The ranger vehicle rolled across the savannah after it had gone dark. Tony had his eyes focused on the road while on his patrol, and here I was sitting beside him in the passenger seat, watching the darkened land go by me. The second and last safari of the entire day was going very well. Since I was out on patrol with Tony nothing much has happened. No troubles or anything. Just like my time with Carla.

Before and after the beautiful sunset went down, I did see some animals of different kinds here and there, probably trying to find a place to sleep for the night. I mentally giggled to myself thinking that there are LOTS of places to choose from. I let out a quiet breath, as I can see a few antelope making a dash for whatever reason, thanks to some moonshine from the moon above. My plan to try to meet and talk to a few exotic animals didn't pan out well, thanks to staying with the rangers today. It was a bit of a shame since I couldn't really leave the station without any suspicion and go see a few. But then I realized it was okay. I knew I took a big chance of not going anywhere else on foot, and I knew I'd give it a go tomorrow when I'm not there. It's only a matter of time. 

I really hope I get very lucky tomorrow and don't run into trouble when that time comes...

Then that lioness who scared me off yesterday popped up in my head again. I internally chuckled at the thought. Oh heck, maybe it was the right thing of not walking about in the savannah again today...Considering SHE was probably still out and about today. I guess that was a good excuse. A good excuse to be alive for another day. A bit lame though since I was already totally committed to explore the savannah on foot again anyway without any hesitation. But I still wondered about her. Still wondered about her all day long.

What is her name? I hope that if I do meet her...Then maybe I'd least talk to her in a calm, less tense conversation...

Oh, Ryan, who are you kidding. She's a lion! An angry lioness at that! You've been over this with yourself already! She ain't gonna talk to you, you know she'll just eat you anyways if she catches you tresspassing in her lands again!

A twinge of disappointment grasped my heart. Yeah...Course she might...

Tony cut through my wandering thoughts, "Hey, Ryan." I gazed toward him, seeing him glancing at me while driving, "Hey, look, um...Sorry about earlier."

I quirked a brow, "About Justin?" I quickly laughed a bit and waved him off, "Nah, forget about it. I've probably dealt with somebody like him before back home. I'd just ignore him."

Tony laughed too, shaking his head, "That's good, but that's not what I was apologizing for."

"Oh. Well, what is it?"

Tony explained, "About you staying at the station all afternoon long after your first ride with us without much to do. Hey, a couple of us would've screwed around in the rec room with you to kill time, but apparently we weren't in the mood for it."

I shook my head, "No, it's alright. I do try to kill time in my own way...Sometimes. You just gotta get creative."

The young ranger said, "Yeah, I guess. But it can be hard to do in Kenya. I mean, try to imagine these poor villagers living around here being put in that position with no technology and no pool tables nor anything but their food and clothes and houses."

I moaned, "Oh god, that would be terrible!"

"Yeah!"

Then I mentioned, "Then again, maybe they're used to it and don't care much of anything...Except the darn heat."

"Yeah, tell me about it." Then he cracked, "But hey, as long as it doesn't involve Justin, I'll live with that."

I laughed again, "I won't. I'll just go find a place with ANY technology. No matter how far I go."

Tony remarked, "God, you're crazy." His eyes glanced across the windshield when he muttered, "Well, I guess I'll take you home now..." I looked back outside through my side window, then shortly he spoke again, "Can I ask you something, Ryan?"

I didn't look back at him, cause my gaze focused on something I caught outside from a far distance. A light of sorts. I pressed, "What?"

He hesitated a bit, "Well...It's about Carla..."

I still didn't look at him when I realized that light I see were headlights of another vehicle. I said, "What about her?"

"Well...I'm kinda wondering if-"

But I interrupted him by holding out my hand without taking my eyes off the headlights, and something else that I can see in front of them, "Hey, Tony...Is something going on there?" From what I can see...It looked like a couple people were dragging something over there.

An animal.

Something did not feel right. For some reason, I can feel it...

The vehicle Tony drove slowed down a bit, when he followed my eyes and saw it too. He spoke with a suspicious look on his face, "Yeah...Something's happening." Then he turned the wheel and sped down to where that other vehicle and those people are, "Let's check them out and see if they have a permit..." As we drove to that spot, I was growing a little nervous inch by inch. 

