The Last Elephant Keeper

Part 27

As she finished, Khumo stood up and wiped her eyes. She turned to face the elephants, who were still watching her with their gentle eyes. She knew what she needed to do next.

"Friends," she began, " I appreciate you being here."

A chorus of trumpeting elephants echoed through the air, their rich, loud calls a sign of acceptance and welcome. As they encircled Khumo in a wall of silence, their massive bodies radiated warmth and strength, offering a unique kind of comfort. Khumo felt a surge of emotion at the sight of these gentle giants, realizing that a mother had formed a key part of them.

"Thank you," she whispered, tears still streaming down her face. "Thank you for being here with me."

Night fell, and Khumo felt at ease enough to spend the night in the shelter. The elephants seemed to enjoy the mossy shrubs around the rocks near the shelter. Khumo needed time to gather her thoughts before leading them to the next unknown place. Resting in the comfort of the shelter would help her prepare for the journey ahead.

A sense of calm washed over her as she realized that she had paid tribute to her mother in the best way she knew how. Though she would always feel the ache of missing her mother, she now possessed the fortitude to carry on. She reminded herself of this often, finding strength in the idea that she could persevere despite her loss.

After fixing herself a meal and bidding the elephants goodnight, Khumo settled down for some rest. She found a comfortable mattress, which happened to be John's, and let the softness envelope her. As the familiar scent of her mother's perfume wafted around her, an unexpected sensation overtook her. Closing her eyes, for a moment, she almost felt her mother's presence beside her. In her mind's eye, she imagined her mother's comforting embrace and her soothing words, telling her that everything would be alright

The room was small and cosy, with warm, muted colours adorning the walls. A soft glow emanated from a nearby lamp, casting gentle shadows across the room. A gentle breeze whispered through the open window, rustling the curtains and bringing with it the distant sound of the elephants outside. As sleep enveloped her, Khumo felt grateful for the chance to rest in her mother's bed once more. It was as if her mother was giving her one last embrace, one final reminder of her love.

As morning dawned, Khumo awakened feeling revitalized and reinvigorated. Though the burden of her grief still loomed, it felt slightly more manageable. Sitting up, she surveyed the room, taking in the memories that enveloped her. The paintings on the walls, the trinkets on the dresser, and the clothes hanging in the closet all held a piece of her mother, and the life she had built with a man she had grown to cherish, as she maintained a lifestyle as a stay in girlfriend.

Khumo found peace in the fact that her mother's possessions still surrounded her, allowing her to cling to them for a little while longer. She rose from the bed and began to get dressed. Heading down the stairs, she paused to gaze out the window. The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon, painting the landscape with a golden hue. In the distance, the gentle trumpeting of the elephants reached her ears, reminding her of the majesty and strength of the natural world.

As Khumo stepped outside, a sense of uncertainty clung to her like a second skin. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety as she approached the elephants. Part of her worried about getting lost or leading the team down the wrong path, and she feared the repercussions of her mistakes.

But just as Blaze had come to her aid earlier, it seemed that Hope was about to do the same. The Matriarch, her movements graceful and deliberate, walked over to Khumo and extended her trunk, offering her a trinket. Khumo took it, surprised at the unexpected gift, but as she looked closer, she realized that the trinket was more than just a simple bauble. It was a set of coordinates, precisely what she needed to guide the team further on their journey.

Despite the relief that washed over her, a faint twinge of frustration still lingered within Khumo. She couldn't help but feel annoyed by the idea that someone else might have tried to set up a "convenient" handout for her. She dashed over to Whisper, Flash, and Thunder, determined to make sure her mother had not setup any other convenient tips.