Chapter 1

Maria, a tall blond girl with flashing green eyes, eagerly boarded her plane. She was excited to feed the lions and give a great presentation on the lions at Atlas Zoo on Monday in front of the big crowd, and on world wide tv.
“We will be taking off in five minutes.” The pilot’s voice filled the plane's atmosphere.
Five minutes later, the plane took off into the windy air. Maria jumped with excitement, she had spent three whole years researching the lions, learning how to safely do a presentation without getting hurt. She had practiced her speech ten times each day for six months and she had gone to Africa to get a close up inspection on the lions. It had cost her a big scar on her back that affected her spine so she cannot bend her back too much but Maria didn't care because she managed to get a picture of the lion and she learnt how lions give birth.

Taking out her palm cards from her purse, Maria did one more run through of her speech. She didn’t stumble, look at her cards or even get nervous. Soon she was in her own world, not worrying about everyone else on the plane. Without her noticing, her voice got louder until the whole plane could hear her and were looking at her. Eventually a flight attendant came:
“Ma’am, would you mind lowering your voice please?” the flight attendant asked politely.
“Oh, yes sorry.” Maria’s face turned bright red and she slumped down in her seat.

Thirty minutes later a blaring voice came in through the loudspeakers and an alarm was sounded.
“Everyone stay calm, the engine has stopped working and we are going down, please do not panic and remember the safety rules.”
A small squeal filled the plane. Maria quickly rested her head on the seat in front of her. Her ears were popping like crazy. She started to sob, she knew that if the plane couldn’t get fixed after the crash, there was no way of getting to the show in time. She didn’t care that she might die. Looking around, Maria saw a few people praying and some young children crying.

Chapter 2

“I dare you to go to Atlas Zoo on Monday when it is closed and see the lions without anyone seeing you!” Veronica dared.
“But what if I get caught?” Carlia demanded.
“Sad life, do it otherwise I’ll spill your secret!” replied Veronica
“Oh, ugh. FINE!” Carlia groaned as she stormed off. A big grin spread across Veronica's face.
“Gosh, I hate her!” Carlia muttered under her breath.

The next day after school, Veronica spotted Carlia and jogged over to her.
“Are you ready? Today’s the big day! It's Monday!” Veronica said, shaking her hands like a cheerleader.
Completely ignoring what Veronica said, Carlia asked “How did you know it was me, I was facing the other way?”
“It’s easy to tell! You're the only girl in the school who is tall with stunningly curly blond hair, and also the only one who has a cute fluffy blue handbag.” Veronica pointed out.
Carlia just grunted and walked off to her mum.
“Mum, I’m gonna be heading out with Veronica tonight if that’s okay with you.” Carlia lied as she entered the car.
“Yes, yes! That’s fine.” Carlia’s mum smiled.
Screech! The car tires skidded to a halt in the driveway. Carlia got out of the car, heaving her big school bag out after her.
“Woof! Woof!” Carlia’s young pug Coco greeted Carlia as she entered the modern house.
“Hey Coco!” Carlia giggled. A small twinkle grew in her eye. She dumped her bag on the couch and headed up stairs, Coco clumsily jumped up the stairs after her.

As the sky grew dark Carlia pulled on some warm clothes and exited the house. The walk to the zoo was long and tiring, but when Carlia had finally got there and climbed up the tall mountain of steps, she was amazed at how magnificent the zoo really was. There was a distant chatter that seemed to come from inside the zoo. Being a curious girl, Carlia entered through the great big door and past the registration area to the main part of the zoo. As soon as she entered, Carlia saw two big alligators dozing in their enclosure.
“Ah! Maria Archoli! Fabulous work on making it here! A bit late, but nevertheless, you are here!” A big, bald man with a very tight looking suit gestured Carlia into a small, formal room.
“Bu-” Carlia started,
“Hush, hush. No time to talk.” The man interrupted, “I have given you the most important job. Now you must do your job well.
Before Carlia could say something the man spoke again “Quick, quick! The audience will be arriving soon. The lions are in the enclosure ready for you to feed them.” The man pushed Carlia all around the place until they ended up in a large room with over 1000 chairs and in the centre of the chairs there was a small cage.
“Do you see that cage? That’s where you’ll be doing the lion presentation.
“What! But that cage is tiny!” Carlia protested, she had forgotten that she was the wrong person for this job. The man didn’t reply, he just stared at the cage.
“By the way, Miss Archol, did you curl your hair? I absolutely love it!” The man said. Carlia didn’t know what to say because her hair was just naturally curly, and she didn’t know why the man kept calling her Maria Archol.

A short man came running up to Carlia and said to her “Everyone's coming, quick, get into your suit and get in the cage! They will be bringing the lions into the cage soon. Oh and sir, I can take her from here.” The short man guided Carlia to a changing room where she found two stylists waiting with a thick all-in -one, leather suit.
“I will leave you now.” The short man said. Carlia didn’t get a chance to react before the suit was on her.
“Hmm, it looks quite tight! Did you put on some weight Miss Maria Archol?” One of the stylists rudely stated, “Oh well! It’ll have to do!”
Carlia then got ushered out of the room and pushed into the cage. In her tummy, Carlia felt a mix of sad and worried feelings. I don’t know anything about lions! Well, except that they are a type of dog right? She thought. Carlia felt the most butterflies in her tummy she had ever felt. They jumped and swerved violently. The audience and camera crew soon started to spill in through the doors. Carlia tried to free herself from the cage when she saw the lions being wheeled in, but it wouldn’t budge. It was locked. The lions were placed in the cage, Carlia's eyes widened, as one of the lions growled angrily at her.