𝕄𝕒𝕕𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕀𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕪

Chapter five: Eliot

        "Young lady! Step away from the elephant!" someone exclaimed.

        Ivory snapped her head away from Eliot and turned toward one of the zookeepers.  It was a woman with long, dark brown hair and dull brown eyes set against her tanned skin.  Her lips were pursed, more annoyance than fear written on her face. "That animal is dangerous," she muttered, her face turning into a scowl.

        "He's just frightened," Ivory replied calmly, reaching up to pet Eliot's trunk.

        "You don't know anything," the woman replied. "You are just a child. Let the professionals handle this."

        "Well obviously you can't!" Ivory exclaimed.  Eliot let out a trumpet sound, and his eyes widened in fear. 

        "Sorry, Eliot," Ivory whispered in a calming tone.  Eliot's trunk lowered and rested in the palms of her hands. "Good boy." She rubbed his rough skin with one hand and the elephant's eyes fluttered closed--

        Until the zookeeper began again. "Get away from the animal! Now!" 

        The elephants eyes went wild again, but with one hand soothing the animal's trunk, Ivory managed to keep him under control.  But the zookeeper was pushing her limits when she started swinging her arms and stomping toward them. "Young Lady!" she exclaimed.  Ivory jumped back in surprise, but something caught her before she fell.  Wrapped tightly around her waist was Eliot's large trunk, lifting her and helping her onto his back.

        "Eliot! No!" Ivory exclaimed, trying to get off of the wild elephant.  Her stomach twisted in fear as Eliot's ears locked over her legs, keeping her in place.

        Suddenly, Ivory saw a flash of rope in her peripheral vision.  It whipped through the air, its rough touch barely missing Eliot's neck.  Then it fell to the ground uselessly.  But she could feel Eliot's anger seeping through his skin like fire.  She rubbed his neck, and slowly his temperature dropped.

        "Stop!" Ivory called to the zookeeper. "You're making it worse! Please..."

        Something flashed in the woman's eyes for a minute.

        Understanding.

        Her scowl turned neutral as she lowered the rope in her hand, wrapping it up again and swinging it over her arm.  She didn't look quite happy about her own decision, but she seemed satisfied enough to not continue rousing the elephant.

        Noticing that the danger was over, Eliot's tense shoulders relaxed and he released Ivory's imprisoned legs.  He then tromped over to the edge of the ditch, wrapped his trunk around Ivory's waist and lifted her over the deep whole.  But for some reason, Ivory wasn't scared.  There wasn't a bone in her body that quivered.  

        Eliot's trunk carried her safely across and into Madam Orantia's shaking outstretched arms.  The woman quickly set her down, and began checking her everywhere for injuries.

        "I'm fine, Madam Orantia!" Ivory insisted several times. "Eliot would never hurt me."

        The woman continued brushing her wrinkled hands over Ivory's hair and shoulders, checking over and over with shaking hands.  She brushed over Ivory's cheeks to check for invisible tears to match the ones on her own face.

        "Were you not scared?" Madam Orantia finally asked, resting her hands gently on Ivory's shoulders.

        "Were you when God sent that special someone into your life?" Ivory questioned, dragging her eyes to meet Madam Orantia's.  The woman just stared, as if reading Ivory like an open book, searching for answers.

         The answers of the questions Ivory didn't even know.

        "Oh, sweetheart," Madam Orantia finally spoke.  Then she pulled Ivory into a warm hug, holding her close to her chest.  Her warmth enveloped Ivory in a blanket of comfort, keeping her mind feeling calm and safe.

        Ivory was sad when Madam Orantia eventually pulled away.  She kept her arms poised on her shoulders though, and once again looked into Ivory's eyes with sincerity. 

        "Just be careful, okay?" she murmured. 

        Ivory gave a small but genuine nod, and Madam Orantia fully pulled away. 

        "Come along children," the woman continued as if nothing had happened. "There is still much of the zoo to see."

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        Madam Orantia brought sandwiches for lunch, and they all sat in the small park in the middle of the zoo.  There were a few benches and picnic tables scattered about, but Ivory chose to settle under a large tree far from her group.  She already missed Eliot, and she wanted to be alone with her racing thoughts. 

        God had worked so quickly in her life.

        Just last night she had learned about how much God could truly do.

        But perhaps he had been working for a while now.  She just hadn't realized it.

        Ivory stuffed the rest of her sandwich in her mouth and used the side of the tree to help her to her feet.  She looked up into the branches and leaves of the tree and took a sharp intake of breath.  It was beautiful. 

        And God had made it.

        Ivory grabbed onto a steady branch and pulled herself onto it.  She continued up, swinging, pushing, and pulling until she reached the highest branch.  She supported herself by the side of the tree, her eyes grazing over the view of the zoo.  Ivory's eyes widened at the sight.  The large trees covered the unpleasant sights and were a beautiful home for all of the colorful birds living there.  The sun shown near the horizon, almost smiling at Ivory.  A breeze picked up her hair and played with it like a small child would.

        It was all so relaxing.

        So simply amazing.

        But then she heard someone calling her name from below, and she knew she had to tear her eyes away from the sight.  

        She carefully lowered herself down from the tree, scraping her arms and legs in the process, but nothing could wipe that grin from her face.  

        Not even walking through the zoo to the exit. 

        And nothing could take away the joy she had in her heart.

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Ciao,

𝓢𝓲𝓢𝓲