Thecouplesat,unfazed.“We’rebeatingthewomanwhonearlykilledourdaughter.”
“Ifyoudon'tprotecther,we'llmakesureyourzooneveropensitsdoorsagain.”

PaulandConnorfaltered,thenPaultriedcharm.“Parents,don’ttrustascaredkid’sstory.She’straumatized,crying—let’sgethertoahospital.”
Thegirlclungtome.“I’mfine!Iwon’tleaveNatalie!”
Sierra,battered,groveled.“Inevermeanttoharmthissweetkid—it’samistake!”
“Let'sgethertothehospitalrightaway.Herhealthmustcomefirst!”
Colleagueschimedin,“You’reclearlywealthy—prioritizehersafety!”
“Akidwho'sthatscaredisprobablyconfusedandmightnotrememberallthedetailsaccurately.”

Thecouple’sexpressionsshifted.Theypriedthegirlfromme.
“Sweetie,let’scheckyouatthehospital.Ifyou’reokay,we’llbeback.”
Thegirlsobbed,overpowered,andwascarriedout.
Thecoupleglaredaroundtheroomwithcold,menacingeyes.“Ifourinvestigationconfirmswhatshe'ssaying,someofyouaregoingtopaydearlyforthis.”

“Director,weexpectnothinglessthanfairactionwhenwereturn.”
Theyleft,buttouristslingered,curious.
Paulshotmealook,grittinghisteeth.“I’llinvestigate.Sierra,gohomeandrecover.”
“Natalie,you’rebeingdockedamonth’spay.Gohome,writean8,000-wordapology.”
Connorsneered,“Whataluckybreakforyou,Natalie.Prayyoualwayshavesaviors.”
Ihadnofightleft.EveryonebackedSierra,twistingthetruth.
Whydidthekind-heartedPaulshieldher?
Iputonashowofcompliance,noddingandsmilingweaklyasIwaitedforthecrowdtofinallydisperse.Then,Islippedintothesecurityroom,copyingalloftoday’sfootageontoaUSBdrive.
Truthwasn’ttheirstocontrol.Ineededevidence.
After,Iwenttoahospitalformyinjuries.
Inthecorridor,IspottedSierraandConnor,cozy.
Iquicklyduckedoutofsight,eavesdropping.
“Whatifthatcouplecomesback?Theyseempowerful,”Sierrafretted.
“Don’tworry,”Connorsaid.“Dadhadthefootageerased,andeveryoneworksforhim—theywon’ttalk.”
“LuckyNatalieescaped,”Sierrahissed.“Thatbratruinedit.”
“NexttimeIseethatkidatthezoo,she'lldisappear—quietlyandpermanently.”
“AndNatalie,actingsosmug.Weneedtomakeherpay,orI’llexplode!”
Anursecalledtheirnumber.Connoryelled,“Here!”andtheyhurriedin.
Sweatsoakedmyback.