Jade cocked her head, "I don't understand it. Who would leave you a note?"

I shrugged, "I have no idea. And the only thing that says on the note is, 'I know what you are.' Whatever that means."

After I saw the note stuck to the door to my barracks, I immediately ran inside and told Jade about it. According to her, she didn't hear anyone at the door. She said she was sleeping under the bed the whole time, never heard a thing.

Jade then had a thought, "Well maybe someone knows about your ability to talk to lions, makes sense to me."

I said, "Yeah, but who? If someone knew then why won't this person come talk to me about it?"

Jade shrugged, "I don't really know. But I have to say this is weird."

I giggled, "Well we have been through weird things, but this one takes the cake."

Jade giggled along with me, "Yeah....But still, I'm still creeped out by all this. Don't you think you should tell someone about this?"

I shook my head, "No I don't think so. Honestly, I think the note is some kind of joke. Hell maybe Eileen put it on the door."

Jade giggled, "Or it could be Robyn."

I frowned, "Why do you think she did it?"

Jade answered, "Because well...I know I don't understand what she is saying, but I think she's good at making jokes."

I laughed, "You know something you could be right." Then Jade laughed along with me. I went to the trash can and disposed the note. I turned around to face her, "Like I said, it's probably some kind of joke and I'm not going to get worked up about it."

Jade smiled, "Sounds good to me. And can you get me something to eat? I'm hungry."

I smiled at her, "As you wish, your majesty."

*****

Walker frowned his face at me, "What are you talking about, bro?"

Me, Eileen, Walker, Robyn, Tabitha, and Jade were all sitting in my barracks the morning after the note showed up at my door the other day.

I said, "I said you probably left a note on my door, just to play a joke on me."

Walker shook his head, "I didn't leave anything."

I frowned, "What?" Then I looked at Eileen and asked, "Eileen?"

Eileen shook her head, "Nope, I didn't leave anything."

Robyn raised her hands in defense, "Don't look at me, I don't play jokes." Well I guess Jade was wrong about her, she doesn't play jokes.

I said, "Well maybe it was one of the marines who decided to play a joke on me, just to scare me."

Robyn then exclaimed, "It's probably Private Dorland. I know he's an asshole, but he can be jokester too. Maybe he left you the note and ran off. Makes sense to me, you and Captain Michael were off doing something and Dorland found his chance to do that."

That's when I remembered that yesterday when I met Dorland, he mentioned that he looked through my journal while I was gone. He called me a freak. Well now it's starting to make sense, he knew what I was and he wrote that note, just to provoke me.

I nodded and frowned at the same time, "Could be him. So what are we gonna do?"

Robyn shook her head, "Nothing, he's just doing that to make you angry. I would recommend not giving him the satisfaction."

Eileen groaned, "God, you mean Private Dorland? That guy is a pig. He keeps coming on to me and saying 'hey babe you want to hook up'? Jesus that guy's such a douche."

Walker then exclaimed, "Yeah he's such a tool! I mean a few times he talked to me, he called me a geek. What the hell does that mean?"

Robyn let out a frustrated sigh, "That guy is getting out of control. I thought it was only Casper that he's picking on, but for the rest of you, I don't tolerate it. Me and the Captain are going to have a serious talk with him."

Tabitha then asked incredulously, "Am I the only one in the group who is not being picked on?"

Robyn smiled and her, "You're not the only one. He would never dare to pick on me."

Walker giggled, "You want to know what I think? I think the reason Dorland is doing all these things is because he has cabin fever."

Eileen rolled her eyes, "Walker, that doesn't excuse him for being an asshole, he picks on my little brother."

Walker shot a glare at her, "I was only kidding. Geez, you really need to lighten up."

She shot back at him, "I am lighten up."

I held out my hands to the two of them to calm them down, "Alright guys, it's not worth fighting for. Look we all know that Dorland put that note on my door to the barracks, then lets ignore it. No reason to give him the satisfaction, right? And if he tries it again, then let him. Let him have his fun."

