Jurassic World
An Indominus Imprint
Chapter Nine
"You a crazy person Mark! Crazy and somehow just as damned entertaining!" Barry spoke to me in disbelief when we sat at the bar drinking our respective choices. It seemed Owen had something to take care off tonight and couldn't make it to the local gathering of employees on the island, I had arrived after an extensive cleaning in the showers and I never felt so happy. I had yet to return to my room but I knew that the Indominus siblings had plenty of food and water to last them. So I just had to get through this last part of the day and it'd be set.
I gave an exhausted grin while raising my glass of cola. "Well let's hope that I don't have to pull anymore surprises for something I haven't done in my life Barry. If it wasn't for Owen then I'd be screwed more then anything, so what's got him preoccupied to not be sitting by you or in the bar tonight?" I figured to at least solve the mystery to my mentor's sudden disappearance since the lack of noise at this place scared me slightly. Well slightly enough to notice that if I didn't figure out why then I'd be paranoid to watch out for the bungalow pick up lines. Yet that thought made me wish I didn't have to imagine my own warning to those words.
Kate had been working a bit later at the labs and she sent me a text that she'd be here soon enough.
Soon as in three hours ago, so I had been very tired now.
"Ah! Both you white men are crazy for sure, you listen to him that's enough, now I got a reason to understand him. The great big white man discovers he's more familiar in raising youngsters then he realizes." Barry said a bit vaguely much to my raised eyebrow at that. The handler wouldn't disclose whatever the hell they did as their day jobs, I pegged it to be a joke at me more so then to Owen. Deciding to be a bit bolder then I ever assumed, I asked him. "Is that a joke about me, or about him?" The man laughed before slapping me on the shoulder when I gave off the puzzled look once more. I knew it had to be both or else I'd be going insane to say I didn't see it coming.
"It's more of a fact Mark." Barry reassured me a with smile to when I rolled my eyes, "Yeah okay. Big brother wasn't enough and now you're the expert Dr. Barry?" The sarcasm in place made the man just shake his head smiling at my scowling face. He took a drink out of his place when I remained sitting in place to have my head on both of my arms as makeshift pillow. I couldn't wait till leave, I had to meet Kate and have a small dinner with her to call it a night. I was just tired and I needed my rest to hopefully sleep with the youngsters I had waiting for me.
I knew Ivy especially would be hounding my footsteps and Donny would literally jump into my arms when I gave an opportunity for it.
"So how goes your little girl problem? Owen's got a bet that you hook up with your scientist friend, or that other one." Barry said out of the blue in an amused tone. It caused me to cough when I had been sipping my drink. Liquid rushed down the wrong pipe and I coughed loudly trying to get my breathing right. I felt the man's hand slap me hard on the back as I wheezed out air, or had to desperately breathe it back into my lungs. Honestly that took me roughly another minute coherent say any words, a sentence or statement to show my feelings to that line of questioning.
"What the hell is wrong with you two?" I genuinely demanded as the man started to laugh at my expense. My face felt flushed and it was completely awkward as all hell to even discuss that type of thing. Seriously I didn't pressure myself to deny, or accept any suggestions when it came down to my ever growing over-watch of a social life that my mentor loved to piss me off about. I could handle the teasing from one person, but having Barry get in on this running joke? Well it just made me wish I'd had jumped over that ferry the day I came to this island.
"Come on Mark. You know Owen put me up to this and I for one have an invested financial opportunity that I'd like the man to eat his own words." Barry explained very dramatically business like that it caused my eyes to dead pan at the man. Despite wearing a vest with a white shirt underneath, I did have to wonder what he was getting at here. It sounded like he wanted to win the bet, whatever it was, plus to get back at my mentor in a good old fashion manner akin to being schooled. So resisting an action to flip him off, I schooled my features to ask him very simply and somehow not walk away from the bar.
"Alright. What the hell did you two bet on and why does it involve my social life?" I said very interested as Barry gave me a grin. "You sure you want to hear this? I'm warning you Mark, you might look at the crazy white man all the more differently now, so you ready for it?" Apart from the joking racial intentions, I cracked a smile because the man didn't mean any hard feelings. I found it funny to be called the crazy person, hell it was even funnier for me to call Owen the greater crazy, so I gave Barry the credit to say I enjoyed when he spoke. The man had a tendency to definitely make you understand him when the came for a simple drink, or just to shoot the breeze as it was now.
"Tell me Dr. Barry. I must know what mystery you seek! Enlighten me." I attempted to imitated his own accent to have him laugh at my piss poor attempt at his own natural voice. It worked when he shook his head to ruff my hair since I had my hat in the hands of a very shell shocked girl somewhere, I just took the gesture with a good heart to know he meant it. "Well Owen has a thing for someone on this island, specifically a woman, so take that for enlightenment Mark." The man's grin made my eyes go wide when I sat down on my stool in front of the bar, I had to clean my ears for a minute. Literally I cleaned both to make sure everything was fine at first.
When that was done, here I allowed myself to offer a disbelieving chuckle."Oh no way! Barry, I think you better be joking cause since when does Owen have a thing for one person?" I may have seen some kind of comical sides pertaining to my mentor yet being head over heels for a woman? I may have as well been a newbie when it came to relationships, so what Barry was implying, I had to seriously clarify the doubts lingering within my mind. It wasn't odd yet it wasn't really a common occurrence to have Owen feeling something other then amusement, or jokes aside to anyone.
