Username: Cactologist
Lion Name: Shintsha ("change")
Lion Gender: Female
Pride: Ukusizana PridePride Status: Third Gen. Queen (via marriage)
Prompt: Life was simple back then. Everything followed three simple rules: Run. Hide. Be afraid. So why did she want more? "Shintsha, quick wake up, we need to go!" But Shin had learned to sleep with one eye open, and she already knew what her mother would never tell her: The Ukwesabisa had found them. Again. She had been denying it ever since she first began to hear the whispers again, because afterall, this place was supposed to be hidden and perfect, but now the truth had stolen into her mind while she slept, and it was impossible to lie to herself.
Run. Her body jumped up without hesitation but her heart was reluctant. Regardless, she had her bag in an instant, and a moment later she was among the agitated lions and hysterical lionesses racing through the pitch black woods. Her mind ran a million times faster, though, and she already knew this time was not like the others. She knew her heart had changed. Although her upbringing fought it, she knew her decision had been made the moment she entered this valley. The feeling was electric; meant to be. It was home. And they were making a mistake.
Hide. No one noticed as she edged out of the stampede and into the forest around them. She paused for just a moment while the rest of the pride stormed by, but it was long enough for panic to catch up with her. What was she doing!? But she knew there was no turning back. She had made her decision. Without another thought, she was running again, but this time it was different. She was not running away from something wrong, but rather to something right.
As she neared the edge of huts where the pride had resided, her doubting thoughts left for good. The hulking black beasts of lions had already invaded and covered the area a spilled liquid, their beady eyes scanning rapidly for their prey. Shin felt a hot fury growing in her rivalling the heat of the Sacred Fire itself.
The Sacred Fire. Shin knew what she had to do.
Be Afraid. Shin was small, fast, and knew the area like the back of her paw, but she was tired of hiding. Without a second of hesitation, she raced to the center of the village. She grabbed a burning stick from the roaring community fire and threw it into the dry underbrush before the Ukwesabisa could even fathom what they were seeing. Then, she ran for what she promised would be her last time. By the time she was free of the huts, the center of the village was a ravaging wildfire. The Ukwesabisa that were able to move their bulk fast enough to escape ran like hurt puppies, and the others were not so fortunate.
Shin ached for all she had lost, but she knew she had gained so much more. Freedom, strength, independence. And she would never be a slave to fear again.
Word Count: 498/500
