Category: TV Show » Primeval
Author: Twix3780
Language: English
Rated: T
Genre: Adventure/Sci-Fi
Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval.
Shit!
This was the immediate thought for nineteen-year-old Sofi Wyatt as she pulled up outside the University of Metropolis. She had a meeting with the head of Zoology - Professor Nick Cutter that morning, and she was late.
Snatching her backpack and folder from the passenger seat, Sofi slammed the door of her 2005 electric green Mustang Convertiable and locked it. Before running towards the University. Her Professor's office was on the first floor, and the fastest way there was around the south-east wall, across the gangplank, and up the stairs into the building.
But to do all that in three minutes would be an incredible feat.
Breathing hard as she ran, dancing and dashing around other students, and calling out apologies when she accidentally clipped them, Sofi reached the steps and flew up them, she boots pounding against the stone in her haste.
She had one minute until her appointment officially began.
Perhaps the Professor would allow her the chance to pass out before he conducted their appointment. She would've laughed at the thought, had she not been in such a rush.
Nearly there… Sofi thought as Professor Cutter's door came within view. Sofi slowed her run, cocking her head to the side, and allowing her red hair to fall down over her shoulder. The door to Cutter's office was open, and there were voices coming from inside.
Sliding to a halt just outside the door, Sofi took a deep breath. Her heart was hammering painfully against her ribcage, and her breath was coming in short gasps. She wasn't exactly fit, but she wasn't unfit, to say the least.
It had been almost six months since she had last run that far, hard, and fast.
The most she run, or walked, these days was once or twice around the park when she took Toby for a walk.
Toby was her two-year Bloodhound. She had named him after her favourite fictional bloodhound from the Sherlock Holmes novels.
Raising her hand, Sofi knocked twice on the door and stepped into the office after being asked to do so.
"Sorry I'm late, Professor…" Sofi apologised. She paused as she noticed three pairs of eyes staring at her from around the room. She recognised all of them, of course. Professor Nick Cutter, his lab technician, Stephen Hart, and Connor Temple, another Zoology student working under Nick.
"Ah, yes, Miss Wyatt," Professor Cutter said, clearing away more papers from his desk. Not that it helped much with the clutter, the room was almost overflowing with papers. It stacked up high all around the room, and where there weren't papers, there were dinosaur bones.
Stephen's desk didn't seem that much better, either. If it weren't covered in papers, it held an assortment of instruments that Sofi had no clue what they were used for.
"Come on, come in," Professor Cutter said, waving at her. "I have your dissertation right here." He held up a purple folder full of papers.
Sofi stepped down, into the room, and smiled at Connor. She felt like she wanted to apologise for interrupting him, but she also knew that she was Cutter's first appointment of the day.
"I'm sorry, Connor," said Professor Cutter. "But I do have a pre-booked appointment with Miss Wyatt."
Connor smiled and nodded. "That's alright. I mean, it's not like the Forest of Dean is that far away, anyway."
Sofi, who had been in the process of rifling through her backpack, looking for her Dissertation notebook - she had different books and folders for each of her degree subjects - stopped and looked up. The room temperature, which seemed to be mildly warm, had dropped significantly.
"The Forest of Dean?" Professor Cutter questioned.
"Yep," said Connor, popping the 'p'. He dawdled near the foot of the stairs, leading to the door. He now knew that he had Professor Cutter's full attention.
Stephen sighed and looked up from his desk. "If we leave now, we could be there by lunch," he said.
"I could come back," said Sofi. "If you have something to deal with, I don't mind. I can reschedule."
Cutter looked at her expectantly. It was obvious in his eyes that he had been wanting to talk to her about her work, but he also wanted to check out the Forest of Dean. "Actually," he said. "Why don't you join us?"
Sofi looked around. "Join you?" she asked.
"Yes, we can discuss your dissertation in the car," said Cutter. "I did read it last night. I wish to hear more."
"Oh, um, okay… I guess…" Sofi stammered.
Nick handed her back her purple folder, and Sofi tucked it into her backpack along with the rest of her notes.
"Great," Cutter said, nodding. He looked at Stephen. "Let's go."
~X~
"The basis of your dissertation is an ambitious one, Miss Wyatt," said Professor Cutter. He was sitting in the driver's seat of his truck, driving down the M4 towards the Forest of Dean.
Sofi chuckled. "You sound like my dad, Professor," she said.
"What are you hoping to gain from it?" Stephen asked. He was sitting shotgun to Cutter and had turned slightly in his seat so he could see the teenager over his shoulder.
"I hope to find a pattern," Sofi answered.
"A pattern?" Professor Cutter repeated. "Would you like to elaborate on that?"
Sofi turned her head to the window and looked out at the passing cars and trees. "I had three main questions to discuss with you this morning," she said. "One of which, and most possibly the main part of my entire dissertation, was if it was possible that natural environmental causes had a play in the Dinosaurs extinction, and, if yes, could it happen again in the near future?"
"Sounds complicated," Connor said. He sitting alongside Sofi, and behind Stephen. He had kept quiet for most of the car ride, preferring to rifle through the newspaper in his lap then comment on someone else's Dissertation process.
Sofi half-glanced at him.
"What kind of environmental changes, Miss Wyatt?" Professor Cutter asked.
Sofi shrugged. "We know that there were environmental changes after the meteorite crashed into Earth," she said. "There is evidence of that. But, what if that hadn't have happened? Would the dinosaurs have died out on their own? Was there disease or toxins in the environment back then, just like there is today, that could've killed the great reptiles?"
Professor Cutter and Stephen shared an amused look as Sofi continued to ramble. It was obvious that she was passionate about her work, and had obviously put a lot of thought into her research.
"... and if there were any of these issues back then, could they have survived the meteorite crash, and could they occur again?" Sofi finished. She took a deep breath and looked up, pausing as she noticed three pairs of eyes on her. "Sorry," she added sheepishly.
Professor Cutter chuckled. "Please, don't apologise," he said, shaking his head.
Up ahead, the road turned off to the right as the gates leading into the Forest of Dean appeared. They were already open, but a security guard did step out of his unit to greet them. Cutter explained why they were there, and the guard nodded, directing them in.
Once the group had reached its destination, Sofi hopped out of the back and closed the door in her wake. She followed Cutter across the empty car park towards a large tractor-trailer on the opposite side of the lot. It had been dumped there and was completely ripped apart. Large slashes in its sides indicated a large creature, or maybe heavy machinery.
"I'd just finished my rounds when I caught a glimpse of it on the monitor," the security guard explained.
Connor gaped at the trailer. "Can you imagine how much force it took to rip this thing open?" he asked. "Look at the size of the marks. You know, if you want my opinion, I think it's…" he trailed off at the look Cutter shot him.
