The Element Table

Chapter 15: Shadow Creatures

"Maybe it's a shadow bunny" Jacquelyn answered lowly

Then, purring came from the bushes.

"I don't think shadow bunnies purr Jackie" Alianor said

"Maybe it's a shadow cat" she said, more fright than teasing in her voice

There was a loud rustle, and from the bushes, a feline looking creature walked out in the path in front of them.

"Correction..." Ryia froze "It's a shadow mountain lion.

The feline had dark brown fur, and its eyes glowed red. Its mouth was opened to them, showing its sharp teeth.

There was another rustle in the bushes, and another lion jumped out right next to them, and then another behind them. They jumped in shock at their appearance, and if there were hearing right and the glowing eyes in the dark bushes weren't an illusion, then there were more lions hiding, waiting to make their move. In their peripheral vision, they could see the vultures gathering around in the trees. They anticipated a new meal coming.

The five started stepping back, towards the edge of the river. More lions appeared and they all slowly followed them towards the river, a predictor stalking its prey.

"What do we do?" Alianor asked

"We have. Weapons, we could fight them off" Henry said

"But for how long? There's a lot of them and only five of us" Philip said

"Uh, hello, I don't have a weapon" Alianor whispered

"Well four of us" Henry corrected

"Well what are we supposed to do, the four of us can't fight all these lions" Ryia said

The Lions closed in on them, and the guardians were getting closer and closer to the edge of the river. Jacquelyn turned around and saw that they were mere feet away from it.

It was then an idea came to her.

"Jingles" she stated

"What?" Ryia questioned

"Jingles" she repeated

"Jingles? As in your neighbor's cat?" Alianor asked, remembering her best friend's annoyance with the furry white creature

"Yes that Jingles"

"Why are we talking about your neighbor's cat?" Philip asked

"What do I do when I catch it out in the yard?" she asked her best friend

"You throw water on it"

"Exactly!"

"I don't get it"

Jacquelyn looked at Ryia "All cats are afraid of water right?" she asked

"Well they're not afraid of water, they just don't like it very much. Some of them don't hate water though"

"What about a mountain lion, does it hate water?"

"I don't know" Ryia honestly answered

"Maybe it does right?" Jacqulyn pushed

"Maybe"

"What are you trying to say? You want us to throw water on them?" Philip asked

"Where are we even going to find water?" Henry asked

"I don't know, maybe from the river we're about to fall into if we keep backing up" Jacquelyn hissed

They stopped and looked behind them, they were only a foot away from the edge now. They turned forward, watching as the lions got closer.