Kitu Kama Hatma

8/13/2019 Kitu Kama Hatma

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Kitu Kama Hatma

J. A. Rothberg

Chapter One


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The class went mute as the Animal Behavior

instructor, Mr. Witherbe, entered with his overly

large magnified spectacles and regularly ironed suit

and tie. Lately it had become next to impossible to

read the expression on this older mans face for he

had so many wrinkles on his cheeks and around his

eyes. Many of the students who knew him assumed he

must be past retirement age, but this teacher was

the sharpest of them all. His posture was that of

someone in their thirties and he must have a well

toned body underneath his overdone outfit. Sure he

worked within the walls of a private school, but hischoice in daily wear was the opposite to the English

Literature teachers polo shirt and pants. Anyhow,

aside from his attire no one spoke in the presence of

Mr. Witherbe unless spoken to or asked an open

ended question in which you were given the opportunity

to speak as much as you wanted.


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He took his place, standing behind the table at the

front of the classroom and cleared his throat. It is

evident, ladies and gentlemen, that you are all seniors

this year and will be graduating tomorrow at three

oclock pm. Therefore I expect that you all have your

final exam to turn in to me on this day since I have

given you the option to do this test outside of the

class. Anyone who hasnt completed the final will not

receive a report card until it has been e-mailed to me

and viewed by my very own eyes. One at a time you

may come up and hand it in.

And so as instructed, all twenty five of the studentsstood up and made a perfect single file line, each with

their own paper in hand. Winnie Brielmann flipped

through all five typed pages before her to make sure

everything was perfect for Mr. Witherbe. Of course,

that was impossible. Nothing ever qualified as worthy

of deserving a solid one hundred in this mans mind.

Winnie knew that, but she was hopeful that this last


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time would be different. She had after all managed to

keep a B+ average in this course despite her lack of

interest in the subject.

Winnie hated animals, especially ones who roamed

around in dirty habitats and didnt often take to

water to clean themselves off. It was only to gain

enough credits for graduation that she took Animal

Behavior. It was a much better choice than

Marketing, her boyfriend had confirmed that just in

April. She had no more time to ponder this though, it

was her turn to hand in the final exam.

What have you got for me, Miss Brielmann?The final sir, like you requested.

No silly girl, he chuckled. I mean, what was your

topic?

Grassland Animals.

Very good. Thank you and good luck to you next

year, Winnie.

Thank you, sir.


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Winnie returned to her seat and let out a breath she

had been holding while she placed the exam in Mr.

Witherbes frail hands.

~

The day was over, high school was officially done

with. Students were hollering out in the hallways and

the seniors were grilling it in the faces of

underclassmen who tried to avoid the rampage and

tear their stuff out of their lockers so that they

could escape the chaos. Winnie was one of the few

seniors who contained her excitement and weaved her

way down the hall toward her own locker which hadbeen near the front of the school all four years. She

hadnt realized that with each year she had less and

less school supplies to empty out and take home.

On the inside of her locker she had a mirror. It

wasnt hers. The previous owner must have left it

behind, but Winnie took advantage of it and the days

that she hadnt had time to apply her foundation she


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did so before class began. Now she contemplated

whether to take the item along with her or be just as

generous and leave it for the successor of this locker.

She looked at her reflection a few moments longer but

then a male figure appeared behind her and he was

half smiling at her from inside the mirror.

Winnie giggled and turned around. She threw her arms

around her boyfriend then looked up into his soft blue

eyes. They were more somber today and his red hair

was untidy, like he himself had no time to get ready

for school this morning. Hey babe, whats the

matter? Cat got your tongue?I thought you hated cats, he gave her a

smaller smile this time.

I do, with a burning passion, she put her school bag

over her shoulder and slammed the locker shut,

forgetting about the mirror. Come on now, whats

your deal? Are you happy? Sad? Ive known you eight

months, Spencer.Winnie attempted to give him a


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kiss on his cheek and then his lips, but Spencer

stepped back and Winnie almost tripped.

WinnieI cant.

Youre making no sense, she said now becoming

agitated. Are you having another Bipolar attack or

what?

Come outside, Spencer took Winnie by the

arm and they walked out the front entrance of the

high school and stood there, face to face. Remember

when I told you that for college Im going to Brown

University?

Yes, you told me back in February that was yourfinal decision. But what has that got to do with your

issue?

Its too far from here, I wont be able to

see you.

But you can drive.

I know I can, its been like that for a

year.


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Just get to the point! Winnie cried aloud

impatiently.

Spencer turned away and sighed, scratching

the back of his head, something he did when he was

nervous. Then he finally looked back to Winnie and

spoke. This past weekend I started seeing someone

who lives closer to Brown than you do here in

Newport.

Someone else? Winnie said in a low voice but without

a definite reaction or some sort of emotion. Well

good, I guess I wont feel too guilty thenwhen I meet

someone nice at the modeling academy this fall.Spencer laughed. Winnie, I dont want to

sound mean, but when you applied to that school or

whatever back in January you had natural blonde hair

that grew from your headthen you died it this

artificial auburn hue.You think that theyll like that?

Why? What color hair does Miss Providence sport,

Spencer? And is it natural?


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Spencers face grew cold now. Shes twenty-

six, its obvious that she knows better than to bleach

her hair, Winnie.

Fine, fine Spencer. Have it your way, high school is

overwe are over! Dont bother looking for me at

graduation tomorrow. Winnie groaned as she stormed

off campus and hopped onto her bike to ride home.

She was perfectly content with her newly colored

hair, and the academy would be too. She would make

a great model for some of the hottest clotheslines

that included stores such as Gap and Express.

Spencer doesnt know anything about hair, she toldherself as she pedaled down the street, looking

nowhere but ahead of her. She didnt haveto cross

any busy roads and for this Winnie was thankful.

While it was mostly anger that coursed through her,

she couldnt stop a couple of persistent tears from

escaping her eyes.


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~

At home Winnie dropped her bike by the side of the

garage and darted inside the house without any

intention of greeting anyone, but went up into her

room so that she could think. Except, she couldnt

quite do that all in order. Winnie had to stop in the

bathroom to examine her hair. What on earth am I

doing? She muttered to herself in her head. Spencer

is a thick headed asshole and I happen to think that

this new color goes perfectly with my tan skin and

soft brown eyes. Yes, that was all that mattered!

That I am comfortable in my own skin.These thoughts were making her feel much better,

when suddenly the door swung open to reveal her

fourteen year old sister, Maddie. Hey, what gives?

Funny, I was about to ask you the same

exact thing. You didnt take a moment to say hi to

dad or me, and its obvious you have no more finals to


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study for since you graduate in the next twenty-four

hours.

Yes, that may be true. But youd be surprised at the

issues that can arise at the last moment.

I thought you defriended Ginny last month

when she tried to steal Spencer?

Winnie cringed at the sound of his name and her ears

felt as if they had been stung by a swarm of bees.

Did he go too?

Another groan was emitted from Winnies mouth and

she stormed past Maddie into her bedroom.

Im sorry! She heard her sister yell beforeclosing the door at once.

~

Winnie had fallen asleep upon her bed which had at

one point been nice and flat but was now full of

creases, much like her now previous teachers face.

She glanced through foggy eyes at her alarm clock

and noticed that three full hours had gone by since


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the encounter with her sister. She didnt budgefrom

her spot though. She felt too weak to even lift her

head. Stop the moping, a voice snapped inside her

mind. She knew inside her brain that Spencer was just

defending his case as most guys do when they were

confronted with a conflict. Though deep in her heart,

she wished that he hadnt even started to mention

Miss Providence.

Winnie was thankful for the knock at her bedroom

door and jumped up onto her feet in an instant,

surprised that it was only a minute ago she couldnt

move a muscle. She opened it to see that it was herfather who was himself a very strict lawyer. It

actually made sense that often he would sport both a

suit and tie to his work. Winnie was just shocked to

see that he hadnt changed since coming home minutes

before her. She supposed that the court really wears

you out. She stepped aside without a word and let her

father into the room.


