Chapter 5 - THE DEVIL'S PASSThe flare whistled through the air, hitting the rocky wall right above Sultan's head. A rain of sparks and loose gravel exploded downward, forcing Sultan to swerve violently. Emily lost her grip and flew off his back, tumbling across the hard dirt floor of the canyon.
"Emily!"
She gasped for air, her knee scraped and bleeding badly. Sultan circled back instantly, standing over her, his body a shield against any further attacks. The rest of the pride gathered around, growling at the shadows.
Victor stopped his bike a hundred yards ahead at the mouth of the canyon. He pulled out a remote detonator.
"Did you really think you were a hero, ranger?" Victor yelled, his voice bouncing off the high stone walls. "This whole canyon is rigged! I laid charges here three weeks ago just in case the police ever cornered me. I collapse this canyon, and you, your precious lions, and all evidence of my syndicate die under a thousand tons of rock!"
Emily pulled herself up, wincing from the sharp pain in her leg. She realized the terrible truth: Victor hadn't just been running a local poaching ring. He was working for a global syndicate that operated at the highest levels of international wildlife trafficking.
"If you blow this pass, you trap yourself too!" Emily shouted back, trying to buy time.
Victor grinned, pointing up at the sky above the canyon exit. The distinct chop-chop-chop of helicopter blades cut through the smoky air. A high-tech black chopper was hovering right above the canyon rim, dropping a rope ladder down to him.
"I have a ride," Victor sneered. "Say goodbye to the savannah, ranger."
He pressed the red button on the detonator.
May you like
A series of deafening explosions rocked the canyon wall. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Massive boulders began to crack and separate from the cliffs, raining down into the narrow pass. The exit was collapsing fast!
