"Hey there boy." I said softly, not to disturb him.
Nibbling on shrubs, Emrie perked up and began looking around as soon as he heard my voice.
He stood up and started making impatient rumbling sounds when he didn't see me immediately.
"Calm down boy. I'm right here!" I giggled, standing in front of him with a bright red apple that I took from one of the trays belonging to the guests.
Emrie started flapping his ears enthusiastically at the treat I had brought him. Apples were his favorite.
"Her you go boy." I said, showing him the apple on my flat palm.
He wrapped his trunk around it and placed it in his mouth chomping down as the juices splattered out the sides of his mouth.
I laughed at the sight of his happiness. I tried to steal an apple for him every time I visited him. He was always so grateful.
He would take his ears and wrap them around me to hug me every time I gave him an apple.
Emrie was an extremely large black elephant. His ears were tripled so they created what I like to call, a dance, when he flapped them. It was beautiful. It was like magic.
Emite was found by Damien years ago. No one knows how or when exactly but Damien used every moment to his advantage, so Emrie became a main attraction along with me.
Our routine was very unique. I would start with a ballet dance with a glowing ring that would raise me a few feet off of the floor and then Emerie would be revealed.
I would climb onto Emrie's foot, and he would lift me up to the sky. I would slip and fall, which looked like I was falling into his mouth, but his ears would disguise it.
I made my way around and underneath his ear to the top of his head and finish my dance on his back.
The audience gasped every time.
Emrie and I laughed at their naiveness. It was a pretty interesting routine.
Emrie was my best friend. If I got hurt, he felt it. If he got hurt, I felt it. It was like we were connected.
He made my days a little easier. I would talk to him like he could understand me. A part of me really felt he did.
"Are you ready Emrie?" I asked him, as I gently rubbed the side of his face.
He slowly began to stand up and shake off a little.
"Ok boy, lets go." I said, as I turned around to guide Emrie to the performance area.
"Hey! What are you doing here? A loud, angry voice shouted. Emrie flinched at the sound.
"What do you mean? I came for Emrie. I always do." I glared into his eyes.
He was weak and impatient. I could tell. "What are you doing here?" I snapped back.
"Damien told us to bring him. He doesn't want any issues little girl." Looking away from me, the dirty man revealed a thick black chain and wand. My heart sank.
"What are those for?" I asked.
"You ask a lot of questions little girl. Go get in line while I bring him out."
"He doesn't need that!" I yelled.
Emrie trumpeted and moved towards the back of his cell. "Out of my way." He said, pushing me aside and walking towards Emrie.
Losing balance, I tripped backwards, bracing myself on the wall.
The man snapped the chain around Emrie's neck and began pulling him out of his holding area.
Emrie began to pull away at the discomfort. The other dirty man took the wand and turned it on. There was a blue electric light emitting to the top of it.
"Wait!" I shouted, walking slowly towards Emrie.
I placed my hand on the side of his face and spoke calmly. "Emrie, don't be afraid. We will fix this. Stay calm so they don't hurt you. I will see you in the ring."
He seemed to understand what I was saying, and he followed my instructions.
I didn't understand what was happening. Emrie was not aggressive. He was the gentlest elephant you could ever meet.
My blood began to boil as I marched out of the holding area to take my place in the performance line.
Damien would be hearing from me about this.