It would never work, and Nyeusi would suffer a painful death being shredded to death by furious lions that would eat his innards while he was still alive. That wasn’t a very pleasant thought, but he couldn’t stop it from forming in his brain. Why had he thought that this idea would work? It would never work, not in a million years.
Bekeli had concocted this “great” idea that they would stand behind a big rock positioned near the crest of the slope they perched on. They would move the rock to the top of the peak and then roll it down the side of the slope. The rock would gather momentum as it rolled, and crush the lions below them.
Nyeusi couldn’t believe that he was going to listen to this hyena. He couldn’t believe he was even debating it. This was the same hyena that had said that he knew where there was fresh water, and half a day later led Nye to a lion-infested pool of water. This was the same hyena that for half a day had passed gas without a second thought. This was the same hyena that had followed Nyeusi for two days because he was hungry.
Nyeusi was convinced he was going to die today, but he really wanted some of that water, and Bekeli said that once the lions were crushed they would be able to eat them. Hell, even that sounded like a good idea, and it was then that Nyeusi knew he wasn’t going to back down from this. He would see this horrible idea through to the end and either be killed or be able to sleep with a full belly.
Bekeli gestured that Nye should join him behind the rock. It wasn’t a small rock and Nye couldn’t get his paws around it, so he figured it should be big enough to do the job. Later when he thought about the things that took place today he would realize that it was the lack of food, water and sleep that was making him frantic enough to do such a stupid thing.
With every ounce of power he could muster, Nye moved his body in time with Bekeli’s and soon enough the rock was moved closer to the edge of the small cliff that overlooked the water. With a final shove, the two companions pushed the rock over the cusp of the cliff. With hopeful eyes they watched the rock.
Things looked good in the beginning, but just after that initial pull the rock caught on another rock and sloooowly moved to a crawl. Almost as if the rock was mocking the two of them, it reached the waters edge with an indulgent *plop* -- the action barely caused a ripple in the water.
Suddenly they had the full attention of a group of very big, strong and very angry lions.
Nyeusi took off sprinting at the same time Bekeli did, though they both moved in very different directions. Nye didn’t look back, no. He ran and ran until his chest burned and his joints ached. Once he was alone, he reveled in the silence. No more hyena. No more lions. It was too good to be true.
Nyeusi's laughter echoed through the dark of night.
|||||||||| ~*~||||||||||
This idea would work.
Bekeli knew it would work. He really didn’t know why Nye was being so wishy washy about it. It was a solid plan, one that he’d come up with himself. He certainly didn’t hear Nyeusi coming up with anything or even helping him come up with anything. No, all Nye wanted to do was shoot down ideas, but now it was growing late and he knew Nyeusi was as hungry as he was and when he mentioned that after they pushed the rock down the hill and it crumpled the lions at the bottom, and that meant that there would be a mountain of food there just waiting for them to eat, and all the water they could drink, well, Nyeusi had seen the wisdom of his words.
After all, it was a flawless idea. The rock wasn’t a huge distance away from the top of the hill and all they really had to do was push the rock over the top of the hill and watch it tumble down the side. And then, oh, and then… it would be dinner time. They could stay here for a good week just eating all the food they could stuff in their bellies, drinking all the water they wanted to. What could go wrong? Nyeusi was just a worry-wart, that was all.
How could this leopard even question him? This was the same leopard that had gotten lost not once but TWICE in two days. This was the same leopard that couldn’t find his way home. This was the same leopard that had basically told Bekeli he couldn’t pass gas. Where would he be without Bekeli? Dead, probably. Dead and eaten by vultures. Nyeusi should be grateful to Bekeli, but he wasn’t. He was being a big baby about the whole situation; a situation that Bekeli had assured him would only end in them being the happiest two guys on the planet.
Bekeli waited for Nyeusi to join him at the rock. Side by side the two pushed – it didn’t take them long at all to get the rock into position. He whispered a quick count – one, two, three – and the duo gave the rock a mighty shove. Bekeli’s heart sang with joy as he watched that rock head on down the hill.
And then… oh, and then. Things took a turn for the worse. The rock must’ve gotten caught on another rock because suddenly (and in ultra-slow-mo) the rock moved to a crawl and ever so slowly slid down the side of the cliff. Gently, seemingly as if not to disturb the lions that lounged around that waters edge, it slipped into the water like a fishing bird, barely a ripple to be seen.
Bekeli squirmed nervously under the attentive gaze of about a million furious lions.
Bekeli ran. He didn’t care what happened to Nye. Forget the idea of bro-ing around the savanna picking up hot chicks and eating tons of food. If Bekeli didn’t get moving, he would be lion-fodder! He ran and ran until the lions turned to a speck on the horizon. Only then did he pause. Alone. No Nyeusi. No lions. Just alone, alone, alone.
Bekeli sobbed, his shrill cries breaking the silence of night.
MSword Word Count: 1079 (not counting special characters)