"Well, if I found these gouges in the wild, I'd be certain we'd be looking for a large predator," said Stephen, inspecting the slashes more closely.
Sofi followed Stephen closer to the trailer. She carefully raised her hand to the claw marks, and gingerly traced her finger across the serrated edges. "They're too big to be from a big cat, so I'd rule out tiger or lion," she said.
"Tiger or Lion?" Connor asked. "In the Forest of Dean?"
"They could've escaped from a private zoo or a passing circus," said Sofi. "But there is no way a tiger or lion did this sort of damage. Their claws aren't strong enough, for starts, and their paws are much smaller. Whatever did this much larger than a big cat."
Stephen nodded in agreement.
"It was huge and it was so fast," the security guard said. "It was gone across the yard in a second."
"Well, there's blood," said Stephen, wiping away a smear of red on the side of the trailer.
"Human or animal?" Sofi asked.
Stephen shrugged. "Does it matter?" he asked.
"Guess not," Sofi answered. She looked back just in time to see Professor Cutter walk away from the group. He was heading towards the fence surrounding the forest.
"Stephen," Cutter called. He was staring transfixed at something behind the trailer. "Come give me a logical explanation for this."
Stephen met Sofi's gaze as he stepped around her. They held the same curiosity that he could feel in himself. "It's a hoax, obviously," he said, approaching his friend and mentor.
Sofi fell into step beside Stephen and stopped as she reached Cutter. The fence separating the Forest of Dean from the lot was virtually ripped in two. Twisted beams of metal stuck out at awkward angles, giving the idea that something very, very large had recently been through.
"Just a difficult one to pull off," Stephen finished, quietly.
A shadow fell over Sofi as Connor stepped up behind her. "Can I say something?" he asked, but was ignored as Cutter walked away.
"Is he alright?" Sofi asked Stephen.
"His wife, Helen, came to this area eight years ago to investigate a creature sighting," Stephen explained. "She disappeared in the forest. The body was never found."
Sofi looked thoughtful. "I remember that," she said. "I was ten at the time. I remember my father telling me about it. Didn't they find just a rucksack?"
Stephen nodded. "No blood, no clues, nothing," he confirmed. "She just vanished."
"Are we considering its connected?" Connor asked.
"It's a possibility," said Sofi.
"Or it's just a coincidence," Connor argued.
Sofi turned to face Connor and cocked her head to the side. "I don't believe in coincidences," she said.
Stephen watched the interaction from the corner of his eye, a smirk on his lips.
"So I've gathered," Connor muttered as Sofi turned away again.
~X~
The Eddington Hotel was, in Sofi's opinion, a country club for the rich. Sure, it may have resided within the Forest of Dean but, from the outside, it looked like only those with 'silly' money spent most of their time inside.
Sofi exited the double doors and stepped back out into the open air. Professor Nick Cutter had disappeared into the lounge when they had first entered, and she had only gone in to use the restroom.
Waiting at the car, showing off something on his computer, was Connor Temple and Stephen Hart. The two men looked up as Sofi returned, running her hands over her shirt to dry them completely.
"Where's Cutter?" Stephen asked.
"Probably halfway through his second whiskey by now," Sofi answered. "I mean, I don't blame him. If my wife disappeared eight years ago and then something that could possibly be linked to her disappearance popped up again, I'd be drinking, too."
Stephen stared at her.
Sofi frowned. "What?" she asked.
"Nothing. Just… you're the first person that's considered the possibility that she isn't dead," said Stephen. "What makes you think that she's just disappeared?"
"Oh, well, um," said Sofi, stammering. "It's kinda stupid, to be honest."
"Try me."
Sofi sighed and then shrugged. "Alright. Well, I have this weird...thing about evidence," she said. "If there is no evidence to collaborate or prove that something happened, then it didn't happen."
"So, religion?" Stephen asked, smirking.
"I'm an Atheist," Sofi replied.
Stephen chuckled. "You spoke about your father before," he said. "But no mother? Do you mind if I…?"
Sofi nodded and smiled. "My mother died when I was a child," she answered. "She and my brother, Abel. They were killed by… monsters."
"Monsters?" Connor asked. "No such thing."
"I was eight!" Sofi snapped, hotly. "Everything was monstrous to me. Besides, those who kill don't deserve a title - murderer, serial killer - that's just being too nice. If you take a life then you're a monster."
Stephen offered her a small smile and quickly changed the subject. "What is this exactly?" he asked, gesturing to the computer.
"This database contains constantly updated information on all non-extinct vertebrates," Connor explained. "I've been building it every spare second since I was fourteen."
"It's impressive," Stephen said.
"It's pretty cool, huh?" Connor grinned.
"And slightly sad," Stephen added, turning away.
Sofi laughed but stopped as Connor shot her a look. She shrugged and turned away as crunching gravel came from behind her.
Cutter was returning, and he had brought a friend.
"This is Claudia Brown from the Home Office," Cutter introduced.
"Home Office?" Sofi questioned.
Claudia nodded. "You look familiar, have we met?" she asked.
"Probably," Sofi answered. "My father works for the Home Office. He's a scientist there. He works in the DNA analysis labs."
"Christopher Wyatt?"
Sofi nodded.
"Yes, I know him," Claudia said with a smile. "Brilliant mind. Exceptional worker."
"That's dad," Sofi said. "Can I just ask why the Home Office is interested in a possible hoax?"
Claudia chuckled. "If this is a hoax then it's a very good one," she said. "It's caused enough of a stir for the journalists to write about."
"Yeah, but journalists these days will write about anything," said Sofi, "and none of it can be proven true."
"Probably," Claudia said. "But, this is national security. We have to be sure."
Sofi shrugged and frowned as she caught Professor Cutter smiling at her. "What?" she asked. Why was everyone staring at her today?
"Inquisitive, Curious, and clearly not afraid to speak your mind," Cutter said.
"Oh, sorry," Sofi apologised, blushing. "Please do tell me if I overstep my boundaries."
"Shall we?" Cutter asked.
The group nodded and piled back into the car, with Sofi wedged in the back between Stephen and Connor.
~X~
"Have you done any research on the Forest of Dean?" Stephen asked Sofi as she fell into step beside him. They were trekking through the trees, pushing aside branches and stepping over roots that broke through the forest floor.
Sofi glanced up at him. "What makes you think that?" she asked.
Stephen shrugged. "Research seems to be your thing," he said. "You definitely have a passion for it."
"Fair point," Sofi said, nodding. "In all honesty, I have researched this particular forest before. My father and I came here once when I was a child. I didn't like it all that much, too creepy, but a couple of friends wanted to come camping here a few years ago, and I researched good camping spots beforehand."
