It came again, louder this time, the kind of guttural, primal sound that reached down into the chest. Lily froze mid-sip, her wide eyes darting toward the window. “Dad…” she whispered. Caleb turned just as the second roar broke through; sharp, furious, echoing across the sanctuary grounds. A few people gasped. One child started crying.
Somewhere outside, birds lifted in a startled wave, scattering into the trees. The barista stepped out from behind the counter. “That’s… from the tiger exhibit, isn’t it?” Caleb was already moving toward the door. Through the window, he caught sight of a figure sprinting along the gravel path. It was Ethan, his radio pressed to his mouth, eyes locked on the direction of the sound.