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Good evening Winnie, and how was your last day of

high school? He sat down on her bed, ignoring how

deranged it looked.

It was decent, I cant say that I will miss

anyone from my class.

Oh come on, not even one person?

She thought for a moment, even strained her

brain, but no one important came to mind. No, not

even one.

Shocking, I could count off about ten or fifteenbut,

then again Im fifty, he gave Winnie a humorous

smile. Are you hungry?Hungry? We arent waiting for mom?

Oh,right. Your mother, well about her, shes not

going to be home until much later. Its not the usual I

know, but its stressful times.

Whats going on?

There was a silence that fell upon the room while her

father stared off into space. Ill tell you and Maddie


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at dinner. Your sister is actually starting the stove

for me right now.

The last thing Winnie wanted was to feel

anxious. She had forgotten about the hair thing

between her and Spencer and there was barely any

chance it would slip back into her mind unless her

sister prodded for details. She watched her father

leave the room and take the doorknob in his large

fist. You dont have to close it, she said suddenly.

Whatever you want, sweetie, he told her in a quiet

voice and disappeared down the stairs.

(Next Page To Chapter Two)


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Chapter Two

Africa! Youre fucking kidding me! Winnie cried out,

dropping a spoonful of blueberry yogurt upon her lap

which only made things worse. What about my

modeling career? Maddie looked as if she was trying

to stifle a laugh.

Now watch your language young lady! Your

mother has left us, yes I said it, and Ive wanted tomove there for years. Im sure youll find another

passion over seas.

You must be possessed, Winnie muttered with

disgust at her father. Youdo realize that you have

ruined my futuremy life?

I will nottake responsibility for something

that big, Winifred. If you like, when we get to


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Kenya, you can sport all of the animal hide skins you

want and show off as much bust as you please.

Thats sad if you think thats what I had in mind for

a career, She said standing up.

You havent been excused.

Really? Because I thought Id get a head start on

packing.

Oh stop being such a prat! Look at your

little sister, shes not having a cow over this.

Well maybe thats because she doesnt know what to

do with her life, I do!

Thats a lie, Maddie chimed in. I want towork on a National Reserve.

Thats my girl, their father smiled widely for the

first time through out the whole dinner.

Winnie had since sat back down, but she refused to

meet eyes with both her father and sister for the

duration of the evening.


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~

Im sorry Winnie, but it was time that I go. Thats

not to say that I dont cherish you or your sister, but

your father was becoming unbearable. There are just

some people in life you cant hold onto forever, even

after twenty years of marriage.

So thats it? No divorce? You walked out on

us? That doesnt seem the least fair, mom.

Oh I signed the papers, sweetie. I did that a few

days ago, but yes, I didnt want to turn this situation

into a whole ordeal. Ive moved to the other side of

town because your father kept on going on aboutdragging me into his fantasy lives. And so when I told

him it would never become a reality, he got angryI

got angryit wasnt going to work between us anymore

and we both knew it. Imagine living with someone who

only spoke as if he was living in his dreams and forgot

to actually live. It wears you down, and being out of


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Yes, I know how old you are Winnie. Youve been

eighteen for a few months now and some days and

hours too. There was a small giggle on theother end

of the line as her mother remembered this precisely.

Still, they were words youd never have thought the

love of your life would say when at one point he had

said some of the sweetest.

There was a loud and rapid knocking outside

her bedroom. Winnie! Whos that youre talking to?

It was her father standing behind the door.

She didnt answer though and waited for her mom to

carry on speaking.Sweetie, I have to go.

Why? Winnie said suddenly in a very

dramatic tone.

She heard a sigh this time from the receiver.

Is there someone else?

Yes Winnie. I would have had to leave anyhow, even

if your father had stopped rambling on about running


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off to live in his dream worlds. I have fallen for

another man.

Oh. Okay then.

I love you, and tell your sister too. I wont lose

touch, even if youre a million miles away.

Love you too, mom.

The line went dead and Winnie knew that her mom

had really gone. Well, physically maybe, but she knew

how much her mom cared for her and Maddie while

she had been in the house these last eighteen years

of her life. A mothers love for her children never

dies. Not like the love between a man and a womanwho are in no way related to one another aside from

the fact that they are both human.

Winnie put the phone down on the hook and

went now to the door. Her father was still there, his

hands were hanging limply at his sides. May I help

you? She asked as if speaking to a customer.


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I was hoping that you could answer my question about

who it was you were speaking to on the phone.

It was my mother. Just because you arent

speaking to her, doesnt mean I cant.

I know that Winnie, but you must know that she had

been having an affair for weeks before we split.

I found that out as well.

Doesnt shockme to be honest. Your mother has

never once spared herself a breath at social events.

I see.

I want you to go and see your sister, her father

said at once.Maddie? But why?

Its finally hitting herthats were leaving.

Um, alright I suppose.

Thank you, sweetie.

Winnie waited for her father to close his

bedroom door before walking down the hall to see


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Maddie. Her door was open a crack, but she still

knocked.

Whos there? She heard her sister ask.

Its Winnie.

Come in.

Winnie opened the door and took a couple of

steps inside the bedroom that smelled strongly of

vanilla. She remembered then that her sister loved to

have scented candles burning in her room whenever

she felt melancholy. Dad said I should see you.

Thats why Im here.

He did. Well, I guess you should sit down then ifthats what he wants.

Winnie did just that. She sat at the desk

while Maddie sat upon the edge of her bed. So,

whats up?

Africacan you believe it? Im going to high school in

Kenya.


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I wonder howgood their schools are. The

high school here is as pretty as the town dump.

But to be educated in a whole other continent?

It must be years before those kids are

actually smart enough to graduate. Ninth grade is

probably ABC and 123! Winnie started to crack up at

her own joke she knew Maddie wouldnt find funny. It

wasnt like her younger sister to laugh at her jokes.

Though this time Winnie could have sworn that she

saw a smile.

Maybe youre right Winnie. But at least, Ill get to

see real wildlife animals while Im walking to town.Just be careful a rhino doesnt nail you and

send you flying through the air, more fits of giggling

emitted from Winnies mouth.

No seriously!Winnie, I love wildlife no matter how

fast dads decision was to just move from thousands

of people in town to barely anyone.

There are people in Kenya, silly.


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Not as many as there are here.

GreatI might as well be living up in the

trees with the monkeys as us humans once did.

Are you packed? Maddie asked, seeing that Winnie

was only trying to make humor of their supposedly

serious talk.

Yeah. We are leaving here at noon.

Ill probably be up late finishing all of my personal

belongings.

You dont own that much.

Yes I do, my childhood stuff is the most special to

me.Winnie rolled her eyes and stood up.

Where are you going now? Trying to get out of

Africa againand we havent even arrived!

Maddie please, I didnt choose to walk in

here you know.


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I know. Dad told you to because instead of having to

go through this transition alone he wanted us to

encounter it together.

Winnie didnt have a reply to this come

backthere was nothing else to be said.

(Next Page To Chapter Three)


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Chapter Three

Winnie had never been on an airplane before in her

whole life. The fact that she had been offered to

await boarding the aircraft in a sky lounge and was

sitting in first class made her wonder if the reason

why was because her father had been saving up for

the journey to Africa.

Such a smart cookie, her father said toMaddie

because apparently she had asked exactly what Winnie

had been keeping to herself.

So are we going to have a mansion in Kenya

too? She went on to ask.A mansion Im not so sure, but it will be a beautiful

home. Maybe the most well constructed in the

country, but that youll just have to wait and find out

my dear.

Fifteen hours. Why must the flight be fifteen hours

long? Winnie wanted to ask this to her father as the

planes engines revved up beneath them. She didnt


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though, she leaned back in her seat and stared up at

the off white ceiling above her. She wasnt scared of

the plane ride, she was afraid of the destination and

now her future. Thanks dad, she thought once she

felt the plane taxi down the tarmac.

Im actually excited now that were on the plane,

Maddie said putting her blonde hair up into a clip. I

was nervous at the thought, but now its really

happening.

Thats right kiddo, their father said.

