Terk was sitting in the cave. She heard Karchak and Kala return with Moonlight. She sighed in relief. At the same time, she was terrified. She would never be able to forgive herself for what happened to Moonlight. Kerchak came into the cave. He put an arm around Terk.
"She's alright," he reassured Terk, "Thanks to you she's alright."
"It was my fault she was taken."
Kerchak's voice was gentle.
"No. It was Starboard's fault she was taken. Starboard was the one who took her."
He paused.
"Terk," he asked, "What happened to your eye."
"Starboard scratched it," Terk explained, "I had no right to be holding Moonlight. I should have held onto her. You would have."
"Terk, I'm not six years old. I'm also the leader of the family. Come on out of the cave. I want to check your eye and make sure it isn't infected."
Kerchak could already see pus in the scratch. He beat his chest.
"Kenna," he told Terk's mother, "Terk has an infection in her eye. You have to take her to Dr. Jungle."
Kenna settled Terk on her back. They took off. Kerchak checked on the other gorillas to make sure they were okay."
Everyone was alright. Kala was holding Moonlight and telling her a story. Kerchak smiled at his family. He was grateful for GOD'S intervention. Moonlight had been safe. Soon Moonlight fell asleep. She was breathing deep and evenly. He noticed that Kala had tears in her eyes.
"It's alright Kala," he said softly.
"We almost lost her," Kala said sobbing.
He dried her eyes and wrapped his arms around her.
"I know we did," he said, "But she's alright. I'm alright, and so are you."
Kala nodded but couldn't stop her tears.