Morning headlines screamed: LION ESCAPES ZOO. Blurry phone photos showed pawprints on muddy sidewalks. Police cruisers prowled neighborhoods, ordering residents indoors. Schools closed, playgrounds emptied. Fear thickened the air, yet fascination crept alongside. Social feeds buzzed: #FindSahara trended worldwide. Everyone watched. Few understood what truly drove the lion forward.
The first real encounter came from Maria Lopez, an early-morning jogger. She slowed near a park bench when her eyes caught movement. A spotted blur streaked between the swings. For seconds, she froze, her chest burning with terror. When Sahara glanced her way, Maria swore her heart stopped beating.