Jack was looking up at his mother as her large, yellow fangs dripped saliva on his small, juvenile face. She was angry with him.
“If you want to eat you must kill,” she said. “You are not an infant anymore. It’s time you earn your keep, and if you can’t, you will simply starve and die.”
The maternal instincts of his hyena species were very primitive. Once pups were born and weaned they became just another member of the pack. The strong would live and the weak would die, usually by the hands or mouths of siblings. Emotions such as affection, love, or kindness were not part of hyena instincts. The only instinct that mattered was survival, and he was about to learn that the hard way.
His mother growled, scaring the youngster to his feet. She moved toward him slowly, her fangs sharp and yellow.
“Mama. I don’t want to kill,” his small voice said.
She pounced on him, pinning his small frame to the floor. She growled again and let her foul-smelling saliva drip onto his frightened face.
“Mama, please. Don’t hurt me.”
His mother raised herself. “Get out of my house, Jack. Before I make a meal of you.”
Tears formed in his young eyes as he stood and backed toward the door. He watched as his mother started a slow approach toward him. He turned and ran out the door and across an empty field toward the safety of the high grass. He looked back and watched his mother as she sat outside the front of the run-down hut. She walked back inside and slammed the door shut.
He felt alone and scared. He walked the plains for days, adrift and exposed to the dangers it concealed. At any moment a larger predator could have spotted him and had itself an easy meal. As he walked, the hunger in his belly intensified. And although she scared him, he missed his mother horribly.
He came upon a small thicket made of brush and thorn and concealed himself in its safety. A low sound came from the other side, and as he looked through the brush he spotted a small wildebeest calf. The two looked each other in the eyes.
There was something about the wildebeest that caused him to feel something he had never felt before. He did not look upon the small fellow as a friend or playmate but rather as something that could cure the hunger pains in his stomach.
He stepped out of the thicket directly in front of the calf. His preprogrammed hunting skills kicked in as he growled and showed the small calf his sharp fangs. He felt saliva dripping down his chin. Just like mama, he thought.
The small calf slowly backed up, its legs wobbling at the sight of him. Jack attacked the calf and sank his teeth into the soft skin of the animal’s neck. He tasted warm blood as it trickled into his mouth. He held his bite as the calf kicked and watched as the calf’s eyes slowly closed. He felt proud of his kill. He dragged the body back to his mother’s hut and placed it just outside the door. He knocked and could hear her footsteps as she approached.
His mother opened the door and looked down at the fresh kill beneath her feet. She looked at him and said, “Good boy, Jack.” She ripped a leg off the kill and began to chew. “I had to make sure you understood the importance of survival. We are the hunters, the predators; all other animals are simply our prey. In this world, you can choose to live or you can choose to die. Our species, Jack, never dies without a fight.” She bent down and gave him a small kiss with her wet, black nose. “You made me proud.”
As Jack grew larger, he became the most vicious killing machine on the African plains. He brought each kill back to his mother and reveled in her approval. He sometimes killed when he was not hungry, just so he could hear his mother’s praise.
Old Jack opened his eyes, looked down at his fresh kill, and like his mother had done, ripped off a leg and began to chew. Mama would be proud, he thought.
CHAPTER 4
Jungle Drums
The heat rising from the jungle floor made it feel like a steam bath, and the thick canopy of foliage above made mid-afternoon look like midnight. Shark raised the machete in the air and in one full powerful swing cut another swath through the thick tangle of leaf and vine.
Dog Z Boy was only a few steps behind. “How much further?”
Shark turned his gigantic neck. “I’m not sure. But it sure would have been nice if that road was still open. We probably would have been sipping some ice cold beers by now.”
“Yeah, and I’d probably be beating your ass in a game of pool,” Dog Z Boy joked.
Shark looked back and smiled. “The only way you’d be beating me is if I felt sorry for you and let you win.” Shark took a swig of water from a canteen, then tossed it back to his friend.
Shark again swung the heavy blade, and in an instant sunlight burst upon his face. He looked down through the small hole and spotted a large clearing that led down to the base of an enormous cliff.
