I sat down on my bed in the tent, still stunned about what I've just learned. No way. There is no freakin way. I can't be the only human in this tent that can understand what Jade is saying. And there is no way that Jade can't understand what everyone else is saying, except she can understand me.

But everything's pretty evident right now. I am the only one who can talk to her and understand her, and Jade can only understand what I'm saying.

I don't get it. I thought everything was going according to plan. I thought maybe I'm not crazy at all. But now I'm not so sure anymore. Why god? Why is this happening to me? What's wrong with me? Am I really losing it? No I can't think that way. Jade wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for me. So I know I'm not imagining her words coming out of her mouth. I'm not making all of this up!

Before I could dwell on it some more, Eileen's voice interrupted my thoughts, "Casper."

I looked up, Shawna, Eileen and Walker are still in the tent just staring at me alongside Jade, who is shocked as I am.

I sighed and asked them, "You guys think I'm crazy do you?"

Shawna just said, "Honestly, I don't know anymore. I thought you were just imagining it. But now I think you really can understand her and we don't."

Then Jade piped in, "Uh Casper? What is Shawna saying?"

I told Jade, "She knows I can understand you and she can't."

Then Jade looked down, "Oh."

Walker then raised his hands like he was surrendering, "Ok, so let me get this straight. Jade was talking and you can understand her, right?"

I nodded, "Yeah, she just asked me what Shawna was saying.'"

Walker then stared at Jade, "Well all she just did was let out a few grunts." Then he turned his gaze back on me, "I'm really am confused by all of this."

I said, "You're not the only one."

Eileen said, "So Casper, you really can understand her? Are you sure you're not making this up?"

That's my sister for you, always in denial. The proof is evident. I got up from my bed and said, "Look everyone, I know what it looks like. But I'm not crazy, I know I don't have a mental illness, I really am hearing human words coming out of Jades mouth. It's possible really it is."

Shawna took a small step toward me, "Look Casper, we believe you. We're not calling you crazy at all. We're just....Confused by all of this."

I just smiled a bit, "Not as confused as I am, I guess."

Jade piped in again, "Casper, what's going on?"

I said to Jade, "They're saying they're not calling me crazy, and they believe me."

Jade put a paw on her head, "Boy my head's spinning."

I laughed, and Shawna, Eileen, and Walker all gave me a confused look. Walker asked, "What's she saying now?"

I answered him, "She said, her head's spinning."

Walker put his hand to his forehead, "Great, now my head's spinning."

I laughed hard at that, and so did everyone else. Except Jade, who is wondering why we are laughing like that.

When we finally stopped, Eileen said, "Ok so, what do we do now? What do we do with her?" Then she pointed at Jade.

I shrugged, "I don't know what we should do, but to answer your question about Jade, I'm keeping her here."

Walker's eyes went wide and asked incredulously, "You're keeping her? Awesome a pet lion!"

Eileen's eyes went wide as well, but her opinions different, "What?! No Casper, this is a bad idea! We have to tell someone about this. We have to tell someone about Casper's ability. We can be famous! I have to tell mom and dad!" Then she turned and went to the entrance of the tent.

I stopped her before she left, "No Eileen, you can't tell anyone this. Not even mom and dad."

She gave me a confused look, "What? Why not?"

"Because the other day, after me and Shawna almost got eaten by a certain lioness, I tried to tell them about Jade. But the problem is, is that they think I'm crazy, and I have a childhood fantasy and I need to grow up. They think I'm crazy Eileen! What would they think, that I'm keeping a lioness and I'm trying to introduce them to her? They won't understand her, don't you get it? They'll brush it off like before, and not to mention they might send Jade to a zoo, or something worse than that!"

Jade heard my words, and she panicked, "What do you mean, 'something worse than that!?' You mean kill me?! I don't want to die! I don't want anyone to kill me!" Then she went to a corner and turned her back on us.

I went to Jade and put my hand on her shoulder to comfort her, "No Jade. Nobodies going to kill you. I'll make sure of it."

Jade looked up at me and smiled, then she nuzzled my chest. I smiled at that.

Then Eileen piped in, "Look I didn't mean to interrupt, but someone's bound to find out sooner or later. I mean you can't hide her here forever! Someone might find her one day."

I stared at Eileen, "Sure I can, it's working so far."

Eileen shook her head, "No Casper, if you really care about her, then you have to send her away. She's a wild animal, not a pet."

