Breaking Point

Work in progress, excuse the dust.

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What if?

What if, one day, out of the blue, you changed.

Well, it happened to Keith.

The morning came, one like any other. Last night had been like any other, staying up until the darkest hours of the night, writing, perfecting his novel. He was pushing to finish it, send it off. Maybe even get it published. “Pride of Africa” was it's working title. It followed the life of a lion, Tau, from birth, to his death at the hands of poachers.

With a moan that was closer to a growl, Keith awoke. [Another day, another chapter], he thought to himself. He tried to stand, but fell backwards onto the bed. Confused, he pushed himself up, before freezing. [What the...?] Paws. There were paws in front of him. Covered in a deep, tawny fur, he instantly recognized them as the paws of a lion. He let out a yell, which instantly grew to an agitated roar. He clamped his mouth shut, eyes wide. Pressed low, he slid to the floor, and crawled forward, to the mirror at the opposite end of the room.

“Oh my god, I'm Tau.” he said. Except it came out more like “Awrrrl mrrlr yarrwl.”. Lions aren't well known for their english skills. The deep brown mane that covered his head marked him as a mature male. The three scars along his side, the pure white belly... Most would have recognized it as just another lion, but Keith... Somehow he knew. This was Tau. He sat down suddenly, and his jaw dropped. [How?] Keith jumped. Someone was at the door!

“Keith? Keith, are you alright?” [Shit, it's Diane!] Keith thought. The woman lived in the apartment next door. They were never very close, but they were friends. [How do I explain this?] He paced in a circle, before his ears perked.

“Keith, I'm coming in.” [No!] Keith roared, and a muffled shriek came from outside. Keith turned, trying to find somewhere to hide. Nowhere in his tiny apartment was there room to conceal a 500 pound feline.

“Damnit, Keith, you're not scaring me away this time!” Diane shouted, and with a slam, the door swung open, revealing Diane looking inward, her jaw on the floor, and a rather terrified lion looking outward. “Jesus CHRIST, Keith, what have you done this time?” Diane backed out and slammed the door shut. His ears perked forward, Keith could hear her speaking on the phone. [Probably to the police.] he thought, sadly. He eased himself down onto his haunches, then down to the floor, his massive head resting on his paws, eyes closed. If anyone had looked in now, they would have seen a lion trying it's hardest to cry.

KER-WHUMPH

A rather startled Keith-lion jumped to his feet, with a snarl. The door slammed open, and a trio of rather heavily armed officers entered.

“God, she was right!”

“How the hell did someone get a Lion up here?”

Keith's ears pinned against his skull, and he roared. This was his territory, damnit, and they- He shook his head, clearing the invading thoughts from his head. [No, I'm not a lion!] He backed up, watching the officers, before one took out a tranquilizer gun, and with a silent thwmp, the dart stuck into Keith's hide. After a while, the drugs took effect, and the lion fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

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Continuation to come.