The mother gorilla let out another low rumble, her dark eyes searching Paul’s face. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. “Please,” he whispered, placing a hand on her arm. “Trust me. I’ll come back. I won’t let them fend for themselves, I promise.”
She seemed to hesitate, her heavy breathing steadying as she finally shifted her gaze away. Paul stood, his legs trembling. “I’ll come back,” he said again, more firmly this time, as though reassuring himself. He wiped his eyes quickly, steeling his resolve.