Children whispered stories at school the following day. Teachers tried calming their fears, but curiosity spread faster. “Did you see the video?” one boy whispered. “Her eyes glow like fire.” A girl whispered back, “She’s dangerous.” Rumors spun until Sahara became half-monster, half-myth—every shadow a possible predator.
That evening, an elderly woman named Mrs. Latham was taking trash to her bins when she noticed Sahara crouched by her rose bushes. The lion sniffed about and then looked up. Mrs. Latham froze, then whispered softly, “You’re beautiful.” Sahara blinked, then vanished over the fence. The old woman never reported it.