The elephant moved slowly, her trunk extending toward him. Paul tensed, expecting aggression. But instead, its trunk rested lightly on his shoulder. The gentle weight stunned him. Her deep-set eyes met his, a strange emotion shimmering within them—a mixture of desperation and trust that Paul couldn’t ignore.
The gentle pressure of her trunk on his shoulder caused Paul’s attention to shift abruptly from the monkeys to the elephant. A chilling sensation crept down his spine, accompanied by the unanticipated burden on his shoulder. He held his breath, his body tense, as he cautiously pivoted to face the unexpected interloper.