"No. I'm not kidding Mark, he's a bit unsure in how to approach her and that's why he's helping you to get with someone." Barry told me seriously as I went wide eyed at that reveal. In fact I flat out disregarded that fact akin to someone who didn't believe it. "No way! So him giving me advice about Kate is just for his own bullshit attempt to get with a girlfriend? Am I hearing this right Barry? Owen is just stringing me along for his own problems?" The man realized what I was implying and he shook his fiercely to the point where he glared at my growing anger. Not once did this man defend the notion that Owen Grady strung people around like nothing and threw them away once their usefulness had expired.
"No! You're missing the point Marcus! Owen is scared about approaching this woman because he doesn't how to get her to open up. Hence why I said he wants to help you first. It's both to help him find a way to meet her and a way for you to open up to someone Mark!" He jabbed me in the chest with a finger as I winced from the pressure. I had never seen Barry defend a person like this before, I mean I knew that he and Owen were good friends after meeting but this was dedication. Whatever they were doing together on their job, they had to trust one another to do it right and to be fair I did get a little enraged at someone just messing with me.
It took me a few minutes to calm down as the man saw my attempt to relax.
He elaborated on where he got this from and it shocked the hell out of me. Barry gently yet firmly spoke just to keep my gaze held. "Mark. Owen told me all this one night. Hell it was right after we were leaving on the night you got into a that bar fight, I've seen that man happy, content and even a bit annoyed. Yet I have never seen him so angry, so scared and so concerned when you left to go back home. He was scared out of his mind once he saw how much blood he saw on you." I blinked when the elder man gripped the side of my head to shake me with a grin.
Yet the importance of this talk hadn't even dimmed in what he told me next.
I felt my chest hurt since this came in the sense of feeling like in when I had my father talking to me. The memories were going away yet I had been always scared to find people to replace my parents, I didn't want too inside my heart. "So do not ever say he doesn't give a damn about you. You're a young kid Mark! So make no mistake that we do feel the need to look out for you, shit for example, I'd say why is because of that the bar fight you got into! It's more dangerous in a job like ours, so I know he's genuinely worried." My eyes narrowed when I turned away to stare at the wall. I didn't want to believe Owen would actually have that as a motive to look after me because he wanted too. I didn't believe it at first and I didn't want my hopes up.
It took a long time for me to realize something.
That I'd never have my mom, or dad comfort me when I messed up in life.
"Damn it! This so fucking hurts!"
It hurt me on the inside in knowing I had started to think of Owen as a father.
And son of a bitch...
I hated it, I really did and it opened a can of worms that refused to die. I didn't want my family to ease itself into the darkened past of my life. I never wanted to forget them and it was why I tried so hard to live up to those standards I did in my job. I hated the world at times for being so cruel, for being so god damned twisted at times and it never ceased to spark my drive to prove it wrong. To spit in its face and walk away with my head held up high to the skies. That was my goal in life, all to say that metaphorical 'fuck you' to the world and I thought it was quite tame to be honest.
Shuddering for a moment I looked back at Barry who seemed a bit concerned at my cold expression.
I managed to reply in a strained tone, "Pretty hard to imagine when everyone around you just stares at you like you're a plague. Deal with that because you're getting a head start Barry. I'm sorry but I don't want anyone close to me just because its the kindness of their own good-will, I don't need that from someone." I tried so hard to not be like this but I couldn't help it. Having a few friends tended to make me get sickening yet I wanted to at least convey why, I hoped the man next to me understood to know that the subject in itself was a bit tender.
Fortunately the man could only smile with a sad expression but he respected my intent to drop the issue.
However he did ask me something rather interesting. "I'm just telling you Mark. Go to him if you want the full answers, I just wanted you to know what I think he thinks. But I wanted to ask you something if you'd agree to it." I glanced at him a bit interested as I sipped down on my glass, I nodded for him to explain when I leaned comfortably on my seat. I figured if I wanted answers, I'd get them from Owen straight at it's source and clear up anything that got me to think negatively. I really wanted to clear this self-infliction out of my system, I didn't want to cry in a bed for days on end again, I knew where that took me when the time came to grieve for a shit hand in life.
Barry pitched an idea to me, or rather a future prospect for myself. "You see we need an extra hand to help us in about a month or so. I can't say anything except for Owen and I will need extra help in wrangling pigs for a test of sorts. Course you'll get paid extra like that Rosa' Mosa Phenomena that's all over the twitter feed right now, so what do you say?" I had started to chuckle due to today's show, I didn't know whether I should feel humbled or flattered. However I'd settle the former then the later in this case.
I didn't think the show was that amazing per say.
"Phenomena? Barry are you trying to kiss my ass?" I joked as the man snorted, "Nope. Check that social media for Jurassic World. You're all over it, hands downs and I mean it. So check it out when you want." I believed him truthfully but I wanted to at least crack some humor into the offer. In theory it didn't sound bad since it was down the line, plus I figured if working alongside Owen and Barry together for whatever reasons. Well I'd give a shot and it didn't bother me since I'd be paid extra like the show I did today on top of it all.
So in the end I gave a positive answer, "Sure. Just let me know when and you can pick me up. Not sure if I'll be any good at Pig-Wrangling, I mean it sounds a bit dangerous." The man laughed at that much to my confusion because of the last part of my assumption. So waiting a bit for him to clearly clarify the laughing, I found out he'd just slap me on the shoulder. He wouldn't tell me yet because I think it'd be a surprise for when the time came they needed my hand for whatever tests on my spare time.
"Dangerous? Mark, I'd say you were right but you're a bit wrong. Thank you, Owen and I are going to have our hands full next month. At eight weeks I'll tell you it'll be dangerous for sure!" That sounded a bit ominous for my tastes, I didn't really say in eight weeks that I had my own dangers to contest in the forms of Donny and Ivy. In two months time they'd be a hell of a lot larger then what they were now, I mean they definitely hit a growth spurt due to the massive influx of foods inside my freezer. So I'd say Barry would correct on all accounts without even him knowing what I did for a living, so my eye brows went up in amusement.
