Gray lie still, his eyes closed, feigning sleep. He listened to his brother's even breathing beside him. Without even noticing, Gray's own breath fell into the same rhythm. He tried to relax his mind. But thoughts and worries kept popping back up. Finally, with a soft groan, he opened his eyes and glanced at his watch. 11:54. Six minutes to go.

Gray rolled over to that he was facing Zach. Zach was curled up with his blanket pulled to his chin. His face was thin and pale, but he looked at peace. Gray was getting worried about his big brother. Zach had been quiet and reserved recently. He was looking quite awful too. Gray knew he had been talking to Aunt Claire a lot and that she was definitely worried. Was Zach sick? He wanted to ask her what exactly was wrong with Zach, but Gray was afraid of the answer. His older brother had done so much for him. Gray didn't know what he would do if something happened to Zach. Or was happening. . .

Agitated, Gray checked his watch again. 11:57. That was close enough. Checking once last time to make sure Zach was asleep, Gray scooted out of bed. He hadn't even bothered getting into his pajamas that night. He had slept in sweatpants and a t-shirt. He pulled on boots and wiggled into his jacket. Quietly as possible, Gray slipped out of his shared bedroom, softly closing the door. He tiptoed through the kitchen and living room to the front door. As he opened the door the cool night air swept through his hair. He hurried into the dark night, jittery with excitement from the rendezvous, his stomach tightly knotted from nerves of being caught.

"Gray!'' The slight whisper shattered the silent night. "Over here!''

Maisie was waving at the edge of the forest. Gray hurried over.

"Glad you could make it,'' said Maisie as he joined her.

"Remind me why we're doing this?'' He said breathlessly.

"Because we sneak out too much in the day,'' Maisie explained. "My parents are already suspicious enough.''

"So we're going out at night now?'' Gray asked, nervously glancing around the dark forest. "Are you sure that's safe?''

"Of course it is. I wouldn't lead you into danger, would I?''

"Not intentionally.''

Maisie snorted, an action Gray found both amusing and cute. "Come on, fraidy-cat.'' She started tromping into the forest, Gray hot on her heels.

Behind them, hidden in the shadows of the cabin, Owen watched. His eyes narrowed into slits. It was time he found out what they were doing—once and for all.


Years of training and being in the navy made Owen light and sure-footed. He moved silently a ways behind the two children. They were talking and laughing quietly; Owen could not make out what they were saying. But he would know soon enough. Adrenaline coursed though his veins. Owen was so ready to discover what was so important to his nephew and daughter. This better be good, he thought. Weeks of lies must add up to something. If it was some dumb shit child's-play Owen would be pissed as hell.

While the art of silent-movement came easily to Owen, it was hard to maintain for an extended period of time. Maisie and Gray were taking there own sweet time. Owen stepped wrong. Crack! A single twig snapped beneath his heavy boots. He dove behind a tree.

Gray whirled around. "Oh shit, what was that?!"

"Probably just a raccoon.'' But Maisie sounded worried. "Come on, we're almost there. Let's hurry.''

Almost where?

Excitement sparked inside Owen. He was so close to solving this mystery. Carefully, he emerged from behind the tree. But wait. Where did they go? Maisie and Gray had vanished behind a thin tree line. Owen slowly approached the spot where he had last seen them only a minute ago. He listened, shutting off every other sense. He heard a distinct rustle of leaves. Murmuring voices. Smothered giggles. And. . . a growl? No, more like a purr. A happy purr. Content. Satisfied.

Wait.

Owen knew that sound.

Well, very well.

Stealth completely forgotten, Owen crashed through the trees and stumbled into a clearing. Owen and Maisie jerked their heads up, looks of alarm spreading across their faces. They were kneeling on the ground under a tree, leaning over— oh shit. Shit, shit, shit. The four baby velociraptors blinked their large eyes at Owen. He was rigid. One of them suddenly threw back it's scaley head and bawled.

"No, no, Winky, quiet, shh, quiet Winky!" Maisie cried hysterically. She and Gray snatched up the babies and hugged them close trying to calm them down before they alerted their mother. Their mother, Owen thought. Where was. . ?

A ear-splitting shriek fractured the night. The shrubbery behind the tree where the kids and raptors were located rustled for a moment. Then a creature burst out. Owen recognized her immediately. His heart jolted.

"What the fu—"

Owen was knocked to the ground with incredible force. He fought the feeling of having the breath knocked out of him and took a deep, stuttering breath. He felt sharp claws dig into his shoulder not quite hard enough to draw blood. Most of the raptor's weight held his thighs to the ground, where her feet were placed. She was staring straight at him, teeth bared. Owen stared back at her, unflinching.

"Well, hey there, Blue. Is this any way to greet your old man?''

