Hugo, behind the wheel of the car, peeked in the mirror to observe the two little kids in the back seat and smiled before turning back his gaze towards the road. On his right was his friend, the father of Adele, who laughed. They talked together about the destination and others things that concerned the adults themselves far from the children's ears.
The two children were quite excited it seems. Especially Adele.
"We're going to the zoo ! We're going to the zoo ! So cool ! I will see my favorite animal !"
" Which one ?"
" A secret eheh, you will see ! and yours ? "
" Dragon of course ! Eh. "
She showed him her tongue
" Stupid ! " And she laughed.
Her father than smiled and said :
" Hey Addie, we don't call a birthday boy 'stupid' and not anyone else by the way. it's impolite ! "
She grimaced back at him, giving her answer. It truly was a jovial atmosphere.
' Birthday boy... Anyway, I really want to see this place. '
The Park was large and full of trees everywhere. They walked around and saw many cages, some made of glasses, others not. There were quite a lot of strange animals, funny looking ones, cute ones, scary ones. Looking at reptiles he remembered going to the national museum previously. When he first saw the skeletons of the great and mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex, he was baffled.
' I want one to ride into battle ! '
Then he remarked a label in front of one of the glass cage with "Komodo's Dragon" written on it. Thrilled, yet suspicious, he ran to it and then saw... a giant lizard. Such a disappointment.
Adele had followed him and then snickered at him while grinning.
" Here's your dragon. Eh. "
She really was a little troublemaker. However, he liked her enough to bear with it. It was amusing with her around. Ultimately, there were often together, only the two of them. They both didn't really get along with others after all. But in Charles' case, it was because he thought :
' How could an adult bother befriending children ? Or how should I even raise them into loyal supporters... It's giving me a headache. Let's simply not bother with them. '
Later on, after the midday's snack, or picnic as they called it, they got ice creams. It was a really refreshing dessert. Hugo then asked them if they wanted a balloon. He said no and she said yes. So she received one. But he played with it a little, wondering how it could float. He got an answer quickly and his curiosity was somewhat satisfied.
' A special air huh. Are you taking me for an idiot ? No for a child I suppose...'
He wandered around peacefully until Adele caught his hand and started whispering in his ears :
" Hey. When do you become King ?"
A bit surprised, he simply responded in the same fashion :
" Dunno, later. But why do we whisper ?"
Continuing their secret conversation, she answered :
" Dunno. But if you become king, on TV they said it was a 'Coup d'Etat' ! "
"... What's a 'Coup d'Etat' ? "
She then laughed loudly.
" Don't know ahahah !"
"Eh. You idiot."
He turned back to stare at the two adults not two far away and suddenly thought about something.
This time he was the one who murmured at her ear.
" Where's your mom ? "
" Don't have one. "
" Why ? "
" She ran away ! And my dad isn't my dad, like you and gramps ! "
" What !? "
She stopped walking and stared at him strangely and guffawed, confusing Charles.
" I was joking. I lied ! "
He narrowed his eyes and scrutinized her for a while. And almost at the same time, they turned to look at their parents yet they couldn't see them anywhere. They were surprised. Indeed, they have walked while talking, took a few turns, but it surely wouldn't lead to them being lost. Or so they thought. Their eyes met and they kept looking at each other for a few seconds. Charles was the one to break eye contact and sighed heavily. Adele didn't seem to be very comfortable. She tried to discreetly take Charles' hand but he already had seen this coming so he took the initiative. She timidly smiled at him. However at that moment, she heard a familiar sound, and smiling brightly again, she ran in that direction, leaving Charles behind. Only a child could have his mood turn over in an instant. It was hard to deal with it sometimes.
" Hey ! Don't run away ! "
He obviously ran after her just to find her stop before a barrier. Inside, there was a majestic and giant "cat" roaring at another "cat". The piercing gaze, the black stripes upon a reddish fur. The Tiger. He laughed while rolling his eyes.
' Of course it could only be such creature. Her majesty Addy has quite the eye I see. But what can I say, it fits her very well. '
He observed her glittering eyes and clapping hands, the perfect image of a happy little girl. He only had to ruin it by taking her away by her arm.
" Now dear, we need to go find them ! "
' I wonder for how long we were separated. Must hurry. '
It was a never-ending story. This time it was Charles who stopped. He had already seen it in picture books but that still amazed him. The Giraffe.
' Like... What the actual fuck !? In what mysterious way is a long neck useful ? Why. Though I like it but certainly not to ride. It looks like a slide which is way too high. '
He stared at the funny animal like an excited child.
They finally began to walk away from the long neck just to be intercepted by a guy who tapped his shoulder. He looked up to him and assessed him. It was a young man, maybe in his twenties, short chestnut hair well kept, a friendly smile, clear brown eyes with thin and arched brows, kinda charming and youthful. he had a mole under his right ear, a little scar over his right eyebrow. He also had a camera around his neck. He recalled the first time he used that thing. It was an 'instant painting maker' which luckily didn't capture souls. His thoughts went astray for a while. He was finally brought back to reality by the unknown guy.
" Hey kids. Are you lost ? I can help you if you are. "
" Ah well yes. "
He was caught unprepared unfortunately for him. He answered too quickly to his taste. He remembered the lessons about people and the lessons about not following anyone by Hugo. As if he would do something so stupid. But what's done is done. No point about crying over spilled milk.
" I'll show you the way don't worry. Take my hand so you don't get lost again. "
Charles wasn't sure at first but looking around and seeing other kids holding hand he had to remember the 'oh so wise' words of the old man.
' When in Rome, do as the Romans do. So one has to imitate those around in order to be accepted, really ? What a tiresome world ! '
He hadn't had to worry about that previously. He always had been himself, simply respecting the laws and acting like his father... Wait. He facepalmed internally, mocking himself for his stupidity, before taking the offered hand. Adele watched them both curiously while playing with her balloon in her other hand.
They began to walk in a not so leisurely manner in one direction.
" What's your name kids ? Mine's Ben. "
" We do- "
" Charlie and Addy ! "
Charles sighed before looking around. They kept going for a little while, taking one turn and then he saw them.
" Ah ! Over there ! "
" Hmm... It shouldn't be though.."
" Eh. It's not us who are lost it seems dude ! "
Honestly speaking, Charles knew he could have traced his way back with a tiny bit of effort but he had to run after a certain girl before meeting Ben. And Ben looked at him, puzzled. His gaze then wandered around, seemingly nervous. So Charles let go of his hand and ran towards the duo with Adele, leaving Ben behind.
" Hey Gramps ! "
The one in question raised his head and looked over with a beaming smile.
" Finally ! Where did you go you damn brats !? "
Adele threw herself into her father arms and laughed.
Later, when they had to leave the zoo, Charles gave the "cages" one last look as he thoughts about the principle behind having animals stuck there. Was there a reason ? Why ? Or was it simply to satisfy human's curiosity, to entertain them ? But then he pondered.
"...Isn't TV kinda a human zoo in that case ? "
The two man looked at each other and smiled bitterly.
Something kept bothering him. Maybe it was his gut feeling so he peeked once again behind him for instant but stopped bothering with it quickly as his belly grumbled.
' I'm simply hungry. What time is it already ? '
In the car on the way back, he yawned and thought again.
' ... Was it human trafficking ? Or do I over think ? hmmm... well, whatever. '