Chapter 8: More Problems
"Feline spots in the jungle blend. Be cautious of her, she's not your friend." They looked up. They heard a growl, and realized the animal had arrived. Out slowly stalked a clouded leopard. She looked at them hungrily. "Oh great. When are we gonna get something that doesn't eat meat?" Debbie whined. The clouded leopard continued to move closer. She eyes the front of the group hungrily. Nigel and Marianne braced themselves. They had to protect their children. They just had to! Debbie leaned closer to her sister. "Can't you tell her to leave us alone?" she whispered into her sister's ear. "I already tried talking to the bear. I don't think they can understand me."
The clouded leopard continued her advance, baring her teeth. She appeared to be grinning at them. Her claws extended, she crouched down, perparing to spring. But as she did, the family moved back. The wild cat missed them by a inch, but immediately began to follow them. She wasn't going to let dinner just walk away... She pounced again, and the family broke into a run. The wild cat gave chase. But suddenly, there was scream. Eliza stopped dead in her tracks. She knew that scream anywhere... "Darwin!" With little thought of her own safety, she wheeled around and raced back. Darwin had tripped on something, and fallen to the ground. Now, as the big cat got closer, he had become too terrified to move. "Eliza!" The 12 year old ignored the voice behind her. She reached the place of her best friend. "Please don't hurt him!" She placed herself in front of the chimp, and closed her eyes, bracing for the pain she was sure would come.
But it never came. Confused, Eliza opened her eyes. The clouded leopard stood there, watching her, almost bewildered. But she seemed to understand... The big cat took a step back, then jumped into a tree, where she disappeared from view. Eliza smiled. Perhaps the animals could still understand her... She turned to her friend and helped him to his feet, who was still greatly shaken. "Eliza!" The next thing she knew, she was being embraced by her mother. "What were you thinking! You could've been killed!" Eliza didn't have a reply for this, but was spared answering as the game was again brought forward. Eliza slowly picked up the dice, shook, and rolled a 4. The family leaned in, and Eliza read the words that slowly appeared. "You're so wrong if you think the worse is bitten. Beware of the poachers lying in wait and hidden." Eliza's heart did a somersault as the discription faded away. Poachers? That wasn't good news...The family seemed to be thinking along the same lines, especially Debbie. It seemed she hadn't forgotten the last time she encountered poachers. After all, one threatened to kill her.
The bushes began to rustle. The family turned towards the sound, but the sound seemed to be coming from all directions. Slowly, out of the bushes appeared the poachers, all armed with rifles. They raised up their guns. The family had no escape...
To be continued.
Finally, new chapter. Sorry this took so long! But I got a lot on my plate at the moment. I'm not sure when the story will be finished, but I don't think there will be too many more chapters after this...Enjoy, and please review.
Mini Marianne