DragonsRage24
Ani had only just returned to the pride when the fire broke out. The smoke had been so thick and heavy that finding her way anywhere had seemed impossible but so long as she could escape the flames themselves she would consider herself lucky. She had her name, she had to tell her family; she could hardly let a fire be the end of her quest. The thought was sickening – but then, she couldn't be sure if that was the idea or the smoke that turned her stomach.
Running from the flames had seemed the best course of action until her foot was suddenly so securely fastened beneath a gnarled root that the rest of her body had continued forward and she had gracelessly plowed face-first into the earth. Her foreleg hurt from the tips of her toes to the peak of her shoulder, but there was nothing for it. It was pinned and she was in enough pain that pulling it free seemed torture. As the fire drew nearer and the smoke thicker, it was all she could do to keep from crying out in terror. As it was, the smoke veiled her in a heavy unconsciousness before she could think to worry about death.
Her head felt swollen when at last she came to again, but she heard voices and pawsteps. Lions were coming nearer, though her nostrils were burned and she was unsure if she could trust the smell. She tested her forepaw again as she slowly came around and regained awareness of her situation. Fire, smoke, pain; she was stuck, but she was alive. She would need assistance moving the root aside, but at least she could still feel the pads of her paws. Coughing, she hauled herself to her feet and called out, "Here! I'm here!"