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“Come,” The chimpanzee motioned with his paw. “You must meet Koba.” He turned his back as a smile grew across his face. His form sunk to the ground with his front paws brushing the rocky dirt.
“Caesar,” The man stepped forward, making the ape look over his shoulder. He tilted his head. The man’s eyes darted to the ground. “Are you sure it’s safe? I mean, he attacked us last time.”
“I’m sure Koba has learned. He trusts me.” Caesar responded, turning to face the path in front of him. “I won’t let him hurt you, Malcolm. I promise.”
Caesar and Malcolm approached the large, expansive house made of wood. Atop, stood Koba, looking out into the dusky distance. His gaze shifted down. A grimace crossed his scarred face as his heart skipped a beat. Human.
“Koba!” Caesar called from down below. He waved his arms back and forth. A smile stretched across his face. “Come meet Malcolm.”
Koba’s heart sunk to the pit of his stomach. Meet human? His mind filled with putrid, cold memories. The smell of bleach from the labs filled his lungs. His chest tightened like he was being choked.
Malcolm looked between Caesar and Koba, an anxious look filling his face. He turned to the chimpanzee and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Maybe we should come back? He looks busy.” His gaze darted subtly back up to the bonobo.
Koba stared off into the distance, his mind encased in fog. He reached his paw to his arm and found substance on a long, jagged scar. Slowly, his nails dug into the skin, chipping away at the scabbed flesh. Small droplets of blood bloomed beneath his fingertips. His mind retreated from the fog, finding substance in the reality of warm blood.