Chapter 2 — First Impressions

Luca

Luca Rivera darted through the zoo’s entrance fifteen minutes late, his sneakers skidding slightly on the cracked pavement. His paint-splattered messenger bag bumped against his hip with every hurried step, the strap digging into his shoulder as he adjusted it absently. His breath puffed out in quick bursts, mingling with the faint tang of damp earth, blooming flowers, and the acrid undertone of animal musk. A cacophony of distant chatter, a child’s laugh, and the occasional squawk of a bird surrounded him, weaving together into a melody that felt both chaotic and oddly grounding.

The zoo sprawled before him, an oasis of life amidst the city’s relentless concrete sprawl. Faded signs clung stubbornly to weathered posts, and overgrown foliage spilled onto cracked walkways, whispering stories of neglect. But there were signs of care here too—a patch of vibrant marigolds near the entrance, the cheerful squeals of children marveling at a monkey exhibit. It reminded Luca of a mural he’d painted years ago, its chipped layers revealing bursts of color buried beneath grime. This place had potential, even if it wore its struggles openly.

“Excuse me!” A voice called out, pulling Luca from his reflections. He turned to see a stocky, redheaded young man in a slightly rumpled zoo uniform jogging toward him. The uniform’s chest pocket bristled with colorful enamel pins shaped like animals, their vibrant hues catching the light. One, a small snow leopard, stood out against the others.

“Are you Luca Rivera? The muralist?” the young man asked, his freckled face lit with enthusiasm.

“In the flesh,” Luca replied, flashing a warm, practiced smile. He adjusted his bag again before extending a hand. “And you are...?”

“Ollie! Ollie Bennett.” The young man thrust his hand forward, which Luca shook, noting its slight clamminess. “I’m an apprentice zookeeper here. Huge fan of your work, by the way! Those city murals? Incredible. The colors, the movement—it’s like they’re alive!”

Luca chuckled, charmed by Ollie’s earnestness. “Thanks, Ollie. Always nice to meet a fan.” His gaze swept the zoo again, lingering on the weathered concrete walls in the distance. “So, who do I report to? Someone mentioned a meeting. Sorry I’m late—traffic, you know.”

Ollie hesitated, his freckled cheeks reddening. “Uh, yeah. You’re meeting Dr. Elena Hart. She’s the head zoologist. She’s... um... waiting for you by the wall.”

“Waiting for me, huh?” Luca raised an eyebrow, catching the faint edge of apprehension in Ollie’s tone. “I take it she’s not thrilled about this whole mural thing?”

“Well, she’s just... very focused on the animals. And the budget. And, uh, everything else.” Ollie gave a sheepish smile. “But she’s great. Really. Just, uh, maybe don’t joke about being late?”

“Noted,” Luca said lightly, though a flicker of unease passed through him. Adjusting the strap of his bag again, he gestured for Ollie to lead the way. As they walked, he let his gaze wander, taking in the zoo’s mix of charm and wear.

“Kevin Patel’s idea, this mural thing?” Luca asked casually, letting the name hang in the air.

“Yeah,” Ollie confirmed, his tone brightening. “He’s one of the board members. He’s been pushing for anything to bring in more visitors. He thinks the mural could be a game-changer.”

Luca nodded, the weight of expectation settling on his shoulders. This wasn’t just another mural—it was a lifeline for a place teetering on the edge. The stakes were higher than he’d anticipated.

As they rounded a bend, the mural wall came into view—a long, weathered stretch of concrete, its surface cracked and streaked with grime. Nearby flower beds overflowed with petunias and marigolds, their vibrancy a stark contrast to the wall’s bleak facade. Standing before it, arms crossed and posture rigid, was a tall woman in khaki work pants and a utility shirt.

Dr. Elena Hart.

Luca recognized her instantly from the bio Kevin Patel had emailed him. Her brown hair was pulled back into a no-nonsense ponytail, and her piercing hazel eyes were fixed on him with the precision of a laser. She held a slim leather journal in one hand, her fingers drumming against its cover in an unconscious rhythm.

“Dr. Hart, I presume?” Luca said, flashing his most disarming smile as he approached.

“You’re late,” Elena said briskly, ignoring his outstretched hand.

“Traffic,” he replied, lowering his hand and masking his discomfort with a casual shrug.

“Traffic’s predictable. Leave earlier,” she said flatly, her tone clipped but not raised.

Luca blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Noted,” he replied, recovering quickly. He turned to the wall, gesturing toward it with a flourish. “So, this is the canvas, huh?”

“It’s a wall,” Elena said, her voice devoid of inflection. “The animals are the priority here, not your art project.”

Behind her, Ollie winced, offering Luca an apologetic look.

Luca tilted his head, studying Elena with quiet curiosity. Beneath her sharp exterior, there was something tightly wound in her stance. “You’re not a fan of murals, I take it?”

“I’m not a fan of distractions,” she replied evenly, her fingers tightening slightly on her journal. “We have six months to save this zoo, and I fail to see how painting a wall is going to help.”

“It’s not just a wall,” Luca said, stepping closer to the concrete. His fingers grazed its rough surface, tracing the jagged lines of the cracks. The texture was warm under his touch, the imperfections sparking his imagination. “It’s a story waiting to be told. This place has history, a heartbeat. People just need to see it.”

“I think they’d rather see functioning enclosures and healthy animals,” Elena countered, her voice taut with frustration.

“Why not both?” Luca replied, his tone softening, though the playful edge persisted. He turned to face her fully, his green eyes steady. “Look, I get it. You’re protective of this place. But that’s why I’m here—to help people see what you see. The beauty, the struggle, the mission. Art can do that.”

For a moment, something flickered in Elena’s expression—hesitation, perhaps—but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” she said, her voice like a closing door.

Before Luca could respond, Ollie jumped in, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm. “I think it’s a great idea! People love murals. They’ll take pictures, post them online—it could really draw attention to the zoo!”

Luca grinned at Ollie. “Exactly. Smart kid.”

Elena sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Fine. Just... stay out of the staff’s way. And no paint near the enclosures.”

“Deal,” Luca said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

Elena turned sharply on her heel, her field journal clutched tightly to her chest. As she walked away, Luca noticed her shoulders were rigid, her stride precise. Yet her hand lingered on the edge of the journal, her fingers brushing its worn leather as if seeking reassurance.

“She’s not so bad,” Ollie said softly, his voice carrying a note of reverence. “She just... cares a lot. About the animals. About the zoo.”

“Yeah,” Luca said thoughtfully, his gaze drifting back to the wall. “I can see that.”

He traced the cracks in the concrete again, this time imagining how they might become branches, veins, pathways. The wall wasn’t just tired—it was alive, waiting. He could already see the beginnings of something transformative.

“All right, Ollie,” he said, clapping the younger man on the shoulder. “Let’s make some magic.”

As they began unpacking Luca’s paintbrushes and supplies, the faint roar of a tiger echoed through the air—a low, resonant sound that seemed to ripple through the zoo. Luca glanced toward the source of the noise, a slow smile spreading across his face.

This was going to be interesting.