"What did you learn?"
"I learned that it's a geographical, historical, and cultural region," Sofi answered. "It forms a roughly triangular plateau bounded by the River Wye to the west and northwest, Herefordshire is to the north, the River Severn to the south, and the City of Gloucester to the east."
"Did you know that it's the second largest crown forest in England?" Stephen asked. "The first being New Forest."
Sofi grinned. "I did actually, but thanks for the reminder," she said.
"What about its prehistory?" Stephen asked.
"It was pretty inhabitant around the Mesolithic era," said Sofi. "And it has a Bronze Age field system."
Stephen chuckled. "How do you remember all this stuff?" he asked, curiously.
Sofi shrugged. "I guess it depends on how interested I am in the subject," she answered. "If I read something and find it boring, then there is no guarantee that it will stick. But, if I find something that piques my interest…" she grinned.
Suddenly, Stephen grabbed Sofi's arm, pulling her to a halt.
"Hey…" Sofi started to protest. She stopped when she so Stephen staring at something over her head. Turning on the spot, Sofi felt her eyes widen and her mouth open into an 'O'.
"Cutter!" Stephen called over his shoulder.
Cutter, Connor, and Claudia soon reached Stephen and Sofi, each of them staring up at the dead cow in the tree.
"Okay, now I'm getting interested," Cutter said.
Sofi looked to Connor. "What direction are we heading?" she asked, holding up her phone. While Stephen preferred to track things the old fashion way - with an actual map - she preferred using her phone's GPS to keep tabs of their whereabouts.
"Uh," Connor said, holding up the small golden device in his hand. He paused and frowned as the spindle spun rapidly. "Professor, the compass is going haywire," he added, handing the small device over to Cutter.
"What could cause that to happen?" Claudia asked.
Sofi shared a look with Stephen but the question remained unanswered.
~X~
The discovery of the dead cow in a tree made Sofi uneasy as she continued to trail Stephen through the Forest. It wasn't just the fact that the cow was dead, it was also the idea that it had been dragged up into a tree.
"I thought the chances of this predator being a big cat was impossible?" Connor asked, catching up to Sofi.
"I didn't say it was impossible," Sofi replied. "Just probably unlikely."
"Then how do you explain the dead cow in a tree?" Connor asked. "Don't some big cats drag their prey into trees in order to keep them from other predators?"
Sofi nodded. "The leopard does just that," she said. "But how many leopards do you know of that reside within the Forest of Dean?"
Connor shrugged. "Anything is possible at this point, right?" he asked.
"Well, like you heard me telling Stephen unless you can find proof that it was a big cat you're going to have a hard time convincing me."
"Then what else could it be?" Connor asked.
Sofi glanced at him. "You have your own theories," she said. "Why don't you try voicing one of them?"
"Because I know you'll laugh at them," said Connor. "You know, being all 'find me proof to convince me' and everything."
Sofi rolled her eyes. "Theories aren't realistic until there is proof to back them up," she said. "That's the whole point. So, go on, tell me one of your theories."
Connor hesitated. "Alright. Well, I think that there may have been a dinosaur in that warehouse," he said. "The image, albeit blurry, looks like a dinosaur."
Sofi stopped walking and turned to stare at Connor. "You're right," she said. "I do find that absurd. Dinosaurs have been extinct for sixty-five million years. There is no way they are running -" she cut off as a loud roar echoed around the area.
"What was that?" Connor asked, looking around wildly.
"Over here…" Stephen called from somewhere ahead.
Sofi and Connor shared a look and then jogged over to the sound of his voice, they turned a tree and stopped dead as a massive creature appeared out of the darkness.
"Oh my… is that what I think it is?" Connor asked. He turned and shot a grin at Sofi.
With a smile, Sofi rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"It's some kind of experiment, maybe," said Cutter. "Hybrid, a throwback."
The creature stomped its feet and cowered away from the group crowding around it. It sniffed and blew out a breath of hot air, the remains of which curled into smoke in the cold night.
"Who are you?" Cutter asked a woman stood nearby. Sofi wouldn't have noticed her had he not said anything.
"Abby Maitland. I'm a keeper at Wellington Zoo," the woman answered. She had pixie-cropped blonde hair and was wearing tight skinny jeans, thigh-high black boots, a white shirt and a black leather jacket.
Cutter seemed content with her answer and he turned his attention back to the creature. It was now munching on the roots and grass. "It's a reptile," he said. "Five or six tons, at least. Large supratemporal bosses. Huge osteoderms on its back. It must be some kind of anapsid."
"A tortoise?" Abby and Sofi asked.
The creature roared as Stephen tried to get closer, but the roar was more directed at Cutter as he edged further away from the head. Both men jumped and stepped back.
"Stay in his field of vision," Abby said. "You're making him nervous."
Cutter nodded and returned to the group.
"Ha! I was right," Connor said, excitedly. "It was a dinosaur in that warehouse." He took out his phone and snapped a picture of the creature, the flash ignited and caused the animal to roar again.
Sofi glared at Connor and snatched his phone. "You're scaring him!" she said, hotly.
"Besides, whatever it is, it's classified until I find out what the hell to do about it," Claudia said. "Delete that photo," she added to Sofi.
Sofi nodded and deleted the image.
A small chirping came from the bushes nearby. Sofi turned and shone the torch from her phone onto the ground, just as a small green lizard ambled out into the spotlight. "Oh, hello, beautiful," she cooed, kneeling down beside it and stroking its chin.
"Bloody hell. There's two of them," said Stephen, squatting down beside her.
"Where did that come from?" Cutter asked.
The lizard cocked its head to the side as it looked up at Sofi, it then raised one of its legs and scratched at its face, chirping happily as she petted the crest on top of its head.
Sofi chuckled at the playfulness of the creature. It reminded her of her cat, Figaro.
"I just got a call stating that a boy claims to have been attacked by a monster in his home," said Claudia. Cutter straightened up and faced her. "He lives not that far from here. His name's Ben Trent."
Abby looked around, alarmed. "That's the boy who found Rex," she said, pointing at the lizard that Sofi was still playing with. "We were out here together, but we got separated."
Cutter looked from Claudia to Stephen and then back again. "We need to talk to him," he said. "Stephen, you, Sofi, and Connor stay here. Abby, you come with us. You know this boy, he trusts you. He's more likely to talk to us if you're present."
Abby nodded and followed Claudia and Cutter away.
~X~
Sofi looked up from Rex and caught Stephen's gaze. "Is this real?" she asked. "Are we actually staring at two dinosaurs?"
"I thought you didn't believe in anything that didn't have proof or evidence to back it up?" Stephen asked. He lowered himself down against a tree, just behind Sofi, and watched as she continued to interact with Rex.