"I'll hold it to you Barry." My glass raised itself to clink against his own before we settled into a comfortable silence. The night club kiosk was in full swing, I witnessed over employees and visitors alike mingle across the board. Dancing became frequent in the sense of people having a good time, I kind of ignored the ball in my stomach at going down there at some point and to be fair, I wanted to sleep soon. Sipping on the glass of cola contently, I more then once witnessed people pointing in my direction from the corner of my vision.
It only got annoying when people had those really persistent types of smiles to get me agitated.
"Okay! I get it, I did a good job but why the hell are they acting like stunned fans when they see a rock star? Seriously, I didn't do the show that great for Christ's sake! If this is what it was like to be popular to school, I don't see the merits of it and it gets old real quick." My eyes were trained on the wall in front of me with the various assortment of alcoholic choices on display. It got tempting to just check out the tablet much to my ever growing paranoia to hear people behind my back talking, if Barry claimed it was all over the social media, well perhaps it'd be better to see how much trouble I had landed myself into too finally.
Sitting in my seat, I heard Barry when he checked his watch on his wrist. He seemed almost smirking much to my confusion when he spoke up. "Well time for me to head back. Getting close to bed time and I need to grab a bag of Oreos on the ride back." I raised an eyebrow at the mention of this products, I didn't get why he had such a heart warming expression his face. Shrugging mainly I offered my colleague a farewell since I was only waiting for my last visitor to show up tonight. Kate certainly had a way to keep me waiting now that I thought about it.
"Have a good night Barry. Let Owen know I'm game for another job, since it's not like I do like more then I was initially contracted for!" My sarcasm near the end made the man laugh before ruffling my hair on his way out.
Barry walked out of the bar's area within a moment.
When I was left alone, it hit me very hard now and I couldn't avoid. Truthfully I felt a bit of pain inside my chest, I'd be alone for a certain amount of time and I enjoyed that man's presence. Even though I kind of spoiled it a bit, I liked the idea of people finally hanging out around me and there wasn't too many to say I'd be a loner. Maybe it was time I tried to settle my insecurities when it came down to having parental figures, or family in itself to do me some justice to settle those old nightmares.
Fears that plagued me since the night of that hellish crash of metal and broken flesh.
"Damn it Marcus. You really want to go back to a time where a kid cries his heart out finding out he's the only survivor and last of his family? Do you really want to go back to that dark time again?" My eyes watered briefly when I shook my head to clear that depressing mood. Pinching the side of my eyes to cut off the watery tears, I needed an outlet to focus on a positive outlook and I brought my gaze to my table inside my bag that I got off the Lagoon's Staff after the show I performed early onwards. It had been a token thank you for whatever reasons and I just rolled with it all really.
Exhaling sharply I pulled out my tablet to have it log onto the Jurassic World social media page.
I wasn't disappointed once I saw a picture of myself.
It was when I introduced Heather and myself to the crowd, I found out it had been liked nearly two million times within the day it was posted. So whistling sharply I scrolled downwards to see more pictures and a crap ton of thumbs ups via the likes, I even witnessed another picture having over five million hits. "It's good to see a little girl smiling and having a lot of people take an interest in that. I hope you have a fun time here at Jurassic World Heather." I skimmed down a few more pages on the tablet's screen and just surfed the web for a time. I guess a lot of images and videos were being posted on various media outlets about the attraction in the lagoon, I guess the name Rosa Mosa had stuck with the massive animal as various people tweeted out my name and the animals own in a twist of never ending publicity.
Seemed Claire's assumption had paid off and I knew this wasn't the end of that yet.
"Well, well, well. If ain't the new 'star' of Jurassic World!" I heard a familiar voice sit down next to me, I jumped in shock as I glanced over.
Rachael had appeared wearing a skirt along with a top to match her attire in a blissful coloration of purple. My eyes avoided anything and everything but her eyes which were playfully gauging my reaction, "Hey Rachael, nice seeing you so soon. What are you doing down here? Thought you'd be at home or something." My questions were in line to have her laugh a bit, she sat down next to me drinking what appeared to vodka of some kind. I could smell a fruity taste even in where I sat, but I figured it definitely came close to the weekend yet again to start having fun.
"It's a free drinks tonight if your an employee of Jurassic World Mark. I hope you haven't had anything young man." She warned me dramatically as I grinned a bit warily at her gaze.
It reminded me of someone I haven't said willingly in years, "No I haven't mother."
That reflexive usage of that title made my muscles clench inside my hands, I felt myself seize up briefly and it sucked! God damn it that pain inside my chest came back once again. I didn't let it show, I refused to let it show and I managed to keep my smile in place. It hurt to picture my birth mothers smiling face to overlap with this woman's and god almighty, I wanted to puke because it made me anxious. That fear of forgetting them certainly took a hold of my mind's inability to settle the raging storm within my body.
Those feelings of a hopeful familiarity seemed so bitter sweet inside my heart right now.
Hell I wanted to bite my lips hard to ignore anymore of that alignment of considerations. "That's good to know. You maybe legally an adult Marcus yet don't push your luck until you're there." Rachael gave me some advice in a kind manner as I nodded a bit humbled, "I know. I mean I'll do a different job but having a social life outside of work? Well it's a work in progress for me really." Admitting that honestly as the woman gave a small smile at my openness with her. We had just met yet I trusted her enough to know she wouldn't give out poor advice to a youngster like myself.
None of the staff at Jurassic World had views of me in a negative light so far, I planned on keeping it like that for gods how long.
