There was noise—noise he really didn't want to be hearing. It was trampling, and then a loud noise (maybe a scream? a gasp?) that was followed by rustling bushes. Almost immediately, the zoo went from dead silence to noisy, just like a regular zoo might be on a busy day.

Alarmed, Finnian glanced back towards Mrs. Bones and firmly took hold of her hand as they stood, this time more for his own comfort than hers. Were they going to die? Would it be safer to stay there? Or should they go?

He looked at her expectantly as if she would answer his unspoken question.

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