The lion took a heavy step forward. Then another. His movements were calculated, staying extremely low to the dry ground, his belly almost scraping the yellow dirt as if actively stalking prey. "Stay very still," Joseph ordered, his usual calm facade slipping into visible concern. "Don't make any sudden movements."
"Is... is he supposed to look at us like that?" Sarah asked nervously, her trembling hand instinctively reaching back to grab Sam’s knee. The big cat continued his slow, aggressive crawl toward the side of the metal vehicle, his dark ears pinned back flat against his skull.
Joseph frowned deeply, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the steering wheel tight. "No. I’ve been doing this for twenty years, and I've never seen a wild cat act like this unless it's pure mad," he muttered, his thumb hovering right over the key at the ignition switch. "We need to get out of here right now."