83. The Escape Plan Part 3 - Day Terrors
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Bodies everywhere. Bloodied, ravaged bodies.
Animals. Humans. Even the strange humans.
Suffering. Pain. Death.
Howl awoke, hot and panting. He got to his feet and padded out of the shady corner where he had settled down to sleep. It was a warm afternoon and most of the animals were dozing.
That did not include Walter. The chimpanzee had clambered up a tree and was now looking out over the zoo grounds. Seeing Howl below, he descended with his usual speed, only slowed for a moment when he snagged his T-shirt.
You all right, Howl?
Not really, Walter. Bad dreams again.
It was the same for me last night. Dead things. Death everywhere.
Just like mine, answered Howl.
The chimpanzee shook his head. It can’t be a coincidence.
What’s a coincidence?
Don’t worry about that for now, Howl. Let’s talk to the others.
----
They gathered by the dolphin pool, which was easiest for Smiler. Even he didn’t look his usual happy self, but he was listening carefully, glistening head poking out of the water.
After hearing from Walter and Howl, Jugger admitted that she had experienced the same dream. And now it seemed that all the animals had.
Jugger looked around the group, trunk swinging anxiously. Perhaps something bad is going to happen.
Didn’t it happen already? replied Walter. I mean, to the city and the humans.
It hasn’t been so bad for us animals, added Bob. Apart from the strange humans.
Athena flapped her wings. But the dream was terrible! And for us all to share it — it must mean something. I’m frightened.
Xi and Howl growled in agreement.
I know it’s not easy, but we must try to stay calm, said Walter.
We must, agreed Jugger. But I think we should leave the city. Who’s with me?
You know it’s not that easy, replied Athena. There’s that barrier around the city’s edge. When living creatures touch it, they’re put to sleep.
And what about food? said Bob. At least we’ve always fed ourselves here. We don’t know what it’s like out there.
And what about my home? added Jane. I’d like to go back at some point.
Smiler was now swimming back and forth, clicking noisily to get their attention. I can’t leave the pool. What do I do if you all leave?
Howl watched Xi pacing around, her claws scraping the ground. He knew that the Komodo dragon sometimes thought of her previous owner and wondered if she’d done the right thing in joining the Animals.
Walter scratched his head and looked up at Jugger’s big, dark eyes. For once, the kind chimpanzee and the determined elephant seemed unsure what to do.
Howl heard something. Bob stood up on his hind legs and sniffed the air.
Athena suddenly took off and was soon squawking. Look! Look there!
Howl couldn’t see what the eagle could, but his hearing was better than the animals. He could hear a horse — and it was moving quickly towards them.