You meet the alpacas. You had always been fascinated by these peculiar creatures, with their soft wool and quirky expressions. Jessica had mentioned her love for alpacas on more than one occasion, and you figured that maybe she had wandered off to spend time with them.
The alpaca enclosure was just beyond the main barn. You noticed that a small crowd had gathered around the fence, admiring the animals. As you approached, the distinctive hum of the alpacas filled the air. A handler stood nearby, answering questions from curious guests.
You reached out tentatively, letting it sniff your hand. Its nose was soft and warm against your skin. You chuckled quietly, realizing why Jessica loved these animals so much. They were undeniably charming in their goofy way.
A few other visitors gathered around, including some children who giggled as another alpaca ambled over to them, its head bobbing as it walked. The alpacas seemed to enjoy the attention, moving closer to the fence and allowing people to pet them.
The handler, who had been standing nearby, approached and smiled. “They’re very social creatures,” she explained. “They’ll come right up to you if they’re curious, like this one here. You can give them a gentle scratch behind the ears if you like. They love that.”
You nodded, gently scratching the cream-colored alpaca just as the handler suggested. The alpaca hummed softly in response, leaning into your hand. It was oddly relaxing, and for a moment, you almost forgot about finding Jessica.
The handler continued, “They have a kind of hierarchy in their groups, but they’re really peaceful animals. They communicate mostly through humming or body language. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what they’re thinking, but they’re very expressive once you get to know them.”
You smiled and nodded, but as you turned your gaze back to the alpaca, you suddenly felt an odd sensation wash over you.