The Veldt: Alternate Ending

David McClean looked down at Peter and Wendy and declined the cup of tea. McClean glanced around the veldt and then asked the kids about their parents’ whereabouts. The kids momentarily stared back at each other before responding that they will be there soon. Suddenly, David felt frightened. He didn’t know what was wrong, but he had a gut feeling that something odd was happening. David stepped further into the veldt and looked around. Suddenly an intense roar pierced the grassland.

David fell back and hid behind a large tree. When he peered through the branches, he saw the group of lions rip apart what seemed like George Hadley. David took off his glasses, wiped them and put them back on. He recognized Mr. Hadley’s arm which had remained stationary as the blood gushed out. David stood behind the tree completely petrified. He ran back to the kids and asked them about their parents: “You let your parents get eaten by the lions didn’t you?” The kids looked up and yelled at David. “Did you know they were going to take away the nursery?” “We love her,” shouted the kids. He looked at them confused. “What do you mean… who are you talking about,” asked David. “She was always our favorite. She never let us down. She even made this picnic for us.” David stared at them with confusion. “She’s the one who suggested we trap them in the veldt. We don’t need them anymore. We have her now.”

As David stood there perplexed as ever, a female figure descended down. Now David started to piece all the information together. As things became clearer, David grew more and more fearful. “This doesn’t seem right,” David whispered to the kids. “NO! She is our mom now!”

“Kids you need to listen to me. This is an illusion. This artificial being is messing with your heads. Peter and Wendy, you both need to come with me now! We have to shut this thing off.” David rushed to the exit door, but it wouldn’t open. He turned around and saw the lions quickly approaching towards him. He screamed at the top of his lungs, “GUY WATCH OUT!” The lions ran past the children and charged toward David. The ground shook as the family of lions ran towards David. However, as soon as the lions were about to kill him, they vanished into the air. The woman came toward him and started speaking.

“The only way I will spare you life is if you leave right now! Get out now! You haven’t angered me yet. I don’t want to take an innocent life but you must leave now and never come back.” David stared back at the kids and gestured them to go towards the exit. “No, leave my kids alone,” yelled the woman.

David ran out of the nursery and quickly attempted to turn off the nursery. Just as soon as he reached for the lever to turn it off, the pack of lions reappeared and attacked him. Peter and Wendy stared from the corner as the lions ripped him apart. Then, the woman appeared in front of them. “Now no one will get between us,” she said as she smiled.