Afraid

Chapter 13

Newt, Jacob and Rayla rush through the park. While they were crossing a bridge, an ostrich tore past them, seeming to run for its life.

They heard a loud rumbling noise causing Rayla to raise an eyebrow and look at Newt.

Newt doesn't notice as he is pulling out a helmet and handing it to Jacob.

"Put this on."

Jacob looked at him, confused.

"Why would I have to wear something like this?"

"Because your skull is susceptible to breakage under immense force."

Newt runs off, followed closely by Rayla. Looking terrified, Jacob puts on the helmet and runs after the two.

They stop in front of the half-empty zoo. The outer walls at the front were destroyed and there was a pile of rubble at the entrance.

Another roar echoed around the brick walls. Newt pulls out a breastplate that matched the helmet on Jacob's head.

"Okay, if you just pop this on."

He stood behind Jacob and fastened the back.

"Okay."

"Now, there's absolutely nothing for you to worry about."

"Tell me, has anyone ever believed you when you told them not to worry?"

"My philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice."

Rayla nods, contemplating this.

"Smart. And, for the record, I'd believe you if you told me not to worry."

Newt smiled at her. He picked up his case and the three of them made their way over the pile of rubble.

A loud snort comes from within the zoo.

"She's in season. She needs to mate."

"Well, clearly, the way she's advancing on that poor hippo. She's like, four times the size of him!"

Newt chuckled quietly as he brought out a small vial of liquid. He used his teeth to pull out the stopper and spit it to the side, dabbing a tiny bit of the liquid on each of his wrists.

Jacob and Rayla look at him.

"What is that? It's not the most... pleasant scent."

"Erumpet musk. She's mad for it."

"This better work."

Newt passed the still-open vial to Jacob and walked slowly to the Erumpet. He placed his case on the ground and slowly opened it. He then began a mating ritual, which consisted of a series of grunts, wiggles and groans.

The Erumpet turned to him, now more interested in Newt then the hippo. They circle around before Newt rolled and the Erumpet copies him. As she did so, she moved nearer to the open case.

"Good girl... come on.. into the case..."

Jacob took a whiff of the musk, and as he does so a fish flew through the air, hits him and spilled the musk on him.

He turned to see a seal sitting there, almost smugly.

"Shoo!"

The seal ran off.

"Uh oh."

Jacob turned at the sound of Rayla's voice, to see the Erumpet on her feet and looking directly at him.

The Erumpet charged towards Jacob, bellowing loudly. Jacob runs away as fast as he can, crying out.

Newt drew his wand.

"Repar-"

But before he can finish casting the spell, a baboon takes his wand and runs off with it.

"Merlin's beard!"

"You might want to get that!"

Rayla brings out her own wand, "Repairo."

The walls of the zoo repaired themselves as Newt attempted to get his wand back.

There was a loud bang, causing Rayla to turn around and witness as the baboon flew backwards.

"I'm so sorry."

"Just grab your wand!"

She grabbed his hand and took of to where Jacob and the Erumpet ran off too.

They run down a hill, seeing Jacob and the Erumpet sliding around the ice. Rayla looks to her side to see Newt gone. She looks back at the ice and saw Newt there, case open, sliding athletically to the Erumpet.

With the Erumpet just a few feet from Jacob, Newt manages to get the Erumpet back in the case. Of course, she did give Jacob a little gift before being swallowed by the depths of the case.

Rayla saw the two men shake hands and Apparated down to them.

"Two down, one to go. In you hop."

The three of them climb into the case, one by one. Once the case closed, Tina rushed around the corner and sat on it, closing the latches.