New Zoo (Original Series by Wallace111)

New-Zoo-Serval

It was late in the morning as a 'car' pulled into the car park of the New Zoo. The 'car' pulled into a parking space which was reserved for management as it came to a stop.


"How did it all go wrong?" thought Elizabeth, banging her head slightly against the wheel as she looked to the familiar stone archways before opening the door of the car. She exited as she leant against the car, finding her thoughts clustered and disorganised as she felt rather tired, her lack of sleep the previous night not helping at all.


"I still can't believe Charlotte did that...the Spirit did that" thought Elizabeth, recalling how Rebecca had become coherent enough to tell her what had happened to Charlee. The thought gave Elizabeth pause. She remembered meeting Charlee previously and being impressed at her talent on the piano.


"She certainly didn't deserve that" thought Elizabeth, briefly wondering whether she had made a mistake in trusting the Spirit. However, she shook her head, acknowledging that she had gained so much more despite the shortcomings.


"I definitely don't regret being friends with it" mused Elizabeth as she closed her eyes, feeling something in the distance. It felt weak, erratic as Elizabeth opened her eyes.


"Is that the Spirit?" thought Elizabeth as she began to walk towards the entrance, soon quickening into a run as she entered the New Zoo.


"I hope I'm not too late," said Elizabeth as she entered the Main Hallway. She stopped for a brief moment as she looked around, eying all the empty enclosures.


"I...I never realised just how quiet this place can be" thought Elizabeth as she became further determined to find the Spirit. If this was the end, Elizabeth desired some form of closure as she picked up her pace once more. Questions quickly raced across her mind as she ran.


"Is this what our legacy amounts to?" thought Elizabeth, thinking back to Rebecca who was still asleep when she left. "I hope she comes around, I can't believe I'm concerned for her" continued Elizabeth as she felt the mark across her face, recalling how Rebecca had given it to her. However, it was difficult to feel any particular anger towards Rebecca, especially following her breakdown yesterday.


"Charlotte always had a greater understanding of people" mumbled Elizabeth, feeling the sense she detected earlier growing stronger as she realised she must be getting closer. "I just wish I knew where you were Charlotte" continued Elizabeth, recalling how she didn't come home the night before and given the state Rebecca was in, she was unable to check any of their other haunts.


Elizabeth felt the feeling dip once more as she quickened her pace, fully breaking into a sprint as she hoped the Spirit was ok.


Within the Outside Section:


The Spirit was still atop the Penguin Enclosure in the same position as the night before, a small green energy coming from within the igloo as the Spirit brightened slightly, very slightly.


"It's not enough," said the Spirit, feeling bittersweet about the ordeal as it forced its eyes awake for what felt like the hundredth time over the past day. It was clearly hungry, flashing in and out inconsistently.


"Wait...is that?" thought the Spirit, sensing a familiar presence within the Zoo. "Elizabeth?" wondered the Spirit, curious why she would be here following recent events.


The Spirit felt dread as it felt Elizabeth getting closer but also felt a sense of joy as it opted to wait, aware Elizabeth would find it through their bond either way. It forced itself to stay awake once more, the tiredness becoming almost overwhelming.


It noticed Elizabeth arriving, stopping to catch her breath as the Spirit just stared at her. Upon catching her breath, Elizabeth did the same, the pair staring each other down as if daring each other to break the silence.


"You look like you've seen better days" commented Elizabeth, feeling her anger evaporating as she looked at the Spirit. She couldn't help but feel a sense of pity for it.


Its body was still barely taller than Elizabeth but its shoulders were slumped as if it had been overworked. Its usual voluminous turquoise hair was partially matted and some areas seemed to be thinning.


Its light blue t-shirt with a picture of the Zoo's entrance had lost its spark as it no longer shone with a heavenly quality as it seemed rather dark as if covered with dirt. Its jacket and shorts were the same, depriving the Spirit of the majestic imagery that Elizabeth had previously associated it with. Its sandals were still surprisingly intact, reminding Elizabeth of what felt like simpler times. She recalled how she had given the Spirit those as a symbol of their developing friendship.