"I don't," Sofi confirmed. "But this… it just…" she sighed, shaking her head. "It just seems so real. That is not a tortoise," she looked over at the grazing herbivore nearby, "and this little guy is more than just a flying lizard."
Stumbling over, Connor took a seat beside Stephen. "You know this is going to win me the Nobel Prize," he said, proudly.
"Claiming fame on innocent creatures?" Sofi asked. "I thought you had more tack than that."
"Hey, I was right!" Connor said, smugly. "This is proof enough that my theory was right. It's too bad we didn't bet on it."
Sofi rolled her eyes. "I didn't take you for a betting man, Connor," she said.
"I'm not. But this is going to make me rich, and if not that then famous!"
Stephen shook his head. "We don't know what we're dealing with yet," he said.
"Oh, come on," Connor sighed. "It looks like a dinosaur and behaves like a dinosaur. It's a dinosaur. It's the missing link to the ancient past, and I discovered it."
"Actually, if what Abby said is true and the kid, Ben found Rex," said Sofi. "Then that means Ben discovered the missing link, not you. He should be the one claiming victory."
Connor pouted. But before he could fire back with a retort, Professor Cutter's voice shouted through the dense trees and darkness.
"Stephen!"
The creature roared loudly in the direction of the shouting and flashing lights. It backed up, away from the commotion, and then headed off through the trees. It's giant footfalls sending thunderous vibrations through the ground.
"Where's it going?" Connor asked, panicked.
"Let it go!" Cutter called. "It's scared."
"No shit, Sherlock!" Sofi muttered. She scooped up Rex and stood up, looking around as Claudia, Cutter, and Abby joined them.
"Let's see where it thinks it's safe," said Cutter, leading the group after the creature.
The large creature lumbered through the forest, shoving aside trees and trampling grass as it tried its hardest to get away from the chaos behind it. Soon, it reached a glittering ball, hanging in mid-air in the middle of the forest, and disappeared straight through.
Breathing heavily as she came to a stop, Claudia looked to Cutter. "Where's it gone?" she panted.
"Home," Cutter replied, simply.
~X~
Dawn was breaking, and Sofi stood in front of the glittering ball. She had barely moved for several hours, just staring at the shimmering shards of floating glass. She had tried to touch them at one point, but almost fallen through and had been dragged back by Stephen.
"My pen," said Connor. He stood behind Sofi, also admiring the ball. The pen in his hand was a metal one and it tugged out of his grasp, flying straight at the ball and disappearing with a chime.
Sofi scoffed quietly, a small smile coming to her lips.
"That explains the compass going crazy," said Connor.
"What could cause a magnetic field so powerful?" Cutter asked.
"Maybe it's an alien spaceship," Connor joked.
Sofi turned to face him. "What? So you believe in aliens but not monsters?" she asked.
"But aliens are real," said Connor. "The government has proof. I mean, look at Area 51 and the whole Roswell cover-up."
"Monsters are real, too," Sofi argued. "To a canary, a cat is a monster."
Connor shook his head. "But there is no proof that monsters have ever existed," he said. "Other than your usual run of the mill psycho's that chop up innocent people, or kill for the pleasure of killing. But actual, physical monsters? No way."
Sofi shook her head and turned back to the anomaly. "Normal magnetic fields are created by magnets," she said. "But unless there is a giant magnetic around here, that are also invisible, I'd say we're dealing with something entirely foreign."
"Foreign as in terrorist?" Claudia asked.
"Not necessarily," said Sofi. "I mean, these shards look like broken glass. Like from a mirror, but they aren't reflective. Also, the light effect doesn't even seem natural. There's no sun around here, but yet it glows like a kaleidoscope."
Cutter shared an amused smile with Claudia. Despite Sofi having been talking to them, her eyes had never left the anomaly, and the look on her face was that of pure fascination.
"Everything we've seen about the animals so far is consistent with vertebrates that last appeared in the fossil record hundreds of millions of years ago," said Cutter, turning his attention to Claudia.
"You mean they're like creatures from the past," said Claudia, trying to follow what Cutter was saying.
"No, I mean they are creatures from the past," Cutter said, shaking his head.
The anomaly chimed again as Connor unleashed another metallic object through it. He grinned childishly, before realising the severity of the situation.
"Oh, that was my front door key," Connor winced.
Sofi chuckled in amusement. "Way to go, genius," she mocked.
"Cutter, we have to go now," Claudia said, lowering her voice.
"You've got your own experts?" Cutter asked.
"They didn't see what you saw and they don't know what you know," said Claudia, shaking her head. She eyed the anomaly warily and then walked away.
Sofi looked around and smiled faintly at Cutter.
"What?" Cutter asked, walking over to stand beside her. "Another theory?"
"No, not really," said Sofi, shaking her head. She looked back at the anomaly and sighed. "Just thinking that if this does turn out to be what we think it is… then my thesis is down the drain."
Cutter chuckled and placed a solid hand on her shoulder. "Not necessarily," he said. "This could be a scientific breakthrough. If you play your cards right, you could very well get the chance to experience first hand what it was like to live back there."
Sofi rolled her eyes with a scoff. "Right. Like Home Office is going to sanction an expedition through this thing," she said. "Much less let allow a student to conduct research purposes. They'll turn this into a cover-up, it's inevitable."
"Are you coming to Home Office with us?" Nick asked.
"I was kind of hoping that I could stay here," said Sofi. "I want to get some pictures of the anomaly, and maybe conduct a small investigation of my own? I promise I won't go through unless I have permission."
Nick smiled and nodded. "Alright. Just… be careful," he warned.
"Thanks, Professor," Sofi said.
Sofi spotted Stephen approaching from over Cutter's shoulder, smiled at him and then walked away. She spotted an older man in his mid-40s with short brown hair, blue eyes, and carrying a case full of glass bottles, beakers, and surgical gloves and headed in his direction.
"Hey, Dad," said Sofi, popping up beside the older man.
Christopher Wyatt didn't look surprised as he turned to his daughter. He merely smiled and squeezed her shoulder. "How did your appointment go this morning?" he asked. "Did you find the answers you were looking for?"
"Not exactly," said Sofi, eyeing the anomaly. "But I may have found the next best thing."
~X~
At the sound of an engine cutting out, Christopher Wyatt looked up from the sample he had been inspecting under the microscope and spotted his daughter's Zoology professor returning from Home Office, alongside him was Home Office agent, Claudia Brown, and the Zookeeper, Abby Maitland.
Claudia said something to Cutter and then wandered away, over to the Captain of the Special Forces unit Tom Ryan. The two spoke in low whispers, each one glancing around and, occasionally, looking over to where Cutter was standing with Miss Maitland and Mr Temple.
