Survivor

By Elle Nicholson

With danger at every turn, three Bengal tiger cubs – Maseru, Solomon, and Siara – are forced to fend for themselves when tragedy strikes their family, and they quickly begin to realize the true threat that humans pose to their critically endangered species.
Growing up in the Indian jungle, the three cubs’ lives seem perfect at first, but that illusion is quickly shattered when a group of humans capture Siara and take her away to the nearby zoo. Siara makes friends and soon finds herself bound by a risky promise while her brothers start learning how to survive in the jungle. Soon, however, another disaster leaves Maseru and Solomon heartbroken and defenseless.
The evil Ahkbar, who dreams of ruling the jungle, seizes this opportunity and threatens to kill the brothers if they don’t surrender their territory. Meanwhile, Maseru must learn to use his legendary, mysterious powers and fulfill an ancient prophecy. He has an important destiny – if he can first protect himself and his family from the danger lurking around every corner.

• Language: English
• Publisher: World Castle Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Aug 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781958336564

Elle Nicholson

Elle has loved reading since the age of three and discovered her passion for writing stories at five. She has always had a fascination with the natural world, especially with tigers, which became her inspiration for her debut novel, Survivor. Her lifelong dream has been to publish her novel and educate society on the dangers endangered species face, thus motivating mankind to prioritize animal conservation. She began writing Survivor at age eleven and achieved her goal of publishing it while still in high school. When Elle isn’t in school, she enjoys playing volleyball, competing in debate, and spending time with friends and family.

Book preview

1.png

Survivor

by

Elle Nicholson

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

WCP Logo 7

World Castle Publishing, LLC

Pensacola, Florida

Copyright © Elle Nicholson 2022

Smashwords Edition

Hardback ISBN: 9798842300891

Paperback ISBN: 9781958336557

eBook ISBN: 9781958336564

First Edition World Castle Publishing, LLC, August 15, 2022

http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com

Smashwords Licensing Notes

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews.

Cover: Karen Fuller

Editor: Maxine Bringenberg

Chapter One – Maseru

I still vividly remember the earliest days of my life. Back in those days, I knew no pain or suffering. I was an ordinary young Bengal tiger, carefree and happy—until everything changed in a flash. How I wish I could travel back to those wonderful times and remain a cub forever, blissfully unaware of what the future held. Sadly, that was not the power placed in my paws. Instead of daydreaming about the past, I must use the power I do possess to shape a better future for my kind.

My tale begins in the wild Indian jungle on a gorgeous spring day when three tiny tiger cubs were brought into the world. Our weak cries joined the murmuring voices of the jungle’s inhabitants, singing the mysterious song of life that flows through every creature’s blood. We were the newest additions to the world of the jungle, and Mother said it seemed that everything from the birds’ song to the warm breeze was welcoming us into it.

For that first week of our lives, my siblings and I could not see, and we were completely unaware of this beautiful world that we were now a part of. We were blind, hairless, and still developing our senses. All we knew was our mother’s milk and her comforting scent.

Then, when we were eight days old, the horizons of our world expanded. We opened our eyes for the first time, blinking confusedly and staring around with wide eyes. We were inside a spacious stone cave, dark and cool. In sharp contrast to its rocky walls were the golden rays of sunlight streaming cheerfully in from the entrance. The rays shone through the emerald-green canopy of tall, stately trees, making their leaves sparkle and glimmer like jewels. Beyond this dazzling display of nature, one could just glimpse the pale blue of the sky. Birds perched on branches were singing melodiously, and bugs flew past occasionally. This was the magnificent sight that awaited us, and I gazed with a feeling of awe at its splendor.

Eventually, I turned and stared at my family curiously. My brother had fluffy orange and black fur, which stuck up ridiculously in every direction, and huge blue eyes. As we grew older, they would become a yellowish-green color. He also, I noticed, had massive paws, much too big for his body, a sign that he would grow up to be enormous. Our mother looked similar, although she was obviously much larger, with a long, lithe body that radiated grace and elegance.

I wonder what I look like, I thought. Probably somewhat like them since they’re my family. I glanced down at my paws to confirm. They, too, were a tawny orange with black markings.

Then I realized my sister looked very different from the rest of us. Her fur was a snowy white that stood out starkly against the darkness of the cave. She still had the same dark markings as the rest of my family, but I could instinctively tell that her coloring was unusual. But I suppose it doesn’t matter. It’s interesting, that’s all.

