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