Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Willow and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
Born To Lead Chapter 4
A storm was brewing the combination of the rain and thunder masking the presence of the dozens of apes in the trees as they waited for word on their prey.
Approaching from up ahead the scout Caesar sent out returned with a report. Stopping three trees away, he signed"Caesar, they are close."
Caesar nodded, a hand raised high instructing those with him to keep still and silent. Peering below at the hunters on the ground to where Koba waited leading a separate troop of apes.
"Koba," signed Caesar, gesturing forward ordering Koba to take those apes around the elk to cut off any escape.
Grunting to the apes with him Koba advanced with them following at his heels to where the scout indicated.
Thrusting an arm forward Caesar guided his group high in the trees in the same direction catching and swinging through the long sturdy limbs belonging to each one.
Not one ape made a sound. They used the forest around them to their advantage camouflaging them. The elk would have absolutely no clue what was stalking them until it was too late.
The apes found the herd in an open grass area in the forest large enough for them to graze. Heads lowered to the earth they didn't have a clue they were surrounded by predators.
Caesar kept his children close to him the entire time. Reaching the elk herd all three landed on the same branch, Blue Eyes and Willow crouched on either side of him.
Raising a questioning hand, eagerly shifting from foot to foot, Blue Eyes signed "Now, Father?"
Caesar covered his son's hand with his own so he couldn't prematurely signal the others. Turning his head left and right he checked to make sure everyone was in position strike. The plan was set.
Rising on the branch Caesar screamed releasing a mighty battle cry, one echoed by the other apes simultaneously. Startled into a frenzy the elk stampeded across the forest floor. They barreled through the underbrush the opposite way fleeing the apes in hot pursuit herding them. Unfortunately for them they ran right into a trap.
Koba's apes intercepted the herd causing the elk to split off into smaller groups scattering them in opposite directions confusing these animals into a stupor.
The apes targeted these aware the reduced numbers would benefit them. Their main job done the apes in the trees swung down to join their comrades on the ground.
When Willow was about to drop she spotted the perfect target. Seeing Luca close by carrying her spear on his back she acted quickly. Separating from her family, without her feet touching the ground, she claimed her weapon in a fell swoop eyes locked on her chosen elk.
Determined not to be outdone by his sister Blue Eyes gritted his teeth chasing after Caesar.
Dropping from a low-hanging branch Willow situated herself directly into the path of a panicked elk mindful to avoid getting trampled by others. With only seconds to spare Willow she has lowered herself to one knee, bracing the butt end of her spear into the earth and presenting the fatal point to the charging elk. The elk had no chance to divert its course. Its own rush carried it into the spearhead. The creature died instantly upon impact the spear finding its mark through the heart.
A clean kill.
As the deceased elk slumped onto the earth Willow grinned. She was pleased with the sheer size of the game knowing it would feed a decent amount of apes for a while. But she wasn't granted time to savor her accomplishment.
Not too far away a familiar voice roared sending out a distress call. Willow's eyes widened realizing it was her father calling for assistance. She did not hesitate. Telling some apes nearby to take care of the elk she rushed to that area as fast as her body could possibly carry her.
When Willow saw what was happening she was horrified.
Willow didn't know how they came across it, but a bear had her father and brother cornered. Blue Eyes was bent over wounded in the chest and face. Caesar stood in front of him protectively shielding him from the bear's onslaught screeching challenge after challenge into its face. But the bear wouldn't relent it simply kept going.
There was no time to waste. Willow knew what she had to do. Gripping her spear tightly she ran at full speed down the slope intent on the bear.
The bear was so focused on Caesar and Blue Eyes it didn't hear her coming, but from where the two were they saw her coming to their aide. Momentarily distracted by the sight of his daughter Caesar glanced away from the bear.
Big mistake.
The grizzly bear lunged forward its arms spread wide to drag Caesar in. If the bear succeeded Caesar wouldn't survive.
Hell no! Willow wouldn't let that happen, over her dead body.
Finally getting into range, Willow leaped using a boulder as leverage.
Landing on the animal's back she refused to allow the bear a chance to shake her off Willow raised her arms high bringing them down hard on the bear's head. The power behind her hits temporarily disoriented the bear stunning it. Growling she snaked her arm tightly around the bear's thick neck in a headlock. With her free hand, she held her spear over the bear's neck to deliver the finishing blow when the unthinkable occurred. Regaining its state of mind the bear suddenly rolled onto its back.