Between you and I, I was afraid that Id never

even get as far as looking into homes. I wonderhow your mother is doingprobably out with

someone who is just as satisfied with plain old

American life as she is I bet.

Why would you wonder such things if you told her you

never cared? Winnie broke into the conversation, but

didnt realize she hadnt lowered her voice and now

some people were looking her way.


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Thats an interesting question, but its not

one I can answer.

And why is that?

Winnie, stop. We are going to make a new

beginning over in Africa. It does not do one well to

live in the past when theyve got a bright future.

This caused Winnie to laugh. Yeah rightbright.

She saw that her father had turned to a

magazine now, but she refused to see what it was on.

Surely it was something in Swahili.

~

Outside of Mombasa Airport, the atmosphere wassweltering. Winnie had only stepped outside for one

minute so that her father could find their car and she

felt beads of sweat forming at the hairline above her

forehead. It must be at least ninety degrees out

here, she said aloud though irritated.

Actually, its eighty-nine if you want an

exact temperature.


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How do you know that?

Maddie revealed a square gadget with a

couple of buttons underneath a screen that did give

you a reading of the exact temperature outside as

well as inside for that matter. Dad got it for me on

my birthday back in April. He said I needed something

useful so he bought me this. It was seventy-two

degrees back home in Rhode Island. Crazy right?

Ill say, now where the hell is that ludicrous father

of ours? Im going to die of heat stroke before I die

of homesickness.

There he is! Maddie pointed a finger aheadto a navy blue jeep. Its tires were massive and it

looked less like a jeep, but more so a Monster Truck.

That thing looks ridiculous compared to the regular

trucks around here. Does he plan to drive over rocks

in that vehicle?

No idea.


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The monster truck stopped before them and they

watched as their father took one massive leap down

from his seat onto the cement ground at the entrance

of the airport. Hello girls, what do you think of my

new ride?

It looks

Great dad! Maddie said quickly interrupting Winnies

oncoming remark. Very large but, pretty cool.

I was expecting that kind of reaction, it is

a bit large isnt it?

Yeah, whats up with the tires? Theyre as tall as

you.It was Winnie who made this observation.Its all I could get for the price I offered

the dealer. People here want money.

Thats not surprising.

Are you kidding? Maddie said. I thought

this place would look way more out of sorts than it

is.


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Shes right, Winnie. Maybe you should give Kenya a

chance to grow on you.

Seriously dad, stop the jokes. This is wild

life were moving into. Nobody washes more than once

a week or eats fresh produce.

Fine Winnie have it your way, Im done arguing with

you on this matter for good!

~

The Monster Truck stopped on the side of the endless

dirt road. When Winnie looked out to her left side

she noticed a cluster of gazelles grazing and feedingon the thick overgrown grass surrounding them. To her

right was a medium sized blood red orange stucco built

house that was only slightly bigger than the one they

had back in Newport. Still, no matter how close to

home her father would try to make this place it would

never work. When she looked behind her, Winnie could

just barely see the small town that they had passed


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through ten minutes before. And looking ahead

through the windshield she couldnt say that there was

much either.

Alright ladies, here we are. Mombasa Wildlife

Reserve! And would you look at that, our house is

right across from all of the animals! Maddie, you can

practice your career from home. Winnie stuck her

tongue out and pointed a finger at the back of her

throat in disgust.

Awesome! When can I start?

As soon as you have unpacked all of your stuff and

think you are ready to explore your new home.Maddie threw open the car door and hopped

out letting out a scared sound when she hit the

ground. Winnie however was hesitant to do so. Can

you please consider a regular set of tires? She asked

her father in as nice a tone as possible.

If we are ever deported back to the United States,

sure.


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Inside the house, Winnie carried all of her belongings

toward the bedroom at the end of the corridor

upstairs. She was shocked to see that the bedroom

was as large as the kitchen and the den put together

and contained a bathroom as well. If she wanted she

didnt have to leave the room except for mealtimes.

What else did she have to do with her life? If she

wanted to find some sort of modeling school shed

have to go to South Africa if anywhere in the

continent at all. What time was it? She saw that

there was a wooden wall clock above the bed post. It

was one oclock in the afternoon yet Winnie wasexhausted. How was it that Maddie had the energy to

chase after wild animals? Then again she was destined

to do just that. Winnie stood and stared at the boxes

that were full of her itemsbut insteadof opening

them one by one, she decided to fall onto her bed and

pass out.


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(Next Page To Chapter Four)

Chapter Four

One week later, Winnie looked outside the window

beside her bed to see her younger sister crossing the


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dirt road to other side with a camera that was larger

than her face dangling around her neck. She sat and

watched as Maddie lifted the giant object before her

and captured a photo of a rhino. She was also

wondering why her sister had been outside so early in

the morning, but realized it was almost ten am. The

time difference was really impacting her internal

clock. She slowly stood up and went to her walk in

closet to see what she wanted to wear.

Winnie! It was her father calling for her. She ran

to the door and thrust it open to shout back

downstairs.Yes dad?

Are you going to go on a walk with Maddie and I

along the reserve?

And get eaten alive? Id rather not.

Okay. Well, I had to ask, let alone tell you where we

were going.


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Okay, bye. Winnie closed the door once

more and proceeded to get dressed. As she was

sliding on her tank top, there was a knock at her

door. Is that you dad?

No. Its Maddie.

Her sister stood at the door and in her right

hand was a brochure. Winnie rolled her eyes. I

thought I told dad millions of times I am not going to

get into anything that involves animals.

Its not wildlife related actually. Why dont you look

at it before making assumptions? She held out the

pamphlet and Winnie took it from Maddieshandcautiously before turning her back to her sister and

closing the door once more.

She sat down at her desk and glanced at the front

cover. Maddie was right, it had nothing to do with

animals, it was a waitress job. What made her father

think she wanted to take peoples orders? She flipped


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the item onto its back and saw a sticky note with

writing on it:

Winnie,

I know this isnt a modeling offer but its a decent

and rather clean job. There is a small caf in town

that needs a new waitress and I thought youd like to

get out of the house for a few hours each day. All

the information you need is inside the brochure from

dress code to service hours.

Love you,

Your father

~Within a few days of handling the brochure for

Mombasa Caf, Winnie found herself washing small

round coffee tables free of pastry crumbs. It didnt

bother her, but she was also the only Caucasian

person who turned up at the place each day. What

was hardest for Winnie was picking up Swahili because

next to nobody spoke English.


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That night, as she sat having dinner with her family,

her father started to speak. Would you like me to

buy you a Swahili to English dictionary?

Winnie shrugged.

Sure, fine, whatever. If you can find a

book in good enough condition that offers the help Ill

be grateful.

Its a deal then, Ill go to the used BookNook in

town and pull one out. It just might not be in the best

condition depending on how many non Swahili speakers

have come through this town.

Dad, its fine. As long as I can get by onsomething.

Okay, I just hope that one day youwill realize I only

want the best for you.

I know dad, said Maddie.

Im glad you know Maddie, but I wish Winnie did

too.


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Winnie had been looking down at her plate of

wild boar. Her father had took to hunting pig once a

week when he wasnt doing other nature based

activities. Still, Winnie couldnt deny that it was good

despite the fact that it too had once been rolling

around in dirt and other gross matter. Surprisingly, it

was her father who now stood up from the table.

Well sweeties, Im off to bed for a busy day

tomorrow, love you both. He first kissed Maddie atop

her head and then moved to Winnie and did just the

same, It was as if there had never been conflict

between them all this time.

(Next Page To Chapter Five)


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Chapter Five

When Winnie awoke on the first day of July, she was

laying on her stomach with her chin resting upon the

top of her hands. Except, something was wrong with

that picture. She had always been uncomfortable on

her stomach and even her mother knew it since shehad been a baby.

When she went to stretch, Winnie opened her eyes

slightly and yawned. As she reached out in front of

her, she found herself in the downward dog position

not stretching out her arms but furry gold legs with

enormous paws. In shock she leapt back and fell off

the bed landing on her side. There was a tail hanging


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loosely behind her as well with a bushy auburn tip to

it.