I've got a bad feeling about this...

Shortly, we reached to the other car, which was an ordinary pickup truck, and parked. Those people, which were two men, stopped what they were doing and just watched us drive up to meet them, probably waiting to see what's gonna happen. These two didn't look friendly. Not enough, at least. Shining our headlights, I got a good look at them. Both looked rugged, and one looked somewhat threatening. One of them had long blonde hair and had a grim look on his face that seemed to be covered by a large beard. The other, who didn't have a beard and only had short brown hair, well, he didn't seem to be all that threatening, but looked plain nervous. Like they were caught doing something bad...

The animal they were dragging was a lioness. I couldn't tell if it was dead or what. It was hard to tell.

These guys were obviously hunters, but still...Something didn't seem right with them.

Tony grabbed a rifle from the back. He instructed me, "You stay here. I'll be right back." He opened his door and went out. He slammed it, shutting me out from the outside. I did hear him holler at them when he strolled up to them, "Hey, what's going on here tonight?" From there, as he walked further and further, I couldn't tell what they were talking about. The grim faced fellow didn't looked pleased to see him while the other guy was just standing there doing nothing. Except they did put down their rifles that hanged around their shoulders as Tony seemed to have instructed them to do so.

But then, for not too long, the guy with the beard suddenly pulled out something from behind his back. It was another gun! A pistol!

I gasped when he pulled it out. I didn't see it coming. It was too fast. Tony kinda did on his part. He shouted something, then pulled the rifle to his shoulder, and a loud bang erupted. He had fired off a shot before that guy could. The bearded man took it to the chest and went down on his back quickly. The other guy screamed, raising his hands. I can actually hear the other guy begging for mercy out of fear of being shot as well.

I uttered in shock, "Oh my god." I piled out of the car and ran up to Tony. 

Right before I stood beside him, Tony barked at the other guy, "Put your hands behind your head!" The no beard guy did so, then the ranger came with his rifle still drawn till he was right behind him. Then Tony lowered it to put the handcuffs on the dude. Tony hollered at me while making the arrest, "It was probably dangerous, man! You should've stayed in the car!"

I was just standing here in shock and surprise, looking at the dead body. I never seen one before. Only in the movies. But jesus...This was so surreal. So real. I couldn't believe what just happened. 

What was his problem? Why'd he do that? I pressed Tony for answers, "The hell's going on with them?"

Tony replied upon bringing the guy up to where I am, "Apparently they're poachers. This area does have some poaching going on around here." Then he interrogated the captive hunter, "Am I right?" The poacher didn't say anything at all. He was quite petrified. I guess it's because he realizes his life was about to be over. Tony made the guy move to the vehicle we were using, ordering, "Move!"

Meanwhile, I was standing here, staring at the downed lioness in front of me. I went up to it, standing in front of the glare of the headlights of the poacher's vehicle. I bended down to its level, placing my hand on its body. It was actually breathing.

It was still alive. It must have been hit with a tranquilizer.

Poor thing. I can imagine it wouldn't have wanted to go with these guys. I guess she was lucky we've found them.

Obviously they didn't want to kill her, but...Where were they taking her?

I heard a car door slam, and Tony came back shortly after putting the poacher into our vehicle. He pressed, "Is she dead?"

I looked up at him and reported, "No. She's sleeping."

He nodded shortly in agreement, "Must have been shot with a tranq. These boys caught their money, but...They ain't getting a paycheck any time soon."

I asked, glancing at the dead poacher close by, "So, what do we do with him?"

Tony answered, "Normally I'd think we should leave him to be eaten by anything and give him a taste of his own medicine, but we'll have to take the body with us, and see if we can ID him, along with his buddy."

Then I looked down at sleeping beauty herself, "And what about her?"

Tony gazed toward the animal and responded, "We'll have to take her with us too. We can't leave her here. Other predators might come and eat her while she's unconscious."

My eyes went wide at that. Then, I nervously asked, "You want us to take her? What if she wakes up?"

Tony shook his head, "Probably won't for a little while. We'll just take her to Gabe's place. He's got an animal pen there. We'll just leave her in it till she wakes and she can go home where she belongs." I nodded in agreement. That's right, he does. Well, I hope it won't take forever for us to get there. Tony instructed, going for the dead human body first, "Come on, let's get this done and quickly."