I glared at her, "She's not a wild animal, and she's not a pet, she's my friend. And I can't just send her away either. She doesn't have a home anymore. She...She ran away from home. Because her father forbid her to not see me anymore, because I'm a human! She feels smothered by him, and she just wanted to get away. She's been through a lot throughout her whole life. Her aunt's completely psycho, her older sister died years ago because of her aunt, and her mother disappeared not very long after Jades sister died. She feels alone guys, and...She needs me."

Shawna, Walker, and especially Eileen, were shocked by this revelation, and now Eileen has a guilty look on her face.

I said to them, "Please guys, don't tell anyone that Jade's hiding here, ok? Promise me."

Shawna nodded, "I promise."

Walker only nodded.

Eileen said, "Cross my heart, and hope to die."

I smiled at all of them, "And don't worry about Jade, she's my problem. And I'll make sure she doesn't get into any trouble, you can visit her if you want. I know she won't understand you, but I don't think she would mind, I think she likes company." Then I shrugged, "Besides what could possibly go wrong?"

*****

It was late in the afternoon, and Bron was still worried about his daughter. He still can't believe she would run away. One of the lionesses that he sent to find her came back to inform him.

Bron looked at her, "Did you find her?"

The lioness shook her head, "No sir, me and my sisters split up, and I thought I caught Jades scent. But the problem is she went to the watering hole to wash the scent off of her I think. I lost her scent after that, I don't know where she could have ran off to."

Bron shook his head, "Well keep looking, you have to find her. She's the only family I have left."

The lioness nodded, "I'll try, but we don't know where to start, she could be anywhere by now." Then the lioness turned and ran off to find her.

Bron shook his head, looked out at the horizon, and sighed, "Jade...I hope you know what you're doing. Please, come home."

*****

It's been hours since my sister and friends went off to do what they planning for today. Me and Jade were pretty much alone, trying to find something productive to do here in this tent. One time she said she was hungry again, and luckily the mess hall was having cheeseburgers tonight, I went there to get a few cheeseburgers for Jade and one for me. I'm just glad no one seemed to notice how many cheeseburgers that I have, I have three cheeseburgers for Jade!

Of course I handed her the burgers, she did notice the cheese on them. She asked me what it was and I said it was cheese and I told her to give it a try. I figured she never ate cheese before, but hey why not try different things? She ate one of the burgers, and she said it was pretty good. Which I was glad!

After we ate, we sat and talked for a while, we talked to each other about our personal lives, especially mine I didn't tell her about my life all that much yet. After that, she yawned said she was tired, and so was I. Before she went to bed, she went outside to powder her nose, ha powder her nose I crack myself up. Then she came back and laid down on the floor, since she tried to sleep on my bed last night and it didn't work out.

I went to my bed and laid down making sure that Jade was fast asleep, well at least it wasn't a bad day. It was kind of 'productive' to say the least. I've got to introduce her to my friends and sister, I've fed and she wasn't starving, and we talked to each other for a while. I know what she likes mostly. I smiled to myself at that, I'm glad she's happy here so far, but sooner or later she would want to get out of this tent at least for a little while. Maybe me and her would sneak out of here and go to the savannah for a little while, all day perhaps. Maybe the day after tomorrow, but for now lets let her adjust to life here for a bit.

I laid my head on my pillow, closed my eyes and went to sleep.

*****

Karone was staring at the human camp, where her niece supposedly ran away to. Probably ran away to her human friend she thinks. Her follower was sitting beside her staring at all of those lights, and all the humans that are roaming around.

Karone looked at her follower and asked, "You're sure Jade's in there?"

The lioness nodded, "Affirmative, I saw Jade running away from her home, went to the watering hole to wash herself off, and somehow ran all the way here. I know she's there, I saw with my own eyes."

Karone giggled evilly, "Perfect, I knew Bron's own daughter would become so frustrated with her own life, and then run. It seems that my plan's working so far."

Her follower looked at her questioningly, "What plan? What are you planning?"

Karone smiled at her, "Why to kill her off course! And to kill Bron and take over the pride. And also to kill that human boy." She growled.

The follower said, "Well what are we waiting for? Lets get the princess already."

Karone shook her head and waved her paw, "Now now, lets not rush into things. These things take time to plan out. If we just went and killed Jade, the human boy would just run to Bron and tell him what happened. Then everything would fail. So we can't just kill my niece just yet, we have to get rid of the boy."

The follower looked at questioningly, "How? He's surrounded by humans, how are we suppose to kill him?"

Karone smiled devilishly, "Why with the help of my 'old friend'."

The follower realized what she's talking about, "You mean your human helper?"

Karone nodded, "Precisely, he can help me get rid of that boy, after all I've known him for years."

The follower said, "Are you sure you can trust him? I've never met him before."