"Sorry if I seem like a mother hen Mark, I need to at least prepare myself when I make the decision to have a child." Rachael stated to me in a bit of apologetic voice, I found that kind of intriguing. She wanted to be a mother and used me as an example, I didn't know whether to find that offensive or funny as all hell. In the end I let a small laugh escape my lips, "Well now. I guess that explains why I feel that motherly charm from, or else I'd think you were trying to get me flustered." I had shut off the tablet to send it back into my bag since I figured to at least get ready to leave.
Kate still hadn't showed up and that got me a bit worried yet I knew she could take care of herself.
Rachael managed to give a pat on the cheek, but oddly enough it was more gently reassuring. The woman seriously knew how to make a simple touch seem all the more grateful. "Thanks for the vote of confidence Mark. It still amazes me you're only turning seventeen and yet you act more mature then men twice your age. I don't want to know where they make more like you, or else I'd poach the place to add more to the Staff." She joked as I laughed loudly at that, well she'd have a small place to find more and I'd be holding a camera. Glancing over at the club I figured to ask the obvious question, who was Rachael's husband or whatever because I didn't see anyone near her.
Well apart from me and that was out of the question altogether.
Interestedly enough I figured who wouldn't take their time to have a kid, I mean I knew I'd wait at least fifteen years to be in my twenties or early thirties to consider it. So clearing my throat I asked her a bit hesitantly because of her personal it came to anyone. "If it's not too personal, whose your husband? I don't see any guy and no offense, why make a decision on that? Isn't a pregnancy, ugh, I don't know planned I guess..." It sounded a little off out of context if I hadn't tried to clarify what I meant, I thought I at least mad it respectful as much as I could manage.
However an unexpected result came to my ears when the woman looked at me puzzled.
Before she started laughing loudly while clutching her chest.
So I raised an eyebrow when she wiped a tear away. "Okay. What did I say and why is it funny? I'm clueless aren't I?"
Rachael had to settle herself down even if people were staring at the two of us. I felt somewhat flustered to have moderately attractive woman next to me, I dealt with Kate and to be fair it never settled well with me. Least in the sense people starting to know who I was and the looming dangers of gossip were going to be all over the island now. If Barry and Owen were indicators to what was coming, I knew for sure I'd be screwed and it'd only get worse. So exhaling loudly I drained the last of my cola wishing it'd be an alcoholic mind numbing potency, yet I awaited somewhat patiently for the woman to calm down finally.
"I forgot that you're new here somewhat Mark. Remember what I saw about our illustrious boss of the Island, Ms. Dearing, how she put me in the lagoon for our 'focus groups'." I gave a nod at that while refilling my glass of cola, I hadn't pulled my attention from her growing smile. "Well as it turns out one of the focus groups pitched an idea to our Park Director to attract more attendance to the lagoon's stadium and it worked for about six months. Least until you came along which I'm sure will be a lot longer this time around." Sipping my drink yet again I kept on waiting on what was the point in the history lesson.
Claire liked to screw people over and made it a consistency to do some questionable decisions for popularity to the good of the Park as a whole.
She just didn't make too many friends over the time she was Director of the Park.
"Hello there love. I thought I heard you get in recently." I went wide eyed when a black haired woman probably slightly younger then the Mosasaur handler came up right behind the woman and kissed her fully on the mouth. My heart really started to sputter because not of the fact I witnessed two attractive woman making out but mainly out of the sheer shock alone. Suddenly these 'focus' groups started to make sense to me, I figured out why Rachael had been put in front of a public gathering of crowds. She was a gay woman, a figure-head of having homosexuals having to handle the largest animal in Jurassic World as a means for publicity's sake alone.
Claire Dearing was either a heartless person, or a shrewd genius disguised to make hate her.
Just watching these two was a shock alone and to be honest I didn't want them to stop.
Rachael pulled back from her wedded partner, she introduced us with a smile. "Mark, this is my wife and partner Terry. Love this is the new kid I told you about today." A pair of crystal blue eyes greeted me as I offered a hand shake in return. I didn't have a problem to be truthful, I'd say whatever made a person happier then they should be allowed to do it. "Wow. I'm speechless and nice to meet you too!" I offered a sheepishly expressive smile as Terry took my offered limb with a small trace of amusement.
"Usually people are just stunned and most guys are a bit depressed at saying my wife and I are married. So credit goes to a young man who isn't depressed, I heard about you via Twitter and Jurassic World's website Mark." Terry revealed with a friendly tone as I shrugged in response. Again I didn't question whether the two were happy, if they were then they were and I had no right to say otherwise. Still it was kind of her to acknowledge my work earlier in the day, I found it humbling that people had already considered me a famous individual and it was my first time directing a show like that. Leaning back in my seat I watched as the woman held the other from behind in a loving yet kindle gesture of affection that certainly got me surprised.
They were indeed a happy couple, I mean even I could see that clear as day.
"So I hear you and Kate have been getting cozy lately." Terry announced to me out of the blue, I felt my face go red a bit. Having two decently attractive woman talking to me was a bit much, I respected the fact they were wed and what not. It just felt kind of awkward in a good way so I managed to wave off the coyly suggestive question, "No more then usual. We kind of go out on small dinner dates, or just dance together on our days off. I figured to at least try to have a social life, plus it never hurts to get out and try new things. Right?" Both women had looks that sent a shiver up my spine, I ignored them in favor of whistling innocently enough and to avoid any assumptions in this conversation. I'd avoid gossip like the plague if I could now.