I helped him out with the dead poacher, carrying him by the legs. We placed him near his partner that was still alive, and still petrified as he sat in the back seat of the ranger vehicle. He's definitely scared shitless. Then we came back to the lioness, still sleeping away. Tony let out a sigh, then said, "Alrighty...Let's do this." He went for her head area, and tried to pick her up with his hands. He groaned as he lifted her, "C'mon. Give me a hand!"

Well, guess I better get it over with. I can imagine she was a bit heavy and it might put a bit of a strain on two people, but I didn't have time to complain about it. Tony was right. We had to get her out of here and take her to Gabe's. I went down to her lower half, to her rear legs, and tried my best to lift her off the ground.

I kinda underestimated her weight. It took me a bit to actually get a good grip on her and actually help lift her off the ground and carry her. Both of us were groaning as we moved her to the vehicle, intending on putting her at the very back.

Damn...No wonder lions are called 'big cats'...

SHE'S HEAVY!

*****

We finally made it to Gabe's house during the night, parking at the front. The lights were on, which means he was probably still awake. I wasn't sure about my parents though, if they were now sleeping in the guest house or not...But boy are they in for a big story.

I came out of the car along with Tony, leaving one dead poacher and his still alive partner along with a sleeping lioness alone. We both strolled quickly up to the house to get Gabe. I didn't really care if my parents were freaked out about this or not. I know I was, but I quickly got over it. I shouldn't even feel shocked about what happened. One of those guys had it coming. Both did. I don't exactly support poaching. In fact, I hate it. It kinda leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. When I think through an animal's point of view, it isn't really exciting and great. In fact, it may be just plain scary and heartbreaking, knowing that you're going to be taken away from home to a place that isn't a zoo, to god knows where...And probaby be caged up for the rest of your life and not live a healthy life. Or maybe a lot worse than that. I know that zoos are somewhat like that, but not so much. At least they aren't cruel and uncaring. Least I don't think so. Heck, I never been to one to find out.

I was kinda feeling glad one of the poachers was shot to death. Leaves one last poacher to worry about. I even partly wanted that lioness we saved to wake up early and actually eat alive the other poacher. That wouldn't be a pretty sight, sounds real nasty when you think about it. Mom would freak out! 

But hey, it would be a pretty sight to me.

But I am wondering who they are exactly. And I am also wondering how my parents are going to react to all this as well. I was kinda involved in danger. It wasn't part of what they've agreed with Theodore. But I wasn't hurt or anything, and that's all that mattered to them. But I do wonder if they'll let me go see the rangers again. They were fun to be with, and I didn't want that tainted for the rest of the summer. Heck, it wasn't like Tony was taking me to trouble, we just found it. I'm sure that kind of trouble comes with the territory.

My parents probably wouldn't forbid me to do that, but I couldn't help myself to think about that.

Tony and I barged through the front door, finding my parents and Gabe talking to each other before we showed up. We both rushed to them, then Tony said, "Gabe, we have a problem."

My parents had worried faces while Gabe asked with concern, "What's going on here?"

Tony responded, "We came across a couple poachers on the way here."

Mom gasped, my dad wrapped an arm around her. Dad asked, "You serious?"

I waved them off, "Look, I'm fine." I gestured to the ranger beside me, "Tony here killed one of them and arrested the other. We have him with us."

Then he added loudly, "And we have a lioness too! She's in the back of my car!"

Mom's face practically turned white. She exclaimed, "What?!" I internally chuckled. Well that's some news to break. I thought she was gonna faint upon hearing that we have a big cat with us. Poor mom.

Tony shook his head and waved off her worries, "Don't worry. It's just asleep. She's been tranqed."

Gabe put on a serious look and nodded. He said, "Alright. Let's go." He asked as we led him, and my parents, outside, "Did you manage to find out more from the other poacher?"

Tony replied right when we came outside, "Not really. He hasn't said a word ever since I placed the cuffs on him. I already radioed the station. Theodore should be ready for us to deal with him."