Karone growled at her, "I do trust him, he's the only human I can trust. And he has met the boy as well, and my friend told me his name's Casper Shepherd, and he has a family living with him in this camp as well. Believe me, I know everything about him now."

Karone walked to a tree until she was facing it, and said, "Once everything goes into fruition, then we won't have to worry about taking over these lands anymore, we would have all the food and water to ourselves! And I would rule these lands with my iron will." Karone then sheathed her claws, "And once I have the boy all alone." Then she drove her claws into the tree in front of her, and then let down a big scratch all the way down to the bottom until she pulled her claws away. Then she giggled evilly.

*****

I was walking the hallway at the hospital, I don't remember why I was walking in the first place. What was I doing? Was I bored, and I wanted to have walk? I can't remember, but I did see a door up ahead, the little sign beside it said, 'Bio Room'.

For some reason I felt like I was suppose to be in that room, but why? I decided to open the door and peeked inside, there was no one in the room. So I went inside and looked around, several lab vases were scattered on the counter, different colors of liquid in each one of them.

I picked up one of them and examined it, then I heard the door opening so I put the vase down and hid behind the counter. I slowly peeked around the corner and I see a person wearing a ski mask, searching through the drawers for something. What was he looking for? I didn't have very long to think, because the man knocked down one of the vases and broke when it hit the floor.

The man panicked, then the alarm went off, then he ran immediately out the door. Then I smelled something, I had a feeling the smell was coming from that vase. The smell made me cough and cough, and until suddenly I was starting to lose consciousness, I fell to the floor, and everything was starting to go black.

I gasped and jumped up in bed. I was breathing heavily, and then I realized it was just a dream. That dream...I was dreaming that I was in the hospital again, but this time it was a little different. I didn't see myself on the floor that time, this time I experienced it. And that guy in the ski mask, who is he? And what was he looking for? And...Why do those dreams feel real? Why did it feel like I've been there before? It felt like...Deja vu.

I leaned over to the side of the bed making sure my gasp didn't wake up Jade. I let out of whoosh of air knowing that I didn't. She slept peacefully on the ground, except for me.

What's going on? Why am I dreaming that I'm in the hospital? And why do the dreams feel real? I don't remember being in the hospital, that's impossible. I've had that dream on the first night that I've spent here, and now it happened again tonight.

I was giving myself a headache thinking about it. I didn't want to dwell on it anymore, I laid my head down and tried again.

*****

I rose my head from the ground and yawned, that was a nice nap. Better than being on that thing that Casper calls a bed, sleeping on the ground is a lot better. I got up on all fours and let out a big long stretch, ohhh that felt good.

I can see the sun peeking through the tent, morning already? Wow the nights spending in this place really go by fast.

I looked at the bed Casper's in, I giggled. Maybe I can scare him again, its not like I've scared him before, it's funny seeing him jump.

I leapt on the bed and lowered my head to the pillow and yelled, "Good morning!"

But I didn't hear a scream, why? Because he wasn't in bed. "Awww." He must have got up and left without waking me up. I sighed, oh well maybe I can scare him again later. I'm sure there's still time.

I lied on my belly on his bed, and I waited.

*****

I walked out of the mess hall, already had my breakfast. I got up early from bed, still couldn't get that dream from last night out of my head, it's still pretty weird. I still don't remember being in a hospital. I looked at the bag of food I've held  in my hand that I got from the mess hall. Since I was eating this morning, might as well bring some breakfast to Jade as well. There are three sausages that I have for her by the way. She'll love them!

I was on my way back to the tent when I saw Tabitha having a smoke. Hmmm, maybe I can ask aunt Tabitha if I was in the hospital, because believe me I feel like I've been there before.

I walked up to Tabitha, "Hey there."

Tabitha let out a puff of smoke, and smiled at me, "Well good morning my favorite nephew! How was breakfast?"

I smiled "It was good, good as usual."

She nodded, "That's good."

I motioned at the cigarette in her hand, "I thought you quit?"

Tabitha sighed and said, "I know, but can't help it. The habits been bothering me ever since we've got here, I guess the problem is that there's not a lot to do here. Except for visiting your parents, but you know them."

I nodded, I can't blame her. There really is noting to do here!

Then Tab noticed the bag of food I have, "What's in the bag? More food?"

I looked at the bag and then I looked back at her, "Yeah."

Then she gave me a quizzical look, "Wow kid, I never really thought you like the food here all that much. What are you going to do with it? Eat it for later?"

I wanted to tell her the truth, but I couldn't take the chance, "Uh, yeah I'm planning to eat it later."