Eileen giggled, "Good idea, and I can bet your ass that he might send me a note saying, 'Hey babe you wanna come into my barracks and make love to me and blah, blah, blah'."

I gave her an look, "God girl, you think that's all that he thinks about is sex?"

Eileen shrugged, "Since he's a meat head, he might be thinking about it all the time." Walker laughed after she said that. Eileen shot him a glare again, "What the hell is so funny?"

Walker defended and then he grinned, "Nothing."

Eileen crossed her arms, "It better be nothing."

Jade overhead me talking and finally asked, "Casper, I don't understand what everyone else is saying but, who's Dorland? You keep saying his name. You haven't told me about him yet."

I looked at Jade and said, "Lets just say he's nothing like us. He's basically an asshole and a meat head. According to Robyn he's a Private here and he just picks on everyone here."

Jade cocked her head, "And let me guess, he picks on you?" I nodded and then she said, "Well sounds like he's not the kind of human I would want to be with."

I shrugged, "No kidding."

Jade then had a mischievous look on her face, "Maybe you should go kick his ass. You see when a male tries to fight with another male, they usually fight each other. So I think when Dorland picks a fight with you, I think you should fight back."

I shook my head, "Thanks for the advice, girl, but I can't. He's kinda bigger than me. He's a monster!"

She shook her head, "So? I don't like it when someone picks on my Casper all the time. Hell I would just kill him myself if I had to."

My eyes went wide, "Now Jade, you don't kill humans just to prove a point."

She whined, "Aw, why not? I would want to kill a bully. Hey I would think that you would kill Chad if you had the chance."

I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes at her, "That's different. Because Dorland's a human, and Chad's an animal. I would kill Chad in a heartbeat if I want to."

Jade narrowed her eyes at me, "So what does that make me? Am I an animal?"

I giggled and shook my head, "Nope." I walked toward her and petted her head, "You're my best friend." She stated purring.

Walker then asked incredulously, "Dude, don't you find this weird that when you talk to your friend here, you simply just ignore us like we're not here? Man I wish I can talk to lions like you do."

While I was petting Jade, I looked over my shoulder and grinned, "Jealous much?"

Then all of us started laughing and Robyn changed the subject, "Looks guys just remember what I said, ignore Dorland. If he does this to anyone else, don't give him the satisfaction or else he'll be doing it for more."

I stopped petting Jade and looked at Robyn, "I'll keep that in mind."

Robyn got up from her chair and went out the door. Eileen then said, "Well I'll tell you what. If Dorland comes on to me again, I'm going to kick him in the nuts."

I laughed, "I'll have to help you out with that."

Tabitha gasped and looked at Eileen, "Eileen! Since when did you learn how to start kicking someone in the nuts?"

Eileen grinned, "In high school, I learned how to do it myself. If any guy comes near me, I'm going to kick him in the nuts."

Walker winced when she said that, "Yeah, she even did that to me."

Eileen laughed, "That's because you deserve it!"

Walker shot back, "I never did anything to you! You thought I was going to try something and you overreacted!"

I giggled. Boy I better not mess with my sister, she's a bad ass.

*****

Leon was sleeping outside his cave enjoying the sun. Then he heard someone coming and opened his eyes. It was Bron.

Bron looked down at him, "Hello Leon."

Leon let out a big yawn and got up on all fours, "What are you doing here? If you're looking for Jade, she's not here."

Bron let out a sigh, "I had a feeling she wasn't here."

Leon had a concerned look on his face, "What's going on? Where's Jade?"

Bron then said, "Jade ran away from home again. All of us are trying to find her."

Leon narrowed his eyes at him, "Well you know what? I could basically understand why she would leave."

Bron glared at him, "Leon, don't start."

Leon took a step toward him, "Don't start what? Start with the fact that me and her were right about Chad and you were wrong about him. That's why Jade ran away, because he's abusive to her."

Bron said, "I already questioned Chad about it after Jade ran away. He said he didn't do anything."

