, and Skye continued on with the description of her family.

"Then there were my three older brothers of course." She rolled her eyes. "They're such typical males. They didn't care for politics, diplomacy, or knowledge. No, for them, it's all about wrestling in the mud and foolish competitions that hold no value whatsoever."

Steele smiled at that statement. "That kind of behavior leads to pathetic morons who think killing something is the absolute best way to solve a problem.

Skye visibly relaxed, and sighed in relief. "I'm glad you think the exact same way that I do. I was hoping that you were not one of them."

Steele's grin widened, but Skye's expression suddenly saddened, and a tear strode down her cheek. "And then there was Devon."

"Devon who?"

"Devon is my one and only. He's just the sweetest lion that you'll ever meet, but hurt those he loves and he'll be your worst enemy. We were so deeply in love. I was about to ask my father if I could have special permission to marry him, but then he…but then he…but-"

"But then he betrothed you to me."

Skye nodded quickly and silently, but then broke down weeping, the emotional pain being too much for her to handle.

"Damn it Father, why did you have to do this to me! I had everything! I had absolutely everything that I ever needed, and you ripped from my paws, ripped it from my very soul! I hate you, you greedy, selfish, misogynistic asshole! I never want to see your pathetic face again. I never want to see it…never want to see it…"

Skye thrust her head into her paws, and continued to sob uncontrollably. Steele, having absolute idea what the hell to do in that situation, covered his head with his paws and tried to fall back into the state of slumber.

It took a lot of effort, but Steele eventually managed to tune out the angry shrieks of Skye, and fell asleep.

Well, that is all that I am going to write for now! I have absolutely no idea whenever the next chapter for this will be up, but I will promise that I will do whatever I can to update this as soon as I can. PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO KINDLY LEAVE ME A REVIEW. IT'S WHAT KEEPS ME WRITING! Well, I have babbled quite enough, so take care, and thank y'all for reading.

-Tex-