November 2, 2016
Loud beeping wailed through the hotel room. Jezabella shot up from her bed and quickly turned off the alarm clock. She let out a tired groan and pulled the covers back over her head. Today was going to be a long day- she had to catch several flights in order to get to a rural country. Her boss wanted her to document certain animals that lived there.
She managed to get out of bed and proceeded to begin her daily routine- use the bathroom, shower, brush her teeth, do her makeup, and admire herself in the mirror. But as the Kalon stepped out of the bathroom, her phone began to ring loudly.
Jez leaped for it and quickly snatched it up. She answered and then quietly waited.
A deep voice replied with,
"Jezabella Labrie?"
"Yes, that's me. How can I help you?"
"This is the manager of the National Endangered Wildlife Photography Organization, or NEWPO for short. I'm here to talk to you about an important job opportunity. We are very impressed with your photography work, Jezabella."
Jezabella's smile was huge. The NEWPO was a very famous organization- and they wanted her to work for them?! She couldn't believe it!
"Jezabella, as you may know, the snow leopard is an endangered animal. The NEWPO would like to collect more photos and documents on this animal, but it is rare and hard to find. We are asking you to visit the Himalayan mountains in order to locate snow leopards and collect as many photos as possible. You will be rewarded greatly for this service....if you accept, that is."
Jez could barely breathe. Snow leopards have always been a very important part of her life. They were her father's favorite animal. Finding one would be like seeing her father again! Jez replied with,
"Absolutely, sir! I'd be pleased to work for you. Will a camera crew be provided?"
"Glad to hear. Yes, we will send a crew of Kalons to help you on your dangerous trip. You will leave today at noon- we have paid for all of your flights. Be safe, Ms. Labrie."
He then abruptly hung up.
Jez sat there in utter silence. It was all too much to take in. She let an excited tear slip and started laughing happily. Not only would this gain her a lot of money and fame, but she'd get to see a snow leopard in real life!
•••
November 4, 2016
Jez had safely arrived yesterday. Today she would meet her crew and devise a hiking plan that would safely get them through the Himalayas. She sat in the hotel lobby, quietly waiting for the Kalons. She glanced over at her reflection in the window every few seconds- gosh, she was such a pretty Kalon!
The sound of an opening door snapped her out of her window trance. A dark brown Kalon walked in. He smiled widely and gave Jez a wave.
"Hi, nice to meet you! I'm Francis. You must be Jezabella."
Jez flipped her hair and rose from the chair she was sitting in. She put on a fake smile and walked over to Francis.
"Hey, nice to meet you Francis. Call me Jez."
Before they could do or say anything else, another Kalon walked in. She had beautiful hair and a gorgeous fur pattern- Jez immediately sized her up. Her smile widened and she walked over to meet her.
•••
30 minutes later, and Jez had met her whole crew.
There was Francis, who had been asked to help photograph the snow leopards as well.
Then there was Iridescent- she would help lead the group through the mountains.
And finally there was Paz, who was excellent at finding animals. She would help the crew locate the leopards.
Jez hadn't had any friends for a long time. In fact, Jez wasn't sure if she ever has had any real friends. She hoped that maybe these Kalons would be able to tolerate her presence...
Iridescent's voice rattled Jez from her thoughts.
"The mountains are a dangerous place- anything could go wrong. We're packing everything we need for one week- if we get stuck out there, we will be screwed."
She giggled and looked at everyone.
"So don't do anything stupid while we're out there!"
Paz then stepped in.
"Everyone has a backpack with the essentials. But like Iridescent said, it's only for one week. We can't afford to waste anything, alright?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Okay, good. We'll start tomorrow."
•••
November 10, 2016
(6 days later)
The trip through the mountains was running smoothly. A little too smoothly...
There were no food or water shortages. Snow leopards were uncommon but the crew still managed to get a many shots of them. The snow was ruthless but the crew was handling it well. Overall, it had been an amazing adventure.
Jez had continued to be her stuck up self, but the other crew members didn't seem to mind too much. Jez believed they could see right through her- they knew what she was really like. It made her feel a little more comfortable.
Seeing the snow leopards had brought immense joy to Jez. They reminded Jez of her father so much- she nearly cried when they encountered the first leopard. It was an experience Jez would never forget.
•••
November 11, 2016
(Last day of the trip)
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. Disaster decided that the last day of the trip would be a great day to strike!
7:00 A.M.
Jezabella and the crew trudged through the mountain snow. The cumbersome coats they wore slowed their walking. They were nearing the tip of one of the mountains- they had seen snow leopard tracks leading up to the top and had decided to take a look.
