Chapter One: A Day of Wonder at Evergrove City Zoo

 Chapter One: A Day of Wonder at Evergrove City Zoo

Ariel grinned from ear to ear as she walked hand-in-hand with her mother Beka through the towering iron gates of the Evergrove City Zoo. Sunlight filtered through the canopy of tall sycamore trees that lined the entrance, and a gentle breeze carried the distant roars and squawks of animals waking up to greet their visitors.

Her father Nick trailed slightly behind, holding her younger brother Noah’s hand. Noah was already chatting excitedly about all the reptiles he hoped to see. Every so often, their mother scolded him good-naturedly for trying to dash off too quickly. It was a typical day out—family fun, mild chaos, and lots of promises about souvenir ice cream at the gift shop.

Yet from the moment she stepped inside, Ariel sensed something peculiar. Whenever she neared an enclosure—be it the lions basking in the sun or the flamingos wading in a shallow pond—she felt the animals were looking at her with a curious intensity. Their gazes seemed to linger a second too long, almost as if they were trying to communicate. Ariel brushed the thought aside, deciding she might be imagining things. After all, it was easy to get carried away in a place bursting with so much life.

Mysterious Fliers

Around noon, the family regrouped near the snack stands to buy hot dogs and lemonade. While waiting in line, Ariel noticed a small slip of paper at her feet. She picked it up, spotting half a photograph of a small, furry creature. Part of the text read:
“Missing Me…-kat. If found, please contact…”

“Mom, what is this about a missing meerkat?” Ariel asked, holding the tattered paper up to show Beka and Nick. The printed words were smudged, but the bright eyes of the half-visible meerkat photo stared back at them.

Nick shrugged. “It’s probably just a leftover flier from months ago. Sometimes old ads and flyers get stuck around the zoo.”
Beka nodded, patting Ariel’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, honey. I’m sure the staff knows what they’re doing. Let’s not lose track of Noah. He’s been talking about the reptile house all morning.”

Ariel frowned slightly, feeling a little dismissed. Something told her this missing meerkat was more than just an old ad. A few minutes later, she spotted a second piece of paper near a bench. This one clearly read:
“MISSING MEERKAT. Last seen near Desert Plains Exhibit. If found, notify a zoo keeper immediately!”

Her curiosity piqued, Ariel flagged down a zoo keeper walking by—a tall man with a friendly but hurried demeanor.

“Excuse me, sir,” Ariel said, tugging gently on his khaki shirt. She held up the wrinkled paper. “Is this true? Is there really a meerkat missing?”

The zoo keeper glanced at the flier, then at Ariel’s questioning eyes. He visibly tensed for a split second before forcing a polite smile. “Oh, that?” he said. “Don’t worry. We’re, uh, looking into it. Probably just a mistake from the copy center or an old announcement. Enjoy your visit!”

He quickly waved goodbye and strode away, leaving Ariel with more questions than answers. She stared at the flier, a tiny knot forming in her stomach. Why did the zoo keeper seem so uneasy?

Following the Trail

Eventually, Noah convinced everyone to split up so he could zip over to the reptile house with their dad. Beka and Ariel agreed to check out the meerkat exhibit. They planned to meet at the gift shop near the exit gate in an hour.

When Ariel and her mom reached the meerkat enclosure, Beka noticed a friend she hadn’t seen in years—someone from her old workplace—and got distracted chatting. Seizing the moment, Ariel drifted along the edge of the habitat, scanning the informational signs. She read about the social behaviors of meerkats, the tunnels they dig, and how they watch each other’s backs.

Her eyes roamed over the rocky imitation desert, complete with tall tufts of grass. Most of the meerkats were scampering about, playfully wrestling or poking their heads out of holes. A few stood on their hind legs, scanning the surroundings. Ariel couldn’t help but notice an empty hollow in one corner of the exhibit that looked as if it had been recently dug up, then filled hastily. A small sign stuck out of the ground:
“Keep Out – Maintenance in Progress.”

She hopped onto the small ledge to get a better look. Something metallic glinted in the dust. Leaning over the railing, she saw the corner of yet another flier pinned under a rock. This time, it was nearly whole:
“MISSING MEERKAT! Answers to the name ‘Miko.’ Last seen near the Desert Plains Exhibit. DO NOT APPROACH ALONE—notify a zoo keeper immediately if sighted.”

A chill ran down Ariel’s spine. Do not approach alone? She felt a twinge of concern, but also a growing determination. Could the meerkat have escaped its enclosure and be wandering the zoo?

Suddenly, the loudspeakers crackled, a friendly recorded voice announcing:
“Attention, Evergrove visitors! The zoo will be closing in ten minutes. Please make your way toward the exits, and thank you for spending the day with us!”

Ariel jolted in surprise. She looked around, realizing she hadn’t seen her mom for at least fifteen minutes. Beka must have drifted off or joined up with Nick and Noah. Guilt and panic mixed in her chest—she’d lost track of time! She quickly stuffed the flier into her pocket and dashed off in the direction of the gift shop, imagining her family waiting for her with mild annoyance.

As she ran along the winding path, the next announcement boomed:
“Thank you all for a great day at Evergrove City Zoo. We hope to see you soon! Goodnight, and sleep tight, animals!”

The Moment She Realizes She’s Alone

When Ariel finally arrived at the gift shop, it was all but empty. The lights were dimming, and a harried employee was locking the doors. Ariel’s eyes darted around. No sign of Mom, Dad, or Noah. A sinking feeling washed over her. She sprinted to the exit gates, only to see them being pulled shut by a security guard and a few uniformed staff.

“Wait!” she cried out, but her small voice was lost in the echo of closing gates. The guard and zookeepers finished their end-of-day chatter, never noticing the little girl standing just inside the fence line. By the time Ariel pressed her face against the bars, the staff had walked away, leaving her completely isolated in the now-closed zoo.

A surge of fear climbed her throat, and tears pricked at her eyes. Her heart pounded so loud she could practically hear it echo in the empty courtyard. Mom? Dad? Noah? She whispered their names, but no reply came. In desperation, she turned around and scanned the darkening pathways, unsure whether to stay put or try to find help.

She recalled the fliers about the missing meerkat. She remembered how the zoo keeper had brushed her off. None of it makes sense.

A twig snapped somewhere behind her, drawing her attention. She whipped around, her eyes landing on a large silhouette bounding closer—a kangaroo, well outside its enclosure. Ariel’s breath caught in her chest. Are kangaroos supposed to be loose?

She took a step back, fear swirling in her stomach. The kangaroo’s muscular legs and thick tail seemed intimidating in the gathering gloom. It came to a halt a few feet away from her, towering over her small frame. Ariel’s heart hammered with both awe and dread.

Then, in a voice laced with a gentle Aussie accent, the kangaroo spoke:

“G’day there, kid. I see ya have me flier,” it said, nodding to the folded paper in her trembling hand. “You haven’t seen that little missin’ meerkat, have ya?”

Ariel’s eyes widened so much they hurt. The flier fluttered to the ground, slipping from her nerveless fingers. She staggered backward, mouth opening to scream—but no sound came out. She was trapped in a closed zoo, alone, with a talking kangaroo.

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