Now Winnie purposefully curled up on the floor in fear

of herself with her overgrown once hands over her

still round brown eyes which, she had met in the full

length mirror on the wall across from her when she

looked up accidentally.

What time was it? Would someone walk into her room

and see that she had become a feline beast? Would

she become Maddies pet? There were so many

questions Winnie had but didnt want answered. Being

curled up at the foot of her bed wasnt the solutionthough. Slowly, Winnie clambered up onto all four legs

and realized that she would not only look ridiculous

but, fail at standing on only two and so she stayed

that way. She made her way over to the mirror to

examine herself more closely. She wasnt a tiger, she

wasnt a leopard, not a jaguar, and definitely not a

cheetah. Winnie had morphed into a lioness. But how?


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She had been asleep all night. Again, there were no

answers to this. She hung her head low and sulked at

the rug underneath her and felt her claws dig into the

fabric. She even heard them make scratching noises

beneath her as well.

Winnie went over to the window of which she was now

just level with. The sight of which she saw before her

now brought a lump into her throat. There was Maddie

taking a photo of a real lioness! A lion that wasnt

actually a human in disguise. But this metamorphosis

wasnt fake either. Winnie had turned into a real legit

lion whether she wanted to acknowledge it or not. Shetook her eyes away from her sister and instead

turned them toward the wall. It was only eight am.

Maybe her father was still asleep. She sure as hell

hoped so. Winnie went into her closet and looked up

at all of the clothes she once wore. What had

happened to the night gown she fell asleep in last

night? She left the wardrobe and saw a torn piece of


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lingerie on the floor on the side of her bed. This

made her want to scream. She paced the room a

couple of times thinking about what to do. She

couldnt go to work anymore, there was no question.

Well, her father had been rich enough to move them

all the way to Africa, he was on his own now. As for

Maddie, she was as good as an only child as of now.

Winnie hadnt been thinking about it, but she had

suddenly become hungry. No, not just hungry,

ravenous! Like she could eat anything you put in front

of her. How would her father feel about raising a

lion? Feeding one every day because she could nolonger feed herself. Then Winnie remembered the

chocolate shed stolen from her sister one night she

had bad cravings. There was still a bar of it inside

her desk drawer and she just had to have it.

Winnie pawed the handle of the top most drawer but

couldnt find success in opening it andshe growled

underneath her breath. This time she took advantage


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of her razor sharp canines to open it and this time

succeeded. Yes! She said excitedly to herself as she

fished out the sweet.

It fell to the floor and she tore the wrapper off with

her claws. With one bite the chocolate was in her

mouth, but while she was chewing it she developed the

most foul taste in her mouth like none she had ever

had while savoring such a good treat. This is nasty,

she thought to herself. Winnie didnt dare spit it out

on the carpet though. She swallowed the darned

chocolate bar only now wishing for some water to rinse

away the flavor.~

Winnie? Winnie, come outside quick! Its mating

season for a couple of zebras! Maddie called through

out the house. I got a shortvideo clip, but you

should see this.

Winnie didnt know whether to respond to her

sister or not. She had no intention of drawing Maddie


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into her bedroom while she was in this state. She

wouldnt have to come out,not unless it was her

father who demanded to see her.

Are you there big sis? Maddie called again. Dad is

out there too!

There were footsteps coming up the staircase

now. I better speak, Winnie said. That way she wont

come into my room! I cant, Imnot ready, she said

at the door even though she was on her bed, on her

stomach once again.

Oh my gosh! Is there a lion in your room? Winnie,

hold on! Im going to get dad, she cried out.Shit. Was Winnies normal speaking voice now a roar

to humans? She had to get out, but the window was

shut. She jumped off of the bed and thought fast.

There must be something she could break the glass

withanything! But even for a lion her thinking wasnt

as fast as her body.


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The door was thrown open and Winnie saw her sister

standing there as white as a ghost and her father

looked sweaty, his cheeks were a rosy hue. Winnie!

Winifred Hope! Where are you?

That lionit ate her dad! Maddie said

pointing to the actual Winnie.

Winnie didnt move though. She sat on herhind legs

obediently and just looked up at both her family

members as calm as possible. Wait a minute Maddie.

Her father took one step inside the bedroom. If

Winnie had been eaten there would have been blood,

pieces of flesh, and bones. Go and look in the closetMaddie.

Maddie did as she was told but came back

out as soon as she was in. No corpse in here, the

body wasnt hidden I suppose.

Just then Winnie went up to her father, who by

instinct went still. She rubbed herself against his legs

and purred like in the case of many cats who loved


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their owner. This indeed took her father by surprise.

This isnt a wild lionit cant be. Shes tame and

seems to have been raised by a human. But, I dont

understand how she got inside the house, let alone all

the way up here in Winnies room. Winnie looked up

and met eyes with her father who happened to be

looking down at her that very moment as well. They

stayed like that for a few moments, in silence.

Um, dad? You alright? Maddie asked,

tapping her father on his upper arm.

Shes got eyes likeChestnuts! Her father said aloud.

Yeah so? She must be a mutant cat.FuckWinnie? Isis that you?

Honestly dad, youre talking to a freaking

lion!

Now, just wait a second young lady He kept on

scrutinizing the lioness who was in fact his daughter.

Winniemy baby girl?


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Winnie rubbed the top of her head on her fathers

knee.

My Winnie! He dropped to his knees and threw his

arms around the female lion with a mix of emotions.

Tears of joy and sadness came down his cheeks, from

the corners of his eyes. Maddie, its your sister.

No, thats a lion.

Look at her! Think about it! I keep the doors locked

all the time and the windows! This lion happened to

be in her room as opposed to yours or mine. She has

her eyes! You cant really be second guessing.

I justI guess I dont want to believe thatWinnies a lion.

Maddie, you love lions!

Just as Winnie has feared, becoming her

younger sisters pethad now become a possible

reality. I know I do, but thats my sister.

Her father stood back up. Its alright Winnie, we

still love you. You will be a teenage girl again before


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you know it. He turned to leave the room butthen

looked back. Come outside if you feel like it.

(Next Page To Chapter Six)


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Chapter Six

Winnie was restless that night. She had left her room

to go outside twice that day. Once around noon and

then again at dinner time. Both times to eat and

hydrate herself. Winnie did this as quick as possible

though, she didnt want to get too dirty. She was

clean and she liked the way her golden fur gleamed

underneath the sunlight. At the same time it didnt

feel right inside her bedroom anymore. When the

moon was full in the sky late that night, she looked to

see that the reserve across the street was scattered

with animal night life. The longer she stood andwatched this affair the emptier she began to feel.

Im not a human anymore! She cried inside her mind.

And I will probably be that way for the rest of my

lifeSo what am I doing inside a home where no one

understands my situation? Winnie was unsure if

animals cried but, she was and she didnt know why.

Her dad loved her, her sister had more or less


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accepted the fact that she was a lion. What was her

issue then? Maybe it was the fact that there was no

more real communication between them. At that

moment Winnie lost control, she took a paw and

swiped the lamp from her bed side table onto the

floor and roared. Then, she took the music box she

had been given to by her mother between her teeth

and broke the window so a good portion of the glass

shattered onto the ground and there was a hole big

enough to slip through. She heard voices outside her

bedroom door muttering nervously, but before anyone

could notice her leave, she took on the twenty footjump without any fear and landed upon her feet onto

the grass taking off at a run across the silent road

into the reserve.

~

It was very bright underneath the full moon that

shined above the massive field where the animals

stood, many of them admiring the pattern of stars,


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the constellation Cancer. Winnie stood in the midst of

them all, noticing that she was now being stared at by

a clique of giraffes.

She turned the other way so that she didnt have to

meet their small gleaming eyes, of which looked

anything but welcoming. Winnie went to the far edge

of the expansive piece of dry land and found herself

standing along the edge of a thick wood, a rain forest

from what she registered from the outside looking in.

She looked back once more at the cluster of giraffes

who she could hear whispering. They were speaking in

English that was for certain, but she could barelymake out what they were talking about. Perhaps it

was about her? It would make sense. Why else would

they be whispering if there were no human ears to

hear them mutter underneath their breaths?