"Terry please don't get him flustered, he doesn't deserve it and he's not even eighteen yet." Rachael lightly scolded her wife as she shrugged, "You're a mother hen you know that? Makes me wonder why you want to have a donor instead of doing an adoption." I felt uncomfortable now because they were discussing a seriously private matter that I didn't to hear. It wasn't my business and it got even more awkward when Rachael playfully teased her wife, "Maybe I've found one and he's legally an adult despite the age. Maturity never lies in the face of those who seek it love." The playful assumption got a result and it effected me pretty immediately in the process.
My eyes were wider then Saturn's rings at this point and I started choking on liquid going down the wrong pipe within my neck now.
Terry hummed thoughtfully while holding her partner from behind. I ignored any body motions as I regained a proper rhythm of breathing to keep my blood under control, somehow. "Normally sixteen gets you thirty to life love. But if you're right, you get to have fun with a legalized minor. I'll consider it for now yet only if he consents of course." Rachael shrugged in agreement before turning to me with a coy smile, I think she knew what buttons to get me pretty freaking out and it was funny. Literally they were resisting that urge to chuckle all the more merrily when I started stuttering like an idiot.
Well an idiot who had a justification to be blind sided, my hands were raised as if to hold them back. "Listen uh, I don't think that's, ugh oh crap."
Both woman burst out laughing as if witnessing something that made up of gold, "Oh relax Mark. We're not going to ask you for that. We'll tease but not go that far, so calm down and stop yourself from having a heart attack. I'd go to a bank when we decide on a kid, please just enjoy yourself before ever considering that part of a relationship." Rachael explained while wiping a tear out of her eye, I had never felt so embarrassed yet flattered at the same time. More so I'd never want to consider any assumptions until people meant what they stated, Terry had just ruffled my hair in an attempt to get my raging heart back down to a suitable level.
"Easy tiger. I guess people weren't kidding about once they see how you overact to anything that it'd be worth it. So you'd better learn to accept the teasing, or else people like us are just going to keep on going unless you change. Word to the wise, I'd advise you to at least know when people are joking around." My colleague's wife stated almost grinning like a cat as I gave a helpless shrug in response. Not to be crude but having attractive woman considering myself to be a donor or whatever was interested. Since it sort of, well it really did, as the damned conversation left an impression that be best to be ignored.
"Well, thank you Terry, I guess." I began with an uneasy shake of my head to ward off the anxiety. "Looks like all those years in being a loner certainly is coming back to bite me now, I mean hey, I'm long overdue in having a few friends tease the crap out of me." Now that was how I justified my luck and experiences within Jurassic World as a whole now. Ever since I got onto this island, I had one crazy experience after another and it was only the start of it all, I had to wonder if anyone had similar situations to my own. As unlikely as it seemed, I had to be one the most memorable in recent history or else I'd go insane eventually.
Sighing out loud I wiped away the sweat forming on my forehead.
I needed to get home now and call it a night.
However I asked my new found friends if they heard about Kate, she still hadn't shown up and it quite frankly bothered me. So speaking a bit worried I asked them directly. "Hey uh, you two know where Kate's at tonight? Usually she's here by now and well, I think it's a bit off for her. She never really misses out on an opportunity to dance the night away with me." I explained a bit concerned as the two looked at one another with a brief glance.
I pegged the gazes to be considering and well respectful to the scientist who had been hanging out with me ever since I arrived on Isla Nublar.
Terry looked to her lover before nodding a bit reluctantly, "Marcus. Kate's been at the infirmary for about an hour now. Maybe two." Rachael explained a bit painfully yet very firmly to keep my reaction tamed down. My eyes were wide as I felt my face pale like a corpse, "What the hell happened?" I said that strained as I clenched my knuckles tightly. To my credit I didn't flip out or did I suddenly scream anything vulgar, I just stared akin to a gaze of a man who knew what to expect. Plus where the hell was an infirmary for Jurassic World employees located at anyways?
My colleague looked to the woman holding her from behind, Terry explained while holding a hand out for my own to grip it. I took it out of reluctance to get an answer quickly, "I'm one of the local medical personnel on the island Mark. One of her friends, I think Ashley, they found her unconscious out in the jungle when she hadn't reported to the lab for work. Based on preliminary findings I can say she was..." the newly revealed doctor stated a bit disgusted. My mind connected the dots when a single word hit me in my stomach akin to a spear being run through my guts. I felt sick and I utterly wanted to go out to kill whoever did that act of inhumane horror.
One of Kate's friends had been...
"Raped."
That one word got my eyes to harden to point where I felt an unholy anger. Terry confirmed my statement with a firm yet very sympathetic gesture to squeeze my hand. "Marcus. Before you run off, the infirmary closes in an hour! So my advice, go back home and wait to see if she comes around to your place. I will warn you in advance, she's devastated and completely distraught at one of her closest friends being found in such a state. Jurassic World security is investigating the matter currently and I had to brief our Operations Manager about such an incident, so don't try anything rash please." If that was supposed to reassure me, I'd say it failed. It failed so hard and so utterly predictable I twitched my jaw line left to right to get my anger under control.
Yet I gave a hard glare that made the two flinch at how potent my eyes burned.
I had a question and an opinion to be asked to them. Even though I knew they probably didn't know, I had a hunch yet at the same time it wasn't much. One bag incident with one person wasn't enough o convince me less I saw multiple occasions, or for all I knew. Kate and her friends had a few others akin to that bastard whose nose got broken by my mentor during that fight in this very bar. "Any suspects? Off the record?" I asked for the local doctor's opinion on the matter, I really wanted to find out where and how. Not to mention the obvious bastard wearing that In-Gen badge came into mind much to ever growing hatred for that shit stain of a company.
My stuff had been packed at this point in where a rage that came next to nothing I had ever felt in my life.
