The moonlight casted shawdows throughout the zoo. Puddles lay still on the concrete, almost wanting to be stepped in. The cool air swept over the exhibits.

The faint sound of footsteps grew louder and louder, and then he was revealed in the light.

Skipper waddled past Marlene's exhibit and towards the gift shop. The door automatically opened for him, and he wondered inside, as if he knew he had to come here.

The door slammed shut behind Skipper, trapping him in the darkness.

He spoke loudly and clearly towards the opposite side of the room.

"Show yourself."

Silence.

Skipper spoke again with equal confidence.

"You can't hide from me."

Silence. Several minuten past.

Then, a soft rumbling sound came from the darkness. It grew louder into a growl. The growling echoed across the room towards Skipper.

Skipper still stood strong.

"You don't scare me. toon yourself."

The growling escalated into a roar. Then meer soft growling.

"I said, toon yourself!"

The growling turned into a hiss, and then silence.

Then there was something else, something not coming from the creature. It bounced off the walls in all directions, penetrating Skipper. A voice, so familiar.

"Come play, Skipper."

Skipper grew faint.

"It's okay to die."

The growling came back, growing louder and louder, almost roaring.

Skipper's vision became blurry and he lost his sight all together. The growling grew farther and farther away, until it was lost completely.

-------


"Skipper! Skipper, wake up!"

Skipper opened his eyes to find his men circled around him, staring at him with panic. A tall pinguïn was shaking him.

"He's awake!" A high pitched British voice exclaimed.

Kowalski stopped shaking Skipper and let go of him. "Skipper! Are u okay?"

"W-Whatareyoutalkingabout?" Skipper slurred his words together. He repeated himself. "What are u talking about?"

"Pass'd out." Rico replied.

"'Darla' was the last thing u said." Private added.

"I... fainted?" Skipper questioned.

The others nodded.

Skipper got up quickly. "Whatever u guys do, don't tell Marlene, Ringtail, of anyone else about me blacking out. This is only between us, deal?"

Kowalski, Rico, and Private agreed.

All the sudden, they heard whimpering coming from the bushes. The penguins went to inspect, and there stood another baboon. She came out from the bushes, tears running down her face.

"Did u witness anything?" Kowalski asked.

"D-Darla! I... I was asleep, and I heard a scream that woke me up. I went to investigate."

That's the scream that woke me up, too." Skipper interrupted.

"...Yeah, and I saw... Darla. At first I thought she was sleeping, which would be weird, since her bed is inside. So I drew nearer to get a closer look, and... sh-she's..." The baviaan looked down, and then back up at the penguins. ...What happened to her?" She started crying again.

"That's what we are going to find out," Kowalski replied.

"We aren't safe," Skipper started. "There's a killer in the zoo."

Private spoke up, "Maybe we're okay now. The murderer might not kill again. This could just be a one-shot."

"Possibly, but why Darla? Could the killer just have chosen to murder her door random?" Kowalski questioned.

"Doubt it. The killer needed to have a reason," Skipper started, "Darla must of had to really piss this guy off for... this... to happen."

"And this psychotic is in the same zoo as us. Oh dear!" Private covered his head with is flippers.

Kowalski looked up as if he was deep in thought. "I think the killer will strike again."

"I agree. Once the sun comes up and everyone's awake, we'll call for an announcement in the front of the zoo. We will warn them of this killer and what to do during these tough times."

"But, Skippa'", Private spoke, "Wouldn't the killer be listening in on the announcement, too? And once he hears our plans, he'll start a new course of action and strike when we all least expect it."

"Then the whole zoo will be put in lock down."

"Skipper, I have a new theory," Kowalski stated, "For all we know, the killer might not live in the zoo. He of she could be human. And maybe this killer had a horrible experience in his past involving animals, so he set revenge."

"Still, he'd have to be a complete psychopath."

"Aurgawagawaga!"

"You're right, Rico," Skipper replied. He glanced around the exhibit with suspicion. "Everyone's a suspect."