Then she had another question, "Do you have a fridge in your tent? Because if you don't then you should know if you leave that food out in the heat, it's going to get bad. No to mention bugs might get to it as well."

I tried to think of another excuse, "Actually I'm bringing this to Shawna, she's hungry."

Then Tabitha got the picture, "Oh." Then she giggled, "You like her don't you?"

I nodded, "Yeah, she's a nice girl. No problem with her at all."

Then Tabitha shook her head, "No I mean." Then she narrowed her eyes at me, 'You like her'."

That's when I gotten what she's trying to tell me, then I shook my head, "Oh no, we're just friends that's about it. I don't know her that well to like her."

Tab smiled, "Well maybe you should get to know her. After all she has been asking me about you."

I was surprised to hear that, "Really? She's been asking about me?"

She nodded, "Well of course she has, she's been asking a lot of questions about you like 'what does he like? Or who does he listen to on the radio? Or what's his favorite movie?' Trust me I think she finds you rather cute." Then she winked.

I blushed after hearing all that, Oh my god that girl's into me. Wow. Guess I really need to be with her after all. I mean yeah she looks pretty beautiful, with her blue eyes and her long blonde hair...Well ok I think I like her as well. But hey what chance would she have with a guy like me?

I nodded, "Well I'll think about getting to know her sometime, but for now I'm....Busy."

Then Tabitha made a suggestion, "Well perhaps you should take her with you for a little walk in the savannah."

Then I said, "Uh Tab, last time she went with me to the savannah, she almost got eaten by a wild animal."

Then she gasped, "Oh I forgot. Well I'm sure you'll think of something to do with her."

I smiled a little bit, "Yeah, well anyways see you around."

Tabitha nodded, and then I turned around. Before I could walk away that thought came to me again. Oh crap I forgot. I turned back around and said, "Hey Tab."

She looked at me, "Yes?"

I tried to ask her about the hospital as best I could, "Do...Do you remember me being in the hospital? You know before we came here."

She gave me a confused look, "Why? Is something bothering you?"

I shook my head, "No it's just...I was just wondering if I've ever been to the hospital back at home. I don't remember."

Then Tab looked up thinking about it, "Well...I think you broke your arm when you were thirteen or fourteen I think. I think you broke your arm at school."

Then something clicked, yeah I remember I broke my arm, and yeah I did wind up in a hospital. But what about the guy in the ski mask? What about that bio room with all those vases? Why do I keep thinking that I've been in that room before?

I asked her another question, "Tab...Do...You remember about a guy in a ski mask or anything like that? Was it around the time I was in the hospital? Did that guy take anything?"

Tabitha gave me a confused look, "I have no idea what you're talking about Casper."

I said, "Oh, I was just wondering. Never mind." I sighed.

Tabitha gave me a quizzical look, "Hey, where did you get that idea from? You know the ski mask dude?"

I waved her off, "Oh it's nothing. Nothing at all." I turned around, "Anyways I got to go, see you later." Then I walked away.

I heard Tabitha say, "Later!"

While I was walking back to the tent, the hospital dream still loomed around. Ok, so I did wound up in the hospital one time in my life. But what about the guy in the ski mask? Maybe he wasn't real. Maybe it really was a dream. But why does it feel so real?

*****

The day went well without a problem, after I left Tabitha alone I fed Jade her sausages. She really likes human food. Guess it goes against her natures way of living, but it seems worth it to me.

But poor Jade was getting restless today, I can't blame her. I wouldn't want to be stuck in the tent all day as well. But it's too risky for her to wander around the camp all day. Someone might shoot her.

To ease her restlessness, I brought Shawna and Eileen to hang out with us. Even though Jade couldn't understand them, she still loved their company, I guess she likes all the attention she's getting. Show off.

After they left Jade said she was hungry again, but I couldn't get her any food right now, the mess hall was closed right now until later today. So I came up with an idea, I went through my bag that I packed up for my summer vacation, and I've found what I was looking for. I got out a bag of beef jerky, since it's kinda made of meat anyways, I think.

I opened the bag, and I took one of the jerky out and showed it to Jade, "Here try this. It's good."

Jade sniffed it and gave a weird look, "What's that?"

I answered, "It's called beef jerky."

Jade cocked her head and said, "What's beef jerky?"

I laughed, "Well it's a snack we humans eat silly. It's kinda hard to chew it, but it tastes good. Please Jade give it a try."

Jade was hesitant, but she gave in and took the jerky out of my hand and started chewing it. She let her taste buds doing their work, and then she gave me a smile.

I simply asked, "Well?"

She nodded, "It tasted a little weird. But it was not bad. I don't know why you said it's kinda hard to chew, it wasn't hard at all."

