FIRST TIMERS' KISS
r voice trembled. "Mrs. Johnson, I...I'm so sorry. The
ing motionless on the table. Her face twisted in shock an
"I think I left a surgical instrument inside h
hat's my cat! She's like family to me! If Luna dies because
the hallway. Emma's face burned with
who hurried into the room. He glanced from Emma to Mrs. Johnson,
I...I made a mistake. I think I left the
quickly approached the cat, examining her condition. Luna's
d firmly. "Emma, prep the operatin
of her mistake crushing her with every step. She knew this wasn'
could. Her hands were shaking, but she followed his instructions carefully. Dr. Kan
oked at Emma with a stern expression. "We'll have to monitor her closely, but she mi
silently, un
he hospital administration, accusing Emma of negligence and
e felt like her entire future was crumbling around her. She couldn't stop replayi
decide her fate, and Emma had no c
ment as the family prepared for their trip to Wonderwood Zoo. Eve
aimed, her eyes sparkling as she buttered a slice of
It was a rare moment to see their daught
her cereal. She looked up with a wide grin.
d reply, Zoe burst
keys, swinging
anas at ever
high, jump
where the m
eys are fine, my dear, but wait until you see Zulu, the big gorilla,
rvin asked, his
strong, he once bent an iron bar like it was a piece of string. And the zookeepers believe h
n said, his
ird?" Gina asked, her v
turned it to its nest, the birds san
mesmerized, their ima
table and grabbed their belongings for the trip. Ou
on the cheek. "Make sure to take lots of pictures. And, Mother," he added,
d. "I'll try
mbed into the car. "Have fun, and
they drove out of the compound, Lilian leaned out of the wind
atter filling the air as the city unfolded be
amily was in high spirits. Lilian leaned forward in her seat, her e
replied with a smile, her
at. "Patience, Lilian. The go
d to one side, and Cecilia gripped the steering wheel tightly,
na asked, her voice
Marvin said, unbuckling hi
t of the car, followed by Dana, who was already muttering ab
e the car. "Yep, the back
" Gina asked, peerin
in the trunk. Let's ge
attention was drawn to the trees lining the road. She frown
unching on a granola bar
e," Lilian said, pointing
trees, her eyes narrowing. "Prob
trees; a man in a uniform, carrying a large duff
man called, wavin
still holding the car jack. "Can
expression friendly but his eyes sh
peaking her mind, stepped forward.
said, tapping the badge on his chest. "I was out here
Marvin asked, ra
ity around here lately. Animals acting up, people sne
a repeated, her curiosi
et's just say some of the animals seem... restless. Especially
Lilian sai
ly. "Just be careful," he sai
Trevor tipped his hat and di
xchanged une
dd," Cecilia said, b
his tire and getting to the
ldn't shake the feeling that their trip to Wonderw
e, as Marvin tightened the last bolt on the spare tire.
off her hands. "We might be late, but
her tiny fists. "On
o the road. The atmosphere lightened as they continued their journey, the
see me," Dana said with a chuc
hing," Marvin teased, e
mingling with curiosity. She couldn't wait to ex
r the giraffe enclosure with a notebook in hand. He adjusted his glasses
s go for the highest leaves, even if the lower bra
bservation. His handwriting was quick but p
ing patterns. "Do they ever get tired of grass?" he wondered aloud. "Maybe
seemed heavier here, almost charged. He stopped in front of the go
is piercing eyes fixed on Eugene. The intensity
whispered, flipping open his notebook. "What'
n. He pounded his chest twice, the sound echoing through the
into you?" Eu
om Zulu, but from somewhere beyond the enclosure. Eugene
on her face. "Stay back!" she shouted. "
he chaos unfold. Another growl tore thro
ening here?" he whispered, his eyes flicking b
onding to the unseen threat. Eugene felt a chill run down
as just