It was when I made the dumb descision to hide in the Staff Only room in the Mini-Predators exhibit.
I was having a little panic-attack in the corner, when I heard a slight chirping from the seemingly discarded cages in the side of the room. A Hesperonychus, now climbing on the side of the cage letting out little (adorable) sharp screeches in my direction, waving it's tail up in down and rapidly turning it's head back and forth to get a good look at me from each side of it's face. I felt a tug of fury in my gut when I noticed it's clawed feet were scarred from standing in a cage, and was obviously starving. I looked around the room for something that could be food, and saw a bag of dried meat chips in a plastic bag.
I crawled over to it, snapping open the bag and giving it a small shake with a soft smile in the creature's direction, who went bonkers as soon as it smelled the salty meat.
I cautiously pulled out a chip of the meat, dropping it into the cage. I knew not to trust the small booger, but just because it's probably dangerous it's still something living that hasn't been treated the way it deserves. I carefully slid the bag inbetween the bars, and watched as the small raptor like dinosaur tore up the meat, and the loud crunching as it chewed it. I had to fight the urge to open the cage and try to pet it, as every ounce of my being screamed 'Holy frikin crap its just asking to be pet' I had a slight constipated look on my face as I tried to hold back.
Not many understand this pain. Not many at all.
But then I was like 'Screw it I don't care anymore' and opened the cage. Surprisingly, the small raptor didn't turn away from its food, and I carefully stroked it's back. When it only looked at me with a small chirp and continued eating, obviously so hungry it doesn't care anymore, I continued to stroke it's scaly back that seemed to have small quills coming from under the scales, and around it's face and tail tip. It was very relaxing after having to -bleep- slap a Quetzalcoatlus in its beak to scare the crap out of it when it tried to peck my arm.
Apparently this was a act of dominance to it and it bowed it's head before crawling away with a slight sulk. Mommy would've been proud.
I picked up the small reptile along with the food, and held it in my arms as it ate merrily. I observed it's scarred feet, they were probably incredibly sore and it sat down in my arms probably from the pain. Maybe when help comes, I can stow it away in my bag and use any medical supplies they have on it when I find a place to hide- WAIT.
...
Is it even a good idea to take this thing with me? I could go to jail...
BUT IT'S SO FRIENDLY AND NEEDS YOUR MOTHERLY CARE
But what if it turns on me because I'm not able to domesticate it enough?
YOU'VE TRAINED A ABUSED FERAL CAT TO BE A UTTER SLOP. WHY NOT A DINOSAUR?
I don't know how dinosaurs behave!
THEY'RE PREDATORS JUST LIKE CATS, IT'S PROBABLY VERY SIMILAR!
...
Fine.
HECK YEAH, ME 1 YOU 0.
Shudddap.
I carefully opened my large bag with my other arm, removing a large amount of it's contents except for food and a blanket. I laid the small raptor in the bag, and zipped the bag close just enough so it'd be hidden and still get air as it loudly ate. This was the part where I waited for any signs of help.
I held the bag close, letting the small chirping noises from the dinosaur calm me. "What should I name you?" I thought out loud.
*Name your deenusurrrrrr-