Gabe replied, "Well let's hope we can find out more. These poachers could be the reason why poaching has been going on around here." When we got to the car, he peered through a window to see the dead body and the other poacher just to quickly confirm what we had. Gabe gazed towards me and said, "I see you have a dead body in there too."

Mom trembled a bit from the thought before I replied, "We took it with us for you guys to ID him."

He nodded, "Probably a good idea." Then we went to the back of the vehicle. Tony was already there when he opened it up, and we see the lioness laying on her side, her chest raising up and down. Gabe stared at it a bit, then nodded a bit as well when he said, "Ok, Tony, help me get her in the pen." 

I watched those two struggle getting her out of the car for a bit, before they actually began carrying her above the earth the same way me and Tony did earlier. My arms are still aching from the sheer power and weight that came from that lioness! Looking back on the time when I met that angry lioness, I can almost imagine her pouncing on me, knocking the wind out of me, maybe knocking me unconscious before she pierces her jaws into my throat.

Her frame can take down anything her size, I'd imagine. Jesus christ.

Dad placed a hand on my shoulder while I was watching those two carry the animal to the structure outside the houses, "You okay?"

I looked to him to reply assuringly, "Yeah. Just been a bit of a ride."

Mom said as she stood with us, "I'm just glad you're not hurt."

"Yeah, me too. But luckily Tony took care of them." I eyed towards the two guys that are halfway to the pen now, "He was quick on the draw."

Dad nodded at that, "Yeah, you were pretty lucky. I just hope it doesn't happen again." Then he asked me a very curious question, "So, uh...You guys carried that lion to the car, huh? How heavy was it?"

I replied in amusement, "Not as heavy as a couch I can tell you that."

He laughed under his breath, "That back breaking, huh?"

"You have NO idea."

Mom commented, after forming a tiny smile on her face, "I don't think I can carry her."

I warned her, chuckling, "I wouldn't reccomend it."

I heard Gabe hollering from afar, "Hey, somebody help us open this thing up!"

I thought I'd be the guy for the job. I rushed all the way there from where I was, then quickly opened up the pen when I got to it. Gabe and Tony, with a lot of struggling groans, carried her heavy form inside and slowly lowered her to the ground. She was still sleeping when we closed the gate. I stared at her a bit, thinking about what her reaction would be when she wakes up.

I'll be around when she does.

Gabe then announced behind me, "Alright. Let's give her a night, and then when she wakes up, we'll set her free."

Mom flat out told him, "Fine with me. Just leave me out of it when you release her."

Tony said, "Well, I better get going. Theodore's still waiting for me." I looked and saw him shaking hands with Gabe, "Thanks for the help, pal."

Gabe said, "No need to thank me. I'm only helping out with the heavy lifting."

Tony remarked after letting out an exasperated sigh, "Tell me about it."

Dad then said, "Yeah, and thanks for looking out for my son, Tony. Me and my wife appreciate it."

Tony giggled, then waved him off, "Just doing my job." He thumbed back to Gabe's house, "Come on."

They all walked off, while I was left staring at the lioness again. Thoughts raced about the animal inside the huge pen.

I wonder if she's the one I met yesterday? Could it be her? Or someone else?

I heard dad calling, "Ryan! C'mon!"

I glanced back, then strolled to catch up to them.

I hope she'll be okay in there before morning. She ain't gonna like this.

*****

I moaned when I regained consciousness. I opened my eyes, seeing everything was still dark and blurry. I heard the crickets, quickly realizing it was still night. I lifted my head off the grass, peering around the area, blinking my eyes as they came into focus. What happened? And...Where am I? Very soon, I was seeing I was stuck in some kind of wide, huge, strange thing. There were some kind of walls around me, even on the ceiling, but they looked strange. They weren't ordinary. I wasn't in a cave or any place like that. There were a lot of little holes on all the walls and they weren't like they were made from rock.

My eyes went wide. Oh no...

I got up on my four feet, a freaked out look on my face. I realize what's going on here. 

I then caught sight of two dens that definitely resemble ones those creatures that us lions despise of live in nearby. I was captured...By two leggers.

Memories came flooding to me very quickly. I remember going to Aren's cave and catching him mating with Dahlia...Then I ran off to cry...Then I was stung by something...Then I was sleepy...Then I saw those two two leggers.

That was the last thing I remember.