Shark placed the machete back in his bag. “It looks like we have some climbing to do. If we hurry, I think we can make the summit before nightfall.”
The top of the cliff was littered with sharp volcanic rocks. Shark was the first to reach it. He steadied his footing on the loose gravel and threw his hand over the side to help pull Dog Z Boy up.
“Thanks, Shark.” Dog Z Boy swung his legs over the top of the cliff face. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Or I you, Dog Z Boy, or I you.” Shark worked to undo his climbing harness.
“Without me, you’d be living a lonely existence,” Dog Z Boy said as he undid his own harness.
“You’re probably right, my friend.” Shark packed his harness in his bag. “I don’t even want to think about it.”
As Shark turned, he saw the incredibly beautiful view. They had climbed so high that they were now above the cloud line. Spread out in the distance he could see the peaks of mountains that seemed to be suspended in an ocean of white. He noticed Dog Z Boy checking it out next to him. They both took in the view for a moment, then with a mutual nod turned and headed toward a new batch of thick jungle. Beautiful scenery or not, they were now warriors on a mission, determined to find Vixen.
The jungle foliage was still thick and hard to cut through. The sun had set and darkness approached. Shark swung the machete and locked it into a tree. “That’s it for today. Let’s make camp. We can finish the hike in the morning.”
Dog Z Boy dropped his pack. “Sounds good to me, I’m exhausted.”
Shark made the stick frame of a makeshift lean-to as Dog Z Boy gathered leaves. They had the shelter put together in no time. They lit a fire and snacked on freeze-dried food packs, then each enjoyed a single warm beer. They lay there on top of the mountain, looking up at the clear night and the million sparkling stars. They told some old stories and laughed. Shark enjoyed Dog Z Boy’s company. He loved him like a brother, although his manly nature would never let him tell him so. They fell asleep to the sounds of crickets and a warm breeze moving through swaying palms.
Shark, half-asleep, sensed Dog Z Boy stirring beside him.
“Shark, do you hear that?”
Shark listened.
Thump, thump, thump, thump, came from somewhere in the jungle.
Shark quickly gained his bearings and looked around in the darkness. “It sounds like drums.”
Dog Z Boy stood. “Is this one of those islands with those cannibal people? Those drums sound kind of wicked.”
“I’m not sure, but whatever it is, we should check it out.” Shark rose to his feet and grabbed his backpack. “Let’s load up. It sounds like those drums are in the direction we need to head. No sense making a trip back.”
As they moved through the jungle the sound of the drums grew louder. They reached a clearing. Shark could see a huge fire pit blowing ashes into the night sky. There were six half-naked natives with painted bodies and long spears dancing barefoot around a large fire to the beat of the drums.
Shark could see something big tied up on the opposite side of fire. It must be some sort of ritual, he thought.
“It’s my Papa,” a small bubbly voice announced from be
hind them.
The voice startled Shark. He turned and was amazed that such a small voice could come from such a big creature. Before them stood a giant insect. It had large antennas, huge black eyes, and a long horn that protruded from its forehead. It had eight legs and what appeared to be a strong, colorful shell on its back.
“I’m Woodsy,” the insect said. “Those humans captured my father and have him down there by that fire. I’m on my way to save him.”
Shark remembered what Roozu had said about this part of the jungle being inhabited by the world’s largest insect. The giant Fijian long-horned beetle. From the looks of it, this must be one of them.
Shark and Dog Z Boy both stood cautiously with their eyes locked on the bug.
“How’d your father get captured?” Dog Z Boy asked.
Tears formed in the youngster’s eyes. “Our main food source is the leaf of the rubber palm tree. For some reason, it’s been dry up here this season and most of the rubber palm trees have died. My mother and brothers and sisters were all hungry, so my father decided to forage outside of our usual area for food. That’s where the humans caught him. I know if I can get close, I can save him.”
Shark looked at the youngster. “Well, if they caught your father, they could easily catch you.”