"If you're thinking about fighting with your friend again Mark, then I'd advise not too, he's got an alibi during the time Ashley had been missing. Plus In-Gen has a lot of insurance policies in place to avoid anymore negative backlash, they've gotten very competent when it comes down to saving money and doing what they normally do on this island." I simply smiled when it made the doctor wince at how subtly implied my anger had given me total control over an action. Whether I wanted to scream, rage or even flat out throw something at the wall I managed to keep it all locked under that smiling facial expression.
"Oh I bet."
I humored that company's motives over the years, I didn't know them and personally I hoped to god he'd give me a chance in the future. "Now if you excuse me, I'm probably going to resist throwing something at a wall now. Thank you Rachael, I'll see you whenever and it was nice meeting you too Terry. Have a safe and a good night." With a smile in place I got up from my seat clearly withholding a lot of negative energy in place, I wanted desperately to go search for a friend who would need someone to comfort them and as much as I'd attempt too.
I had no experience in this type of matter and I could only pray that whatever happened could be solved swiftly.
But I knew lying to myself wouldn't help...
Since when did justice ever get to be seemingly simple in life?
"What a shitty night."
"...so that's what happened tonight. Talk about a punch to the gut right?" I finished telling my tale to the two Indominus siblings who were tilting their heads curiously at me. I had been showering and figured to tell them in what had happened as a means to get this burning desire to do a physical harm out of my system. The droplets of water were lightly hitting Donny on his head as he growled in some sort of irritated manner while shaking himself dog akin to a dog. His tail kept smacking the inner portion of my lower shins, I had to beg him to be enjoying the hot water as it trailed over his growing frame.
Ivy meanwhile had taken up a residence under the bench inside the shower, I watched her occasionally peak out to get some sort of washing down.
However she never really enjoyed the consistency of being blind to her surroundings although she did squeak to get my attention when I used the face cloth to tease her briefly. They enjoyed biting at the face clothes much to my amusement. It deviated away from my intention to wash them down and I used it to entertain them while relaxing in the hot steaming liquid enclosure. Now I had to say it certainly lifted my spirits. These two were making my heart grow ever more relived to know that I had a certain responsibility to raise young-lings as a means to suppress that humane emotion called fury.
"You really are the cautious one? Aren't you Ivy?" I humored while crouching down next to her, I waited for a second to allow her to see my open palm. Her eyes tracked the limb before briefly nudging against the surface of my skin as I started to lovingly stroke her neck. My thumb managed to rub the lining in where her jaws met and made small circling motions to her tail to sway left to right more quickly. She gave me a small bite while letting go and I chuckled at her affectionate gesture, "Oh you're a big softy on the inside. Ivy, Ivy, Ivy." I trailed off saying her name while shaking head at how similar she acted her brother at times.
Donny kept nibbling my free limb to get my attention, I started to scratch the underside his jaw and he started to growl in a low yet content tone.
For a few minutes I remained in my position allowing the water to ran over my back, I had to eventually sigh in disappointment to finish my bathing session. At least the two were very receptive and happier to be in my presence when I got back. Oh hell I did what I could to make up for working most of the day and it showed in these moments. Turning off the water I started to get out while avoiding the two scampering Indominus siblings who were starting to have a mock play fight as they sprinted out into my room. Shaking my head I wiped myself clean of the water with a large white towel with a Jurassic World logo on its surface, "Well I hope the sheets are going to be dry when I hit the sack. They like to roll around in them dry off, little devils know it annoys me, still good to know they're getting along fine."
Draping the cloth over my shoulders as both ends concealed my chest and I slipped into some fresh boxers, I shook my head like a miniature dog. My hair went free as I used a comb to just keep it manageable before aligning it naturally, I didn't care if it grew out or not. It already peaked down to my lower neck anyways, so I moved into the main room to at least make a meal for myself. Whistling merrily I ignored the two scuffling Indominus hoodlums on my bed wrestling and I went to the freezer next to my kitchen area of the apartment housing unit. I wondered what I had in stock to make tonight, I mean I figured to get a nice meal before head off into bed for sure now.
And I ignored the playful yet growing intensity of squeaking or growling behind me.
Sighing lightly I snapped my fingers briefly, it worked as I heard the pause in their scuffle. "Ivy, Donny you play nice you two."
My voice had absently told them when I checked the contents of my freezer. Humming lightly I absently pulled out a sizable portions of frozen hamburg, I inwardly heard my stomach grumble and it appealed to me to get that done right. Pulling out a frying pan, I managed to set the electric stove to a high setting while grabbing a bottle of cooking oil to prevent the meat to stick to the surface of the metal. The pan could fit two patties roughly the size of my hand if not a bit bigger, I figured to go big or home hungry as I once did this in my apartment back in the states. Ignoring the lesser financial cons of such a life, I managed to get the memory squared away for a long time now.
Sizzling meat and the cracking of technological cooking caught my attention, I could smell the meat and I grinned. "Home cooked meals at it's best. All I need is to buy a crock pot, a lot of chicken with plenty of soup and a lot of white rice. Crock-Pot Chicken, easy to make, a lot of can be made and plenty of amazing leftovers." I ranted like a maniac for a dramatic effect as I eyed the two Indominus sibling whose tails were visible at the edge of my peripherals. I heard them jump down and they were growling or squeaking to get to the origin of the cooking on the much higher counter tops. Playing ignorant I hummed a small tune whilst not responding to Ivy, or Donny's attempts to bite at my shins.
"Ow! Okay! They want to bite? Well I'll give them a reason now, sorry kids."
I resisted an urge to scold them because...
My body twisted when as I brought my face down to yell out "BOO!"
And they bolted!
