Daniel tried to distract him with a snack or a trip to the penguins, but Noah’s eyes always snapped back to King. He pressed his palms against the glass, searching for the rise and fall of the lion’s chest, counting every breath as though it might be his last.
Ben approached them one afternoon, his usual cheerful demeanor gone. He leaned in close to Daniel, speaking quietly. “We’ve noticed it too. The swelling on his side. We’re trying to figure it out. The problem is, he won’t let anyone close. Every time we try, he lashes out.”