The bug started moving toward the clearing. “You may be right, but what would I be if didn’t try?”
Shark grabbed him by one of his legs. “Hold on, don’t worry, I’ve got a plan.”
Shark and Dog Z Boy crept toward the fire. The natives were still dancing. They were moving wildly, raising their spears up and down and kicking up dust with their bare feet.
Shark could see the large bug caught inside the net. He wasn’t moving.
Dog Z Boy looked at Shark. “How do we know he’s still alive? And if he is still alive, how do we let him know we’re the good guys? One bite from that huge mouth, and it’s say goodnight, dogzville.”
Shark contemplated the situation. “All right, I’ll move around back and free the bug. You run past those natives screaming. Distract them a bit. Then head back into the jungle.”
Dog Z Boy looked at Shark, a little confused. “That’s it? That’s your grand plan? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. You want me to run past them and distract them a bit while you get the safe job of freeing the bug. What if they start chucking those spears? They look kind of sharp. They could be having Dog Z Boy for dinner.”
Shark looked at Dog Z Boy. “All right, you free the bug, and I’ll take care of the naked dancers.” Shark got up and started running directly toward the natives. He waved his arms wildly and screamed.
The natives’ eyes widened and their mouths dropped open in shock. They stopped dancing and stood perfectly still as if in some sort of trance. Shark knew the sight of him appearing from the darkness would scare almost any living creature on Earth. He watched as the natives dropped their spears and one by one ran off into the jungle. Shark could hear the sound of breaking branches and ooh’s and ahh’s and some obscure curse words as the fast-moving natives undoubtedly tripped over vines in the darkness and ran head on into trees.
Shark joined Dog Z Boy at the net with the big bug. “How did you know that would work?” Dog Z Boy asked.
“I didn’t. Sometimes you just have to trust your instincts.” Shark took out a large knife and cut through the mesh. The giant bug shook himself loose from the rest of the net and looked at Shark and Dog Z boy.
“Thank you,” he said. “I was almost a meal for those cannibals.”
Woodsy appeared from the far side of the fire. He looked at his father with his giant bug eyes and smiled. “Papa, are you all right?”
The giant insect approached his son and placed his immense horn gently on his head. “Yes Woodsy, thanks to these brave creatures. Your papa is fine.”
The big bug turned and looked at the Shark and Dog Z Boy. “I need to repay you.”
Shark waved him off. “Don’t worry about it. Just hope someone would do the same for us some day.”
“Where are you headed?” asked the bug.
“Down the mountain,” Shark replied. “To a place called Tiki Wiki Billiards.”
The big bug crept down on all eight legs. “Then jump on my back and I will give you a lift. I know the place well.”
Shark and Dog Z Boy wasted no time in jumping on the big bug’s enormous back. As they started to move the bug looked back at his son. “Junior, tell your mama I’ll be back tomorrow.”
Shark watched Woodsy acknowledge his father’s request, then the big bug turned and headed down the mountain, toward the beach and Tiki Wiki Billiards.
The bug walked for hours, his large horn easily cutting through the thickest parts of the dense tropical foliage. What he could not cut, he simply ate.
It was mid-afternoon when they emerged from the jungle. Shark noticed they were on top of a small cliff that overlooked the vast Pacific Ocean. Its waves gently lapped against the sandy shoreline below.
Shark took out his binoculars and scanned the area. He followed the beach down for about three hundred yards and could see the top of a thatched-roof hut. He handed the glasses to Dog Z Boy. “I think I’ve found it.”
Dob Z Boy scanned the area. “It’s definitely a man-made structure. I say we give it a shot.”
Shark thanked the big bug and watched as he marched back toward the mountain, a giant sack of rubber palm tree leaves attached to his back.
As he approached the edge of the jungle, the large bug turned and looked at Shark and Dog Z Boy. “Thanks for picking the leaves, boys, my family will eat well tonight.” In an instant, he was gone.