While I was simply looking around the cave, fascinated with my surroundings, my brother was attempting to sneak out and explore the world. To his disappointment, he didn’t get far before Mother noticed him. Stop right there! she bellowed commandingly. My brother turned back toward her with an innocent, questioning look on his face. Mother’s steely gaze softened a bit as she bounded over to our brother, scooped him up by the scruff of his fluffy neck, and plopped him down next to us.

Now, then, she cautioned us sternly, you must not, under any circumstances, leave the cave unless I am with you.

Why? asked my sister.

"Because it’s dangerous out there, especially for cubs. Plenty of male tigers would like to eat you! They would view defenseless cubs as a tasty snack. But the deadliest threats are humans, creatures that walk on two legs, carry horrible weapons, and associate with monsters. Humans will kill us, trap us, and skin us. They are very dangerous. Do you understand?"

Yes, we squeaked. Humans are bad.

Not necessarily all of them, but most, yes. Now, I think that’s enough excitement for one afternoon. Time for a nap.

We curled up beside Mother and slept peacefully—or at least, my siblings did. I had a very strange dream.

Some peculiar brown animals were playing in the trees and making high-pitched chittering noises. One of them swung down by his long, curly tail to greet me. He seemed to already know who I was, and said mysteriously to me, Use your gift well.

I awoke with a start. It was after dark; the others were asleep. Who was that? I wondered in confusion. He acted like he knew me. And what did he mean by use your gift well? I don’t have any gifts…that I know of, at least. Oh, well, it was just a dream, so I shouldn’t worry about it. I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything. I rolled over and dozed for the rest of the night, and I would not recall the dream until later.

When I woke up at dawn one morning, everyone else, surprisingly, was already awake. My siblings were wrestling each other playfully, growling and batting at each other with their paws as they tumbled around on the dusty floor. There was no sign of Mother, so I asked where she had gone.

She’s out hunting, reported my brother.

I wonder when we’ll get to eat meat, too, my sister meowed. It smells yummy.

It does smell good, I agreed. I’m sure we’ll be allowed to try our First Meat soon.

I stood watching as my siblings played, wanting to join in. Then I had a brilliant idea, one that we could all take part in. Hey, do you want to have a fighting competition?

Yeah! my brother said enthusiastically. I’ll fight Sister first, and whoever wins goes against you.

My siblings faced each other determinedly and then began circling each other, looking for an opening to attack. Suddenly, my brother sprang forward, swiping with sheathed claws at my startled sister. She stumbled back, a surprised expression on her fluffy face. My brother almost pinned her to the ground, but at the last second, she rolled to the side. Now she leaped onto my brother’s back, trying to knock him off balance. He shook her off with ease. My sister fought valiantly, but eventually, my brother got the best of her. Our brother flipped her onto the ground and hit her gently until she admitted defeat.

Now it was my turn. I was reluctant to give him an advantage like my sister had, so I attacked first. Sadly, he easily sidestepped my attempt. Despite my miss, we were a fairly good match: my brother’s brute strength versus my thoughtful strategy. It took him a while, but he inevitably wore me down. On the brink of surrender, I desperately tried one last move, figuring I had nothing to lose. Shockingly, it caught my brother off guard. He tripped and tumbled to the packed earth floor of the cave. I won! I couldn’t believe it! Our brother, even in those early days, was freakishly strong, so my sister and I almost never beat him. Luckily, my brother was generally a good sport about it. I would simply have to savor this rare moment of victory.

Just then, Mother stalked in with a white rabbit clamped in her fearsome teeth. I think it’s about time for your Naming, she announced. I caught a white animal, so we’re all set.

Why are white animals special? my sister asked, intrigued.

I rolled my eyes and nearly laughed aloud. Of course, she would ask that. She just wants to hear again about how special she is. She was an extremely rare white tiger. It was almost unheard of to have the recessive gene that caused the unusual pigmentation in her fur. Humans hadn’t even seen a white tiger in the wild for fifty years! Mother once told us that our sister must never fall into the clutches of the zoo because they would inbreed her with other white tigers, creating mutated white tiger cubs. It sounded like a terrible fate.

Sorry. I got off topic there. Anyway, back to the story. Well, Mother explained, we need a white animal for your Naming ceremony because it symbolizes innocence and youth. You will each allow me to drape the skin over your shoulders while I say a few words and give you your name. Are you ready?

