Huh, when did this person come to stand by my side?
As Ali watched, she couldn't help but blush. It took a while before she noticed that behind the youth stood a strange, huge creature, with the body of a lion, four legs, a tail like a snake, and wings covered with thick feathers. The most peculiar thing was that the creature had the head of an eagle, with sharp eyes and a hooked beak, looking at her as if she were a piece of juicy, plump lamb.
Because of that menacing gaze, she took a small step back and only then did she realize that the villagers had all fled far away. The lean, black woman anxiously peeked over here.
"Don't be afraid," the youth smiled, "it doesn't eat people. Uh, it doesn't eat people anymore." He looked towards the distant villagers, then glanced at the little girl and frowned, "None of your relatives are among them, right?"
Ali blinked and said, "You're quite clever. How did you know?"