Leon exclaimed, "Of course he would say that! He doesn't want to get in trouble! He doesn't want to get exiled because of his attitude!"

Bron closed his eyes and sighed, "Look...Maybe I should have listened to my daughter more. Maybe I should have treated her with a little more respect. But I really need your help. I need you to help me find Jade and bring her back home."

Leon grinned, "Does that mean I'm forgivin? Does that mean I'm back in the pride now?"

Bron narrowed his eyes at him, "Once we find Jade, we'll talk about it later. But for now, just find her."

Leon nodded, "Alright, tell me where to start."

*****

Jade was trying to reach for her stitches on her back. Trying to use her teeth to get at them.

I sternly said, "Jade, don't mess with those yet. I'm sure you're almost done healing. They'll come off soon."

Jade sighed, "Sorry Casper, it's just ever since you put those things on my back, they always make me itch at them. It's driving me crazy!"

I grinned at her, "Yeah I can see that. But I'm planning on taking those off tomorrow so take it easy on them."

She whined, "Aw, I have to wait until tomorrow to get those things off?"

I nodded, "Yep and just hang in there girl."

Jade narrowed her eyes at me, "You're very lucky I don't leave you a scratch and you would be wearing them. Then that would show you that we're even!"

I laughed, "It'll look like you were right." Jade laughed with me.

Before anything else could happen a knock came to the door. My face went wide. Not expecting anyone that I know right now. I urged Jade to get in the shower room and I shut the door. Then I ran to the entrance to the barracks and answered it. It was Nick.

I asked, "Nick? What are you doing here?"

Nick had a serious look on his face, "Casper, I want you to come to my quarters right now."

I frowned, "Why, what's going on?"

Nick then said, "We really need to talk. Just come to my quarters in five minutes, understand?"

I nodded and then he closed the door. Hmmm, I wonder what's going on? I went to the shower room and opened the door to let Jade out.

Jade looked up and cocked her head, "Who was that?"

I answered, "It was Captain Michael. He said he wanted to talk to me."

She had a curious look on her face.

I looked at her, "What is it?"

Jade said, "Casper...It's weird, but when you went to that door, I could have sworn I heard another voice."

I nodded, "Yeah it was Captain Michael, we just went over that."

Jade shook her head, "No, I mean...I thought I could understand what someone else was saying, just like I could understand you. I mean I know I haven't met him but Casper, I think I understood what Captain Michael was saying."

My eyes went wide. What? No way. It can't be possible, can it?

*****

Dorland said to Nick, "Captain, that kid has been picking on me ever since he came to stay here in this base alone with his family. I think he needs to learn some discipline."

So here what's happening. I went to Nick's quarters and found Dorland sitting in his office. Then what Nick told me was, Dorland's accusing me of picking on him. And Nick brought me and Dorland here to clear up this mess.

That's crazy! I never picked on Dorland ever! He's trying to get back at me for getting him in trouble in front of Jason. God Dorland is a freakin liar!

Nick then narrowed his eyes at Dorland, "Is there any proof to all of this? Anything? Because of your track record, Private Dorland, I don't see any reason to punish Mister Shepherd. And besides that he's not even a marine, he's a guest here in the base. Now I want you to let go whatever animosity you have with the kid and move on. And from now on you don't talk to that kid, EVER. Understood?"

From the look on Dorland's face, he's defeated. Defeated at his own game. He muttered, "Yes."

Nick glared at him, "Yes, what?"

"Yes, SIR."

Nick softened his gaze, "That's better. Now you two are dismissed, now get out of here."

Me and Dorland got up from our chairs and we went out the door. While we were on our way out outside, I walked past Amber and smiled at her. She smiled back.

Me and Dorland went outside and before I could do anything, Dorland grabbed my shirt, "You listen, you little punk ass. If you ever try something with me again, like getting me in trouble, you are going to be sorry."

I glared at him, "Oh well sorry for ruining your plans to get ME in trouble. It's not my fault you're not good at making up plans."

