Elephant Heist

“I could live a thousand lives… and never again a moment like this.”

Aida gingerly slid the heavy gate, the metal’s agonizing creaking a problem they hadn’t solved. “I pray none of us ever live a moment like this again, Mick – and so should you!”

Mick’s face fell, though Claire could scarcely tell in the shadows. They stole across the grass and slipped into the structure like shadows themselves.

“It smells,” complained Bobby.

“What’d you expect?” Mick snapped.

“Is it going to make our house smell like this?” Bobby sneezed.

Claire rested a hand on their prize. “Shhhhh. Hurry. There’s rumors about an air raid.” She mounted the creature. “If the soldiers see us, it’s over for her.”

“It’s over for us all.”

Claire pulled Bobby up behind her, Aida took the lead as Mick guarded the rear. Sirens wailed and the young elephant quickened her pace, as eager to escape as the young thieves.

Panicked soldiers raced on the path above them, none thinking about orphans -- human or elephant.

“Soldiers took our mother, too.” Claire whispered into Rosie’s rumpled ear. “Mick says they won’t win.”

“Bullies never win,” Mick resolved. “Never.”