Chapter 13: Home
"I have to get real food," Shira said to herself. She looked around the area she was at; A small cave and little warmth. If she left she'd have to find a meal large enough to sustain her for atleast two days.
"It's worth a try," she said. She got up and started to walk down the small mountain. Only a handful of animals would risk staying in the winter. She looked and looked, but ultimately found nothing. She walked back to the cave empty handed.
"I can't believe it!" Andi exclaimed, "We're almost home!"
"Yeah kid," Diego smiled. Truth was he was amazingly happy, he was going home. He was going to see Shira and the rest of the herd.
"Hey, how much further Buck?" She asked.
"Just a few more hours, then you'll be on your way," Buck said with a smile.
Andi took in the air, for once in this place she felt the warmth, calm, and peaceful scenery. She saw the beautiful flowers, animals, and waterfalls. Now, she truly understood why Buck loved it here. Other than running away from crazed dinosaurs, and deadly flowers, this place was peaceful, and beautiful.
"You guys better come soon," Shira said looking at the sky. She was fighting with herself.
If you stay you'll die! What good will you be if your dead!
'And if I leave then I could Die on the way! plus what if Diego and Andi come back. I wouldn't be here to help.
Leave it's your only option of living, plus you'll still have one child and it'll be a boy.
No way, I'm staying! how could you even think about such horrid things? What's wrong with you!
Hunger is what's wrong with me! hunger will kill you and you know that!
Maybe, but I refuse to leave I will stay no matter how long it takes!
"Well, this will lead you out. It's a one shot cave, just follow it and you'll be home," Buck said at the entrance of a cave.
"Ya know, you can come if you'd like Buck," Andi said.
"No thanks little tiger, My place is down here and this is where I belong."
"Well If you ever get the need to come and pay a visit-"
"I know where to find you" Buck finished. Andi gave him a smile and turned to her dad.
"Maybe we'll pay another visit soon Buck," Diego said. Buck smiled at them.
"It was good seeing you again Buck," Diego said.
"Ditto," was his reply.
The pair of tigers made their way through the cave, leaving Buck behind.
"Take care," Buck said once the two were out of sight.
Diego and Andi had now been walking through the cave for about half an hour. Then all of a sudden
"Dad, do you see it? the light!" Andi said.
"I sure do," Diego replied.
"Come on!" Andi said and started to run.
"Wait!" Diego ran after her.
The light at the end of the cave grew larger and larger until both Diego and Andi stopped in their tracks. Snow. It was winter.
"Wait dad how could this be? It was warm underground?" Andi asked confused.
"I guess it was more tropical down there, than here."
"Well, where can we go?"
"We have to get down off this mountain first."
Diego lead the way down. They stopped at an entrance of a cave. To Diego the scent was familiar.
"Shira?" The question came out of his mouth. He was anable to stop it.
"Diego?" Came a voice.
"Shira?" Diego's voice got alittle louder.
"Is it really you?" the voice was louder and moving closer.
"Yes it's us," Diego said.
The grey saber entered the sunlight, her coat wasn't as shiny as it used to be. Her eyes were sad, sore, and tired. She herself was exsausted.
"Shira you should rest," Diego said.
Shira layed down and looked at Andi.
"Are you okay?" She said and held her paw out. Andi ran to her and hugged her. Shira licked her daughters forehead. Diego walked up and layer down next to her nudging her.
"Where's Alex and the herd?" Andl asked.
"They left, they migrated, I stayed here to wait for you. I chose to stay," Shira said.
"Well, then we have a family to find," Diego said and stood up.
All three tigers made their way out of the cave.
They were heading home. Not to the cave they called their winter home, but to the home no one could ever break. No distance, no loss, no one could ever come in-between. They were going home, home to their herd. Their family.
The End..