Samuel walked back through those familiar zoo gates, the facility completely empty under the temporary federal transition. Bypassing the main offices entirely, he ran straight toward the massive, lush white tiger exhibit. He stopped at the heavy viewing barrier, his breath catching in his throat. There, pacing elegantly through the tall grass near a waterfall, was a magnificent white tiger. The distinctive stripe patterns across her shoulders and the regal tilt of her head matched his memories perfectly. It looked exactly like Luna.
Samuel smiled, a quiet laugh escaping his lips. “You haven’t aged a single day, have you, girl?” he muttered, amazed by her timeless beauty. Filled with profound emotion, Samuel stepped past the public barrier, stood right against the mesh fence, and softly called out her old nickname. But the response wasn’t a gentle greeting. The white tiger instantly whipped around, her eyes flashing with wild aggression. She let out a deafening, hostile roar, lunging straight toward the metal barrier and baring her massive fangs.