And now I'm in this thing. I do recall catching glimpses of two leggers capturing other animals and taking them away to someplace on the back of their rolling thingies or whatever the hell those things are called in things like the one I'm in. But I wasn't on a back of a rolling thingy. Apparently this thing I'm trapped in is stuck to the ground.

I had a very frightened look shone upon my face as I breathed heavily. No, I can't be here! I don't belong here! I've got to get out! Mom and dad are probably worried about me! I ran to the side of this thing, climbing up on my two feet with my forepaws grasped onto it. I heard it make a lot of noise, rattling very hard. I tried tearing it apart with my teeth and claws, but no matter how hard I tried, it wouldn't come apart. I then cried out for help with my paws still grabbed ahold of it, "HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME! HELP! I'M TRAPPED! HELP!!!"

I can see the savannah from right here, but no one was coming. I was all alone.

No...

I tried again, louder this time, "HELP ME! PLEASE! GET ME OUT OF THIS THING!" Then I dropped down to all fours, placing my eyes onto those dens nearby. I growled angrily at them. Then I went to the other side of this thing I'm trapped in and demanded, "HEY! LET ME OUT! YOU CAN'T KEEP ME HERE! LET ME OUT YOU BASTARDS!!!!" I knew this was futile, but I couldn't really help myself. I just want out of this thing!

But alas, nobody came. No two legger.

Big surprise, I know.

Determination other than fear emmitted in my chest. I can't give up. I WON'T! Then I whirled around to the side that's facing the savannah. I cried for help again, hoping someone will hear and come save me, "HELP! HELP! SOMEBODY! ANYBODY! SAVE ME! GET ME OUT OF HERE! HELLLLLLLLP!!!!" I got on my two feet again, shaking the enclosed wall forcibly, pleading helplessly, hoping my voice will be carried as far as it could, "PLEASE! HELP ME! SOMEBODY HELP ME! GET ME OUT! GET ME OUT OF HERE! HELP MEEEEEEEE!!!"

"Could you be any more louder?"

I gasped. I shot a glance over my shoulder...And saw a two legger standing outside. It was a male two legger. He said, "Everyone's trying to sleep, you know. It's kinda the middle of the night."

I growled, pushing myself off the wall and padding my way to the wall he's closest to. I demanded, "Let me out of this thing! You have no right to keep me here!"

He shrugged his shoulders and apologized, "Sorry about this. But it was honestly for your own good. Me and my friend brought you here. We couldn't leave you sleeping alone with other predators around."

I crouched down, acting like I'm getting ready to attack him, "They are the least of your worries. Now get me out of here."

The human shook his head, "I don't think I can do that now."

Looking at his face...There was something familiar about him. Even his voice sounded familiar...

I frowned, trying to focus more on his face. I pressed, "Do I know you from somewhere?"

He replied, making a frown of his own, "I...Don't think so."

After looking at him for another second, that's when I figured him out. I drew back, sucking in a sharp breath. It's HIM! 

It's the two legger I met yesterday!

The one I've let go...

I made a furious face, baring my teeth, shaking my tail behind me. I roared, "YOU!" I crashed myself into the wall. He yelped, withdrawing away from the thing I'm stuck in. I was grabbing ahold of this thing again, accusing him ahd rattling the thing with all the rage I had, "YOU! YOU BASTARD! I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN IT WAS YOU!"

I think he realizes who I was too, and his face went wide. Then he was actually smiling at me, "Holy crap! It's you! I can't believe it's you!"

I hissed, dropping my front end back down to the ground, "My words exactly. You didn't leave my lands at all. Should have known YOU were behind this."

Then the male two legger removed that smile off his face, like I was the one that swiped it off. He stated, "It isn't what you think."

I countered, "Wildebeest shit. You knew about me and you came back and got me. I should've killed you when I had the chance."

He denied it, "No! I was never behind what you went through. Listen, you got this all wrong. There were two others like me that found you, and they have tranquilized you. But me and a friend of mine found you being taken away by those assholes and we stopped them. But you were sleeping when we found you. We took you with us and we put you in this pen just to keep you safe. I mean...It's not like we can just keep you in my house."

So this thing is actually called a pen, huh? ...Not a very clever name for a bastard thing such as this. I accusingly stated, "Keep me safe, huh? More like keep me away from my home."

