The tiger had been still just moments ago. Now she looked like thunder in fur. Jamie’s hands were shaking. “Turn it off! Please, turn off the sound!” Just as the keeper reached for his radio, something shifted. Meera’s eyes found Nibbles again. She stilled, just slightly. The tension in her spine eased. Her tail slowed. Another long second passed.
Then—almost reluctantly—she turned away from the crowd and padded toward the rock. The sirens cut off. Silence poured back in, thick and trembling. Meera reached the rock. Nibbles stepped forward cautiously, sniffing the air. Meera leaned in and—just as before—sniffed the top of his head.