She might've said yes… if not for that little devil that had popped out of her internal jack-in-the-box and crawled back into her brain to start scripting her lines again. Adopting the flattest tone known to man, with a poker face to match, she asked:
So, I take it your family's really into nature? Like, you guys love all flora and fauna equally? Of course! Not like full-on eco-activists or anything, but we do try to live in harmony with the Earth. – Erich answered, casually popping a dried apple slice into his mouth from the feed cup. Then why are your animals in cages? Don't they wanna be free? Feel the real wind, graze on real plants instead of this processed snack mix? Don't they want to remember what it's like to be actually free, without bars and locks and people staring at them all day? – Inspired by the defiant rooster, Nibi went full revolutionary.
Well… sort of. Erich tried to counter:
You're judging by the cover, Nibi. Out in the wild, these animals might've already been eaten by predators, or poached, or gotten Here, they're warm, safe, and cared for. We even have a vet on standby.
And would you wanna be locked in a cage, instead of walking K. wherever you please? Would you like people pointing at you, laughing, treating you like some brainless toy without feelings?
You respect your dog—you treat him like an equal. But these animals? They're not equals. They're slaves. – She added a dramatic wobble to her voice, wiping away nonexistent tears with the back of her hand, while side-eyeing the poor boy who now looked completely stunned. His curls, usually springy and chaotic, seemed to wilt like soggy lettuce.
He stood there for a full minute, looking back and forth between her and M.K., who was now attempting to mimic a meerkat. It wasn't working. The dog got frustrated with his own lack of posture and gave up.
Nibi, meanwhile, had hit a theatrical peak. Her performance could've landed her a daytime Emmy. Erich, the captive audience, suddenly turned and walked toward the pen. What was he hoping to find?
Maybe he just wanted to set freedom free and say hi to that oxymoron.
The wooden doors, looking like Wild West saloon flaps, swung open… but the alpacas didn't
budge. Clearly, they weren't eager to ditch their cozy penthouse suite. Erich rushed into the back room and returned with a bridle, lead ropes, and started strapping them on like a total pro. Once he was done, he asked, dead serious:
So? We going?
Nibi nodded, though by now she was really starting to regret her little stunt. Still, no way was she backing out now—curiosity about what came next was way stronger than her guilt. Not everyone was thrilled about this wild plan, though. And we're not just talking about the rooster. Somewhere
up in the covered enclosure, a creepy voice let out a ghostly howl that sent shivers down everyone's spine—including Erich's. He waved it off like it was no big deal and told Nibi:
That's our new Still getting used to the place.
Bigfoot? – She asked, eyebrows climbing to the
Where are you going?! Where are you taking the animals?! – Toshi stepped out of the back, and for the first time, his tone was stern—totally not matching his usual soft voice and sweet face. We're just taking them for a bit, buddy. Gonna move them somewhere... wait, where are we taking them? – Erich, terrible liar that he was, tanked the whole operation with that one
But Nibi, in a moment of chaotic inspiration, came up with a plan on the spot and said confidently:
My uncle owns a private airstrip just outside the city. Got a couple One of them's strong enough to fly these animals straight to Chile. See? Told you we had it covered! – Erich jumped in,
Toshi ran to the zoo's main exit and stood there like a human barricade, arms and legs braced against the doorframe.
I can't let you go! I'll get fired! Gina and Ardon won't like
Dude, come on! It's me! I'll handle I'll take full responsibility.
You sure?
Like I swear, every blow will land on this head right here! – Erich chopped the air heroically with a bent arm.
Toshi stepped aside, shaking his head with a heavy sigh.
Just make sure Marta and Dondel are Please take care of them.
You got it, my – Erich gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. Nibi nodded too.
Her guilt now weighed a ton, so she grabbed one of the alpacas and led it out of the zoo—eager to escape those walls that now pressed down on her like a guilty conscience. Judging by the slobbery sounds and excited yips behind her, Erich and M.K. were right on her heels. The dog, by the way, was loving this whole scheme, running back and forth between them, barking like they were leading a parade.
Cold. So freaking cold.
Erich snuggled his face into the alpaca's wool, only to pull back right away—clearly, Dondel wasn't much warmer than he was. As much as he loved summer, there was something magical about this chilly season. Like rescuing animals with your dog and your childhood friend. What a genius plan Nibi came up with—to free their furry friends from the tyrannical clutches of Ardon and Gina!