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 14

What the hell was I thinking?

That's exactly what was going through Malcolm's mind repeating over and over again screaming he was an idiot. Originally he'd thought coming up here was a good plan in trying on his own to convince the ape leader he meant no harm in order to agree to allow his team safe passage to the dam. Now surrounded by apes of all shapes, sizes, and dispositions that could easily kill him with their bare hands he was seriously reconsidering his sanity.

Malcolm had his hands raised over his head in a nonthreatening manner making it clear he held no weapons. Any uncalled-for sudden movements would mean certain death. He was still breathing so far this was the right approach to take. The butt of a massive spear prodding him harshly in the back was all the incentive he needed to start walking. He did so on unsteady legs. The crowd of apes parted creating a narrow path for him to walk.

Utterly surrounded Malcolm couldn't see any children in the vicinity. Their parents must've hidden them away in their huts the moment they caught wind of an intruder to protect them. Said parents were glaring at him in hostility now all looking like they wanted to kill him. But behind that rage, Malcolm spied something else. Malcolm saw fear in their eyes. Outright fear of what would happen if he left their village alive. The danger he did not pose to themselves, per se, but to their offspring.

Standing on the stone platform were Caesar and Willow. Blue Eyes was below with the rest preferring to be on level with the human should this be a trap. They watched him approach, Caesar vacant of expression while Willow was worried and unsure. Her eyes tracked back and forth from the human and the rest of the tribe. Any of them could snap at any given moment.

When he decided the human was close enough Luca shoved Malcolm down onto his knees in front of Caesar.

"Please. Please. Please," breathed Malcolm, locking eyes with Caesar. "Please don't kill me. Just hear what I have to say."

Caesar didn't speak the stare he was aiming at Malcolm bore so deep inside the man felt it all the way to his soul.

"I know. 'Don't come back.' I know," said Malcolm, slowly rising from his kneeling position. "It's just, I wouldn't be here unless it were-."

Luca knocked his fisted hands into Malcolm's back forcing him back down. Willow inwardly winced, eyeing Malcolm with pity. Other apes shrieked warnings telling Malcolm trying to stand was not the wisest move. Some apes closest to Caesar were tense and crouched low. They were ready to defend their leader.

Placating he lifted his hands to show he understood, Malcolm said "Okay! Okay! Okay!" He then turned back to Caesar. "I need to show you something. It's not far."

"Human lies," yelled Koba, telling Caesar not to trust him.

Koba triggered a chain reaction among the apes. They were all shrieking and screeching in agreement demanding blood including Blue Eyes.

"No! No," said Malcolm, spinning around, frantic for them to see he was genuinely sincere. "No, no, no. I swear."

But Koba didn't believe Malcolm. Snarling Koba pushed Malcolm on his back into the dirt. Koba's spear was raised ready to smite him hatred etched on his face.

"No! Please, no," screamed Malcolm, arms over his head in a vain attempt to protect him.

The hoots of his fellow apes encouraging him to go on and finish it Koba went to drive the spear through the human's heart, but he was blocked.

Arms outstretched wide on either side of her, Willow acted as a shield for Malcolm. When she saw how Koba was going to follow through with killing the human she couldn't allow that to happen. Well aware none of the tribe would dare hurt her Willow used this to her advantage.

"Move," growled Koba. "Humans must die, to protect apes."

Shaking her head profusely, Willow signed "I will not! This human came to us unarmed and alone when, instead, he could've brought an army here with guns to kill us all. He did not. Out of respect for this, we will hear what he has to say!"

This Willow said to all the apes, but her eyes were glued on Koba's single one, silently challenging him. Koba growled low in his throat at her his one eye riveting back and forth from her to the human. It was obvious he desperately wanted to end this human's meager existence, but was reluctant to fight Willow to do it.

This point of view was shared as Willow, satisfied, saw some apes look away ashamed when she glanced in their direction often.

"If I can just show you then you'll understand," pleaded Malcolm, not wasting the opening she was providing him. "Please."

Hoots and shrieks broke out in objection opposing this. It went on for a little over twenty seconds before Caesar raised a hand quieting them instantaneously. His expression had not changed once the whole time.

A long silence passed them by, but if they hurry then they can make it out secure if necessary. That is if they're still alive, by then.

Willow observed Caesar with bated breath as he came to a decision. Would he listen to her after their argument or will he follow Koba's counsel?

"Show me," ordered Caesar, gruffly.

Authors Note:

I 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.