The family arrived at the zoo, there were loads of excited eyes ready to take a look at the new animals. Zephyrs' were no exception. He could barely wait for the gates to open and for them to buy a ticket. The gates opened. In front of the ticket booth, a long line formed, all you could hear were the sound of enthusiasm, and annoyance from kids who were in the back of the row. The Reed family was in the middle of the line, so it could have been worse for them.
I'm so excited - Exclaimed Zephyr in joy.
So are we - answered Darya, Zephyr could tell that she was excited, as her voice gets slightly higher from her usual when she is enthusiastic about something.
After a good fifteen minutes of waiting, there was only one woman in front of them, but she was arguing with the employee at the gate, about how just two days ago, the prices were lower. The worker tried to explain why it isn't his job to set the prices, but he was unsuccessful. The parents let out an almost orchestrated sigh, but Zephyr dismissed this conversation entirely as he was too excited to notice.
The woman stormed off in a fit of rage without buying a ticket.
The family moved forward, bought their tickets, and started looking for the new animals that were moved in according to the newspaper.
Zephyr advanced towards the snakes with excitement of course. He really wanted to know if they brought in any new snakes. He wouldn't have been disappointed if only the usual suspects were there, as he always liked looking at them, but seeing new snakes would have definitely made him even more joyful.
Zeph, look there! - Said Sebastian pointing towards an unfamiliar terrarium, which had a snake in it.
The reptile was peacefully resting on a big, smooth rock.
What snake is that? - Asked Zephyr, who had his eyes fixated on the reptile.
It's an Australian Copperhead, honey - Answered Darya with a peaceful smile, it warmed her heart to see her son openly excited about something, because it wasn't usually the case.
Australian? So cool! It travelled from all the way there? - He gasped.
More or less... - Responded Sebastian smiling at the naivety of his son.
Zephyr's nose almost touched the glass that was in between the child and the snake.
Careful, honey the glass isn't very clean! - Said Darya before his nose could touch the surface.
Zephyr leant back a little, but he still was very fixated on the snake. The parents looked away for a bit, to see what the other snakes were up to, but Zephyr didn't. He seemed to be excited more about the newcomer. As soon as they did, the snake immediately raised its head, started slithering closer to Zephyr, without breaking eye contact. Strangely Zephyr didn't mind the staring, he rather enjoyed it. He tilted his head left to right, to see what the snake would do, and it copied it. He started to move his head more rapidly, the snake followed it flawlessly. Zephyr raised his eyebrows, but all the snake did was nod, and went back onto its cosy rock, and continued resting.
He didn't say anything of this incident to his parents, because he just thought that the snake had a funny day, and felt like creeping the people out or something. Zephyr checked out the usual snakes, all of them followed him with their eyes as he passed. Now he was feeling uneasy. He didn't appreciate the fixated eyes behind his parents one bit.
He continued on, making sure to make the best out of the day, trying to visit every animal. Even though he didn't like the other animals as much as snakes, he knew that if he were to only look at them, his parents would get annoyed with him. He looked around, to see if any of the other animals were acting strangely like the snakes were, but most of them didn't even notice him passing by. It made him think, but still thought it to be a coincidence.
Did you like that snake? You had quite the affinity with it - Asked Sebastian smiling at Zephyr.
Yes - He answered, but to Sebastian it didn't really seem genuine.
Anything on your mind, little guy? - He asked wonderingly.
No dad, nothing - He lied, but put more effort into it than his last answer.
If anything's wrong, tell me - He said softly, then started walking the family home.
Okay - Zephyr answered in his usual calm, collected manners, and went with his parents, even if he wasn't as calm as he acted.
