In the age of the internet, especially with videos of the popular panda Big White, moments after the staff uploaded the escape footage, it went viral. It was after work hours, and most people were at home scrolling through their phones, causing the video's popularity to skyrocket.
Within hours of Big White's escape, Twitter was ablaze with discussions about the Smithsonian Zoo and Big White.
After a four-hour drive, Gwen's family arrived back in Queens, Manhattan, New York.
Roosevelt Road, Wall Apartments.
George Stacy parked the car, and the family unbuckled their seatbelts and got out. Gwen, scrolling through her phone, was surprised by a friend's forwarded video.
"Dad, look! One of the pandas we saw today escaped!"
"Oh? A panda escaped? Which one?" George asked, curious as he opened the trunk to retrieve their belongings.
"It's the one with its hands on its hips, acting all proud—Big White," Gwen replied, rushing over to show her dad.
But as she approached, she noticed her father staring blankly into the trunk.
"Dad, what's wrong?"
George didn't respond immediately. He closed the trunk, opened it again, and peered inside for a closer look. After a moment, he looked at Gwen, eyebrows raised in surprise.
"You said a giant panda is missing from the Smithsonian Zoo? The one we saw today?"
"Of course! If you don't believe me, look—everyone on Twitter is talking about it." Gwen, confused by her father's reaction, handed over her phone.
"No need," George said, waving his hand. He opened the trunk wide and pointed inside.
"I think... the missing panda followed us to New York."
"What?" Gwen's eyes widened as she peered into the trunk.
The whole family gathered quickly.
In the cramped trunk, a soft and adorable creature with black-and-white fur lay peacefully on a mat. Its round form rose and fell with each breath, inviting affection. An anesthetic dart was still lodged in its rear.
"My God, when did it get in there?" their mother exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise.
"Dad, can we keep it?" Little John asked, eyes gleaming as he looked at the sleeping Big White.
"No, no, we must send it back," George replied, shaking his head. Raising a panda wasn't feasible, especially with the specialized bamboo diet required, sourced from specific regions.
"Can we send it back tomorrow?" Little John pleaded.
"Well... okay, but it must be by morning. I'll notify the Smithsonian Zoo," George agreed, not wanting to miss the rare opportunity to be close to a panda. Besides, it was already late, time to rest.
"Great! Can I carry it upstairs?" Little John asked excitedly, eager to bring Big White inside.
"He's at least 30 kilograms; you can't carry him," George chuckled, carefully lifting Big White from the trunk.
"It's a good thing he's anesthetized, or I'd be in trouble if he bit me," George said. Despite the panda's soft appearance, it belonged to the bear family, with a bite force stronger than tigers and lions.
"Dad, let me carry him," Gwen offered, touched by the panda's softness and wanting to hold it.
"It's heavy, are you sure?" George asked, shaking the panda in his arms.
"Of course, no problem," Gwen insisted, taking Big White into her arms.
"Alright, let's go. If you get tired, let me know," George said, locking the car and following his family into the apartment.
The guard on duty saw Gwen with the panda and assumed it was a stuffed toy, not suspecting it was real.
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"Oh my God, we're finally home." Despite the elevator, Gwen held onto Big White, with John and their mom occasionally giving it affectionate rubs. Her arms were sore halfway up.
Yet, holding a panda felt more rewarding than carrying any object. It felt like holding something more valuable than money.
"Put it on the sofa, and go to sleep. Get up early tomorrow, and maybe you'll see it awake," George instructed after hanging his coat, addressing his excited family gathered around the panda.
"Will the panda ever wake up?" Little John asked, touching Big White's ear in wonder.
"Of course. It's just under the tranquilizer's effects. It was likely hit during its escape, so it won't wake up for a while," George explained, placing the removed dart on the table.
His wife pulled Little John away from the panda.
"Let's shower and head to bed."
"Gwen, don't stay up too late," she added, glancing at her daughter still by the panda.
"Okay, I'll go after you," Gwen promised.
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Finally, after washing up, the family reluctantly headed to bed.
In her room, Gwen pondered the video showing Big White's daring zoo escape.
She had no idea when the panda had joined their ride, but its presence in New York felt like destiny.
Soon, her thoughts shifted to the morning, eagerly anticipating Big White's awakening.