She didn’t. By closing time, Lila still hadn’t eaten. She hadn’t dusted or socialized. She hadn’t even followed the herd when they were called in for evening checks. It took three keepers and half a crate of produce to coax her inside, and even then she kept glancing through the barn doors toward that same distant corner, as if reluctant to leave it unattended.
Maria finished her shift unsettled. She sent a message to the vet team to keep Lila on the observation list for the next morning. Maybe a toothache, maybe a brewing infection, maybe something hormonal, there were explanations for everything.