Rumbling thunder shocked the Kalons and they all glanced up at the sky. Huge storm clouds were moving quickly towards them.
"Holy cow!" Francis gasped.
Jezabella gulped and looked back at the crew. "Guys, we need to find shelter super quick. Can we set up another tent?"
"No, a tent wouldn't be safe. The wind will knock it over." Paz spoke up.
Jez sighed. "Then we'll have to head back down. We need to hurry!"
The crew turned around and hurriedly walked/ran back down the mountain. The snowstorm started to quickly pick up. Jez could hardly see her paw in front of her face.
A loud crash exploded behind them- Jez heard Iridescent yell. Before Jez could comprehend it, she was pushed to the side. Achingly cold snow engulfed her and her head smashed against a rock. Jezabella blacked out seconds later. (Oomg :0)
•••
12:00 P.M.
(Switching to Jez's point of view)
I woke up to a piercing headache and a lot of snow. It completely covered my lower half- how long have I been out? What happened? Where's the crew?! Is this death?!
A stabbing pain shot through my head. I groaned and rolled to the side- my eyes watered and I pressed my paws to my head.
A few moments later I struggled to my paws. I looked around at all of the snow and debris. I wonder what went wrong?
I groaned again and pushed back the tears. Of course! Of course this trip just HAD to go wrong!
I hit the ground in frustration. I bet I looked awful, too! I didn't even have a brush with me!
I huffed and decided to move into the woods. Whatever. I'd show nature! My dad had taught me everything I needed to know. I would get out of this...alive.
•••
November 15, 2016
(4 days of survival)
"I, Jezabella Labrie, am not one to get dirty. I do not eat bugs, I do not eat rabbits, I do not eat leaves and drink dirty water.
That's what most Kalons think. They'd be wrong.
I am a survivalist; I crave nature and everything it holds. I grew up in the trees. Basically, I mean. But then I changed- I thought popularity was more important.
Let me tell you- to whoever is listening: it's not. Follow what your heart tells you- no matter how cheesy that sounds, I beg you to do it. I have been unhappy for so long. But now, living off of the land; I'm closer to myself than I have been in years. And maybe I'm just delusional from hunger and thirst- maybe I'm nuts. But if I make it out of this alive, I swear to you, I will change. These past few days...I've realized my mistakes. I miss the old me, so I'm promising you- I will change."
-
Jezabella held the camera closer to her face. She was crying- yea, she was pretty delusional. Nevertheless, her eyes held truth. She meant what she said, even if it was spur of the moment. This major point of her li-
A bush behind her began to rustle.
-
I dropped the video camera and wheeled around. A figure emerged from the bush.
I gasped loudly and covered my mouth with my paws.
A snow leopard gracefully padded out from the bush. His coat was beautiful- almost identical to mine. He flicked his tail and padded forward. Our eyes locked together; we stared at each other for what seemed like forever. He then gave one last look to me and sprinted in the opposite direction.
I quickly packed up my things and ran after him. My heart felt like it was going to explode.
No way! There's no way that this leopard just happened to do that! This had to be a sign!
•••
3:00 P.M.
(Same day)
Following the leopard wasn't hard at all. He seemed to be leading me somewhere. Whenever he moved too far ahead, I'd call out to him and he would somehow find me again.
I had been following him for hours. He eventually led me to a large opening in the mountain forest-there were no trees; only snow. In the middle of the clearing stood two large tents.
I let out a cry and raced for the tents. Tears were already streaming down my face.
"Paz! Francis! Iridescent!" I yelled as I smacked into the tents.
The three Kalons shot out, their eyes wide with surprise. I excitedly shrieked and hugged all of them.
"H-how..?! JEZ, HOW DID YOU EVEN-?" Francis screamed back.
I looked over their shoulders.
The leopard stood on a rock, watching us from the shadows. I swear he nodded at me- I swear he looked strikingly similar to my dad-
"Bye, dad." I whispered, and then the leopard was gone.
"What?" Francis asked again. "You didn't answer my question."
I covered my face to try and hide my smile.
"I can start over. I get a second chance."
"Jez?" Paz asked in a confused tone.
"I promised I'd change. And now I have to fulfill that." My eyes were watering again. Happy tears.
"She must be dehydrated...hopefully she's not completely insane.." Iridescent tried for a laugh.
They led me inside the tent and I was given food and water. I retold my story to them. They then informed me that an avalanche had separated us and they had no way to get to me. They were out searching for me when I found them. They profusely apologized- they thought it was their fault.
I hugged each of them again and assured them that it was alright. They didn't know what had happened inside me. I had changed completely. I, Jezabella Labrie, would change my ways.
THE END
I'm sorry that was so long omg
