We kept climbing up the ladder until we made it out. Lion waited five minutes for voices then signaled that the coast was clear. We walked outside the ring of gears and I took off my goggles.
I followed the lion through dozens of narrow passageways and secret hatches until we came to an old escape hatch, nearly rusted shut and neglected. The lion kicked the doorknob bolts to get it started and I unscrewed the hatch door. We climbed into an escape pod plenty big enough for the two of us, and not nearly as neglected as the door, but that’s not saying much.
The lion kicked a button and the door shut and the escape pod launched.
“So.”
“Yes?”
“Your story. You said you’d tell it. How did you end up on the Deathbird?”
“Like I said, long story. You see, it starts in a remote part of Africa where I was exiled from my pride because of an attempt to converse with the gazelle the leader of the pride was chasing. After wandering through the jungle for several days, I fell into a lion trap. I was knocked out. When I came to, I was in- you may recognize this part- a dimly lit cave, lying on a slab of metal with two half-duck half-octopus creatures.”
“I do recognize that part.”
“All prisoners on the Deathbird go through the same series of events.”
“All? You mean there are more?”
“Yes. I’ve met quite a few. I’ll mention them in my story. Now where was I? Ah yes, the creatures put a burlap sack over my head and dunked me onto another metal slab, which then started moving, then tilted and I dropped off and hit my head on a hard stone floor. When I came to I was in what I refer to as ‘the containment room’ with the display case where I was introduced to the Military Exus Leader, but rather than bringing me to the roof room, like he does with most prisoners, he tossed me into the blue pit. The next thing I knew he was tossing prisoner after prisoner into the blue pit with me, expecting me to devour them. Instead, I led them to the many escape pods. Normally I stay behind, but the reason I came along with you is I figure sooner or later they’ll figure out I’ve been sending prisoners into the escape pods and I want to be far far away when they figure that out.”
I was wondering when he would get to the point. “Go on,” I said impatiently.
“No need to get huffy,” purred the lion. (You may note that big cats like lions and tigers can’t actually purr, but somehow this lion did it.) “I suppose you’re wondering when I’m going to get to the point.”
“Yeah,” I said.
“Well, the real point of this story doesn’t come for a while, so why don’t I tell you something interesting in the meantime. Right before you were tossed into the pit, there was another boy that I let out. His name was Ruth.”
“Ruth what?”
“Ki-something. Reminded me of Africa.”
“Kazembe?”
“That was it. How’d you know?”
“Ruth Kazembe is in my fourth grade class. Just to make sure- sort of tall and thin, black hair, green eyes?”
“Yes. Well, anyway, as I led him to the escape pod, he was murmuring, ‘Drake. This is Drake’s fault.’ I presume you’re Drake?”
“Yeah.”
“Of course, I know it wasn’t your fault. The Military Exus Leader steals creatures from different planets all over the galaxy, seeing if they are fit to undergo genetic mutation and become one of the super creatures in his army.”
“Super creatures?” My ears pricked up at that. “Can you tell me more about that?”
“Check your watch first.”
When I checked my watch I was surprised to see that it was actually 11:40 at night.
“What time is it?” said the lion.
“11:40.”
“We should get to sleep. I’ll tell you the rest of the story in the morning.”
I yawned, nodded, and lay down on the co-pilot’s seat and drifted off to sleep.