So here is the sequel. :D Slow beginning, yes, but a lot more will happen as the story progresses. As usual, reviews are appreciated!
Chapter 1: Paranoid
The late afternoon October sky was filled with puffy clouds. A breeze shifted the autumn leaves and scattered them towards the lemur habitat.
"Honestly, Jack, you can leave. I'm fine!" Isobel insisted. She was sitting against a palm tree, tossing a little pebble between her hands, and trying to teach Mort how to count with playing cards. He was sitting in front of a red four of spades and an ace.
"Are you sure?" Jack asked her. He had become a little paranoid with her health after the incident in Atlantis. "Your left pupil is bigger than your right pupil –"
Isobel laughed and threw her pebble at him. He dodged it and smiled. "Alright, alright, I'll go."
"It's two, right?" Mort finally looked up at Isobel.
"No, Mort, remember?" Isobel shook her head. "Look, this is four. And you have another right here. What comes after four?"
"Uhh.." Mort thought hard, looking around. "…Five?"
"Yes!" Isobel was elated. "That's your second one right."
"Out of how many?" Jack looked over, a slight smirk on his face.
Isobel sighed. "Seventeen. It's progress."
Jack laughed and Mort asked if he could go play on the bouncy. Isobel nodded her approval and he scurried away. She began to stand up, and Jack quivered, reaching out for her.
"I'm fine." Isobel shot him a look. "It's been two weeks already."
"You're my sister." Jack reminded her. "I could have lost you in an instant. I'm always going to worry when you get hurt."
Isobel thought deeply, and suddenly her ears pricked forward. "That's why, isn't it?"
"What?" Jack was confused.
"That's why Clopar always made sure I was alright." Isobel said quietly. "I had to be in perfect condition as a ransom."
"I know." Jack nodded solemnly. "But don't worry about that anymore. He was banished, and will be forgotten soon. He could have possibly been killed already."
"Perhaps." Isobel replied.
Jack sighed. "Well, I should go. You know, finding a new crew."
"Good luck." Isobel smiled as he left. She then sighed and looked about her enclosure. Julien and Maurice were on a walk about the zoo, the penguins were busy with a "top secret mission" for the day, and Marlene had unfortunately come down with a cold. The transition from sunny California to a quickly changing New York City had been harsh.
Isobel knew there wasn't much to do, as she had to watch Mort. She wouldn't have minded going to see Joey or the chimps, or even going to the reptile house. Actually, the reptile house was a good idea.
"Mort!" Isobel called to the little lemur, unconsciously twisting one of her hoop earrings. "Want to go to look at the reptiles with me?"
Mort slowed down his bouncing. "Ooo, I like the reptiles!"