"What's more interesting that soil samples?" Sofi asked, popping up beside her father. She added a second set of glass jars on the table beside the others, and Christopher saw that they were carefully labelled - Anomaly soil samples - and he guessed they were from the area beneath the anomaly.
Christopher shook his head and looked back at Sofi. Her red hair, which had earlier been around her shoulders, was now pulled back into a high ponytail with two bangs framing her face, her bright blue eyes shone with the same excitement and fascination they always did when she found something interesting.
"Nearly out of your teens and you still can't keep yourself clean," Christopher teased.
Sofi looked down and laughed as she noticed the dirt stains on the knees of her denim jeans, she leaned over and brushed at them, but it did very little to remove the stains. "What can I say?" she asked, looking back up at her father. "I've always been a 'get-my-hands-dirty" kind of girl."
Christopher chuckled and nodded. "True, and that's the best way to be as a scientist," he agreed.
"Oh, the Professor's back," said Sofi, finally spotting Cutter. "I'm going to go see what the Home Office had to say. I'll be right back. Don't solve this anomaly mystery without me, yeah?"
"I make no promises," Christopher called. He watched over his shoulder as she walked away, and noticed how the Professor seemed to brighten at her approach. He could only guess that the Professor's interest in his daughter was strictly professional, and maybe he was curious as to how such an ambitious girl was only nineteen; he knew he did, and he was her father.
"Wyatt!"
Christopher snapped his attention around and onto the young blond male opposite him. Charlie Shepherd was a young, up and coming Home Office scientist. He was also the youngest member on Christopher's team, he had a lot to learn, but he was big-headed and arrogant.
"Do you have those samples I asked for, Shepherd?" Christopher asked.
Charlie set the samples he had collected on the table. "I don't see what the fauna around here is going to tell you," he said. "But, whatever."
"I want to see if there are any changes surrounding the anomaly," Christopher answered. "It could help us to understand the anomalies better."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Charlie muttered.
Christopher glanced up at the boy and noticed that his attention was no longer on the work at hand, but rather had drifted across the area and was watching Sofi.
"So, that's your daughter, huh?" Charlie asked, grinning.
Christopher glared at the younger bloke. "Look all you want, Shepherd," he said. "But Sofi is already married to her work."
"Doesn't mean I can't try," said Charlie. "I'm sure I can get her to reconsider."
"I can guarantee that she won't give you the time of day," said Christopher.
"Why, because her father says so?" Charlie asked. "What is she, some kind of daddy's girl?"
Christopher bit back a growl and turned his attention back to his work, but Charlie kept on talking, and with each word was getting further under Christopher's skin. The things this kid was saying, and about his daughter no less.
"Shepherd!" Christopher finally snapped. "Back off! Now, get on with your work or you can head back to the office!"
Charlie stiffened and, with one final look at Sofi, turned and walked away. Christopher heard him mutter something under his breath, but he wasn't exactly sure what it was, and he was pretty sure he didn't want to know, either.
Christopher made a quick mental note to warn Sofi about Charlie later and returned to his work.
Meanwhile, Sofi was staring slack-jawed at Cutter.
Cutter chuckled and snapped his fingers in front of his student's face. "Come back, Sofi," he said, lightly shaking her shoulder. "Come on…"
Sofi shook her head and blinked. "Sorry, but I think you just said that I… Sofi Wyatt… had permission to go through the anomaly with you to get scientific samples from the Permian Era?" she said.
"I did," Cutter said, nodding.
"Somebody pinch me because this is a dream," Sofi said, covering her mouth with her hand. She squeezed her eyes shut tight and lightly pinched the skin on her arm between her fingers. She yelped at the spasm of pain and then grinned.
She wasn't dreaming.
This was real.
She was going through an anomaly.
~X~
"I should be the one going," Christopher said, packing a bag full of supplies. "You're much too young."
Sofi rolled her eyes and took out the supplies her father had just packed into her bag. "Dad," she said, short but sweetly. "I'm going for an hour, two tops. I don't need this much equipment. Plus, I'm nineteen-years-old."
"But this isn't like some sleepover at Samantha's, Sofi," said Christopher. "There are proper monsters on the other side of that thing."
"They aren't monsters," Sofi said. "Monsters are cold and cruel. These are just animals, some of them are part of our own DNA line. Mammals."
Christopher sighed and stared at his daughter. "There is nothing I can say to make you not go, is there?" he asked.
"Nope," said Sofi. She closed her bag and threw it over her shoulder. "Dad, I am only going to get samples, alright? I'm not going on a holiday, I'm not moving there permanently. I am going to for a short period of time, with Professor Cutter, and I am coming home."
Christopher released another breath and looked down at the table separating him and his daughter. "Okay," he said, although he still sounded unsure. "Okay! But I'm still going to worry until you come back."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Dad," Sofi said, smiling. She looked over to the medical tent were Cutter was being checked over, and then turned back to her father. "The medics say I am good to go. I'll get checked over again when I come through, alright?"
"Oh, I know you will," said Christopher. "Even if I have to drag you to the hospital kicking and screaming."
Sofi laughed.
"Miss Wyatt?"
Sofi and Christopher looked around as the Captain of the SAS approached the research tent. He was armed and ready for whatever awaited them on the other side of the anomaly. He looked to be around mid-thirties with short sandy hair, and blue eyes.
"My name's Captain Ryan. We're ready to leave," the Captain said, holding out his hand.
Sofi smiled and slipped her tiny hand into his palm. "Nice to meet you," she said. "Call me Sofi. This is my dad, Christopher," she added, gesturing to his father beside her.
Christopher shook Ryan's hand and then turned to Sofi. He opened his mouth, to remind her to be careful, but she beat him to it.
"I will be extra careful," said Sofi. She reached up and kissed her father's cheek and then stepped closer to Ryan. "I'll see you soon, Dad."
With a sigh, Christopher watched his daughter walk towards the anomaly and then disappear through.
~X~
Sofi turned on the balls of her feet, trying her hardest to take in the sights around her. It was some form of the desert, but with black sand instead of yellow. The sun had reached its highest point in the sky, making the air humid and warm, but there was also a light breeze that rustled the leaves of the many trees that littered the landscape.
"Wow…" Professor Cutter breathed. He had released Rex, the Coelurosauravus that Ben Trent had found in the Forest of Dean, and the little lizard was flying around in the area.
"I don't believe this," Sofi said. The sun was so hot that beads of sweat had started to form over her brow, and was running down her back from her neck.
Ryan knelt beside the anomaly, depositing the bags he had with him on the ground and rifling through them. Sofi crept closer to see that he had packed more than enough ammunition to supply a small army.
"Planning for the apocalypse?" Sofi asked.