But most importantly, its eyes seemed to have lost their familiar luster, as if life was slowly fading from them. The Spirit seemed as if it was living on borrowed time as it resembled a corpse.


"I'm dying Elizabeth" replied the Spirit, deciding it might as well be blunt if this was to be its final meeting with its best friend.
"Wait...what? how are you dying?" said Elizabeth, finding herself confused.


"Well...I'm not dying in the strictest sense...but I'm hibernating" stated the Spirit, barely resisting the urge to yawn. "If I hibernate, I might eventually reawaken" continued the Spirit as Elizabeth nodded in understanding. "However, the way you've come to know me...will cease to exist" explained the Spirit.


Before Elizabeth could respond, a sudden 'SQWARK' was heard as Elizabeth's attention was diverted. She noticed the new penguins within the enclosure as she couldn't help but look to the Spirit.


"Where did these come from?" inquired Elizabeth, trying to get their minds off the previous subject as she couldn't help but smile, admiring their new penguins as she felt nostalgic for the precious moments she had shared with the Spirit.


"They broke in last night...orphans, hurt by something or someone. I felt they deserved this" summarised the Spirit as the pair stared at each other, enjoying the moment as the penguins looked at the pair, their eyes devoid of any human understanding.


A few moments later, they felt another blip as they opened their eyes, looking at each other.


"You feel that?" asked Elizabeth.


"Yes" answered the Spirit simply as it gave a small smile towards Elizabeth.


"Feel like going for one more round?" said Elizabeth, noticing the small smile the Spirit was adopting.


"That sounds...lovely" agreed the Spirit as it and Elizabeth got up.


Elizabeth saw the Spirit fade as she began to head back towards the Main Hallway, curious as to who their new intruder was.


At the Main Entrance:


Haley found herself walking under the stone archways as she looked around curiously. She noticed the empty enclosures scattered around the Main Hallway as she got out a small recorder from her pocket.


She shifted her long blond hair out of her face as she shifted her small yellow glasses slightly. She looked down at the recorder as she pressed the 'record' button.


"Seems like the rumours were true" said Haley, taking a further look around the Main Hallway before adding "The Zoo could be in the process of shutting down. The reason why remains a mystery but I'll soon find an answer." She turned off the recorder as she thought back to why she was here.


Haley was a tabloid journalist, she lived off of rumours and gossip, regularly publishing articles for the populace of the city. She had frequently created rumours and stories if they hadn't presented themselves for her to investigate as she smiled softly, having enjoyed the attention she had received from them, even if some could have been considered slander.


"Hopefully I'll be able to get an interview, I saw a car outside so someone must be here," thought Haley as she placed the recorder back in the pocket of her yellow jacket. She looked down as she noticed her cream-coloured trousers and sandals. Her thoughts were soon distracted as she recalled her co-worker.


"Patricia was always uptight and self-righteous" grumbled Haley, thinking back to the rumours that she had spread around the office.


"I mean seriously...her theory of people being transformed into animals was an absolute farce. Even worse since Tyler fell for it" scoffed Haley, remembering that Patricia and Tyler had disappeared shortly after suggesting this theory.


"Probably out of shame," said Haley, continuing to look around. She could already think of the articles she could publish regarding the zoo as she smiled, knowing she'd be the one to cover the story first.


"The Zoo is closed to visitors," said a voice as Haley turned around suddenly, noticing a short girl with blond hair tied back in a braid. She appeared to be wearing a uniform as Haley smiled, guessing she was one of the staff at the Zoo.


"I'm going to need..." started Elizabeth.


"Perfect, I was looking for someone like you" interrupted Haley, grabbing Elizabeth's hand as she shook it. "Would you like an interview?" asked Haley, her smile hiding deception.


However, Elizabeth was wise to what Haley was trying to do. "Still, might as well give her a chance to leave" thought Elizabeth, already knowing the likely outcome but deciding to humour herself regardless.
"I decline, I'm just here to do a final check before we close up," said Elizabeth as she felt Haley's grip tighten. Elizabeth was now beginning to get genuinely irritated at how forceful Haley was being.


"So the Zoo is closing? you simply must tell me more" asked Haley.


