DISCLAIMER: If you recognize it, I don't own it.

Dark visions and sensations flooded Ofelia's mind as she came to: large paws thudding along the ground, the splash of water on her face, sharp teeth sinking into her skin as San Angel faded into the dark. She shuddered and jolted awake, gasping for air.

What she found when she opened her eyes was no better than what she had seen in her head. Gone was her warm bed and sheets: instead she was lying curled up on a rock. Her skin and clothes felt clammy, drenched in cold water and who knew what else. She winced and shielded her eyes from the pale blue light which spilled onto her from above: the mouth of a steep, narrow cave, she found as her eyes adjusted. Somehow she had kept her glasses, smudged and blurry as they were. Her satchel still hung at her side, heavy from the water that had seeped through its openings. The girl squirmed free of its leathery grasp, trying not to make a sound. Shadowy shapes surrounded her, lying still and breathing slowly. Holding her breath, she reached for a crevice in the rock and tried to pull herself upwards. It gave way at her touch, crumbling into pebbles that tumbled down the plane.

The jaguars were upon her before the sound faded away. One swiped a paw and flipped her on to her back, then pinned her down and loomed over her with bared teeth and glowing eyes. Ofelia's memories of the terrible night came rushing back at the sight of the creature, and she screamed at the top of her lungs. "Mama! Papa!"

The jaguar struck her again, nearly bashing her head against a jagged piece of rock. "Not a sound." The sound that came from its mouth was low and raspy, more of a growl that seemed to be forming words than a true voice. Ofelia froze when she heard it, the blood draining from her face as her eyes grew wide.

"Obedient one," the creature continued, putting down its head to sniff at the girl's hair and skin. "And so very meek." Its dark lips curled back towards its gums, exposing dirty teeth in what might have been intended as a smile. "Careful, little one. I might just take you for myself once you're…"

A loud yowl of rage cut through the air. "Stand aside!"

The jaguar recoiled from Ofelia as quickly as he had pounced, hanging his head as he slipped back into the shadows to seethe with resentment. The rest of the beasts followed suit, scrambling away from the figure that was cutting a path through them. Ofelia sat up only to curl into a ball, whimpering as the heavy steps approached her.

A gust of hot breath blew down onto her hair. "Look at me, child." She didn't budge. The beast put its face inches from hers and growled, making her tremble. "I said look at me."

Choking down another scream, she looked up into the yellow eyes of the monster that had taken her.

Pax nodded. "Good." He looked his prisoner up and down, his eyes glimmering in the faint light. "You learn well, little one." The jaguar took a step away from the girl, and then reared up onto his hind legs. Bones and muscles shifted beneath the skin, adjusting themselves to suit a two-legged form. Stubby paws stretched and spread out into meaty hands with clawed fingers. Ofelia watched in silent horror until the creature was towering above her with the fur-covered body of a man and the head of a cat.

When Pax had finished the change, he knelt and stared into the girl's eyes. "You don't seem happy to see me."

Ofelia opened and closed her mouth, unable to form words. "Why would I be?" she finally said.

"What, you don't remember the friend who granted your wish?" He pulled himself up to his full height. "You asked for a different life, and now here you are."

Confusion crossed the girl's face, followed a moment later by horror. "I didn't mean it. I-I didn't mean it…!"

The jaguar smirked. "What difference does that make?"

Ofelia staggered to her feet, her hands balling into fists. "Where are my mama and papa? And my brother?"

"Far away from here," Pax answered. "They wouldn't find you even if they were looking."

"That's not true."

"It shouldn't matter to you, little one." He reached out a hand and brushed his claws down Ofelia's cheek. "Forget them. A great destiny awaits you, little one. You shall come with us to our ancient grounds, learn our ways and become a powerful warrior."

"I think," Ofelia said, glaring at Pax, "I'd rather go back to mi familia."

The jaguar sneered and grabbed her by the throat. "You think this is about what you want? You are but a tool in our plans. We shall have our old powers and our revenge. All of humanity shall suffer for how they humiliated us. Your parents shall suffer."

"No." The girl was trembling, but her gaze never wavered. "No, they won't."

Pax roared in her face and tightened his grip on her neck. "You will do as I say," he snarled as he lifted her off the ground and watched her choke, "or you will die."

Using what strength she had left, Ofelia gulped up enough breath to speak. "My mama and papa…they'll…"

"Come and save you?" Pax finished. "Oh, little cub…you'll be too busy tearing them to shreds."

"My lord!" Another jaguar appeared at the mouth of the cave, panting. "I saw four mortals drawing near."

Pax dropped his prisoner and turned to his men. "Enough rest! We must move quickly if we are to reach Tehuantepec in time." He dropped down, shifting back into his four-legged form, and scooped Ofelia into his jaws.

The jaguar pack emerged onto the surface in a silent mass, stalking through the early morning fog. Hanging from Pax's mouth, Ofelia strained her neck to look around. Jagged hills covered in dry grass surrounded them, and far in the distance stood a forest of tall, thick trees. Something was moving in the mist nearby, almost too quick to see – a trio of horses, their familiar riders frantically spurring them towards the south and away from the pack.

Bracing herself for what was to follow, Ofelia took a deep breath and screamed as loud as she could. Instantly she felt herself slam onto the cold ground and Pax's paws striking at her. As her vision faded and died, however, she could glimpse her parents turning back towards her.