"These are dangerous times," said Ryan, standing up and towering over her. "Literally."
Sofi's gaze flitted around the area. "Well, I don't see any dangerous creatures nearby," she said. "And, I know from experience, that if we stay downwind from them they won't pick up our scent and come investigate. Besides, we aren't here to interfere with prehistoric life, and if you kill a creature back here, who knows what kind of consequences it will have back in our time."
"It's my job to protect you and the Professor," said Ryan, hefting his assault rifle onto his shoulder. "I intend to do my job."
"And I respect that," said Sofi. "But killing these creatures is not the answer. You could be doing more harm than good."
Ryan watched as she turned away and wandered back over towards the anomaly. He then turned his attention to the Professor as he started to walk away. "Where are you going?" he called.
"Give me one hour," Cutter replied, whirling around and facing the Captain. "Just one hour on my own. I've got a radio," he added as Ryan looked unsure. "Sofi, don't wander too far."
Sofi gave a salute and turned her back again. She pulled her bag from over her head and set it down beside her, rummaging around inside for a test tube. She filled it with a moderate amount of sand and capped it, sliding it back into her bag.
"I need plant specimens," Sofi said, turning to Ryan. "Am I alright to go over there?" she pointed to the woodland area nearby.
"I suppose. If you remember to stay within visual range," said Ryan.
Sofi rolled her eyes and grabbed her bag as she walked away. She reached inside and removed two test tubes, plucking several leaves from a tree as she grew closer.
Glancing over her shoulder, Sofi spotted Ryan watching her from afar. She rolled her eyes and reached up to pluck two more leaves from the branch, her fingers had barely brushed the twig when a chirping came from higher up.
Craning her neck, Sofi smiled as she spotted another Coelurosauravus peered down at her from amongst the foliage. "Hello," she said, softly. She knew this creature wasn't Rex, as the patterns up and down his back were different, and the crest on its head was much shorter.
This Coelurosauravus was female.
The Coelurosauravus chirped and reared back its head. It cocked its head to the side, and the beak moved into what Sofi guessed was a kind of smile.
Reaching forward, Sofi brushed her fingers against the Coelurosauravus as it jumped down from its branch and landed on one just above her.
The Coelurosauravus purred as Sofi petted it.
Sofi giggled as the creature twisted its head, trying to get as much affection from her as possible.
As she interacted with the Coelurosauravus, Sofi heard a roar and jumped. She looked around but found that she couldn't see anything. Besides, she was so far into the trees that it would've been hard for anything short of a small creature to find her. A large predator may have been able to sniff her out, but it couldn't get to her until she was out on the open plains again.
Returning her attention to the Coelurosauravus, Sofi paused as her gaze saw something through the branches ahead. She frowned and ducked under a branch, pushing herself through the undergrowth and coming out on the edge of what appeared to be a camp.
"Oh no," Sofi breathed, her eyes skimming over the broken brambles, the synthetic white tent, and the briefcases that littered the ground.
"Miss Wyatt?" Ryan's voice called, and Sofi heard the snapping of twigs and rustling of leaves behind her. "Which part of stay within visual range did you not understand?" he asked once he broke out of the trees and stopped beside Sofi.
Sofi looked up at him.
Ryan frowned at the look on her face. "What?" he asked, looking around him. He half expected to find a predator of some kind, and his hand tightened around his rifle in anticipation. Instead, his gaze fell on the campsite Sofi had found.
"You should get the Professor," said Sofi. She looked around at Ryan as she stepped further into the campsite. "He'll want to see this."
"Me?" Ryan asked.
"Yes, you," Sofi nodded. "You're the Captain of the SAS. You're the one with the assault rifle, and you're the one who said that you were here to protect us. So, you are the one that needs to get the Professor."
Ryan stared at the teenager. "What about you?" he asked. "I'm not about to leave you here alone."
"I'm not alone," said Sofi, nodding at the tree behind Ryan. "I have an entire family of Coelurosauravus watching my back. Now, there's no recorded evidence that suggests that they were social creatures, but scientists do believe that they are closely related to modern-day squirrels in the sense that they act like squirrels do, hopping from tree to tree looking for food. I'm also fairly certain that if a predator comes within distance of this tree or any tree that they call home, they will let off a signal to alert other Coelurosauravus in the area."
"You're going to put your life in the hands of lizards?" Ryan asked.
Sofi shrugged. "It's better than dragging me out into the open where a predator could pick us off one-by-one," she said.
Ryan considered her for a moment and then sighed. "Fine," he reluctantly agreed. "But don't wander off."
"Yes, sir," said Sofi, saluting him again. She missed the glare he shot her as she turned her back, and started to investigate the area looking for more evidence of human incursions, but also collecting her own scientific samples.
As she worked, Sofi failed to realise she had wandered away from the campsite and towards the open plains. She could hear rustling in the distance and looked up to find herself at the bottom of a rather large dune. She glanced behind her and then venture up the hill, pausing at the top as she looked out over the vast desert.
Herds of Scutosaurus' grazed on roots and berries that had fallen from the bushes, watching the sidelines, but also basking in the afternoon sun, was a large reptile with a jaw full of teeth and a massive sail on its back.
"Dimetrodon," Sofi whispered in awe. Ever since she had been old enough to research these types of animals, she had always been fascinated with the Dimetrodon. Granted, she was fascinated with any kind of prehistoric creature, but a Dimetrodon had always been her favourite.
Suddenly, the ground rumbled and Sofi stumbled into a rock. She hissed as her hand grazed a sharp edge and started to bleed. Looking up, Sofi's eyes widened as an enormous Gorgonopsid lumbered around at the bottom of the dune. It sniffed the air and Sofi cursed inwardly as she realised she was no longer downwind from the creatures.
Ducking behind a large rock, Sofi reached into her bag and pulled out her scarf. She had been wearing it that morning but had taken it off throughout the day. She wrapped it carefully around her hand and used her teeth to tighten it. At least the creature couldn't smell her blood.
Peering over the top of the rock, Sofi watched as the Gorgonopsid sniffed the bottom of the dune and then turned its large head up towards her. She held her breath, silently praying that it wouldn't start the ascent, and luckily, it didn't. Instead, the Gorgonopsid turned its head and started to head in the direction Sofi had come.
It was following her scent trail back to the old campsite.
Shit.
Cutter and Ryan were back there.
Sucking in a breath, Sofi rushed down the dune and followed the Gorgonopsid back to the campsite. It sniffed around the debris, trampled over the tent and knocked a briefcase aside, roaring in frustration as it failed to get the contents. In the end, it roared, and stormed away, leaving a tree full of chirping Coelurosauravus, and a shocked teenager in its wake.
