When the old keeper forgot one latch, the 400-pound silverback reached through the steel

where Tom stood. His fingers found Tom’s sleeve, the seam near his shoulder, the edge of the vest. He could not hold the man completely. The barrier would not allow that. But he made the shape of holding with everything the barrier allowed him to give.

Tom leaned into the mesh.

No one moved for a long time. The corridor lights hummed overhead. Somewhere continue reading …