Winnie stepped through the thickets and stepped into

the damp atmosphere of the Mombasa Rain Forest. In

here, she heard the suttle chirping of birds coming


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from the canopies of the tallest trees and the slight

hissing of a snake slithering over the ground

somewhere nearby.

She stood rooted to her spot for a moment, taking in

the atmosphere before continuing through the shrubs.

There was a rustling around her but Winnie kept

moving onward, determined to keep all fright out of

her mind. It was really dark now. She could barely

see a thing, though she wasnt entirely blind. She was

certain that it would take time for her eyes to adjust

to the low level of light. And so she began to slow her

strides through the forest, but as clumsy as she wasas a human, that hadnt changed at all when she

became a lion. Winnie tripped over the extensive root

of a tree and tumbled into a body of water. A rather

shallow river from what she made out because the

rocks hit her immediately. She cursed loudly as she

scrambled out not only freezing to the core, but

devastated that her attempt to stay clean was


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starting to fail. There was no way that the water in

this rain forest was sanitary, she was becoming a

dirty cat already! As she lay down, waiting to dry off,

Winnie looked at her reflection in the river before

her. Uglyjust a disgrace to human nature! Her nose

was too big and her jaw was much too wide to be

feminine. She slapped the water hard with a paw the

same way she did the lamp and it created a loud

splashing as it did when she had fallen in.

She had began to doze off when she heard a voice

close by. Hey, you! Lion!

Winnie lifted up her head from the ground tosee through heavy eyes that there was a panther

standing on the other side of the unmoving river.

What do you want?... She grumbled with extreme

tiredness.

Woah! Bite my head off kitty, have you gone mad?

What are you talking about? Im trying to

sleep!


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Sleep? Lions dont sleep at night, at least, youll find

that most like to bake in the sun during the day.

Well, Im not one to conform to the nature

of feline bestiality, if you must know.

What on earth? Where is your clan? Or rather, your

pride?

I never had one and I dont plan on joining

one. Now if you dont mind, Ill ask that you leave me

to wallow in a life I wish to drastically end without

the act of suicide.

Girl, you got issues.

I got issues? You think youre cool? Living upin the branches of trees, licking the termites off your

skin? You animals are the ones with issues.

But you are animal! Dont you get it kitty? Youre a

lion!

No Im not.

Oh please, dont humor me. Have you looked in the

river lately?


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Unfortunately yes.

Then whats the deal?

Winnie opened her mouth to speak, but

closed it again at once. Never mind

YeahI thought so, said the panther before walking

off again into the darkness of the night.

(Next Page To Chapter Seven)


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Chapter Seven

For some four days, Winnie stayed in the same spot,

only moving a short distance to drink from the river

and eat the plants and or small creatures that

surrounded her. She knew that she would not survive

off her fantasy of fresh cut Sirloin. She even took

the risk and sniffed at her arms occasionally to see if

she smelled. All that she could pick up was the scent

of fallen leaves and old rain. Yes, it had rained once

the previous night. Yet, as stubborn as Winnie was,

she had no intention of moving, but rather hoped that

it would rain long enough to drown her.When she opened her eyes on this morning, she heard

monkeys screeching and bickering up in the tree tops.

Probably fighting over some rotten banana, Winnie

thought to herself. That is after all what monkeys did

best. This made her smile. In fact, these were the

only thoughts that kept her from sinking into a more

severe form of depression.


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Actually, Winnie was contemplating if she should

bother moving locations on this day. One voice was

telling her that it wasnt worth it and that she may

accidentally fall this time in a pile of manure. Another

voice was telling her to go and explore her new

surroundings and see what she comes upon. Neither

were very convincing.

She was clawing at an aquamarine feather, which at

some point in the last six hours had fallen right next

to her. Then suddenly, something hit her full force on

her left shoulder. She jumped up onto a four of her

legs defensively scanning the area for the attacker.But then, she was hit again on the head. She glanced

down to see that it was a mango and those only came

from the trees. She looked up and saw that a gray

baboon was sitting upon a branch about fifteen feet

up in the air and he was laughing hysterically. Youre

lucky I dont come up there! She hissed to the

monkey. Whats your problem anyway?


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This stopped the baboons cackling and he

stared at her. My problem? I dont have a problem?

Mind you, I have noticed that youre the one who

hasnt moved in a few days. I think its fair to ask

yourself the same question?

Listen, I dont know what that panther was onto and

what youre trying to get at now, but I suggest you go

on and continue your monkey business.

Winnie started to walk away but stopped in

her tracks when the baboon landed in front of her. I

see that you are having trouble with yourself,

Winnie.Trouble? What? How do you know my name?

I cannot reveal to you that, but I know that

what you are struggling with comes from within. What

youre missing now is an answer.

Oh Isee, Winnie said in amusement. Youre

supposed to be one of those wise monkeys who helps

the one in distress.


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You are correct, said thebaboon putting

the tip of his finger on Winnies nose. And old Kaj is

going to tell Winnie what she has been lost in all

these days.

You are! Winnie was excited. Will it helpbecome

human again?

The baboon named Kaj was not shocked to

hear this. Perhaps. But, first Winnie must

understand what it takes.

Please Kaj! Tell me, what do I need to do? Ill do

anything! Winnie begged.

Kaj knows why you are here, and how thiscame to be.

Thats all good, but get to the point! Winnie sat

down anxiously.

Winnie has been prejudice against the

nature of animals since she knew what one was. She

thought they were dirty, hideous, can feel no love!

She hated them so much that she hated Africa! This


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wasnt going to be a pleasant life for dear Winnie.So

Winnie wakes up one day and she is a lioness! She is

fearful now of herself and in disgust of what she has

come to be. And so unable to speak about this to her

human loved ones, she runs away here with the other

animals. Yet, she still hesitates to accept her

metamorphosis. Winnie has to learn something very

important while she is inside a lions body before she

can become human again. She must learn to love

herself, others like herself, and Africa. The baboon

stopped speaking and opened his eyes, for they had

been shut this whole time while he spoke.But I do! I love Africa now, the animals are cool too!

Im awesome!She said trying to sound the most

convincing.

Winnie must not just think that inside her

mind, she must also feel it inside her heart, the

baboon put a hand where Winnies heart was beating.

Thats a bunch of philosophical


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No, it is not! Kaj interrupted. Old Kaj

knows the legends and the happenings of many things.

He will not lie or fail to guide those in need like

yourself.

Fine then, I dont need you. I love Africa and thats

that. I can live with my own guide, inside my own

mind!

~

Winnie had come to the conclusion that everyone on

the reserve was insane and even they, animals,

wouldnt understand her. This baboon who calledhimself Kaj didnt run after her when she stormed

away, but rather stayed in his place shaking his ahead

muttering something she couldnt quite hear, but didnt

care to know nonetheless.

She left the rain forest part and went back out into

the grassy field. The snooty giraffe clique had been

replaced by a group of male tigers. Of course, as she


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expected all of their heads turned when she walked

by. A couple even had the nerve to cat call at her and

point out how easy she looked. Men, she thought.

Human or animal they are all the same inside. She

looked towards her home to see that her father was

getting into his Monster Truck, not sparing a glance

out at the wild life. Had he and Maddie been looking

for her? She doubted it. Maybe they understood that

she was better off with those who didnt live inside

the walls of a house but, rather preferred the

comfort of sleeping underneath the shade of trees or

bathing in the sun for that matter. Winnie didnttrouble herself with anymore thoughts such as these.

Instead, she focused on a group of galloping gazelles

and watched them intently. Would she have to kill one

if she wanted to eat something as close to a steak as

possible? She was indecisive. That would be

conforming to the disturbing nature of animal life.


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The very last thing Winnie wanted to do, but was

unsure if she would much longer have a choice.

(Next Page To Chapter Eight)


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Chapter Eight

Winnie woke underneath the shade of a large Sequoia

tree to hear an irksome singing coming from up in the

branches. She put her paws over her ears but the

poorly tuned voice only grew louder and when she

looked up there was old Kaj swinging on the lowest

branch near her. Would you quit it?

