Chapter 2APP: Animal Whisperer

I had just finished scrubbing down the last of the enclosures when the monkeys, still huddled together, finally broke their silence. I pulled out my phone to see what they were thinking.

Bella: [I’m not falling for it. Humans always want to meddle in our lives. They'll probably make our kids do tricks for pocket change. Why would she be any different?]

I raised an eyebrow. What had these two been through?

Before I could ask, a truck horn blared from the main gate. I hurried over to open it. The driver, a burly man with a weathered face, hopped out and slapped the side of his truck. "Hey, miss. This package is a big one. You sure you can handle it?"

"So, it's a..."

"An African lion," he finished, a grim look on his face.

He and his partner helped me move the crate to the lion enclosure before beating a hasty retreat. The moment they were gone, a new chat bubble popped up in the app.

The lion, Leo: [Heh. Stupid human.]

[Your time's up, chump.]

A shiver ran down my spine. This lion had a New Yorker's attitude. He was glaring at me with bloodshot eyes. Though he was painfully thin, his fur matted and filthy, the raw power in his gaze was unmistakable. I was frozen to the spot, too terrified to move.

Suddenly, Leo lunged, his sharp claws scraping against the bars of the cage as he let out a deafening roar.

[Scared ya, didn't I? Ha!]

[Look at you, all soft and pink. Bet you taste better than the last keeper!]

Did I read that right?

The last keeper... tasted good?

I whipped out my phone and frantically typed a resignation letter to the director. A second later, it was rejected.

The director: [Stick it out for three more days. I'll give you a thirty-thousand-dollar bonus.]

Gritting my teeth, I turned and marched toward the small staff kitchen.