Elizabeth could feel her irritation increase at Haley's inability to listen as she began to wonder what new addition the Zoo could have.


"Rebecca was always fond of the big cats...guess I could do something with that?" thought Elizabeth, thinking through which big cats they didn't have.


A thought suddenly crossed her mind as she realised an animal which would be perfect as she couldn't help but let out a chuckle. Haley noticed the sudden change in Elizabeth's demeanour as she felt rather confused.


"What's so funny?" asked Haley, confusion still evident in her features.


"Just a joke I recalled, absolute classic" replied Elizabeth, smiling as she took a moment to enjoy the suspense."After thinking about it, I would be interested in an interview," said Elizabeth as she noticed Haley beginning to smile.


"Wonderful" replied Haley, feeling genuine excitement as her desire to get this interview outweighed the minor discomfort she had felt from Elizabeth as she began to follow Elizabeth down the Main Hallway, eager to get the interview started.


She was already envisioning how she could twist the facts for her latest article as she asked the first question, getting a small notepad out of her jacket as she 'clicked' her pen, ready to begin.


"Who was responsible for founding the Zoo?" asked Haley, attempting to keep her expression neutral to give the illusion of professionalism.


Elizabeth, having already anticipated how Haley would bend the truth, considered her words for a moment.


"Rebecca, our leader was responsible for founding the Zoo" began Elizabeth, cringing internally as she continued "It was her ambition to create a place where animals could thrive, a place to call her own."


Haley noted what Elizabeth had said in her notepad, minorly confused by the response. "That's strange...people usually have their homes to call their own" thought Haley as she prepared to ask her new question.
"What were your job responsibilities while you worked here?" asked Haley, awaiting Elizabeth's response as she felt a small sense of unease. There clearly was something going on.


"My responsibilities were rather varied. I helped with delivering offspring, preparing the marine animals for upcoming shows but most importantly, I helped with getting new animals but then again...we all worked together with that" replied Elizabeth.


Haley made another note of Elizabeth's response as she considered what she had been told. For some reason, the dots were connecting in what seemed like an impossible way.


"Patricia couldn't possibly have been right. People don't just turn into animals? Do they?" thought Haley as she decided it couldn't hurt to ask one more question. This situation was beginning to creep her out.


She felt like she was in great danger but, against her better judgement, the possibility of busting a particularly big story was too much to pass upon.


"What comments do you have in regards to the controversy surrounding the Zoo?" asked Haley uneasily as she eyed Elizabeth.


This question gave Elizabeth pause as she turned back. "Are you asking in regards to the people who went missing?" asked Elizabeth, noticing Haley nodding as the pair had arrived near the section which had previously contained the Big Cats.


"Are you ready to enjoy the show, old friend?" asked Elizabeth, sending the message to the Spirit through her mind.


"Of course, show me what you can do" replied the Spirit as Elizabeth's smile widened, feeling genuine excitement for the first time in a while as she raised her hand, a green aura coming from it as Haley could only watch with confusion.


"What's going..." started Haley, stopping as she felt something entering her mind. Her eyes began to darken, signalling her mind was crumbling as she soon fell under Elizabeth's control.


Elizabeth motioned with her hand for a moment, noticing Haley's lack of response as she breathed out. "Thank god, I didn't know how much longer I could put up with her obnoxiousness," said Elizabeth as she looked over her shoulder, noticing the Spirit appear once more.


"What do you plan to do with her?" asked the Spirit, still in the same malnourished state that it was in earlier.


"I was thinking the Serval enclosure needed filling" explained Elizabeth, her expression changing to annoyance as she stared at Haley once more. "Her inability to listen earlier without interrupting particularly annoyed me" stated Elizabeth, taking a moment before continuing "Her soon to be large ears will make it easier for her to listen in the future."


"Guess we better get started," said the Spirit, seeing Elizabeth nodding as she raised her hand. Haley, her mind still blank, walked forward towards the Serval enclosure, Elizabeth opening the door as Haley walked inside, unknowingly sealing her fate as Elizabeth closed the door after her, locking it to ensure Haley wouldn't escape.