Donny squeaked in alarm before sprinting past his sister in a fit of panic and anxiety that he stumbled over her and the female roared in a panic as well. The two were in a tangle of limbs and snapping jaws that I started laughing so hard that I started to cry. Oh this was too rich, I witnessed Donny head right under the red and the folds of the blanket were molding to his form to hide himself from view. Ivy did the same thing as him and joined him under the darkened security of a bed frame, I completely lost it now. Both animals tails had been the only indicators that they were under their as the growling came back in full volume.
My laughter became akin to roaring as I cramped up in my stomach trying to breathe properly, "It's okay...it's Ivy...Donny it's..."
Oh god the tears blocked my eyes as I couldn't breathe for a minute! I knew I just laughed because I just became an evil parental bastard. I felt bad, well not really, but bad enough to know that I was getting sick of the means for them to get my attention for food. I didn't yell at them angrily but more of a teasing tone, I knew they could tell as Ivy hissed angrily at my wheezing half standing form when I wiped tears off my cheeks. Man I needed that laugh because I knew I had to appease a semi enraged female who realized the false alarming shout I used.
The hamburger patties were done and I got two plates to cut one in half, I snickered while calling out to the shell shocked juveniles who were cautiously peaking their heads out. I witnessed two small skulls growling or squeaking in quickened tones, I just grinned in return. My voice called them when the smell of food lingered within the air, I had to make up for being the bad dad now. "You two want to see what this is right? Cone on, I'm all done, I mean you did give me the idea you two were hungry?" I cut the patty in half and waited for a moment to let them cool off. I figured to at least make it similar to their normalcy of a food source. So I opened the canisters of cold blood to bath them in their favorite preferred tastes.
Going onto a knee I waited for them find the courage, or possibly change their figuratively pants to have the decency to at least inspect the new source of food.
"You know I can do this all night, I'm just saying if you want my attention then there are other ways instead of biting me. I'm talking to you Ivy and you as well Donny." I grinned rather amused as the two siblings were growling from their supposed hiding places under my bed. I didn't mind them being like this because I did force them in such a situation yet I managed to spook them very good. So they had to have the idea it was all fun and games, I mean I wasn't indicating they did something bad but merely a surprise in an excited manner. So getting onto my two feet, I leaned against the counter to prepare a secondary patty for myself and I opened the fridge in the mean time.
Whistling merrily once again I pulled out the bag of sliced cheese to get myself set, I started to hum yet again to place the slices of dairy to melt on the meats surface. The sizzling of the cooked protein made my stomach growl loudly now as I exhaled happily, "I'm telling you two. You're going to miss out one of my favorite foods that even you can stomach, Ivy, Donny I know you'll enjoy it. It won't kill you unless you take on a live bull or something." Setting the bag on the counter I waited patiently for the two to slowly gather any fortitude to step out, I eyed their quivering yet growling forms with an amusement that radiated in my tone in itself.
And something amazing happened.
"Well I'll be damned. Ivy you are a big softy and a brave one all of a sudden..."
Ivy started to creep out warily glancing to the side as if trying to secure her flanks. More so she growled lightly at her brother who gave a similar toned squeak. My eyes were raised at this point when the two were watching one side and performing a team work cooperative field of view. I smiled in the fact that Ivy took control of her fear and used her brother to work together to see if the coast was clear. It was funny because in how their eyes were tracking on the normally familiar room, I didn't say a word in letting them do this on their own.
The two warily looked up at me expectantly when I chuckled, "It's okay. I'm not doing anything, I won't spook you two again. I promise." I raised a palm up while wiggling my fingers to show nothing was hidden, they accepted it based on their previous experiences when I turned around again. Both of them crowded at my feet when they tried in a futile yet energetic manner to climb up the counter. I laughed loudly when they were particularly trying to see the bag of cheese, I raised an eyebrow when Donny came to within inches of taking the plastic corner down to the ground. I gave him credit, he knew how to jump and it got me curious now.
So taking a slice out, I folded into a think rectangular piece. "You two want some cheese? Huh? Is that what you two little devils want?"
Both Indominus juveniles tilted their heads at the food trapped inside my hand with keen gazes, I'd peg that as a yes, so I figured to see if I could get them to hold their horses. Well to tell them to stay, or calm down to listen to my instructions. I didn't want to get overly eagerly bitten that quickly and not to mention I did slightly scare the bejesus out of them. So it was fair play for them to get me back and I wouldn't take it too personally at all. Taking a moment I decided on an equal opportunity for them to inspect the new source of food without getting aggressive with one another.
Carefully I split the thick piece in two for them to try out at their leisure, "Alright! Let's try this if you think I'm not being honest here." I got onto both my knees to have two back up as I held out the pieces of yellow orange dairy in front of them in open view. They shifted uneasily as a result on the suspicion of a trap, I grinned before calling out to them while using my index finger to tell them to get closer. "Come on! See look at this, you get free food and an apology from me, it's a good deal. Come on! Ivy! Donny! Let's go!" I whistled a bit cheerfully to get them to growl before Donny took the brave plunge to step forward to sniff at the piece of food inside my palm. I could feel the inhaling of air as he squeaked a bit curiously.
Eventually he snapped the piece of dairy out of my palm and shook his head left to right to simulate tearing it apart. He swallowed it whole and began to squeak while vigorously rubbing my arm as if wanting more. I smirked, "Well aren't you the not so picky eater. You want some too Ivy? Come on I promise you'll be fine, I mean if your brother isn't falling over dead, I think you should be fine too." The female growled a bit at my wiggling fingers but reluctantly took the piece out of my hand as well. She seemed to have seen the scene and gauged it as safe for now. I didn't give the impression I'd do anything again, I kept my posture open and in plain sight for her to watch.
I wanted her to trust me that I'd not scare her like that so suddenly again.
It worked, somehow.
