The hands gripping the veterinarian's shoulders tightened. He hesitated, "I suppose... yes?"
The pressure on his shoulders eased. The European man turned and asked something in Italian to someone behind him.
Only then did the veterinarian notice a European girl hiding behind the man.
He sighed in relief, barely getting out, "Can I leave now?" before the two burly men exchanged glances, their eyes on him as if he were a piece of meat.
"Take him to feed the dogs."
He heard the heavy breathing of the hunting dogs. The beasts seemed to understand the command, ready to tear him apart.
"No," the European girl, who had been hiding behind the man, stepped forward. Speaking in English, she argued, "Mike... the little elephant will need treatment in the future. He can still be useful."
"You can lock him up," she added in a quieter voice, "like me."
"Do as she says."
"And put the elephant on the truck."
The first command was tolerable—just a matter of a human life. But the second—
"Isn't that against the rules?"
Liam locked the elephant cage, smiling faintly, "What rules?"
"Or how about this? I won't interfere with this matter today. Do whatever you want—force-feed it or whatever. Just don't let it starve to death."
The two mercenaries looked at each other, mulling it over before finally understanding.
They nearly let a scapegoat go.
If Liam took charge, whether the elephant lived or died would have nothing to do with them.
The first one to understand changed his expression, quickly fetching a chain from the corner and an elephant hook, placing them in front of Liam.
"With these, it won't disobey."
Liam rubbed his brow, looking troubled, "But what if we encounter a herd?"
The man hesitated, then handed over his gun.
"In that case, we can have another opening at the end of the month."
They laughed freely. Amelia felt uncomfortable, silently moving into the shadows.
Liam didn't look at her, his expression calm as he left the factory.
"I'm going to get the car."
As his figure disappeared from sight, Amelia pretended to bend down to tie her shoelaces, stealthily reaching down.
When she stood up, a key was hidden in her sleeve.
It was the one she lost that night.
She had just discovered that Liam never picked it up.
Did he forget?
YOU ARE READING
Predator
RomansaShe used to think that hyenas were the fiercest predators on the savannah. That was until she met him, a man who navigated the African black market with ease, instantly seeing through her true identity. "Choose to follow me? Or be chewed up until n...