Breathing hard, Sofi jumped as a hand landed on her shoulder. She whipped around and found Nick standing at her back. "Oh thank god!" she whispered.
"What happened?" Nick asked. "Are you okay? You look terrified."
"There was a Gorgonopsid," said Sofi. "It followed my scent back here, and I panicked knowing he had come to find you to show you this." She waved her hand at the campsite behind her.
Ryan furrowed his brow. "A scent trail?" he asked. "You moved, didn't you? Especially after I specifically told you not too!"
"I'm collecting samples," Sofi argued. "I can't do that if I remain in one place! I was just scouting ahead, sue me for being curious."
Nick squeezed Sofi's shoulder and bypassed her, kneeling beside the campsite. He flipped open the briefcase that the Gorgonopsid had kicked aside and pulled out a chocolate bar from inside.
"Someone has been here before us," said Nick, looking up at his companions. "Sofi, you said you scouted ahead, any signs that they remained or headed back?"
Sofi shook her head. She was too enthralled by the creatures she had seen to notice anything more.
"We should look for survivors," said Nick, dropping the chocolate bar back into the case. "Just to be safe."
"But this camp is old," said Ryan. "Really old. If there were survivors there is a chance they are dead by now."
Sofi turned to the Captain. "We should still look for evidence," she said. "Any clues that could tell us who was here. Maybe there are families out there looking for closure. We could give them that."
Nick nodded in agreement.
Ryan pinched the bridge of his nose but relented. The trio spread out, with Ryan keeping both Sofi and Cutter within his line of site at all times. He wasn't so nervous about Cutter wandering off, the Professor was a grown man that could probably take care of himself, whereas Sofi was only nineteen. Sure, she was of age, but she was still a child.
"Guys," Sofi called out from somewhere amongst the trees. "Over here!"
Ryan and Cutter headed towards her voice and found her kneeling beside a shallow grave, submerged in which was the skeletal remains of a body.
"Here," said Ryan, plunging his hand into the gravel beside Sofi and pulling a camera from beneath. He handed it to Nick.
Sofi looked up at her Professor as she heard him take in a sharp breath. "Professor?" she asked, quietly.
"It's H.C.," Cutter said, softly. "It's Helen Cutter."
Sofi's gaze flickered back to the skeleton.
"Is it her?" Ryan asked.
Sofi shrugged. "I don't know," she answered. "I count twelve ribs. And since both men and women have twelve ribs, your guess is as good as mine."
"So this could be her?" Ryan asked.
Sofi nodded and reached across the skeleton, wiping aside more dirt and gravel from the bones. She was looking for any evidence to prove that this person was a man or female, something that would put her Professor's mind at ease.
"How did they die?" Ryan asked.
"It looks like they were attacked by a sharp object," said Sofi, running her finger across a deep niche in the collar bone. "But I can't be sure. The bones have been exposed to the elements for years, and it looks like scavengers have been here, too."
Nick clutched the camera tightly in his hands. He had tried checking to see if there was any power left in it, maybe just enough for him to search its a hard to drive for evidence that his wife had been here.
"Sofi, any indication that this could be her?" Nick asked, giving up on the camera and looking down at his student.
"Well, it's not just the ribs that can tell the difference between male and female," said Sofi. She brushed aside the gravel around the navel area, exposing the pelvic bone and examining it. She run her finger across the rough texture of the bone and measured the width using a measuring tape she had found in the bottom of her bag.
Nick watched. His breathing laboured in expectation.
"It's good news, at least for you, Professor," said Sofi, pulling back and standing up. She turned to her Professor, a slight smile on her face. "The pelvic bone is small and narrow, meaning it's that of a male."
The relief on Nick's face was instantaneous.
"It's time to go," said Ryan, checking his watch.
"Yeah, I can't help that. I've got to find my wife," said Cutter, walking away from the grave.
Sofi stood and turned quickly to him. The plan had been simple - three go through the anomaly, as long as three came back.
"We have to go," Ryan insisted.
"I'm staying," Cutter said.
Sofi shouldered her bag, making sure her samples were secured for the journey home. The test tubes had been locked inside a padded case at the bottom of her bag, ensuring that they wouldn't clash together and smash.
Thud.
Looking up, quickly, Sofi gasped as she saw Nick on the ground and Ryan standing over him, pistol in hand. "What the hell?" she cried, running over and falling to her knees. She inspected the welt on the back of Cutter's head and looked up at Ryan.
"I told you," said Ryan. "I'm here to protect you."
"By pistol whipping?" Sofi asked.
"He'll be fine."
"You don't know that."
"It's a perfectly safe procedure," said Ryan. "He may have a headache when he wakes up, but he'll be alive."
Sofi shook her head. "The back of the head and neck is a vulnerable part of the body in several species," she said. "Why do you think many predators aim for that part when they attack? If they manage to snap the spinal cord of their prey then they have an easy meal."
"It's a good thing I'm not a fearsome predator then, isn't it?" Ryan asked.
"No, you're not," said Sofi, shaking her head. She stood and rounded on Ryan. Despite the fact that he was a foot taller than her, she still stood her ground. "But, if you had hit him with a certain amount of force, you could've easily snapped his spine."
Ryan stepped around Sofi and stooped down to look Cutter's arms around his neck, and then lifted him up and over his shoulder. The professor was considered a dead weight now he was unconscious, and Ryan found that he couldn't carry him and fire his rifle if they ran into danger.
"Have you finished ranting at me, or would you like to continue?" Ryan asked, turning back to Sofi.
"Do you even care that you could've paralysed him?" Sofi asked.
Ryan sighed. "Miss Wyatt, I assure you, no harm will come to the Professor," he said. "But, if you do insist on continuing to rant at me, can you at least do it while we return to the anomaly. You were supposed to have returned by now, I'm sure they're worried."
Sofi clamped her mouth shut as Ryan walked around her and headed back towards the campsite. She hurried after him, falling into step on his right as they navigated back across the open plains.
~X~
Christopher checked his watch… not once, not twice, but three times. He had been doing the same repetitive task for the last ten minutes, each time looking back up at the anomaly. It had been two hours since his daughter had gone through the gateway to a prehistoric past to collect samples of plants, soil, and water. She had been a part of the three-person operation, along with SAS Captain, Tom Ryan and Zoology Professor, Nick Cutter.
"Where is she?" Christopher murmured, his eyes scanning the anomaly for any signs. Connor Temple had already announced that the magnetic field was weakening, meaning the anomaly was on the brink of disappearing. It had managed to last this long, but neither of them knew how long it would remain open, or if it would ever open again once it did close.
Janice Morgan, another scientist working underneath Christopher, wandered over and placed her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure she's alright," she said, soothingly.
