Chapter 1

Got the Job

"Yeah… okay… you got it!" Eric hung up the phone with a grin. After 10 years of being a paleontological journalist, he actually got a nice call. Eric went to his bookshelf and looked around. Next to two books signed by Dr. Alan Grant, Eric pulled out a dusty address book. After blowing off the dust, he flipped through the pages until he found the right number. His grin widened.

Eric punched the numbers into the phone and waited impatiently while it rang. Eventually, a gruff voiced man picked up. "Hello?" he said.

"Your never gonna believe this," Eric said.

"Oh really, Eric? You're not stranded on an island in a tanker again, are you?"

Eric laughed, "No, Dr. Grant. I landed a sweet spot. I'm going to a real dig! The say it's like no other."

Alan Grant sighed, "I'm glad for you Eric, I only wish I could tag along."

Eric became confused, "Why not Dr. Grant? I was going to ask you."

Alan coughed, and then continued to talk, "I'm not doing too well, heroes still age, you know."

"I'm sorry Dr. Grant, if only…"

"But, Eric. My son Alex has a knack for dinosaurs. He's 17, he'd love to come."

Eric thought for a moment, "Yeah, okay Dr. Grant. I'll take 'em. Tell him to meet me at the Phoenix airport, okay?"

"Phoenix? I thought the Kirby's lived in Oklahoma?"

"Yeah, I moved out. I wanted to be closer to the digs, most of them are southern."

"Whatever, Alex is going to love this. Goodbye Eric, happy hunting. Oh, and happy 29th."

"Thanks Doctor."

"No problem."

Eric hung up the phone and walked towards his living room. Crashing on the couch, he let his mind wander. He couldn't believe that he got a good call, but he also couldn't believe he'd have a teenager tagging along. But, at least it would only be a dig. Nothing serious. He could dump the kid with a paleontologist and go write in peace.

Time passed, and pretty soon Eric was walking towards his bedroom to rest for the flight tomorrow. A flight to Puerto Rico from New Mexico; with a 17 year old. Eric heaved a sigh; it would be a long business trip. Eric flopped onto his bed and fatigue quickly over took him. Eric began tossing in his sleep. Old nightmares haunted him every night, the same one over and over. He'd wake up with an ounce of sleep. They started when he was rescued from Isla Sorna, and they've plagued him ever since.

It was stormy, he was surrounded by jungle. Everywhere he turned he just saw the onslaught of plant life. Silhouettes of dinosaurs danced in the distance, then closer. The raptors would move in closer to Eric. One grayish one would step from the pack, and walk even closer, taking its sweet time. It would stop five feet away, and for just a moment, sit there and stare. Then it would pounce, teeth lashing, and the world would go black.

Eric bolted upright. His alarm blaring was not the only thing that woke him up. He endured horrible dreams every night, and they left him sweaty and disoriented. After briefly calming down, he got up and got dressed. Soon enough, he was in the car driving to the airport. The Arizona sun was kept at bay outside the car as Eric relaxed. Soon he would be sweating in the Central American heat over a small laptop writing his article. What fun, Eric thought.

He pulled into the parking lot and walked into the lobby. He looked around for the right gate, C-19. His search was interrupted when a young looking teenager with a small suitcase called his name. Eric whirled around to come face to face with the boy.

"Hi, uh, are you Eric Kirby?" he asked.

"Yeah, that's me." Eric replied. The boy stuck his hand out.

"I'm Alex Grant, Alan's son. He said I'd be joining you."

Eric nodded, "That'd be right," he shook Alex's hand, "We're supposed to go to gate E-3. Do you have your I.D?"

Alex nodded, "Always."

"Well, I have an invitation. We're taking a small plane, a puddle hopper. That bag only has what you absolutely need, right?"

"Uh… yeah. Clothes, camera and night stuff. Where are we going?"

"Puerto Rico, we're going to a dig, they got some new dinosaur bones. They claim it's unique. C'mon, we better get moving."

Eric and Alex worked their way through the halls of the airport. Finally locating E-3, Eric showed his invitation and explained that the teen was with him. The guard led them out of the building, onto the tarmac, and out to a small hanger. Waiting there was another man, not quite as intimidating as the burly guard. He was the pilot. The pilot extended his hand, which Eric and Alex shook. "Are you all ready to board?" the pilot said.

"Yes sir," Alex answered.

"Please, call me David. You've got quite a surprise heading your way."

They all climbed aboard the plane. It taxied out of the hanger and accelerated down the runway. In a few seconds the plane lurched airborne and they were soaring above the Earth. Eric thought back to when he was young, gazing out of the helicopter and watching the Pteranodons flying above the ocean. That was the last day he'd ever see a live dinosaur.

Eric looked over to see Alex swaying in his seat. This kid's pretty impatient, Eric thought. Eric craned his head to look out his window. He could see Mexico looming below him. Eric smiled. He enjoyed flying; it was a way to escape the world, which was anchored below him at the moment. Then there was a change in the environment. The tan-green land disappeared from view and an enormous body of water covered his view. They weren't going to Puerto Rico.

"Excuse me David," Eric said, "Aren't we going to Puerto Rico?"

David looked back and smiled loosely, "I'm sorry, Mr. Kirby, but my boss paid me well to take you to Isla Nublar. There was never a digsite. But we do need your help"

"What?! How could you deceive us like this?" Alex yelled.

"60,000 dollars can change a man's personality in a snap." David stated smugly.

Mountains began sprouting up out of the water, the land painted a heavenly green. "Welcome to Isla Nublar gentleman. Welcome to Jurassic Park." David exclaimed.

Eric froze, and then went ballistic. "No! We have to leave now! It is not safe on this island!" he screamed.

David gave him a befuddled look, "This islands been barren for years, we need you to recover some things from the old visitor's center. Feel free to take note on your laptop of any remains you find lying around. We'll pay you in full, cash."

Eric was hardly moved. David stepped outside the plan. "C'mon wimps! Nothing's gonna…" but David never finished his sentence. Almost immediately, a velociraptor had its killer claw buried in his chest. Alex turned a deathly pale as the raptor disemboweled the pilot. Eric grabbed him by the arm, "The rear exit! We got to move!" Alex, speechless, nodded and followed him. More raptors poured out of the forest, some moving towards David's remains, others entering the plane, sniffing for more prey.

Eric pushed aside his fright and courage took over. He pulled Alex along with him into the forest towards the visitor's center, towards Jurassic Park.

Finally, one of my Fanfics NOT misc! R & R, tell me what to do. And trust me, WAY more dino rampage in later chapters.