Bill Franks: Jesuit

The noise of the Elephant and the increasing moaning and twittering of the Antelopes, drowned out more serious sounds coming from the direction of the Lion House and the Tiger House, out of sight of the convoy. Incredibly, the rhinos were putting their efforts into battering into the breeze block walls containing the cats, sensibly ignoring the steel of the doors. In no time, the bricks began to crumble and crack. Once the breach had been effected, the rhinos began to charge ever more frantically until, amidst dust and grit, a lion bounded forward, followed by another and another and yet two others, both female. Next appeared two beautiful, graceful tigers, roaring their pleasure at being freed.

As if not quite sure as to what they were doing, the animals dashed back and forward with no particular direction in mind, running between the cumbersome rhinos. Then, as by a signal, they all paused in their activities, sniffing the air, contemplating the mixture of smells reaching them across the expanse of the Park. Then, purposefully, the dominant lion, with his impressive mane, trotted toward the convoy, as yet out of sight, followed by the remaining lions and tigers. The rhinos, also, began to lumber forward, taking a route a few feet to the side of the majestic beasts but still in the direction of the convoy.

By this time, all the humans were in a state of nervousness at the unusual antics of the animals, a sense of danger in the air. The vehicles moved slowly on, Ignatious pointing to a spot a few hundred yards ahead where lay a cluster of thick bushes, indicating that that was where the body had been hidden.

While the attention of the crew of the Range Rover was focused on the bushes, they failed to notice the movement to their right as the big cats emerged through the now dissipating mist, with the rhinos trotting at an angle to them heading for the forensic van at the rear.

By the time anyone realised, the rhinos had moved surprisingly fast and charged into the side of the van, sending it slithering off the road and into the perimeter fence. It struck with a loud screeching sound as it scraped along the chain links, temporarily out of control. The rhinos split, with one continuing to push the van while the other took a short run and barged again into the dented side of the vehicle, shattering the windows in a loud explosion.

Inside, the frightened members of the forensic team were thrown together in a heap, those propelled from the point of attack groaning with their injuries. The two female members were screaming loudly, their panic getting the better of their attempted restraint. Men were screaming, also, in shock at the unexpected attack and out of sheer terror.

Suddenly the rhinos ended their attack and charged at the police car, which was turning to speed back to the entrance gates. Both hit the car in unison with tremendous force, causing it to bounce into the air before landing on its side with wheels spinning and the engine roaring harshly as the drivers foot became jammed by the damaged door onto the accelerator pedal. The car slithered along the grass before turning on its head only to be battered again and rolling like a falling boulder to come to rest once more on its head, the wrecked doors flying open. The policemen, trapped in their seats, were knocked unconscious.

Back at the damaged forensics van, one of the lionesses had trotted over, attracted by the sounds of pain and the smell of humans. Leaping onto the side of the vehicle, it looked through the broken windows to see a gang of writhing people, each trying to back through the steel wall away from the impending danger. A large paw reached in and slashed across the nearest victim, spilling his innards in a delayed gush of blood. The attempted scream never materialised as the lioness dug her head in and pulled the man from the van. In a frenzy, it tore and bit at him until he was shredded over the van and the surrounding grass. Immediately, the 400-pound animal squirmed its upper body into the opening of the broken windows and began to slash with its claws and bite wherever it could. It then slithered back from the van and onto the ground, a no longer struggling woman in its mighty jaws. For several minutes the magnificent lioness chewed at the flesh and bones of the two forensic officers, before rising, sniffing the air and then trundling off to meet the pride. It had left two alive, though seriously injured.

At the same time as she had attacked the van, a lion and lioness had struck at the Rangers vehicle, leaping onto the canvas top, ripping it with their strong claws. The lion with the large mane, nine-feet long and 560 pounds in weight landed behind the Rangers before they had chance to bring the rifles into action. In one movement, it was through the flimsy canvas backing of the cab and had the driver by the neck, its teeth burying into the soft flesh as it choked him. A heavy paw came over and tore an arm from him just as the lioness struck at the other Ranger. Her lunge hit him in the chest, biting into the flesh and bone. Slightly less in size than the lion but still a most formidable eight feet carrying 450 pounds, it sent him crashing through the windscreen and onto the bonnet, where it literally tore him to pieces.

Graham and the occupants of the Range Rover were shocked and sickened at the terrifying sight, the driver frantically turning the vehicle back in the direction of the main gates. Misjudging the speed in his panic, he turned too fast and toppled the Rover over onto its side. The driver and his mate, who had suffered a broken arm in the crash, scrambled free and made a run for the fence. Before they had covered twenty feet, two sleek and beautifully marked Tigers were upon them. The driver was caught by the leg and dragged bleeding to the ground while the other prison officer found himself covered by a 450-pound beast and felled.

The pig-like snuffling of the Tigers as they ate their screaming prey could be heard by those still struggling to free themselves from the stricken vehicle. Knowing that their chances of survival were remote if caught in the Rover, the decision was instantly taken by each individual to take their chance outside and scale the high perimeter fence. Fortunately for them, at that very time, the beasts of prey were engaged in their present attack, the two remaining lions finally reaching inside the police car to feed on the horrified officers within.

As the men got out of the Land Rover and ran to the fence, Graham behind Clive, expecting Sallie to be on his heels, Ignatious, now freed from his shackles, looked into Sallie’s wide and frightened eyes. “You are safe with me, child,” he said, his voice incredibly calm in the mayhem going on about them. “I will take you out of here. Do not worry.”

Sallie was mesmerised, shocked by her thoughts. “ Wonderful God that you are, take me here, in this hell. Take me! Rape me! Hurt me!” Part of her wanted to rush to the fence with her lover but the strength of the Jesuit’s aura bound her mind in a vice-like grip. She was utterly powerless to resist.

Reaching the fence and realising that his love was not with him, Graham turned in alarm. He saw her exiting the Rover with the Jesuit close behind just as the nearest tiger stood away from its victim, eyes red and shining, face covered in blood. It looked to the men scrambling up the fence then back at Ignatious and the girl. In that moment, Graham, heart breaking, realised that he could not save her and, the will to survive taking over, he leapt up the fence and began to race frantically for the top.

The tiger turned again and its mate also arose, attention now all on the fleeing men on the fence. As one, they hurtled forward, growling and leaping at the fence, tearing the feeble humans from it with mighty paws. Clive had just reached the top, which was protected by razor wire and, in a moment of bravery, he reached down to grab the arm of his Superior and drag him a vital foot higher up, causing the measured leap of the tiger to miss him by inches. Screaming in pain as the razor wire sliced into his body, Clive draped himself over the barrier and urged Graham to quickly climb over him to safety. Not hesitating, Graham slipped over Clive’s body, placing as little weight as possible on him, and prepared to drop to the ground. Unfortunately, at the vital moment, he slipped, instinctively grabbing his partner and pulling him from his position and further onto the wire. Both men hurtled to the ground, landing in a stunned heap, where they lay unconscious.