I.

Sweaty, dirty, feeling sore. The ground is getting cold under my feet, so I pick up the pace trying to avoid the sharp twigs and brambles. I want to use my knife, slash at wood and give myself some confidence, but I know it would only dull it and I don't know if or when I'll need it clean. The evening sounds begin to surround me, and I'm still in shock from the sudden loss of any and all of civilization's sounds.

I gave a loud, guttural howl, knowing full well those mindless robots would not be intimidated in the least. By this time I wanted them to know I'd set my trap. I'd always felt very ready, and I knew the data jack would not re-activate until the next morning. Surprisingly, the first sounds I heard did not seem like mindless destruction. There was careful pacing, almost respectful sniffing, and a final deep purr. Just as I was about to spring and give in to the feeling this was just another trick, I saw them. A piercing pair or blue eyes that seemed to always have been part of the scenery.

They seemed to examine me, carefully sizing me up. I had forgotten all about my defenses, and after some time I realized that they were no longer looking at me. With calculated precision, the head the eyes were part of slowly made it's way through the bushes. A huge, 12 foot white on black striped tiger started stepping towards me in the trunk of my tree hiding camp. I was about 50 feet from the ground, so I thought I still had time to think. I was leaning over the side of the 4th or 5th large branch of the massive redwood that currently housed me.

With what seemed like no effort, the tiger hopped onto the first branch. It was then that I noticed the claw marks all over the branches surrounding me. I gripped my knife tightly, without really expecting it to make a difference.

II.

I felt the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. This felt different than ordinary fear, however, and I once again looked at the ground and wondered how much time I would save by simply jumping down instead of attempting an actual confrontation. I no longer had time to think. The tiger opened it's jaw, but instead bit down only on the wooden club I'd fashioned. I swung down like I'd practiced and fell to the ground in a crouch. My trap hadn't been sprung, however, so I could only run to the valley between us and the beach.

I picked up two of the grapefruit-sized rocks and looked around frantically with my back to the water. Before I could even throw anything, however, I was on the ground with one arm in the tiger's jaw and another in an almost gentle grip of its paw's underlying claws. Up this close, I noticed that the tiger's fur was almost shimmering in the twilight.

It seemed to be smiling, but I couldn't tell if it was because it knew it had won or because it felt it was going to have supper. Then slowly it sniffed the air and studied an area completely the same as all the areas around it of the jungle wall. It must have decided it was done playing, as it picked up me up with it's jaws in a completely effortless manner and slung me onto it's back. "Trust me, these robots would do you more harm than good. They know all about your small plan, and have probably been keeping tabs on your location with that knife you're holding onto."

I hung on in disbelief, looking back only to see the square path cut through the jungle by two androids. One of them began running at the inhuman speed, rapidly gaining, while the other bent down on one knee and aimed its rifle. "Hold on," I heard as the first was practically upon us and the second was cocking his riflle getting ready to let off a shot.

III.

The tiger pounced, and we glided into the jungle. We only seemed to touch the ground every so often, and the tiger finally decided we were safe when we arrived at a small clearing near the river. I slowly slid off, and checked my surroundings. I turned to see the tiger drinking a little from the river, stopping for a moment to nod behind me. I turned and saw a small campground, with a satchel and what looked like a compacted tent. I looked around for the tiger, needing to ask it many questions. There was simply noone there, however, so I started towards the campground.