The Lion’s Cross Species Baby

With rapid steps, he walked over to Buddy’s camper and knocked, again without an answer. He opened the door and called out, but there was no reply. He peered inside; empty. Frowning, he closed the door and looked around again. The jeep was gone, he noticed, and the facts sunk into his mind like a sinking ship. She was gone. Buddy must have taken her into Rio, and he could do nothing until Buddy returned with the jeep.

He walked over to the kitchen area and plopped onto a seat, his elbows on his knees, his head in his hands. At this late hour, Cooper knew Buddy would wait until morning to return; traveling in the dark was not safe.

Damn, I really screwed up, Cooper thought as he walked to his camper, where he knew he wouldn’t get any sleep.

*****

Cooper had managed to fall asleep but jerked awake when he heard the jeep lumbering back into the camp. He realized it was nearly ten, shocked that he’d slept so late. He bounded out of the room and to Buddy, who had opened the door of his camper and was tossing his bag inside. When he heard Cooper’s footsteps, he turned, frowning at him.

“Just getting up?”

“Yes. Where did you take her?” Cooper’s voice was hard and antagonistic.

Buddy’s eyebrows shot up. “Pardon me?”

“I asked you where you took her. I need to talk to her,” Cooper replied.

Buddy shook his head, frowning again. “You know where I took her. And for the record, I don’t blame her one bit for going.”

Cooper’s eyes flared. “This is none of your damn business, Buddy.” Cooper walked to the jeep with the intention of climbing in. “Where are the keys?”

“In my pocket, and you can have them when you’ve calmed down. I won’t have you gunning off to Rio to talk to that girl while you’re so pissed.”

“Why would you take her without waiting for me to come back?”

“Why would you suggest killing your own child?”

Buddy ducked when Cooper took a swing at him. He grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the jeep hard enough to knock the breath out of him. Cooper’s eyes were wide with both anger and surprise.

Buddy put his face close to Cooper’s and said, “Young man, you’re angry at yourself, not me. Face what you’ve done, let it fill with the guilt, then go fix it. But don’t throw it out at me or anybody else.”

Cooper’s anger, which had been strong enough to kill, ebbed immediately. Buddy was right, and he knew it. His body sagged, and Buddy let him go. “I’m sorry. I screwed up.”

“Yes you did. But while she was telling me the story, I could hear the forgiveness in her voice. I don’t think she knows she forgives you, but she will. Go prove to her what she means to you.”

Cooper nodded. “Thank you, Buddy, for taking care of her and me. We both needed it.”

Buddy fished the keys to the jeep out of his pocket, grinning at Cooper. “I knew you’d want to turn right around and head back to Rio, so I filled the jeep up. She’s not going anywhere, so take your time.”

Cooper nodded. “I probably need the time to think. I have no idea what I’ll say to her.”

“It’ll come when you see her, I’m sure.” Buddy told him the name of the hotel, patted his back, and told him to get going.

Cooper jumped in the jeep and sped off, his thoughts in a jumble as he hurried through the jungle.

*****

After a sumptuous breakfast in the hotel restaurant, Annie walked to the hospital. She’d chosen the hotel not only for its amenities but also because it was two blocks from her doctor. As she walked, she felt an uncomfortable sense of someone watching her. She glanced behind her but no one was paying any special attention to her. While glancing behind her, she slammed into someone in front of her, nearly falling back. A pair of hands caught her arms.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” Annie exclaimed as she looked up. She instantly recognized the werewolf from the airport just the week before. She frowned and stepped back, shaking his hands off her arms.

“Hello, Annie.”

Annie lifted an eyebrow and went on the offense. “How exactly do you know my name, sir?”
“I have my sources, Annie,” the man assured her with a creepy sneer. He looked her up and down, focusing longer on her stomach than anywhere else. “I understand you’re expecting a baby.”

A chill ran down Annie’s spine. “That is none of your damn business. Excuse me.” Annie attempted to go around him, but he side stepped and prevented her. “Move please.”

The man shook his head, his grizzled beard glistening in the sun. “No. I need to talk to you about this baby.” He stepped even closer to her, forcing her back and closer to the wall. “You see, that baby is a danger to our way of life here in Brazil.”

“My baby isn’t a danger to anything except destroying prejudices,” Annie replied. She really had no idea what this man was talking about, but she focused on verbal exchanges so she could find an escape. She wasn’t really in danger; they were on a crowded street. But she had no friends here and had no idea to whom she could turn if the man grew violent.

The man chuckled menacingly. “Well, now, that’s an ugly thing to say. Let me explain. Cross species babies are dangerous, unpredictable creatures. We don’t allow them here.”

“Don’t allow them? That’s ridiculous.”

“You know, it’s not too late to take care of this on your own.” He shrugged meaningfully. “If you choose to continue this pregnancy, however, I can’t predict what might happen to you and your child.”

Annie stared. Her fear was clear on her face, she knew it, but she could do nothing about it.