Dorland let go of my shirt and shook his finger at me, "Remember kid, this isn't over." Then he walked away.

I sighed. Boy that asshole doesn't know when to quit. 

Then I came up with an idea that'll cheer me up, maybe I could hang with Amber for a while. Yeah Amber will cheer me up.

I decided to wait for her outside. I sat down on the front steps of the Captain's quarters, waiting for her. Then all of a sudden I could hear something form where I was at. A small faint noise. I stood up on my two feet and followed the noise.

I followed the faint noise all the way to a different kind of military car. It was a military sixteen wheeler truck made for loading up boxes of food. 

I could hear something in the back of the truck. Like something was moving around in there. I was about to open up the truck when Nick interrupted me, "Hey there you are."

I turned around and looked at him, "Hi there."

Nick said, "What are you doing near that truck?"

For some reason I didn't say anything. Because the faint noise stopped. I wondered if there was something in there, but I didn't say anything. Something doesn't feel right here, and I'm getting a feeling it has something to do with Nick.

I said, "Nothing, thought I just...Take a look at it."

Nick smiled, "Well there's not much in that truck except food. Come on Casper, if you're looking for my daughter, she's outside."

I nodded and then he led me away from the truck. I looked back at it one more time.

What was that noise? Was there someone or something in there? I mean Nick came to me in time to stop me from peeking inside the truck, does he know something?

*****

I didn't hang with Amber for very long. It was about five minutes after Nick pulled me away from that truck to be with his daughter, then I decided to leave her to talk to Jade about what happened.

Jade frowned at me, "And you never said anything? Why?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. I guess...It just seemed weird. I mean talk about timing, Nick came right to me before I opened up the back of the truck just to peek inside. And...I think Nick knows about it."

Jade cocked her head, "Know what? What is it do you think he's hiding?"

I shook my head, "I don't know. But whatever it was, it sounded like it was going through something in the truck."

Jade asked, "So what are you going to do now?"

I thought about it and then I said, "Well....I thought maybe tonight, maybe I could sneak outside and go to that truck and look inside it."

Jade said, "Well I don't think you should do this alone. It might be dangerous."

I raised my hands, "Look I don't know what's going one. But I need to know."

Jade smiled, "Maybe I should sneak outside with you."

I shook my head, "No, there are marines outside during the night. They might see you."

Jade let out a breath, "Casper, I'm tired of sitting around in these barracks. I've been feeling antsy ever since yesterday, and I want to do something. Besides that, I really think you should let me go with you. I'll protect you if something happens."

I had a nervous look and said, "Ok, but who's going to protect you from gunfire?"

She let out a frustrated sigh, "Well I guess you are! Look I'm going with you and that's final. I want to know what's going on as well."

I sighed and then I nodded, "Alright, you can go with me."

She beamed at me, "Good, because I was afraid you were going to say no again."

I grinned, "I would have."

She asked, "So when are we leaving the barracks?"

I answered, "Until nightfall comes. Until almost everyone's asleep."

*****

Me and Jade snuck out the window during the night. No way of taking chances of going out the front door with a lioness beside me. I jumped out of the window first. Seems the coast is clear. 

I beckoned for Jade to come out, "Come on. The window must be wide enough for you to fit through. Lets go!"

Jade managed to get her body through the window and landed right beside me on all fours.

I asked her, "You okay?"

She nodded, "Never done that before with you."

I smirked, "It probably won't be the first time."

Jade then got serious, "So which way are we going?"

I pointed, "We go that way. But lets not go out in the open, alright? Lets sneak along behind the buildings, that'll bring us cover."

Jade nodded, "Good idea. Lets get going."

Me and Jade went behind the buildings in my barracks, and we snuck low to the ground quietly.

I could hear voices in the distance, but they sound like they're at the other side of the buildings, at the front to be exact. So that means we're good.

Me and Jade kept sneaking, making sure we didn't make a lot of noise. We were like this until we could see Nick's quarters in the distance. But the building is at the other side of the open ground. That means me and Jade would have to run from our hiding spot and run as fast we can before someone sees us.

