Same posture. Same stillness. Same unwavering stare at the same patch of ground. Maria paused with her keys halfway to the gate latch. “Okay… that’s not a coincidence,” she murmured. She entered the habitat slowly, not wanting to startle the others.
The elephant bull approached her first, chuffing softly, nudging her arm. He seemed relaxed enough, but he didn’t go near Lila. None of them did. It was as though an invisible line had been drawn around that corner.