To avoid getting flattened by its intolerable weight Willow released her hold on the bear's back rolling on the ground in turn. Flipping onto her back Willow's eyes widened exponentially when she saw the bear rear onto its hind legs shaking off the effects of her assault faster than she anticipated. Scrambling backward she searched for her spear finding it slipped from her hands at the fall. It was too far for her to reach.
Fearless Willow stood to meet her fate if this was to be the end bravely screaming her challenge into the bear's face. Enraged it roared back in retaliation raising a paw to strike her down.
The grizzly never got the chance.
While all attention had been aimed at Willow another ape made his way onto the scene unnoticed.
The grizzly's roar was abruptly cut in half when the head of an old harpoon attached to a spear belonging to Koba plunged headlong into its back silencing the animal permanently. Now lifeless the corpse of the bear collapsed falling on Willow covering her completely before she could move.
Willow's form vanished under the body obscured entirely. Alarmed all three males converged on the bear's body looking for any hint of her. As they got within a few feet an arm shot out from underneath the bear's chest. Seconds later the rest of Willow's body followed as she freed herself. Gasping for air she swung her head left and right picking out her father inches next to her.
Caesar released the breath he'd been holding visibly deflating in relief she was alive and unharmed. A sentiment the others shared with him. Pulling her close Caesar embraced her tightly in his arms.
"Father," signed Willow, smiling as he let her go.
He smiled back cupping the back of her head in a clear show of affection. Turning towards Koba, grateful, Caesar signed "Thank you, Koba."
Koba nodded tapping his chest twice with a fist in respect to his leader before examining the bear more thoroughly.
The bear destroyed, Caesar spoke to both his children.
"You handled yourself well, Willow," signed Caesar, proudly."Confronting a bear like that one is no easy feat. It would've killed us for sure if you hadn't come when you did. I am very proud of you."
Willow beamed at the praise feeling her heart soar while Blue Eyes discreetly glared enviously at his little sister.
Caesar then went to Blue Eyes a somber expression on his face, taking Blue Eye's shattered spear from Koba when tossed to him.
Blue Eyes was kneeling in the grass near the bear's mouth with his head lowered in embarrassment. Taking a knee Caesar parted Blue Eye's fur to check how bad the injuries were. Blue Eyes grimaced stiffening at the contact raising his head to meet his father's eyes.
Somberly, Caesar signed "Think before you act, Son."
He'd said this to Blue Eyes many times already. For some reason, Blue Eyes didn't seem to listen. He then went to touch the claw mark on the left side of Blue Eye's face, but his son shoved his hand away.
Aggravated Blue Eyes took his wrecked spear from Caesar glowering enviously at Willow. Really? She got recognition while he was scolded again for 'stepping out of line'.
Story of his life.
Instead, blissfully unaware of her twin's scorn Willow, she attempted to lend him assistance.
Leaning forward to place a gentle hand on Blue Eye's shoulder, tenderly stroking her fingers over one of the ragged gashes, Willow signed "These wounds are deep. They'll scar over, but they will heal. I can use some healing herbs back home to-."
Harshly shoving her off of him, scoffing, Blue Eyes signed"I don't need your pity!" He then stormed away climbing back up the embankment as more apes came down from the side.
Watching her twins exist Willow spun towards her father a dumbfounded and hurt expression on her face at Blue Eye's disagreeable standoffish attitude in reaction to her offer.
Shaking his head Caesar sighed an expression of disappointment mixed with anger on his face as he shared her dismay. He wanted to reprimand Blue Eyes but restrained himself. Right now there were more important things to deal with than disciplining a disobedient son. The hunt was a great success. They needed to bring the bear and the game they'd killed with them back to the village immediately.
Authors Note:
Ah! Someone help me I can't stop! ;DI hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.
Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure. I swear it's like they're getting worse and worse all the time and it's like officials are simply just ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist entirely just to go on with their daily lives. Especially those in multi-million dollar companies that rely on certain elements of our planet that we rely on to naturally keep us safe instead of adapting and finding new safer ways to keep in business. There are so many options out there where they can adapt, but they just refuse to see it because all they care about is money. Climate change is altering so much faster than anyone can really keep track of.
So, in light of all this, it is important to live life to the fullest as much as anyone can.
I know I am. ;) See you guys next time.