"What if she's not?" Christopher asked. "What if she is hurt? What if she's become separated? Or what if….?"
"You need to stop thinking like that, Christopher," Janice said. "You'll drive yourself crazy. From what you've told me about Sofi, she seems like a bright young girl who can take care of herself. If she is hurt, she'll manage, and if she's become separated, I'm sure she'll do everything within her power to find a way home."
Despite Janice's words, Christopher didn't relax. He knew how smart his daughter was, and how efficient she could be. He knew that Janice spoke the truth and that if this anomaly did close, Sofi would find a way back to him. But the fact of the matter still remained. His daughter was on the other side of an anomaly, and there was nothing he could do to help her from becoming stranded.
"Look!"
Christopher looked up at the yell of Zookeeper, Abby Maitland. She was pointing at the anomaly, which was shimmering brightly.
"Something's happening!" Connor said, trying to venture closer for a better look. He was held back by a SAS soldier.
"It looks like something is trying to come through," said Charlie. He, too, was watching the anomaly.
The anomaly shimmered again and a body suddenly fell through. The person squeaked as they were propelled forward, and landed in the outstretched arms of a young SAS soldier.
"Sofi!" Christopher yelled, recognising the mop of the redhead. He pushed his way through the SAS guard and took his daughter from the soldier that had caught her. "Oh, thank god, Sofi!"
Sofi chuckled and hugged her father tightly. She could tell from the way his voice wavered to the strength he squeezed her as he hugged her, that he had been scared. "I'm sorry, Dad," she apologised. "I didn't realise the time, and things were hectic. I'm really sorry for worrying you."
Christopher shook his head as he held her at arm's length, and gave her the once over. "Forget it," he said, drawing her back in. "I'm just glad you're alright. You are alright, aren't you?" he asked, spotting her bandaged hand.
"I'm fine," Sofi said, shaking her head. "It's just a small abrasion. Nothing to fret over. I'll get it checked out soon."
"What was it like?" Christopher asked.
Sofi looked up at her dad, a feeling of wondrous emotion welled inside her. Her eyes sparkled with childlike wonder, and she beamed. "Like nothing you could image," she said, laughing. "All those stories, and everything I have read or seen on TV, it doesn't come close to the truth."
Christopher chuckled and drew Sofi back into a hug.
When they parted for the third and final time, both father and daughter turned to the sound of a loud roar coming from inside the trees. The anomaly had closed, not long after Cutter and Ryan had returned, but the sound was coming from the other side of the forest.
"Oh, My God…" Charlie, the young scientist said, spotting a hulking moving mass in the shadows.
"RUN!" Janice screamed as the Gorgonopsid burst out into the clearing.
There was complete chaos.
SAS soldiers ran towards the charging creature, one of them got too close and tossed into the air, landing with a crunch near where Sofi had taken refuge. She rushed out from behind her hiding spot and carefully dragged the fallen soldier behind another tree, checking his injuries.
"How bad is it?" the soldier asked. His breathing was laboured from the pain and shock of what had happened, but he was holding onto consciousness.
Sofi shook her head. "I don't know," she said. "This," she pointed at his hip bone, "could be broken, or it could've just popped out. But, I'm not a doctor, and I'm in no position to be trying to put it back in."
"It hurts when I breathe," said the soldier.
"That sounds like either a broken or bruised rib cage," said Sofi. "All in all, I'd say you were quite lucky."
"Lucky? I've just been tossed through the air by a dinosaur!"
"It's not a dinosaur," said Sofi, shaking her head. "And besides, at least you're alive, yeah?"
The soldier fell silent and lay his head back on the ground. He watched as Sofi looked up, and out into the clearing, where there was still gunshots being fired.
"My names Jayden," said the soldier.
"Sofi."
"Well, Sofi, it's nice to meet you," said Jayden.
A hushed silence fell over the clearing, and Sofi looked up curiously. The Gorgonopsid lay on the forest floor, in front of Cutter's truck, and Stephen stood beside it wielding an assault rifle. All over the woods, scientists, SAS soldiers, and other civilians alike were starting to appear.
"Did we miss the action?" Jayden asked, trying to sit up.
Sofi carefully steadied him and waved her hand above her head. "Medic!" she called. Two medics headed for her and quickly called for a third to bring a stretcher.
As the medics fussed over Jayden, Sofi crept out of the trees and approached the Gorgonopsid. It had three bullet wounds in its flank, and it looked like its back legs had caved in due to the stress of its damaged body.
"So much for not killing these creatures," said Ryan, appearing beside Sofi and looking down at the Gorgonopsid.
Sofi shot him a glare and walked away.
~X~
Later that evening at home, Sofi dropped her bag off onto the table and wandering over to the evidence board she had set up between her two windows. Instead of living in a flat, she had opted for a loft where she had more space.
The main room was a combination of her living room, kitchen, and dining room, which had a white sofa, TV, various toys for Toby and Figaro, and then a long table near the high windows which was littered with an arrangement of papers, a microscope and a laptop.
Behind the table, on the wall between the two windows, was the evidence board that Sofi now stood in front of. She pinned the newspaper that Connor had used to lure Professor Cuter into the Forest of Dean yesterday morning and turned back to her home.
Toby snoozed on the sofa, his head just visible on the arm, as Figaro lay on top of the TV, his paw hanging over the side and his tail curled around him. Sofi smiled and looked down at her bag, reaching in and removing the small camera from its depths. She had taken it with her through the anomaly, and managed to snapshot a few images.
Scooping out the padded box that contained her samples, Sofi disappeared into the dark room she had converted out of a spare bedroom and flipped on the light. She didn't have any photos that were in the process of being developed, so the light was fine. The room was full of images containing fauna, and various animals. Despite being a Zoology major, Sofi had always found photography fascinating and decided to do a minor course during her first year of University.
Removing the film from the camera, Sofi set about the preparation to develop the pictures later that evening and then left the darkroom for the second door in the hall. This door was locked by a thumbprint and coded lock; after putting in the key code, and scanning her thumb, Sofi stepped through into a lab.
She set her new samples off to the side and wandered around the room checking on the rest of her experiments. She used these experiments to write her essays and projects at University, a lot of her classmates and even some of her professors questioned her results, but she never let up on where she got them from.
Once satisfied with her earlier experiments, Sofi turned to her new samples and set about preparing them for examination. If the anomalies were gateways to the past, and she knew that they were, then maybe she could find a reason for them opening in the soil samples taken from both the Forest of Dean and the anomaly site in the Permian.
And, if she could find that reason, maybe, just maybe, she could predict if and when it would happen again.
One thing's for sure, Sofi thought as she added a small sample of soil to a slide and slipped it under a microscope. This is just the beginning.