Ivy tenderly took the piece out of my hand and began to sample it reflexively while shaking her left to right as well. I leaned back as Donny eyed his sister in a curious manner as she ate the piece whole and growled in what I assumed to be an excited manner. I started to laugh lightly, "See? All done! Not too bad right? Never figured you two would be cheese-heads but hey, if it tastes good then why bother wondering what it is, so you two want some more?" I taped the bag as they both started squeaking with their tails wagging side to side in a rapidly manner.
Oh I'd peg that as a yes yet again.
Looking to their plates, I hatched an idea when I started to whistle merrily while wagging my fingers. Standing up I placed about two slices onto their meat patties with the blood and placed both plates in the microwave to melt them. I didn't want to believe I was making for the Indominus siblings, a cheeseburger of all things, I wanted to laugh at how absurd it sounded but dairy technically had nutrients for any youngster grow. Plus it wouldn't hurt to have try some alternatives just in case I ran out of solid meat for them in the long run and hey, it was better to be safe then sorry in this type of situation. No matter how strange this night had befallen onto me, I knew for fact I'd find solace in these two juveniles who found me to be the center of their world and that weight held me close.
I was their world and it mattered to me a lot.
I in turn didn't want them to see how cruel it could be...
Placing both plates down onto the floor, I let them cool off for a second as I waited to see how they'd react to a new type of meat with the cheese smothering. I felt a bit guilty to see if they'd react to something new in the future to view it as food, but I knew they'd tell the difference. I mean the reactions to Kate were one thing and that wasn't as food, so my worries were a bit exaggerated because of what I learned earlier at the bar. Reality had a nasty way to say it was still around and no matter how much happiness I put into a smile, the reality of the world was that it loved to be cruel to those who viewed it as nothing else.
Shaking my head I waited to see the two's reaction to the plate's contents...
And they promptly started to viciously dig into their respective burgers.
I shook my head at these two, "What am I going to do with you two now? If you like cheeseburgers this much, I wonder what you'll do to ribs or even steak. Ah at least you guys got a new dinner if I decide on it now, sound good?" I offered humorously to the two feasting Indominus siblings who were growling hungrily at the new tastes being presented to them. I watched fondly at how eager, how earnest and how absolutely thrilled they were at trying something new. It made my heart beat calmly at this scene when I joined them relaxing on the bed over-watching their own portions of food. I relaxed finally to see something also rather odd about them.
Ivy turned to me with what I assumed to be confusion, I stared at her for a moment.
I wondered why until she looked right at my plate.
"Oh shit."
Whistling innocently I put the platter behind my back quickly.
"Ivy..."
I said her name warningly when the fresh cheese smeared her snout, I watched as she had growled hungrily at the plate with my half eaten burger in a bread bun. I knew they were enjoying it but she looked readily able to charge at me now. Her posture sent warnings off in my mind when she crouched with her tail a bit high in the air, I felt my grievances in a soon to be fight for my food. I was hungry and I deserved my burger after this crap tonight.
Yet the way she tracked the fresh meat, I braced myself.
"Don't you dare!"
That warning didn't do much other then the fact it caught Donny's attention in a similar manner.
"I'm calling bull! No, not both of them now!"
I reacted defensively.
"Oh hell no! You two better not even try!"
Unfortunately my nightmare came true in the form of when I shifted plate off to the side. The movement revealed an opening and both siblings rushed onto the bed. They sprung like a bullet from a gun, I barely had time to react. I never knew they'd react so excitedly to a new food source and I'd remember this moment for the rest of my time. No way would I eat anything new in plain sight of them ever again.
I thought this as I screamed at how ungodly quick they were upon me!
The battle for the cheeseburger had begun.
End Chapter Nine
Author's Note: Leave a Review, I beg you and I shall update once more.
I had to leave this chapter on a good note, I mean the darker tones are coming and all but I had to leave it on a very good light heated moment. There's a lot of foreshadowing, a lot of dangers and a bit reality dosed in the mix. I mean trust me, I know I'm resisting this urge to not rip out your hearts when the times come for when things get gritty, I don't even know what I'll do at this rate. It's very hard for me to let go of making these two seem so different yet similar in what could have been in the movie in itself.
If you think when you read this it's hard for you to imagine how things will change, imagine myself, imagine me writing in how this process is conceived. I really want to punch my future self for consider it but hey, enjoy these moments until the times comes and you'll see the full ramifications of a deeper plot that's just taking its time to creep up on you for now. So until that chapter comes, I offer you the implications and that moment in when you're either going to cry, or demand me to stop the deep plunge in how dangerous things will get.
Trust me the first impressions last and they'll always remain in place throughout any life born into this world.
A few things including Marcus, he's a kid and he goes have a genuine feeling for a fear in forgetting his parents. It's definitely a darker note to show that things tend to go wrong, but more so, that he's a kid who has a fear in trying to let go in what makes him himself. Trust me I'm not trying to say In-Gen is Evil, or the main villains per say in this story. It's like saying all of Jurassic World is incompetent when it came down to the movie (debatable, I'm sure) but not all of them are complete main villains. I mean I do kind of sympathize with Vic, as rare as it sounds, his intentions were somewhat in the sense of saving human lives over velociraptors. I mean its like having dolphin's plant mines on enemy submarines (that's a true story by the way, google stuff like that and be amazed) so yeah, but this setting up a lot of confrontations in the future.
Just be aware all good times must come to an end eventually.
And on a brighter note, I did reference a particular detail from: "It's not the Raptor DNA" by SkullsandDuggery
That's a story I do enjoy for laughs, I know many have read it and I offer my respect for such a heart felt story at it's core.
Also just contently enjoy the Indominus siblings as always.