I looked at Jade and whispered, "Listen to me, when I say run all the way to that building, you run as fast as you can. That's where we need to go. Don't worry, I'll make sure no is watching us."

Jade nodded, and then I went along the side of one building to peek around the corner. I could se one guard but his back's turned. There's our chance!

I beckoned for Jade to come where I'm at, and she did. Then I silently told her to run all the way to the other side of the open ground to the Captain's quarters.

Me and Jade did run, we sprinted all the way to the building and when we made it, we ducked to the side of the building before someone could see us.

Luckily no one did, because the guard didn't notice and turn around. I sighed, that was too close.

Jade asked while she was beside me, "Now what?"

I said, "Come on, follow me."

Me and her went to the other side of Nick's building and found the sixteen wheeler truck where I hear the faint noise. Jade looked at me, "Is that the truck? It's big!"

I nodded, "Yep that's it."

Jade asked, "Now what?"

I walked to the truck, "Now we look inside." I opened the cover and I slowly peeked inside. Thanks to the moonlight shining I could see the inside. There was nothing in there except for boxes of food. But nothing that seems to be alive.

I frowned. I don't get it. I could have sworn there was something in there. I heard it!

Jade tried to look inside since the truck's taller than her, "What is it?"

I looked down at her, "There's nothing in there, except food."

Her eyes went wide, "Food!? I love food! I'm so hungry!"

I gasped and used my hands to clamp her mouth shut, "Shut up Jade. Someone might hear you."

Jade mumbled and nodded. I let go of her mouth. Then she asked, "So now what? There's nothing in there, can we go now?"

I looked at Nick's house, "I know Nick is hiding something. Whatever it was it's gone now, and I think Nick knows something."

She cocked her head, "So what? You want to sneak in his house and find something?"

I looked at her and smiled.

Then Jade's eyes went wide, "Maybe that's a bad idea."

*****

I pulled Jade through the window of Nick's house. God she was heavy! I managed to get her inside though with a little luck.

Jade looked at me, "Sorry I didn't jump up here myself."

I whispered, "Well I did all the heavy lifting, girl."

We were inside Nick's office by the looks of it. Nobody was in here, that's good.

My guess is that the bedrooms where Amber and Nick are sleeping are upstairs. So that means we shouldn't make too much noise.

Jade was looking around and said, "Wow never been in a room like this one before."

I narrowed my eyes at her, "Listen, we're not here to screw around. Lets find what we're looking for and get out of here."

Jade looked at me, "What are we looking for?"

I shook my head,  "I don't know. Something that has some sort of connection to what was behind that truck. Or something."

She muttered, "I'm still wondering what we're looking for really."

I ignored her and went to look through his desk. Nothing much there except for a lot of things that are not of interest. Until I saw it. It looked like Nick's journal.

Jade saw it in my hand, "What's that?"

I had the journal in my hand, "Looks like Nick's journal." I opened it and gasped.

Jade's face went wide, "What's wrong?"

I said, "Jade...I found one part of a newspaper clipping like it was cut off and the headline said..." I put the newspaper clipping on the desk and read it.

'Man claims he can talk to lions. The mystery deepens.'

My face frowned. Why does Nick have this? Does he know that....

Before something else could happen, Nick came into the room with a pistol in his hand and caught us in the act. He gasped when he saw me and Jade.

Nick said, "Casper...What are you doing here?"

I tried to form words to say but I couldn't. Shit, now we're in trouble.

That's when Jade looked at Nick and said, "Wait? Can...Can I understand you?"

Nick nodded, "Yes, and Casper what are you doing in here? What are you doing?"

I gasped. Wait, he can understand Jade!? What the hell?

I looked at Jade and asked her, "Whoah hold on, Jade, you can understand what Nick is saying?"

She looked at me and nodded, "Yeah, I can understand him, like I can understand you."

I gasped again and looked at Nick. Nick was still shocked, but I was way more shocked than he was.

No way. I found another person who can talk to lions!