Has Winnie found it in her heart to accept her new

life?

She looked away from the baboon and rolled

her eyes. I might just kill myself if you dont go

away.I will take that as a no. And what good would that

do to become what you refuse to eat? Dead meat!

Listen,if it flatters you I have eaten some

okay? Just, not a lot.

Its not enough! You must eat until you are satisfied.

At this point Winnie had gotten to her feet

intending to walk away when a furry hand yanked hard


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of the tip of her tail making her jump. Listen

youyou banana brain! She shouted at the monkey

who wore the most innocent expression at the

moment. Im not going to spend the rest of my life

hearing you go on about legendary myths! Go and

enlighten someone dumb enough to believe each and

every word. But dont waste another breathe on me.

Winnie began to sprint away from the tree at full

speed coursing with anger and adrenaline. Not

watching entirely where she was going, she collided

with another solid figure, tripped, and the last thing

she recalled was hitting her head on the edge of alarge stone rock.

When she came to and her vision became stable,

Winnie made out the face of a male lion with

chocolate brown fur and a dark mane staring down at

her with emerald green eyes. It wasnt a sight for

sore eyes, but she kept that to herself. No lion ever

looked the least attractive to her.


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At first Winnie couldnt say a word, her head was

throbbing and she believed for a moment that maybe

she had severe brain damage. But then words

emanated from her mouth. What happened? She

tried to lift her head from the ground, but that only

made her feel worse.

I am so sorry, I didnt see you coming and I

was being chased

Winnie laughed at this explanation and this caught the

male lion off guard. Im not joking! I thought Id

killed you.

Somehow Winnie had found the strength togo from being on her side to being on her stomach and

she felt the throbbing become a dull ache. Well

then, I guess you over exaggerated a bit, didnt you?

I suppose, but are you sure that youre alright?

Hows your head?

Aside from the overly large bump thats

going to appear, I think Im okay.


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Im glad to hear itum, I didnt catch your name.

Winifred, but please, dont you dare call me

that. My name is Winnie.

The male lion chuckled for the first time since their

encounter. Alright then Winnie, Im Tariq.

Tariq, you sound like one of those bad boys who likes

to have his fun while us innocent girls sit and watch on

the side lines, ignored.

The lion named Tariq was taken aback. Now thats a

bit of a misinterpretation dont you think? If I was

one of those lions I would have just let you be food

for the vultures. I stood and waited hours until youopened your eyes so that I could be assured you were

alive.

Winnie got to her feet now, she was

speechless after hearing of this act of kindness. She

turned her eyes away from Tariq and muttered,

Thanks.

No problem.


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Where am I? She asked suddenly not

recognizing her surroundings.

You are in the Pride lands, in other words, miles

from the edge of the reserve.

No, I have to go back! She said now

frightened.

But you are with other lions now! Winnie, you were

coming from a direction where hardly any of us go.

You dont understand, Winnie started to

say in a shaky tone. I dont belong out herein this

place!

You cant go back, besides, its at least five miles.ListenTariq, I didnt ask to be brought all

the way out here. I was perfectly happy where I was

on the edge of the reserve.

Really? Because most would have been thankful for

what I have done. I saved your life!

Winnie sat down, she had walked a few yards

away from Tariq as they argued. All of a sudden she


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felt emotion wash over her again but refused to show

it and so she didnt speak.

Hey, are you okay? Tariq asked from behind her.

Im sorry.

Winnie wished that out of all the words he uttered,

he wouldnt have said those two. Im sorryrepeated

inside her head. It almost made things worse in her

mind. But why? Why did she pity a lion that she

barely knew? A lion who was so sincere and keen on

making sure that she was neither physically or

emotionally hurting. It was all very strange to her.

Please, Tariq. Dont apologize.Why not? She heard his voice become more

clear as it was more evident he was approaching her

side.

Because, it should be me saying those words. To you,

to that baboon, to that pantherto my father and

sister.


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I see, wellyou dont have to. I understand

that youre too upset to say much else at the moment.

I think that you need timeto be alone.

From the corner of her eye, Winnie saw Tariq turn

around and begin to walk away. Is that really what

she wanted? No, she wanted anything but to be alone.

Wait! She cried.

Tariq stopped about twenty feet away and looked back

at her. Please, dont go, shesaid in a lower voice.

~

Where do you come from? Winnie asked Tariq thatnight when the moon was up in the sky casting their

shadows over the ground where they lay.

Itsa complicated story.

Really? Mine too.

Yeah?

Winnie nodded.


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Then Im sure well understand each other

well.

Nobodys ever understood me.

Oh come on, not one person?

Not one.

Tariq didnt say anything else. Winnie assumed that

what she had said, there was no right response let

alone any.

(Next Page To See Chapter Nine)

Chapter Nine


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The following late afternoon, Tariq was crouched low

in the tall grass, his eyes focused upon a grazing

antelope. Winnie was watching behind him, interested

to see his skill in sneaking up and scaring his prey

though he had no intention on eating this one. Watch

and learn, he sneeredwith a playful smirk upon his

face. With silent sprints forward and one giant leap,

the antelope only caught sight of Tariq as he grabbed

hold of the animal on its side knocking it down below

him.

Please! Dont eat me, Im too young to die. The

antelope was covering its eyes with its hooves, shakingfearfully, praying for dear life.

Quickly, Tariq let the animal go and without

looking back, the antelope took off as fast as he

could before Tariq could change his mind.

Instead, he turned around to meet eyes with an

impressed Winnie. Well? Not such a bad actor, am

I?


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You got me there, you must never go

hungry.

I wouldnt say that. You see, Im too nice a guy to

be killing five animals a day like some of the other

lions out there. One is enough. They got family too.

At hearing of Tariqs sensitivity, Winnies

heart began to beat at a fast pace as they continued

their walk. No, I cantbe growing soft for a lion! She

thought with a temptation to slap herself across the

face. Youre very sweet, she said hoping to push

away the intense feelings of admiration and sincere

interest.You think so? A smile came across Tariqs gentle

expression. Come with me, I want to show you

something. They took a sharp turn to the right

toward a break in a large pile of broken down rock.

As they approached, Winnie took note that it was

dark inside the opening. Was he going to show her a

cave? She didnt have such high hopes forthis


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surprise and so she refrained from being too excited.

Tariq came to a stop before she could even enter.

Its dark in there. Maybe you should go in

first, Winnie said with a nervous giggle.

Ha! Trying to hide your manners there Miss Winnie?

Well thats not going to work with me, go ahead,

ladies first. He gave her a slight pushon the

backside so that she slid across the damp ground,

which was almost as smooth as ice, and hoped that

she wouldnt fall. Her wish was granted, Winnie was

still on all fours when she had stopped sliding and

came to the edge of the slippery floor.When Winnie looked to see if Tariq was

coming, she noticed him gliding across the ground,

doing all sorts of tricks on his front paws toward the

end where she waited. He was laughing in amusement

when he came to a halt beside her. Man! What a

rush isnt it?

I suppose.


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Well, lets carry on shall we? This isnt the end you

know.

The tunnel that they now walked through was

dim so they could just barely see. When Winnie

glanced to her right and to her left she spied wall

paintings that seemed to have been done by humans

years ago. This worried her. Maybe they were still

here, in the place they were headed right now. Um

Tariq?

Whats up?

Are you sure that where we are going is

safe?There wasnt an answer. Tariq stopped and when

Winnie looked around him to see why, she noticed a

curtain of long leaves before them blocking their view.

Close your eyes, he instructed her. Ill stay in

front of you so that you dont trip and black out

again.


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Winnie felt the leaves brush the top of her

body as they passed through and it seemed they were

going down hill over much shorter grass this time. She

also heard the sound of rushing water, as if there

was a river with rapids flowing nearby or perhaps a

waterfall.

Soon she felt a paw on her chest and Tariq said,

Stop.

She did as she was told.

Open your eyes.

Winnie did. It was beautiful! It wasnt like the

rainforest she had been through before. This was asort of jungle paradise out of the movie Lion King.

