THE APPRENTICE II

24

The three approached the brick arch with a huge clock at the center. Handfuls of visitors flocked towards the entrance of Central Park Zoo, the smell of earth, water, and butter coursing through the winds. The three sorcerers travelled along with Hazel looping her arms with each of the men.

"You do know that we could have gone anywhere, right? Singapore zoo, Berlin, Omaha—or even the Bronx zoo?" Stephen sighed as they finally entered the structure. The girl ignored the sarcasm.  She was so enamored by the cheerful ambience of the place, that even his dry remarks couldn't get to her.

"I know, but I've never been to the zoo! Or taken the train to the zoo! I never got to." She appealed and detangled her arms from theirs to get a head start.

"You've seen the multiverse. You'd think you'd have higher standards than Central Park." He rolled his eyes and the girl fought back a look of disappointment. He didn't have time to go to the zoo and stroll around— They're sorcerers, after all. Wong pulled him aside.

"Stephen, she needs this. Set your arrogance aside for her." He lowered his voice and sighed. Stephen returned the heavy breath as they caught up to her. She noticed the expressions on their faces.

"We can go back, if you wanna." She offered, bit her lip, and started to walk to the other direction. "No, you're right. We should be working. Sorry, let's just...go back home—"

"—Hey, hey! What do you mean? I was kidding, we've come all this way." Strange jogged to block her path. He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. "Plus, I've been meaning to see the sea lions. Last time I was here, I saw them for half a moment,"

"I, for one, have never been." Wong added and caught up with them. He flashed her an encouraging smile. "I suppose we'll both be first-timers,"

"See? Two birds with one stone,"

"Really?" A look of hope flashed before her as she came to a halt. The sorcerer supreme took his hands off her and stepped beside her. "You're not just saying that?"

Stephen increased his pace as he walked backwards. He put a hand to his ear and shut one eye.

"Can't hear you! Come on, your tour guide's getting ahead!" He gestured for them to follow. Wong cocked his head to his directions and placed an arm around her shoulders. "Now lets go see some sea lions!"

The three spent hours visiting the different encounters, occasionally stopping by some pretzel and hotdog booths for a snack. After the aggressive persuasive techniques of the girl, she even managed to get them to wear souvenir hoodies and buy matching penguin stuffed animals from the gift shop. She didn't waste a moment in filming little clips of the moments she found exciting and took countless of photos.

They made a stop to the children's petting zoo. Given that the three were sorcerers, their mysticism attracted almost every animal to their fields of energy— even the snow leopard was drawn to them. The goats were no exception.

"Stephen, look! Goat!" She chirped with glee and stroked its head. The two's hearts melted as he filmed her with Wong, who was just as excited.

"I can see that." He couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm.

"I've never seen a goat before!"

"Wait wait wait..." Stephen did a double take on what she had just said and laughed. "After all we've seen, you've never crossed paths with a goat? In this vast multiverse?"

Hazel shook her head, and he continued on ridiculing her with his hearty cackling. She let out protests, but he couldn't hear her through his booming voice. The two continued on petting the goats.