Without giving us time to answer, she jumped onto a ledge in the cave wall and beckoned my brother forward. My son, you are strong and brave in both body and spirit. You shall be called Solomon. Solomon lifted his chin proudly. Mother gently removed the rabbit skin from his back and motioned my sister forward. The pelt blended into her white fur. My daughter, your inquisitive mind will serve you well. Your name will be Siara, for the purity of your fur and your spirit. Siara’s icy blue eyes glowed with happiness. And finally, Mother concluded, addressing me. My son. I was worried when you were born that you were too weak to live, but you are a survivor. You are cautious and wise. Your name is Maseru.

Maseru. I like that. It has a nice ring to it. But me—weak? I’m not as strong as Solomon. Does that make me weak?

Mother, I mewed quietly, am I still weak?

No, no, she promised. Khan watched over you and gave you strength to live. Now you are perfectly healthy. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about.

That night, Mother disclosed the story of the legendary Khan. Khan, she began, "was the first tiger. However, he was no ordinary being. He had special visions, or glimpses of the future, known as the Sight. When he was about your age, he had his first vision. He Saw that humans would create a village in the tropical forest where he lived, not too far from this jungle. Khan knew he had to protect all other tigers from the humans, so he regularly visited the village, scaring the humans into keeping away from tigers.

"Khan lived for a long time and Saw many more things, but like all creatures, he grew old and died. The power of the Sight lived on in his children, and they say it still runs through the veins of those who share his blood. But, ever since the last of his descendants died around a hundred years ago, the tiger population has been decreasing alarmingly quickly.

So tigers now hope for one of us to rise and save us all. Time is running out for our species. Legend says that Khan will choose a successor, his true heir, to carry out some mysterious plan for our salvation. The chosen one must come before it is too late….

How many of us are left? I whispered, afraid to know the answer.

Too few, Mother stated bluntly. Less than four thousand of us are left in the wild. The problem is that we cannot save ourselves. I don’t think even a tiger with the Sight could. Only humans have the power to help. They alone can save our species by putting an end to the atrocious things they have done.

But you said humans are the ones killing us in the first place! Siara protested, failing to see her logic.

That may be, but if they see the error of their ways, we’ll be safe at last.

Humans, help us? Solomon scoffed. Can you really see them doing that?

I privately agreed but didn’t voice my opinion.

No, I don’t, our mother admitted. It’s unlikely, but we must hope. Now go to sleep. It’s late, and you need your rest.

Within a few minutes, my family was snoring. I alone lay awake, thinking. By Khan, why do humans kill us? Don’t they care about the consequences of their actions? It’s horrible! I wish I could do something about it…but I’m just a cub. There’s nothing I can do. I wish I had the Sight so I could make a difference; maybe put a stop to our suffering. Although I suppose I don’t even know exactly what humans are doing to tigers, except that they hunt and capture us. But surely, it would take more than that to kill so many of us in a century!

Perhaps if I find out the problems we face, I can help to come up with a solution, or at least one that protects my family. I’ll ask Mother; I’m sure she can tell me.

I slowly stood up, not wanting to disturb Solomon and Siara, and crept over to where my mother was sleeping. I gently prodded her shoulder until she raised her head sleepily. Maseru? Is something wrong?

Not exactly, I admitted. I’m sorry to wake you, but I had a question about what you told us earlier.

She looked mildly annoyed. I should think that you could have chosen a better time than the middle of the night to ask me.

I stared at the ground with a crestfallen expression. Sorry, I mumbled. I was just curious.

It’s all right. Next time, though, try to wait until morning if there’s nothing wrong. What was your question?

Well, you told us that people harm tigers by capturing and hunting us, but they couldn’t possibly kill ninety-seven percent of us in a century just like that, could they?

No, they could not, Mother sighed. You are right. Mankind also destroys tiger territory, poisons our rivers, and generally damages our already fragile environment. This, unfortunately, is going on everywhere. Humans are our main enemy, but other things have helped our numbers to decrease drastically, too.

Like what?

Like the fact that there’s not as much prey as there used to be, although that too is partially humans’ fault due to overhunting and environmental issues.

Okay, that makes sense, I meowed. Thank you, Mother. I’m sorry I disturbed you.

That’s all right. Now, I’m going back to bed, and I suggest you do the same. Good night, Maseru.

I made my way back to my bed and finally fell asleep, but my rest, as usual, was far from peaceful. I had another oddly realistic dream. Solomon and I were standing on the bank of a creek, watching as Siara crossed. Unfortunately for her, she slipped on a wet, mossy stone and