The Last Elephant Keeper

Part 11

Her feet carried her swiftly, and she dared not look back at the juvenile elephant she was leaving behind. That fleeting thought of the creature's desperate pursuit lingered in the back of her mind, but she dismissed it like an unwelcome intruder. The weight of her actions bore down on her, but she was unwilling to confront the consequences of her departure.

Suddenly, a heart-rending cry cut through the air, piercing her conscience. The sound was unmistakable - the young elephant had stumbled and called out for help. Khumo's resolve wavered for a fraction of a second, and she turned to witness the heartbreaking sight before her.

Her eyes widened in horror as she collided with the sturdy frame of the eldest member of the herd, a wise and heavily wrinkled giant. In that moment of impact, Khumo felt a visceral connection, as if time had slowed, and the universe conspired to make her confront the consequences of her choices.

Struggling to her feet, Khumo felt her entire being weighed down by shame and regret. She looked towards the other adult elephants, hoping for a sign of understanding, forgiveness, or even some shared compassion.

Khumo's eyes searched desperately for a glimmer of recognition or compassion from the herd, but she was met only with cold indifference. Her heart sank, realizing that she was just an outsider to them, a mere intruder in their world. Yet, something even more perplexing unfolded before her.

Blaze, one of the eldest members of the herd, moved with a deliberate calmness toward the young toddler elephant. Khumo's breath caught in her throat as Blaze extended her trunk and gently grasped the little one by the ear, coaxing it closer to the group. The sight left her baffled and bewildered, unable to comprehend the meaning behind this peculiar act.

The herd seemed to be setting off on a journey, their decision shrouded in mystery. Khumo's mind raced with questions, her eyes darting from one massive figure to another. Why were they leaving now? Did they not sense the approaching storm, the imminent danger?

Fueled by her concern for the herd and the toddler, Khumo couldn't stay silent.

"Hey! A storm is coming. Go back to the valley!" She pleaded.

For a brief moment, she caught the attention of one member of the herd. Their eyes met, and Khumo sensed a flicker of acknowledgment. But before she could grasp onto that sliver of hope, the herd seemed to dismiss her with a dismissive rumble, a deep bass remark that underscored their disinterest.

With a heavy sigh, Khumo turned away, taking one last glance at the herd. The toddler elephant seemed content and safe among them.

Khumo's breaths came in ragged gasps as she sprinted towards her mother's secluded cabin, seeking solace and safety. She couldn't deny the relief that surged through her, knowing she had finally broken free from the burden of the elephants. No longer did guilt gnaw at her conscience; she had chosen herself.

With each step she took, Khumo couldn't help but notice the herd's persistent presence, mirroring her journey like ghostly companions. It was a strange sight, as if the wilderness itself conspired to remind her of the connection she had tried to sever. She tried to ignore the eerie coincidence, dismissing it as a trick of her mind or a meaningless occurrence.

The storm's fury intensified, whipping the winds into a frenzy and unleashing torrents of sands. Arriving at the cabin, Khumo couldn't help but feel a heavy headache. It was a place she had tried to put behind her, a refuge she had hoped not to return to. Yet, as she stepped inside, the familiar odour had crept into her. And even as the storm raged outside, she calmed herself with a seat down, and took the time to learn more about the elephant's from her mother's notebook.

For days on end, the storm had relentlessly held Khumo captive within the confines of her mother's cabin. The relentless howling of the wind and the ceaseless downpour drummed on the rooftop, creating an overwhelming sense of isolation. As the storm raged outside, Khumo's thoughts were drawn to the unsettling revelation she had stumbled upon.

With each passing day, she became increasingly aware of the elephants' quiet presence lingering near the cabin. The sight of their massive bodies, covered in fine silt from the constant barrage of windblown particles.