As soon as the chimp was spotted, hospital security jumped into action, calling for an evacuation right away. “Everyone, please proceed to the nearest exit calmly!” they shouted, their voices firm yet reassuring, cutting through the air. They moved quickly, guiding the bewildered crowd, making it clear they were leaving nothing to chance with a wild chimp on the loose inside the building. “Stay together and follow me!” they directed, ensuring no one was left behind in the scramble to safety.
With a resolve that surprised even herself, Jessie made her decision. She would lead the chimp into a nearby room, hoping to contain the situation and buy some time to think. The plan, formed on the spur of the moment, worked better than she dared hope. The sound of the door closing behind them was sharp, a definitive click that seemed to seal their fates together in that confined space. The air turned dense, charged with an anticipation that weighed heavily on her shoulders. “What now?”
Jessie, pressed her back against the door she had just shut. She could feel the change. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched the transformation unfold. The chimp’s pant-hoot, a deep, rumbling sound that seemed to vibrate through the floor, filled the room.