The Zookeeper

Ch. 1: A Zookeeper

You would think that most kids at a zoo accident, where a dangerous animal broke out, would not become a Zookeeper when they grow up. Well, if you think that's true, you haven't met Luz Noceda. When she was a little kid, she went to a zoo when a pack of African Painted Dogs managed to escape and cornered her. Her mom nearly had a heart attack when that happened... but that was nothing compared to her reaction when they started to play with Luz like she was one of their pups. To this day, neither Luz or Camila know why or how, but Luz has the ability to talk to animals. Now, only a month away from her twenty third birthday, Luz is the best zookeeper at the San Diego Zoo.

"Mija, are you ready?" Camila asked.

"Coming, Mom." Luz said.

Ever since they moved to San Diego, when Luz was ten, Luz immediately wanted to spend every day at the zoo, wanting to test out her power more. It wasn't long before she knew every animal in the entire zoo. The zoo first noticed that she was special when she would calm down animals while her mom worked on them at the zoo's vet. Naturally, they gave her an internship there. By the time she was eighteen, she was already specialized with every animal. Luz and Camila got into the car and drove to the zoo.

"So, which animal are you going to be with today?" Camila asked.

"The Giraffes." Luz said.

Camila smirked.

"So, you'll be by the 'Cute Giraffe Keeper'." Camila said.

Luz blushed.

"T-t-that is not appropriate." Luz said, "I should not date a co-worker."

"Even when, and these are your words, 'They are the cutest person you've ever meet'?" Camila asked.

Luz blushed furiously and looked at her mom.

"The Tiger is right about you." Luz said.

"Wait, what does the tiger say about me?"

"I'm not telling."

They made is to the zoo and went their separate ways. Luz clocked in and made her way to the Giraffe exhibit. She entered the back room where the Giraffe's were kept before being let out for the day, where she saw the brunette girl feeding one.

"There you go, you like that girl?" She asked the giraffe, while petting its side.

"Hey, Amity." Luz said, "How's the poor girl doing?"

"After breaking her leg, she doing pretty good." Amity said.

The giraffe leaned her neck over and started to rub against Luz's head. This caused Luz to laugh and pet her head.

"I know, I missed you too." Luz said.

"I swear, some days it's like you can talk to animals." Amity said.

"Yeah, that would be pretty cool." Luz said, "Now, let's get to work so this girl can finally stretch her legs."