"No, listen! My family and I were gonna set you free in the morning. We were never gonna keep you in it. I swear!"

I blinked at him a few times, before I responded, "Why do I not believe you?"

The two legger replied, "That's a good question. But I'm telling you the truth. I'm your friend."

I was appalled by that statement, "Friend?! I don't even know you!"

"True. But that doesn't mean I'm not telling you the truth."

"...If that's the case...Help me get out of here...NOW."

"Uhhhhh..." He declined, "I can't. Not yet."

"Listen to me, you stubborn, backstabbing prick." I threatened, "You got me in this, you're gonna get me out. I am princess of these lands, and my father, who is also the king of these lands, won't like what you're doing to me. He is very protective of me. But what he does won't compare to what I'm going to do if I get out of this thing myself. If you leave me and don't let me go right now...I'M GONNA RIP YOUR FUCKING THROAT OUT!"

He raised his paw, his finger to his mouth, "Shhhh!" He whispered loudly with worry in his eyes, "Keep it down! My family's sleeping!"

I adamantly demanded, "I don't care if they're asleep, nor dead! Get me out of here! I demand it!"

Then he raised a brow, and cautiously asked, "What if you kill me anyway?"

"What?"

"I mean, what if you kill me anyway if I do let you out? You just said you're going to rip my throat out."

I growled deeply, "I will if you don't. Believe me. Get me out...Or you'll be VERY sorry."

The two legger just stared at me for a long time. He was probably deciding what he was gonna do. I just stared at him almost impatiently. He'd better decide soon. Finally, he asked, "You promise you won't kill me?"

I outright answered his question, "Yes."

"You sure?"

"Yes, now let me out!"

The two legger stared at me some more before he gave me a nod of approval, "Alright." He went around this thing before he was at one end of it. Very timidly, he reached for this thing that might open up and let me out. My heart pounded within my chest. I was so eager to get out. I eyed him to open this thing up already.

That's it...Just a bit more...

The two legger finally opened up this thing...

...And I sprang out of there, landing right on top of him. He was on his back with me on top, groaning in pain. He moaned while I had him pinned, "Oh, I should've known..."

Then I had one of my paws to his throat, listening to him choke a bit. I glared furiously down at him. I said with a lot of heat in my voice, "Bastard...YOU BASTARD. You really take me for a fool? You think I was just going to run off without thinking what you did to me?! I won't be taking another chance with you, two legger!"

He managed to choke out a few words, "It's...It's true...I'm telling you the truth!"

I growled, "Shut up."

"I'm...Your friend...Please..."

Friend! Fuck you! I snarled, "SHUT UP!" I was SO ready to kill him right then and there. I was so infuriated. Very angry for what his kind had done to me tonight. This was the worse thing that has ever happened to me...Maybe more so than catching Aren mating my sister. I was so ready to dig my jaws into his throat and kill him.

But...I hesitated. When I saw his eyes showing plea...I was feeling something. Just like the last time, my heart was telling me not to kill him. It was telling me to let him go again.

But why? He did this to me! This time, he has to die!

But, my heart was telling me otherwise.

Then shortly, I took a deep breath. And then shockingly, I released my grip from his throat, and slowly stepped off him. He was coughing as he was getting off the ground. When he got to his feet, he looked at me, rubbing his throat. He stared right at me, and I just stared right back, not changing my expression one bit. I finally spoke to him, calmly, "I gave you another break...Even though I do not trust you at all. And don't mention it." With that, I sped off to the savannah, free of my capture.

Before I could really get very far, I heard him call out, "Hey! Wait!"

I skidded to a stop, jerking my head back to look at him, "What!"

I can see him stand there, still rubbing the pain at his throat away. He hollered this at me, "My name is Ryan! What's your name?"

Is he serious?! I shouted in reply, "Fuck you, that's my name!" I resumed my escape without looking back anymore. I ran fast and hard as I could, till I was absolutely sure I was far enough away from him and that place. I finally slowed to a stop, breathing heavily with little air in my lungs, glancing back to make sure nobody had followed me. And there wasn't. I stood in the middle of the savannah for a little bit, to catch my breath since I used a lot of it. Then I went on my way.