"In all fairness...she was close to the truth" admitted Elizabeth as she walked to the front of the enclosure, eager to enjoy the moment as she motioned for the Spirit to join her. The pair looked into the enclosure, both intent on enjoying their last time together, with front row seats as a bonus.


Elizabeth snapped her fingers as she released her control over Haley.


Within the enclosure, Haley could feel her senses returning to her as her eyes brightened. She looked around, noticing the lush green grass beneath her and nearby branches scattered around the enclosure. She saw a large tree within the centre as a stream ran nearby, giving the intended animal a place to swim or bathe.


"How did I end up here?" thought Haley, trying to recall what should have been only moments ago. She found herself drawing a blank as she felt increasingly confused. This only increased as she felt a sensation flowing through her very being as she felt uncomfortable.


Haley could feel her heart racing as she felt a sensation beginning to form around her hands. She looked as she noticed her nails growing into long points as they began to extend, forming feline claws.


"Wait...what's happening to me?" said Haley, feeling an increasing sense of panic as she continued to watch her hands changing. Pads began to form within her palms as she could feel a small snake-like limb stretched out from her rear. Unknown to Haley, her tail had started forming.


"Wait...the rumours were true!" shouted Haley, panic fully taking over her being as she could feel the sensation spreading over her body as she could feel more changes coming over her.


"Of course they were," said Elizabeth as Haley turned towards the sound of the voice. She saw Elizabeth out the front of the enclosure and to her surprise...some other creature it didn't recognise.


"Wait...this is where everyone went?" asked Haley, her speech difficult as she could feel more changes coming over her.


"Finally," said Elizabeth, clapping mockingly. "You finally worked it out...It's almost like you're a journalist" said Elizabeth as Haley glared at her.


"I am a journalist, investigating is my job," said Haley, feeling an increasing difficulty to stand as her feet grew, slipping out of her sandals as she could feel the sensations beginning to change them.


"Adding animals is my job, remember?" said Elizabeth as she smiled sadistically, sitting back to watch the show as Haley found herself unable to stand any longer. She dropped to her knees as she blinked, feeling her mind getting a little hazy.


"This can't be happening...people just don't turn into animals," thought Haley as she looked around. The enclosure certainly felt nice, the grass was lush, she had branches to climb on...


"No!" thought Haley, shaking her head as she tried to clear her mind. However, her struggles were futile as she could feel her mind becoming increasingly dominated with Serval instincts.


She felt a prickling emerging from her face as she felt something forcing its way out. She could feel whiskers forming which shifted in the air, picking up the small breeze as Haley could feel a warmth forming in her ears, inevitably setting them up as next to change.


She could feel her ears stretching out, prickling with fur as they grew out. She felt her hearing improve considerably as she noticed Elizabeth was talking to the creature beside her. However, something within Haley's mind was making it difficult to understand as she was beginning to wonder why she should be able to understand them.


"Why do I need to understand...I'm a Serval, not human" thought Haley, a sense of fear within her which was beginning to be deafened by her instincts as they grew stronger, leaving what remained of Haley's human mind powerless within her body as she could feel an itchy sensation spreading across her body.


She felt her fear subsiding as the fur began to spread down from her ears as her body prickled, pale yellow fur was forming across her back as white fur spread across her chest and stomach, black spots covering the vast pelt as she could feel her body shifting, becoming better bound for being on all fours as she could feel her tail growing to the proper size, having large black rings and a black tip.


"Yes, look more natural...pelt natural," thought Haley as she felt her tail shifting. It soon felt natural, as if she was born with it as she could feel the sensations spreading to her face.


Haley could feel her new emerging animal instincts increasing as her face stretched out, beginning to form into a muzzle as her clothes were becoming increasingly uncomfortable. She struggled to get free from the confinement of her clothes as she felt herself becoming annoyed by the noise that Elizabeth was making. She soon heard a sound that pained her now large ears. It sounded like a whistle blowing as Haley found herself unable to concentrate on anything other than Elizabeth.


"I don't need to understand her, she...she...master. I only need to obey her" thought Haley as her eyes glazed momentarily, soon returning to their natural state. She was then reminded of her discomfort in the strange baggy cloth things she was weaning as she focused on removing them from her body.


