Amara’s pulse raced as the sudden commotion tore through the group. The elephant had appeared from nowhere, its trumpeting roar scattering the tourists like leaves in a storm. People screamed, darting off the path in every direction, barely looking back as the massive creature barreled after them.
Frozen, Amara pressed against the tree, too terrified to even breathe. The tourists had fled without a second thought, abandoning her to face the beast alone. Slowly, the elephant turned its attention to her, its powerful trunk lowering near her shoulder. Amara’s mind screamed for her to run, but her legs wouldn’t obey.
To her utter astonishment, the elephant nudged her hand with a surprising gentleness. Its eyes met hers as though urging her to understand. With ears flapping and a quiet nudge, it became apparent to her that the elephant wanted to be followed, and despite everything, she took her first hesitant steps into the unknown.