Blue hissed. But she didn't tear his face off. Owen felt emotion swell inside, threatening to choke him. This was Blue. His Blue. The Blue that he had raised from an egg, the Blue that he had saved, the Blue that had saved him. All these memories. And she had him pinned to the ground, about to pounce with a killing blow. What a nice way to die, Owen thought bitterly, killed by your best friend.

"Blue, stop!" It was Maisie's voice, but it sounded different. It was strong, commanding. Not a hint of awkward or discomfort.

Owen glanced in the direction of the voice. Maisie was standing tall close by. She had her hand extended to Blue. Her face was tight with concentration. "Blue, you heard me. Get off of Owen. Now Blue!''

Blue hissed, but back down.

Owen shot to his feet. He dusted himself off and looked erectly around. The four baby raptors were huddled around Gray. Gray looked both relieved and guilty. Blue was standing beside Maisie. Maisie no longer looked like an army general. Her pretty eyes were wide with shock and fear. Her lower lip trembled. She suddenly moved forward and threw her arms around Owen. But Owen wasn't in the mood. He pushed her roughly away and stepped back. Maisie's face lit up with surprise and hurt. But Owen did not care. Not now. This had gone too far. He was breathing hard, but forced himself to be calm and spoke evenly. "Maisie, explain.''

"I'm sorry, Owen, I—"

"I don't want to hear your reasons or sentiments,'' Owen said bluntly. "Just tell me how this all happened.''

Wringing her hands nervously, Maisie told Owen. "I was just wondering through the forest one day and I came across Blue and her nest. I think she remembered me from Lockwood Manor. I don't know, Owen, I was just so lonely! I couldn't help spending so much time with her. When her eggs hatched, I fell in love with the babies. I watched you vlogs where I picked up some tips. I'm sorry, Owen! I couldn't help it.''

"Why did you never tell me?'' Owen forced his gaze on his daughter. He couldn't bare to look at Blue. So she had remembered Maisie but not him, eh? No, she hadn't remembered Owen one bit. At least he hoped not. Why had Blue just tried to kill him?

Maisie was on the verge of tears. "I wanted to, honest!''

"But you didn't.''

"It wasn't just her,'' Gray spoke out. "I've known for awhile now too, and I've said nothing.'' He crossed from the tree to where Maisie stood.

"I couldn't tell you, Owen,'' said Maisie miserably. "I couldn't risk it, you see. What if Blue had freaked out and hurt you? And what about Claire and Zach? I couldn't risk anyone's safety. Blue is extra protective because of her motherly-instincts, and—"

"Motherly-instincts?'' Owen interrupted. His eyes fell on the babies. "My God. Those are her children?''

"Yes,'' whispered Maisie timidly.

"And you still never told me?''

Gray and Maisie exchanged a trapped glance, then nodded sheepishly.

"You little shits,'' Owen growled.

"Please don't be mad!'' Maisie sobbed. Tears were streaming down her cheeks now. Owen hated himself for making her cry. He had never made her cry before. But no, this wasn't his fault. Maisie had brought this upon herself.

"Come on. We're going home.'' Owen turned and started back for the cabin.

"We're leaving now?'' Said Gray, confused.

"It's the middle of the night.''

"Oh, ok. Uh, by you guys! See you tomorrow. . . hopefully.''

Owen continued walking. He heard Blue whine, but he ignored her and kept going. Maisie and Gray followed Owen closely on the way back. The night was quiet again, except for Maisie's occasional sniffles. Out of the corner of his eye, Owen saw Gray put his arm around her shoulders and whisper something in her ear. It made Owen even more disgruntled. The kids were most likely just friends, but Owen was still wary. They were cousins.

His mind drifted back to Blue. He shut it off. He shut it all off. He was tired. Tomorrow he would think. Right now, he just wanted to be home.

When they got back to the cabin, Owen sent Gray straight back to bed. Gray silently obeyed, tossing another guilty glance over his shoulder and he crept back into his room. Maisie stood alone with Owen in the kitchen now. Neither spoke. Maisie stared at her muddy combat boots.

"Get to bed.'' Said Owen roughly.

Maisie looked as though she were about to say something, but she held her tongue. She started up the ladder to the loft where she slept. About halfway up, she paused. "I'm sorry,'' she whispered, then scrambled up the rest of the ladder.

Owen sighed, running his hands through his hair. Then he slipped back into his and Claire's bedroom. He stripped down to his boxers and slid in bed next to Claire. He cuddled close to her sleeping form, longing for comfort. His arm instinctively wrapped around her waist. Owen kissed her forehead gently and snuggled his head against her shoulder. She shifted in her sleep, her beautiful face catching the moonlight streaming in through the window. Owen would have stared at her until dawn, but exhaustion got the best of him. He fell into a deep, dreamless sleep, unaware of the trouble that was to come.