I wasn't sure at first where I was, probably cause I wasn't too sure if I had been to this part of my father's lands before. But then soon, I began to figure out that I know where I was going. I was taking my directions to heart as I was making my way home. Gosh, my family is probably really worried about me. They're probably looking for me right now with the whole pride. 

They ain't gonna believe what happened to me.

Then I was thinking back to what happened to me. I just can't believe he just let me go. He looked like he has kept his word. But then my suspicious part inside nagged at my brain. It even made me groan in frustration. How could you not have killed him again?! He's a two legger, Sayde! You let him go the first time, and then all those things happened to you tonight! You were captured by two leggers for crying out loud! It's probably going to get worse after this! How many times are you gonna let him live before you actually kill him?! I took a deep breath and sighed. But, it was the way his eyes looked is what made me let him go. They seemed to have held the truth, just like before. His words, like before, also seemed to be holding the truth as well. He didn't seem to be lying.

Was he really telling me the truth about everything? Confusion swam in my head that it almost made me dizzy like earlier tonight. I don't understand it. How could he be this nice to me? I thought all two leggers are bad. Am I wrong about all of them? Is he...Really my friend? I looked up towards the night sky. He must be...Otherwise I wouldn't be walking home. Could it possibly be true? Then I remembered the one thing he told me before I left him. His name.

Ryan. 

So his name is Ryan...

I hummed to myself, intrigued, "Hmmm..."

Not too long later, I can hear someone calling my name, "Sayde! Sayde!" I snapped my eyes to that direction. It's mom! I can see her running up to me as she seemed to have spotted me. She cried happily and relieved, "Sayde! Thank heavens you're safe!" She rubbed her face against mine lovingly.

I almost wanted to tell her everything now...But I pushed down all those words and pretended nothing bad had happened. I assured her with a small smile on my muzzle, "Sorry about that. I'm fine, mom. Really."

She pulled away and asked, "What happened to you?! You were gone such a long time!"

Before I could make up an excuse, someone else interrupted us, "Mom! Sayde!" I looked past her and found that it was Dahlia and Aren who had appeared now. 

Standing beside my sister, Aren looked so relieved to see me.

I formed a very furious glare on my face. Well...I wasn't happy to see him.

I strolled quickly up to him, while he was trying to say something to me, "Sayde. Are you oka-" I slapped him across the muzzle with my paw. He cried out in pain, jerking back, "OW!"

I snarled, "ASSHOLE!!!"

"Sayde!" Dahlia got in between me and the lion, baring her teeth with a sharp, threatening glare, "What do you think you're doing!"

"Bastard! You hurt me!"

Aren cried out in confusion with his paw to his face, "What are you talking about?"

Mother came up to us, and demanded, "Sayde. What's the meaning of this?"

I then flat out told Aren this, "I saw you! I saw you mating Dahlia, you son of a bitch!"

Dahlia let out a gasp while Aren's jaw dropped. My mother perked up her head after hearing it. She glanced towards the two with a quizzical look, "What?"

My sister sighed then looked towards her with a bit of a confession, "It's kind of a long story, mom."

But I didn't care about stories. I just wanted to RAGE at Aren. I screamed, barely about ready to burst into tears once again tonight, "I was in love with you! I loved you, Aren! And you threw that back at my face! HOW DARE YOU!"

Aren didn't say anything. He was speechless. Dahlia on the other paw began to rage at me as well, swinging her tail behind her, "How dare YOU attack Aren when he didn't do anything to you! Back off!"

I turned my attention to her, "You back off you SLUT!"

Mom roared, "Enough!" We just stared at each other angrily as she angrily told us, "I don't want any more of this fighting! Sayde is safe, now all of us are heading home, pronto! We'll talk more about this in the morning." She shot her head towards the direction of home, her body slightly turning to it, "Now...Let's go."

Dahlia glared at me some more before deciding to stroll off with Aren at her side. He looked at me for a bit while walking, seemingly guilty about this, but I just glared at him, while holding down the tears that were fighting to come out of me. I didn't want to cry in front of him or anyone. I followed along behind them, with mom leading the way. I was still feeling that anger welling up inside me. I had nothing more to say.

As far as I'm concerned...I'm safe, and I'm heading home.