I never thought I’d miss the spotlight this much. Back in New York, I was the king of Central Park Zoo—literally. The crowds, the roar, the spotlight… it was mine. But after Africa, after Monaco, after barely escaping that psycho DuBois with her butterfly net and murder eyes, I thought we’d just go home. Simple. Easy.

Turns out, home doesn’t want us back—at least, not the way we are now.

Now, I’m standing on a circus train barreling through the Alps, about to teach a jaguar how to swing on a trapeze like an American. Gia’s watching me, all focused and fierce, and I can’t tell if she’s impressed or just waiting for me to fall. Behind me, Marty’s getting launched out of a cannon for fun, Melman’s sweating on a tightrope with Gloria, and Julien’s trying to flirt with a bear who could crush him with a yawn.

And DuBois? She’s still out there. I saw her shadow in the last town. She’s not giving up. Neither am I.

The show in London is tomorrow. One shot to impress the promoter. One shot to prove we’re not just escapees—we’re stars.

Gia turns to me, tail flicking. 'You ready, Alex?'

I grin. 'Born ready. But the real question is—what happens after the curtain falls?'