Page 23 of Sanctuary

Simon moved faster. He came out of the tree line to the rocks that surrounded the lighthouse. Three girls stood, their backs against the door, staring down one of the lions who snarled at them, showing fangs. It was Gangus, a larger male who could be ornery.

Simon knew from studying lions for years that the cat was ready to attack. Its powerful hind legs sprung, and the girls screamed. The lion went airborne, and Indra came out of nowhere and rammed the dangerous male’s side. They both rolled.

“Move out of the way,” Simon yelled. He shouldered past the girls, pulled out his keys, and unlocked the door. He pushed it open, grabbed one of the girls' arms, and shoved her inside. She held the hand of the other girl who, in turn, held the hand of the third. Simon heard another loud growl and turned slightly. Indra came towards him, and he shoved the girls harder so they were inside and could make room for him and Indra.

The girls screamed. Simon grabbed the scruff of the cat's neck and stopped him from moving closer to them. He slammed the door, and the noise of the storm was cut off.

“He’s safe,” Simon said. “He won’t hurt you if you quiet down and don’t make sudden moves.”

Their eyes, filled with terror, didn’t leave Indra.

“It’s okay,” he told the tiger. “They won’t hurt you. They’re nice.”

“He’s a tiger,” one of the girls said.

“His name is Indra. He saved you. The lion outside would have killed you. They’re afraid of people and they don’t understand that you won’t hurt them.”

“He would have eaten us,” another of the girls accused.

Simon shrugged. “That’s natural. It’s not his fault.”

The third girl, younger and smaller than the other two, moved closer to Simon. Her wet hair trailed across her face, making her eyes look larger. Those eyes scanned him from head to foot and back up again. The two other girls did the same and Simon knew there would be tears and screaming within seconds.

“You’re bigger than the tiger,” the smaller one said with a touch of awe in her voice and a large grin.

It startled Simon. She sounded, well, almost nice.

“Indra is a Siberian Tiger, but he’s not as long as I am tall,” he said proudly.

“That’s cool. Can I pet him?” Her eyes left Simon and went back to the tiger.

“Sarah,” one of the girls said sternly.

Sarah turned her head. “He saved us from the mean lion. We can at least be nice.”

“What about the other two men?” the girl asked sharply.

Sarah glanced up at Simon. “Are you bad like those other men?”

“No. One is lost and the other went after one of my cats. I need to stop him.”

She stretched her hand out tentatively toward the tiger, and it surprised Simon when Indra moved closer to her and sniffed her fingers. She giggled.

“His whiskers are scratchy, but his nose is so soft.”

Indra obviously liked her. He moved even closer and almost knocked her over when he rubbed against her side.

Simon looked at all three of them. Their bedraggled appearance enhanced the fact they were freezing. Simon wore a black rain slicker that protected his upper extremities, but his pants were wet and covered in mud from his fall. He too was feeling the lowering temperature.

“You need to be warm,” he told the girls.

“Why should we trust you?” the angriest of the three asked.

He looked down at his feet and his voice lowered. “My name is Simon. I’m learning to read so I can be smart,” he raised his head and met each girl’s eyes. “I take care of the cats at the sanctuary. They’re my friends.”

For a moment, the girls stood frozen, but then one stepped forward and placed her hand out.

“Hi, Simon, I’m Misty. This is Paige,” she pointed to the angry girl. “And this is Sarah, your tiger’s new friend. We’re in trouble. Will you help us?”

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