CHAPTER 5
The Perfect Day at Tiki Wiki Billiards
As he walked down the beach, Shark could see the structure begin to take on a familiar shape. If there was one thing he knew, it was how to spot a bar.
The large tropical hut sat on a raised sand dune just above the golden beach. Shark felt excited by the spectacular setting. Large, sweeping palms lined the property, their gigantic swaying leaves providing gentle shade from the hot midday sun.
Shark looked down and noticed a sign made out of the planks of an old boat, each letter painted a different color. It was anchored into the sand and read: Welcome To Tiki Wiki Billiards – Pool-Playing Paradise.
Shark scanned the tiki bar, noticing that it had no walls and was open to the ocean breezes. Two bent and weathered wooden steps led to a large open verandah. The perimeter of the deck had an old driftwood shelf, supported by bamboo posts; it meandered and curved with the landscape. A great place to rest an exotic multicolored cocktail, he thought. A thick pole stood in the center of the hut and provided support for the large thatched roof.
Shark moved up the steps, his feet light to the bounce as he moved to the sounds of reggae music which played low in the background of the bar. He moved to the center of the hut and admired a beautiful rectangular bar. The counter was made out of tropical hardwood; polish gave it a cool, wet shine. He imagined the bar to be the type of place where strangers could sit across from one another and easily make friends by sharing stories and laughing about the adventures of the day.
He turned and again took in the incredible setting and the bar. I could easily get used to a place like this, he thought. There was one thing in particular he was looking for, and he knew from the name of the place it couldn’t be far. He moved around the far side of the bar, and as he spotted it an extra-large smile formed on his face. He could hardly believe that there, in a thatched-roof-covered bar, on an island, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, was one of the most beautiful pool tables he had ever seen. The legs and rails were carved out of exotic tropical hardwoods, and the smooth, light blue felt matched the color of the Polynesian sea.
Shark moved toward the table. “Now that’s a table.” He ran his hands across the rails. “She’s a beauty.”
“That she is!” Dog Z Boy yelled. “It’s time to play.” He looked at Shark.
“I’ll rack, you get the drinks.”
“Sounds like a deal.” Shark made his way to the bar.
Shark half sat and half stood on a tall wooden stool that had a hula girl skirt and comfortable bamboo back. He looked up at a sign that hung above the bar. It advertised the house drink, a concoction called the Rum Jungle, a skull and crossbones giving it an ominous, very cool appeal.
The bartender approached and wiped down the bar in front of him with a wet rag. “Hi, what will it be?” She was a beautiful panther. Her slick black coat looked shiny and smooth, and her striking features blended perfectly with the cool, exotic atmosphere.
Mesmerized by her looks, Shark took a moment to regain his senses. “Let’s see, I guess we’ll start with two of those Rum Jungles.”
The panther smiled at him. Her large, perfectly white canine fangs contrasted with the darkness of her beautiful face. “Good choice. I like a man who dares to try dangerous new things. Just be pre-warned, they’re almost pure alcohol.” She retrieved two large, coconut-shaped cups and filled them with ice. She poured the pre-mixed liquid from a large jug behind the bar and finished each one with a straw and small tropical umbrella. “Here you go, two Rum Jungles.”
Shark took the drinks in his hand and looked directly into the panther’s eyes. “Thank you. Can you run us a tab?”
The panther shot him back another smile. “As they say in the other tropical paradise, the place called the Caribbean, no problem, man, don’t worry, be happy.”
Shark took the drinks back to the table. He handed one to Dog Z Boy and placed his own on the wooden shelf. Dog Z Boy took a long sip through the straw. Shark watched as Dog Z Boy’s entire body gave a quick shake as the initial taste of the rum jolted his brain.
“Man, that’s good. Whew!” Dog Z Boy exclaimed as his face muscles momentarily contorted.
Shark smiled. He liked to see his friend have a good time. “I know you’re anxious to play some pool but I just want to check to see if anyone here knows Vixen. You keep drinking. And a little practice wouldn’t hurt, either. I’ll be back.”
Shark & The Wolf: Predators and Prey Page 4