I laughed, "Well maybe it's because you have a big mouth."

She laughed as well, "Yeah good point, that jerky never stood a chance!"

We both laughed together, well at least it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

*****

Night came, and the mess hall opened. I've got what I came for and walked out of there. Telling everyone good night while I was at it.

Other than the fact that I was hungry, after I gave Jade some beef jerky, no I didn't give her all of it! I want some as well you know. Jade was still hungry, she said she wish she went out hunting, I don't blame her one bit.

So I decided to go to the mess hall again, and got her some food, AGAIN. But hey at least it was something she could eat. I was on my way back to the tent when I heard some rustling in the bushes. "Huh?" I followed the direction of the noise, and then I heard voice whispering.

"Pssst, Casper! Casper! Casper, over here!"

I gasped, it was Jade! What is she doing out here? She's suppose to be in the tent! I ran to the bushes and found her low to the ground.

Jade smiled and waved her paw at me, "Hi."

I was fuming a little, "Jade, what are you doing out here?"

She looked at me like a child who has done something wrong, "Casper, I went looking for you. You were gone for a long time."

My eyes went wide, "No Jade, you shouldn't be out here. Go back to the tent before someone sees you."

She whined, "But Casper I'm bored, I want to get out and go somewhere."

"Jade I told you, me and you will go to the savannah tomorrow. You just have to be patient."

Jade was about to protest, "But-"

I cut her off, "No Jade go back to the tent now."

Before she could run off, I heard a voice from a distance, I peeked over the bushes and saw her. Tabitha! She wasn't far away, she's close.

I shushed her, "Shhh, someone's coming stay down and be quiet."

Jade's face went wide, "Crap, what do we do?"

"Calm down, I'll distract her and when I do you sneak back to the tent, got it?"

She nodded and whispered, "Ok."

I got up from the bushes, and went to Tabitha. Pretended that nothing's happening. I said to Tab, "Hey."

Tabitha was startled that I came out of nowhere, "Oh, hey there, what are you doing out here? It's dark now."

I nodded, "Oh I know, it's just I went to the mess hall to get something to eat."

She saw the bag of food in my hand, "Goodness getting more food for Shawna? She must be hungry."

I looked at the bushes, I don't think I see her. Good, my plan's working. Gotta keep it up. Then I looked back at Tabitha, and said, "So...Nice weather we're having."

She laughed, "Well what do you think? It's always nice here."

I laughed as well, "Yeah I know it's just-" Before I could say anymore a loud crash erupted. Me and Tab heard it and both of us saw it.

Jade accidentally knocked over a couple of metal trash bins, and now she has a guilty look on her face, she said, "Oops."

I saw on Tabitha's face total fear, then she stared screaming hysterically.

I went to Tab to calm her down, while trying to put a hand over her mouth. "Tab wait, stop it, Tab, Tabitha stop it, it's ok, Tab stop it, stop, STOP!!"

Tabitha finally calmed down and looked at me then at Jade, then back at me, "Casper? What's going on here?"

Oh boy. "Alright Tab listen to me, it's a long story. But the lioness over there, she's not going to hurt anyone."

She asked incredulously, "Casper, what's a lioness doing here? Where did she come from?"

I smiled at her, "Tabitha, she's my friend. That's Jade. The lioness that I've told you and mom and dad about a few days ago."

Tabitha then looked at Jade, a shocked look on her face, "Wait she's real? She's not your imaginary friend?"

I shook my head, "No she's not." Then I beckoned for Jade to come to Tabitha, "Come over here, it's okay."

Jade walked slowly towards Tabitha, she's pretty nervous and then she sat on her butt and looked up at her.

Tabitha slowly reach out to pet Jade on top of her head, she started to scratch Jades ear and then Jade started purring.

Tabitha had a smile on her face and then looked at me, "Casper, I...I didn't believe you. I really didn't believe you. But it's true, you were telling us the truth the whole time."

I smiled and nodded, "Yes I did."

Then she apologized, "I'm so sorry, Casper."

I waved her off, "No, it's okay."

Then Tab asked another question, "So can she talk? Can she really speak to me?"

My smile melted from my face, then I scratched the back of my head, "Well it's kind of a long story. See she can't-"

All of us heard voices, they were come our way.

Tabitha urged us to go, "Casper, hide Jade. Talk to me about it later, alright? Now go!"

I nodded and urged Jade to run back to the tent. We ran as fast as we could, until we finally made it. Both of us were out of breath and then we both started laughing, and then Jade said, "Well that was the most exciting thing that happened to me today."

I was still laughing, "Yes, yes it was."