That had been her favorite film as a child. It had

come out when she was a toddler and funny enough,

she wished she could fall in love in a place like this

just like Simba and Nala. There were mystical trees

everywhere, a water fall that descended into a silent

body of water. Could I just stay here forever? She


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back to her now. She felt a tug inside her chest and

a wave of sympathy. She didnt know whatto do. How

to make him feelnot alone.

Hey, Winnie said in a comforting tone. Its alright.

No. Winnie, Tariq sighed. Theres

something I need to tell you. Something I shouldnt

hold back from saying much longer.

Winnie went silent and sat down, looking at the side

of Tariqsface, which was now drawn with something

that resembled pain.

What do you mean?

Winnie. I know that we havent beentogether for such a long time, let alone known each

other. But I already know that you bring out a whole

other side of me, a part of me that I never knew I

had. You might not have noticed it, but when Im in

your presence I feel complete. Sounds pretty cheesy

I know, but thats what I should have been

likebefore all of thishappened to me.


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Before whathappened? I dont understand.

Another sigh. Winnie, Im a Prince.

Winnies eyes grew wide. You mean, an actual human

Prince?

Yes, a human Prince. I was actually the heir

to a ruler of a kingdom in Northern Kenya.

Butwhat happened?

I didnt want to hurt you Winnie. I knew you

were the kind of girl who had been hurt one too many

times before and I never intended to treat you that

way. But the pressure of going home again and being a

human was too great. Then I found, just minutes ago,just this morning, maybe even last night, when you

were by my side, when you complimented me, and then

admired my home, that you were much more than

what I needed to be back in my kingdom. You are the

one I want in my life even after I morph back into a

human again! I dont feel like I need to be a king

anymore as long as I can have my queen.


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Winnie tried to process all of it, but it was too much

to handle. You were using me to become human so

that you could go back home? You would have left me

here alone with all of the other animals?

No, yes, no! I mean, at first yesthose were

my initial intentions, but then it changed all so

quickly. The way I began to feel about youUgh! Im

so stupid! Tariq growled.

I cant believe itI trusted you! I listened to you, I

felt for you, I admired you! I actually began to not

only accept you but, me, even Africa! I could have

become an actual teenage girl again too!You still can, you see. Now that Ive

explained myself, I want to tell you how sorry I am.

That none of this monarchy business matters to me

anymoreWinnie, I love you!

Winnie had already started sprinting away from the

waters edge toward the opening in a grassy hill where

the tunnel ended. She had no intention on looking


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back, it would only make her feel more terrible and

for no reason she could think of. She drowned out the

desperate calls from Tariq as best she could. He only

wanted to be a prince again! Yesterday when he saved

her it was so that he could be human! Yesterday when

he had let her have the more meatier part of the

gazelle it was probably so that he could boss all of

the people around one day like his father! Maybe even

last night when they were making out shapes in the

stars too. Then this morning when they laughed

together at each others stupid jokes. When they had

to escape a cluster of rhinos because Tariq pulled oneof their tails as a prank. Then he had impressed her

with his cunning hunting skills. He had finally crossed

the line when he had shown her his home.

Now Winnie hadnt even bothered to keep her balance

as she glided out from the dark tunnel and back

underneath the cloudless night. She just went over it


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upon her stomach, waiting for the momentum to slow

her down before she rose onto her feet.

Winnie was back in the midst of all the tall grass and

it tickled her somewhat on spots around her ankles.

She hadnt paid attention to the feeling before, but

now that she was alone in this part of the Pride Lands

she noticed all of the little things she hadnt prior to

hearing the sad truth.

Winnie looked up at the stars hoping to see one very

bright flying across the black velvet sky so that she

could make a wish. There was none. But there was

indeed a picture painted in the sky that she made out.Winnie wanted to believe that she was only

hallucinating but, she was certain that there were two

lions, a male and a female standing face to face with

some sort of strange barrier in between them. She

couldntmake out what exactly that wall was, but she

didnt care much either. She never did before Tariq

had pointed out a couple of symbols the previous


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night. I should have known then, Winnie thought to

herself. He had been pointing out small things that

she hadnt even questioned. It was because he was so

interesting that she forgot she was supposed to be

ignorant toward everything he told her. Because of it

she was once again betrayed, as she was before her

metamorphosis, and before Africa came into the

picture, and started to grow on her for a short time.

(Next Page To See Chapter Ten)


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Chapter Ten

Winnie stayed up all night, walking, sprinting, stopping

to glance up occasionally to see if there was something

written in the stars that would guide her along a path

where shed be truly happy. Happy like shed been

these last couple of daysor so she thought.

Right now, as the sun began to give off a peach glow

against the sky, Winnie could make out the end of the

reserve. And a little ways past that, the place she

once could call home. She took off at a run now,anxious to get a closer look. Maybe she could even

cross that lonely road again and walk upon her

property. Glance through the windows in hopes of

seeing either her father or sister. That was all she

really needed, to see that they were happy. Even if it

was without her around, it was the sight of them that

sent a warm feeling through out her whole body.


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Except, when she came to the side of the road where

she would have to cross, her nerves stopped her.

Winnie developed all of these questions inside her

mind. What if they were to see her? Would they tell

her to go away, or would they take her in again?

Maybe they wouldnt do either, maybe this time her

father wouldnt recognize her at all. Winnie found dirt

stuck in the crevices of her paw and she already knew

that there was no way she looked the way she had

when she escaped her home. Unknowingly, wild life

had taken ahold of her and she had become a real

lioness roaming the Mombasa reserve. Winnie had noidea how much ones feelingscould change in almost

forty-eight hours. For a moment all she could do was

glance across the road at the house that stood

peacefully on the other side of her. Winnie looked

around her once but then she took a single step

forward so that a paw was resting up the dirt road

that lay in between her and her home.


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And where are you going? Came a loud but,

unfortunately familiar voice. The baboon, Kaj, stepped

in front of Winnie, blocking her tracks.

Home, if thats alright with you.

Winnie must not go home now, what about her

dream?

Dream?

To be a girl again, a human.

Its hopeless.

That is where you are wrong! Youve already started

your journey, and now there is no way out.

Nice try monkey. But, Im better offwithout the suffering.

If thats what Winnie wants! If she wants to

underestimate old Kaj then let her go ahead. He wont

say I told you so!

Winnie had tuned out the baboon as she

approached the side of the road of which her house

stood. It had not changed, not even on the outside.


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The stucco was still new and intact as were the print

free windows. Hers seemed to have been long repaired

when she glanced up. If only she could jump up as

easily as she had down. She so badly wanted to see

her bedroom once again, to see if her mother had in

fact remembered to contact her despite the

inconvenience back at home in Rhode Island.

Winnie wished to know the time now. She had

officially lost track and two days ago felt like a

month. Time had dragged since she had set foot in

wild life. Maybe even since she had morphed into a

lion. Now she began to walk even closer to the house.She wanted with a burning passion to catch a glimpse

of something that resembled a father or a sister.

There werent any words to describe how much she

missed them now. Not that they would understand the

words she said anymore anyway because she already

knew that they couldnt.


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Winnie looked through the window that she

believed to be the kitchen. The table seemed to be

set as if her father and Maddie were going to have

some sort of formal breakfast together. Maybe

something great had happened and she wasnt there to

celebrate with them. At that moment she wished to

be inside, to see if that was the case. But that too

she knew she couldnt manage. So instead, she made

her way toward the window looking inside the den

where her father often watched the news, which by

the way wasnt nearly as interesting as it was in the

United States. At least, that was what Winniethought.

Her heart went up into her throat when she

saw what was happening inside the den. It was so

early, yet she saw that Maddie was helping dress her

father in an outfit that didnt at all look the least

American. Was it an African holiday? Did he need to

wear something for a job he had acquired since she


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ran away? Now she wished to jumped through this

window to find that out as well. What on earth was

going on inside her home? Or what was once her

home? Why was her father dressing so outside his

personality? Or maybe now he wasjust Maddies

father. She sighed at the fact that she would never

know the answers.

