Chris screamed, a piercing primal shriek, as the huge head erupted from behind the tree near the water heater, not ten metres from her. Great padded paws the size of bread plates made clouds of dust rise as they thudded into the ground. Soon the hooked, yellowed claws would be extended in preparation for the ripping of flesh. She half ran, half fell backwards into the open rear of the Land Rover. The cat had crossed the distance between them in less than a second. She flung the heavy aluminium case containing her laptop at the lion and the box glanced off his snout. The edge of the floor bruised the back of her thighs as she slammed herself backwards inside the truck. She bent her knees and raised her feet to ward off the lion as she dragged herself further inside with her elbows. Her head
