Sent from Iska's Pride

Written for contest: Viewpoints Prompt: Walking backwards, a photographer and a lion bump into each other. Viewpoint of the lion.

I back up slowly, watching, and listening. Iska is angered by my attempt to take the pride. I am ashamed by my failure, and am an outcast. I can no longer see or hear anyone behind me, but I keep listening as I back away from where Iska reigns.

I hit something behind me. Twigs snap and I whip around. What is this thing/creature I have run into? It smells like a monkey, but not. Prey?
A good possibility, but I’m not hungry. It’s very strange. Tall and pale, it stands on its hind legs. It’s carrying another eye in its pale paw. It smells like fear… and something else? Excitement? Strange, I think.

It keeps backing up, the strength of it’s fear-smell fading with distance. It lifts the eye to its face slowly. I wonder if it is dangerous? A flash! I jump. Silly, no wonder I’m not heading a pride. I am disgusted with myself. Just lightning? It doesn’t feel like a storm, though. The strange monkey creature still holds the eye to its face. I yawn. The light flash comes again. I blink, but I see it’s coming from the eye. I hear a growl from the jungle. It is time for me to go. I wonder if the strange creature will stay long enough to see Iska?