DESCRIPTION
A zoo from an abused tiger's point of view. The abuse is too persistent for the tiger, and he makes a mistake that puts more than his life in jeopardy. [823 words]
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
I write for an escape from life ... and homework. I am just about to start year 10 and the dreaded GCSE's. My more recent work will be up most probably at the end of the summer holiday (around September). Lucky you! [July 2003]
AUTHOR'S OTHER TITLES (1) Arual Evenstar (Novels) The beginning of a Lord of the Rings fanfiction I'm working on alongside other material. Not brilliant, but I enoyed writing it. It's about Arual, Elrond's daughter, who knows she doesn't belong in Ri... [5,123 words] [Fan Fiction]
The Animal Prison L J Milakovic
Here he comes, walkie-talkie in one hand, single ice cream cone in the other. His face is coated in clusters of acne, and his features are rat-like. He walks in long strides, talking into the walkie-talkie every so often, attempting to look significant. Unsuccessfully. He stops at the tall metal bars surrounding the pen that I am living in. Alone. The left side of his hip is raised slightly, his hand resting on it, an arrogant look on his face. He takes a long, gloating lick of his ice cream, and smirks satisfyingly. I pace forwards and backwards, my eyes never leaving his, a low growl escaping my lips. He lowers, taking another lick.
“Hungry?” he asks, cocking his head to one side. He then cackles, showing his sunken grin, which sickens me.
Underneath my beautiful, sleek fur coat, my skin his unbearably hot. There is no shade in my pen, let alone any privacy. No privacy from the goggling eyes of visitors to this animal prison I am in. There is a dog’s bowl of warm water beside the wall, alongside another bowl of decaying flesh remaining on the bone, yesterday’s dinner.
“Billy!” the zookeeper, Harry calls to him. I always wondered why he hired Billy, but that was the last thing on my mind at the moment. He looks up from my stare, and stalks off. I snarl from the corner of my mouth.
I awake with a start. The blazing sun is still beating down on me, and I open my eyes to the delight of Billy’s grin. He is placing food through a flap in the cage. My stomach growls and a wave of nausea hits my stomach. I sway a little, but, after steadying myself, I wait patiently until the flap is securely locked again. But Billy decides he wants a little entertainment by teasing me with the food. He shuts the flap; I hurry forward, and eat with relish. The food is suddenly snatched from me. I look up to see Billy hurriedly shutting the flap, cackling, his yellow teeth showing. I nestle on my stomach, waiting for the food to be passed back.
“You want the food? Come and get it then. Come on!” he coos through the bars.
After a few moments of amusement, he places the food in front of me again, and closes the flap. I eye him warily, before beginning to eat again. Yet again, the bowl is snatched away. But before the flap is shut, I seize Billy’s hand with my teeth, clenching with antagonism. A loud shriek is produced from his throat. Long, clear and high pitched. Tears pour down his cheeks in anguish, and he attempts to pull his hand away. I shake my head; him shrieking louder, if that was possible. The zookeeper waddles over, his fat legs not getting him anywhere fast. As he seizes Billy’s shoulders, I let him go, and begin to consume all of the food as quickly as I can.
Billy falls back into the Harry’s arms, who seizes his walkie-talkie – the first time it came in with any use – and calls for an ambulance. He explains the situation, and tosses the walkie-talkie to one side. He then kneels beside Billy’s head, and places Billy’s head on his thighs. Harry then undoes the small button at the cuffs of Billy’s blue shirt, and pulls a sweaty handkerchief from his chest pocket, and places it on Billy’s wrist applying pressure. He then lifts his whole arm. I pace to and forth beside the two. Lucky for them the zoo was closed – I could imagine there being quite a few distressed visitors at the sight. Harry then wipes around the wound with the corner of his shirt, still applying pressure to the wrist. He then, with a few moments of struggle, rips off the arm of his shirt. He dresses Billy’s wrist, all the time cursing the ambulance. He then takes Billy in his arms, and rocks him backwards and forwards like a baby. I am frozen, entranced by the sight. I catch the words under Harry’s breath, “Don’t let him die. Not my baby boy.” It then comes to me. How could I have not noticed? How would Billy have got a job any other way? How could I have been so stupid?
I am suddenly surrounded by a group of solemn-looking men. I look at each of them. One of them is holding something in one hand behind his back. I raise myself, feeling threatened. Then, without warning, they seize my limbs, and the one hiding something brings a needle forward. I begin to panic, struggling against the many men. Terror grips me, and I begin to growl. I feel a sharp object shoved in my flesh, and fatigue takes over my body. My knees give way, and I collapse to the ground, seeing and feeling no more.
READER'S REVIEWS (7) DISCLAIMER: STORYMANIA DOES NOT PROVIDE AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWS. ALL REVIEWS ARE PROVIDED BY NON-ASSOCIATED VISITORS, REGARDLESS OF THE WAY THEY CALL THEMSELVES.
"So that means you are about fourteen. Are you by any chance related to Ivana, Law?--The Advisor" -- JA St.George.
"I'm thirteen. I don't know if we are related. My Grandad was originally from Yugoslavia, so is possible. " -- Law.
"This reminds me very, very much of a short story I read once called "The Tiger", in a collection of animal stories. Your descriptions are good." -- Wolfa.
"This is really good.. I love the way it's written. but it scares me! There's a lady with a pet tiger in my town. yikes" -- Brooklyn Ashe.
"For another story, on the lighter-side, also about a tiger, be sure to check out Lawrence Peters' The Dragon And The Tiger-Bob Gets His W.I.S.H. --The Advisor " -- JA St.George.
"not bad for a little kid, the emotions come through. your descriptions of the tiger are not very convincing though. halfway through the story i interjected you (the little boy/girl) as the tiger in my head...the story worked well then. keep it up." -- sunny, DC, usa.
"This was a good story here you showed how tiger feel like he dosen't have his freedom. Maybe the tighter wants some shade." -- J Harris.
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