Haley bent down as she slipped out of her jacket, wondering how she had gotten that on her as the trousers fell to the floor, allowing the soon to be Serval to walk out of them. Her muzzle was stretching to a proper feline size as new thoughts dominated Haley's mind, overwhelming her with animal instincts as her eyes began to darken, sealing her change as unknown to her, her human memories were being forced out in favour of a new animal mind.


"No, it cannot end like this!" begged Haley internally, her human mind trying one last time to keep control. It was soon snuffed out by her new animal instincts as her eyes darkened completely, indicating that whatever remained human of Haley was now suppressed under the control of her new animal instincts.


The new Serval looked around, purring with approval at its new enclosure.


Haley looked around, her mind now dominated by her new instincts as she looked at her spectators. She purred in curiosity as she eyed them, her tail shifting from side to side. It then suddenly ran, hiding behind a log as if it was trying to hide. Despite the attempt, her tail and ears were still clearly visible.


As the new Serval became acquainted with its new enclosure, green energy began to seep out of the enclosure. It began to be absorbed by the Spirit as it fed on the energy, feeling a small sense of rejuvenation as it began to look less malnourished.


"It's not enough," said the Spirit, the energy had made it feel slightly better but it was aware it wouldn't last.


Elizabeth looked to the Spirit, noticing its unease as it shuddered. She reached out to the Spirit, opening her arms as the Spirit made itself tangible as the pair were locked in a deep hug.


"I'm going to miss this you know," said Elizabeth, tightening the hug as the Spirit complied, moving into it as the pair embraced the moment, hoping to stretch it for as long as possible.


The moment was eventually interrupted as Elizabeth heard her phone ring. She broke the hug as she looked at the contact information, surprised that Rebecca was on the other line.


"Sorry, I need to take this," said Elizabeth as she held the phone up to her ear, answering the call.


"Hello, Rebecca? you feeling ok?" asked Elizabeth.


"I'm feeling better than yesterday" replied Rebecca, taking a moment before adding "Why don't we go for a drink tonight? could do with clearing the air a little."


Elizabeth thought for a moment, wondering if Rebecca was trying to trick her. Eventually, Elizabeth conceded, figuring it was a moot point by now. "Sure, sounds good. I just need to tie up some loose ends then I'll be coming home" said Elizabeth.


"Of course, speak to you soon" finished Rebecca as she hung up, leaving Elizabeth with the Spirit.


"Unfortunately, I can't stick around much longer. I do have errands to do" said Elizabeth, feeling a sense of closure as she prepared to depart from the Zoo.


"I guess this is...goodbye?" said the Spirit, noticing Elizabeth nodding as it kept a strong face for her sake.


"Before I leave...I forgive you for what you did. Thank you for everything" finished Elizabeth as she exited through the stone archways, locked the gate and departed from the Zoo.


The Spirit found itself unable to move as it saw Elizabeth pulling away in her 'car'. It tried to follow but found itself being pulled back, unable to leave the Zoo. It tried once more, then again, and again. Each attempt only resulted in the Spirit being forced back within the confinement of the Zoo.


"It's like being stuck in my own cage," said the Spirit as it couldn't hold back its tears any longer. They hit the ground as the Spirit continued to sob, depression beginning to come over it as it finally forced out all the tears it could.


"At least Elizabeth forgave me," thought the Spirit bittersweetly, reasoning it would at least go back to sleep with no regrets.


However, it found its thoughts drifting to another. It remembered Charlotte as it began to feel apologetic about how it had treated her.


"I went too far," thought the Spirit as it felt sorrowful for the girl, especially after knowing that Charlotte was currently missing.


"I guess I'll be going with almost no regrets," thought the Spirit as it could sense the penguins needing it. It flew back towards the penguins, considering the uncertainty of its future.


It hovered above the penguin enclosure, determined to keep them safe till its last breath.


"Hopefully, they'll have a future even if I don't" was the final thought the Spirit had before settling to guard the penguins, resisting the urge to sleep once more.


Its end was drawing near as the Spirit was only stalling the inevitable. Still, it would resist, if only to stay alive for a moment longer.


A moment it would have to cherish alone.