(Next Page To Chapter Eleven)


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Chapter Eleven

Sometime passed before Winnie told herself that it

was time to move on. She had been peeking in the

living room window, ducking when she felt like Maddie

and or her father might look her way. She didnt know

how she would react if they were to notice her spying

on them. Most likely shed have run back into the

reserve, but then again she might have just waited tosee if they would come out and see her.

Now, her father was pacing around the room. He had

a bouquet of flowers in one hand and his cell phone in

the other, pressed up to his ear. She didnt know

what to make of this, but Maddie looked anxious as

she kept glancing at the wall clock that Winnie could

barely see. Maybe it was seven am? What did it


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matter? She continued to pursue her original plan and

started to walk away from the window. She started to

cross the street, but felt like she needed to take one

more glance back at the house. Just in case they

decided by some off chance to open the door and

welcome her inside. At least so she could hear about

whatever was going on. It wasnt going to happen

though, she knew it. Instead, at the next moment

something more unexpectedmore tragic had come at

Winnie. A normal sized car, going at least fifty miles

per hours on this empty roadshe tried to get out of

the way and the car tried to stop but the both ofthem were too late. There was yet another collision

between a solid something and Winnie. Karma, she

thought before losing consciousness. Deep now Winnie

knew that she needed this to happen, for it was a

wake up call.

~


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When Winnie opened her eyes she wasnt on the road

being picked and prodded at by a bunch of vultures,

but being healed by a rather young looking African

woman who was pretty emotional at this moment. I

cant believe this, I didnt see her crossing the road I

must have been so excited. Im sorry.

Its alright babe, you see, shes alive,

Winnies father said in hopes of assuring this woman

who must be his new partner. Then he turned to smile

at Winnie herself. Its going to be alright sweetie,

Terkina is taking care of you. Shes a nurse and does

this for a living.Winnie wanted to say that she didnt need this

womans help, but that would be useless and a lie. She

lay still on the carpet underneath her secretly wanting

to be back outside. Shell need time to resther leg.

Winnie should not try and walk for some time. Id say

about a week or so. I suggest you help her to eat,


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drink, go about doing her business until the bones

have healed completely.

At hearing this, Winnies eyes became wide

and she felt afraid. Stay at home for a week?! No.

She wanted to say to the both of them that wouldnt

happen. Now she regretted ever crossing the street

to see what her family was up to. She should have

known the way her father was getting all dolled up

and how he was holding those roses. Winnie should

have been expecting a car to come soaring down the

road at such a fast speed because there was never

anyone driving ahead or behind. A crazy thought cameacross her mind. Come the next three or four days

she would escape, this time not via the window.

~

That evening someone walked into Winnies room

unannounced. It was Maddie, caution was drawn over

her face when she looked over to her lioness sister,

but she didnt run back out of the room. Hi.


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Winnie smiled. She wondered if she could still write

with a pen and some paper. Nah, her paws were too

big. She just nodded at her sister and gestured her

to come over to her. Maddie obeyed and this was

shocking to her.

I dont knowfor certain if you can still

understand me since youvechanged. But, I miss you

Winnie, sounds stupid right? And I still do. I know we

used to get on each others nerves all the time, and

now I find myself hoping that one day we will again.

Winnie moved her front paw to Maddies lap since it

was her back leg which had been broken and shehoped this would assure her sister.

You wont believe it when I tell you this

Winnie, but a class that I take at school teaches you

how to speak to certain animals. I thought it was

stupid when I first heard of it to be honest. Then,

after I saw what happened to you that morning, and

then when you ran awayI felt like that if you ever


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came back I wanted to connect with you. Even if it

was through animal communication. Actually, funny

enough, this whole time Ive been speaking in that

language to you. It may seem like normal words to you

but, I am speaking in lion dialect.

Winnie was impressed by this. So maybe she could

speak to her sister after all. Just wait and see, a

voice inside her head told her.

So tell me Winnie, where did you go?

Winnie was ecstatic. This was her opportunity to

speak! I ran away into the reserve, then into a rain

forest. I was still miserable and I had come across apanther who began to question me. He thought I was

insane, how I was speaking as if I wasnt a lion

because obviously he thought thats what I truly was.

Eventually he left me alone though and I was

relieved.

A panther? Id love to see one of those

some day.


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Yeah. But get this! After some time, there was a

baboon. His name was Kaj, he was older and he told

me why this metamorphosis had happened to me.

Oh mygosh, really? What did he tell you,

Winnie?

That since I had despised animals, lions, and even

the idea of Africa I needed to learn

Learn what?

What it means to be accepting. To accept others,

yourself, a certain place. He said I had to feel it in

my heart before I could truly become a human again.

I guess you didnt get that far yet, didyou?

Winnie began to feel sick. She had been so close,

after she met and spent time with Tariq. He was

teaching her how to enjoy being who she was and the

hidden beauty that lay within Africa. If only it hadnt

started as a plot, but something real.

Winnie, are you alright?


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I was close. Maddie, I met someone and I was

almost human again.

Who? Was it another wise monkey?

No, it wasnt. It was a lion, he was a prince who had

been cursed. Apparently he had to feel true feelings

of love in order to become a human again himself. I

thought hed want to use me when we met. So over

the course of about two days we spent every moment

together, having so much fun. I think that there was

something more between usI think he even changed

his mind. Like it wasnt just a plan anymore, but that

he actually loved me for who I was.And then what? You ran away?!

I told you Maddie! I thought Tariq was just using me

to get back into his kingdom.

Maybe at first! But Winnie, the more you

were speaking about it the more clear it was becoming

that this lion was starting to fall in love with youfor

real!


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I just figured that out too. I guess when I told you

about a minute ago, I realized the truth myself. A

plot almost instantly turned into unexpected love.

Exactly! And you ran away.

And I almost got myself killed doing so, Winnie

added.

I dont think that was intentional, but this

Tariqhe loved you

Hence the past tense, maybe hes moved on.

You dont know that.

Face it Maddie, hes a guy! Hell find some other

female to help him morph back into his royal form.No. He fell in love with you Winnie. There

isnt another youout there!

Winnie had again been outsmarted by her younger

sister.

Shes right, came a voice. Both Maddie and

Winnie turned toward the window to see old Kaj

sitting on the ledge. There is none other like Winnie


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out there in all of Africa. It is not too late to go

back and claim your Tariq.

Listen, hes not mine, he never was! Plushe must be

really angry with me.

Ive been watching you two when you were

together, said Kajas if this was something he did on

a daily basis. He has eyes only for Winnie Brielmann.

He hasnt left his home since you left last nightit is

the next night now and youve been gone a whole day.

Thats twenty-four hours. The boy is heartbroken.

This didnt help. It made Winnie feel even worse, like

she could vomit.What is he saying? Maddie asked.

He agrees with you. He says Tariq is very depressed

now that Ive gone.

Oh, poor thing. You dont hear of many guys

dwelling over a girl like that for so long.

I have to go back, dont I?

But what about dad?


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What about him Maddie? Doesnt he have that

Terkina woman to keep him company? She seems like a

lovely replacement for mom.

Please Winnie, can I at least tell him what

youve been through since you ran away?

Sure go ahead, Winnie placed her head down over

her pillow.

Youve got a great sister, Kaj said. He was

still crouching over the window sill.

Yeah, I suppose I cant override that, Winnie said,

smiling for the first time at the old baboon before

looking back at the bedroom door.Winnie has changedfor the better, Kaj

knows it in his own heart.

Youre so sure of yourself, arent you?

Kaj knows all. The future is bright.

Whatever you say monkey. When Winnie looked back

to the window though, Kaj had gone and now she felt

a breeze take his place.


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(Next Page To Chapter Twelve)

Chapter Twelve

For those three days afterward Tariq was the primary

focus on Winnies mind. How she would ever see him

again was beyond her, but she had come to terms

that maybe the lion prince had come to really love her

some time after they met. Yes, there was surely a


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difference between his behavior after they first met

to when she had run away from him.

Now it was Winnies turn to fe

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Kitu Kama Hatma