Royal slipped through the open door with amazing ease for such a large animal. He was a lion, King of the Zoo, and now he was free. He took one last glance at the nervous chameleon that had escaped with him, and set out on a path into the warm night.
Royal was incredibly patient. He’d lived at the zoo for a decade. About twice a year he would make a break for it. It was all part of his master plan. The keepers were slightly slower to respond every time, and now was the chance he’d been planning for.
He crept along the dark pathways he’d scouted many times before, keeping low to the ground, and walking silently. He passed by the polar bear house and the elephant’s field. Then he arrived at his first waypoint. Royal examined the lock on the cage and was relieved to see it was very similar to the one in the vet’s office he’d just broken out from.
With one powerful swipe of his massive paw the lock was torn off the door.
“Jordan,” he called softly. “It’s time to go.”
The cheetah slunk out of the shadows. “I’m ready,” Jordan told his friend.
The pair made it to the gates of the zoo and, without hesitating, marched through and out into the neighborhood.
They immediately saw a housecat sneaking through the bushes.
“Come here,” Royal commanded her.
The cat turned her head very slowly towards the lion. She had no intention of obeying him. “What?” she asked with absolutely no fear.
The two jungle cats were taken aback. Who was this who wasn’t afraid of them?
“What?” the cat repeated impatiently. She sat down and began licking her paw and rubbing her head.
An uncomfortable moment passed. Royal and Jordan were not used to being challenged but the zoo animals were out of their depth in the suburbs. Things were different out here.
“Do you know where we can find some antelopes? We’re hungry,” Royal told her.
The cat stretched herself out and then replied.
“The only antelope around here are back the way you came.”
“Oh,” said Jordan sadly. His tail twitched twice with the bad news.
“But if you want to follow me, I know a human who puts food out for strays,” continued their new associate.
The two fugitives looked at each other. It sounded like a decent idea.
“Ok,” said Royal. “We’ll go with you.”
“Excellent,” said the cat. “My name is Mittens. What’s yours?”
“Jordan,” said the cheetah.
“I’m Royal,” said Royal.
“Nice to meet you,” said Mittens. She licked her lips. “I only have one rule.”
“Yes?” said Royal.
“I’m the boss.”
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