Heya guys, I'm siked to see all the people who are still into this fanfiction. Well I am also getting back into it full force, so here 4 days later is update number 12. Enjoy! And please review!

NOTE- I realized Zach is 5 years older than Gray and not 15 but 16 because I remember in the movie he mentioned failing a driver's test and you can't take that test until you're 16. Plus he is a sophomore in high school so being 16 makes sense as well,so I went back to the last chapter where I said he was 15 and changed it to 16. ALSO someone asked if I could add Barry to this fanfiction and I think that's a great idea for future chapters so keep an eye out for him! :D THIS CHAPTER GETS A LITTLE BIT DARK AND GRUESOME AT POINTS

Chapter 12, The old man and the prison convict

Owen was watching as Claire pounded on the heavy metal door desperately, trying to figure out what he could do to help, but feeling really useless. The room was loud with bangs of hands against metal and shaky sobs and tears falling onto the cold basement ground.

So when he heard the first crackle coming from the walkie talkie, he really thought he was hearing things.

"Bsschh.. Treeyyy...caann"

No way.

He scrambled to pull the little radio out of his jean pockets, having completely forgot about the little thing with everything they've gone through. When it went silent for a few more second he just shook his head, sighing. He went to put it back when it crackled to life once more.

"This is…. Can you…. Hear?"

Owen instantly recognized the voice as belonging to Carlos, and he felt his heart leap in unrealistic hope.

"Carlos! Carlos this is Owen! Can you hear me?" He cried into the walkie, not surprised when no one else noticed in the commotion.

"Owe… is… you?!" Came a frantic voice from the other side of the talkie.

"Yes! Yes it's me, Carlos I can barely hear you. Must be bad reception depending on how far away we are from each other. Where are you? Are you safe? Is anyone hurt? How'd you reach me?"

"Slow… down… can't make out…"

The line went dead for a second, Owen could feel panic starting to spread through him but choked it down.

"Is everyone ok?" He decided to ask, slowing down his voice and trying to speak clearer.

"Yes… all ok. How.. you?"

"We're ok." He lied, "Do you know where you are?"

"Found camp… and shelter… but… attacked.. Pterodactyls."

Owen's heart skipped a beat, and he took a deep breath. Carlos said they were all ok. That's all that matters.

"Owen…?"

"Still here, sorry. I need to know where you are. What general direction did you take from the cabin?"

"Went… north… made it to a camp… near small town…"

"Good. Ok I think I know where you guys are. There's only one town close to the cabin and that's Casbury. Get to the town and call me when you get there. Keep heading North."

"Ok...and Owen… where are…"

The line went dead. This time no matter what he did or said, the connection was lost.

Despite his growing fear for the safety of the other adults, and the uneasiness of hearing the kids were attacked by pterodactyls,Owen felt that he could breathe a little easier, knowing the kids were alive, and that they had at least a small sort of communication. Now he just had to tell the other adults, and find a way out of here.

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The kids all huddled around the walkie talkie as the connection finally gave out. They'd spent almost an hour trying to tune into the right channel on the radio, having ended up reaching a few random groups, some static no answers, and then finally the chief who was overly excited to hear from them, saying they were the first group to actually attempt to reach them. From there he directed them to the channel group 15 was on, which he learned was the name their group had originally been given. They were using Group 3's walkie talkie. According to Chief Ezra Mendon, this walkie belonged to a group of older middle aged men and women who were previously neighbors with one another.

Zach tried not to think about what had happened to their group. Ashley said the walkie was found in a small tent with someone's stuff that looked like no more than 2 people. Whoever they managed to steal the talkie from, weren't it's original owners.

"The line's dead." Carlos said, pocketing the radio and looking to the others.

It was getting dark out and although the snow was beginning to melt, it was still cold out and once again the kids were feeling the effects of no shelter and low warmth.

"At least we know they're safe. And we have a plan as to what we need to do next." Zach replied, and although he would never admit it to anyone, he was extremely grateful for the plan Owen had come up with. He was beginning to feel worn down leading everyone without knowing where they were going. For some reason, they looked to him as the leader of the group. Even with Carlos being almost 2 years older than him.

"Tomorrow we'll head to Casbury, tonight…"

"We need to go back to the camp." Gray interrupted, "We need to see if anyone survived."

They turned to look at the small boy, his eyes pleading.

"If there's anyone still alive there, we can't just leave them behind."

"I agree with Gray, plus there's probably stuff we can scavenge from the camp's supplies. Sarah said they'd basically cleared out the town we're going to, so we won't find much there." James added, getting an appreciative smile from Gray in return.

"Zach please." Gray said, putting his hand on Zach's wrist.

And here I thought it wasn't possible for Gray to be any more selfless. I am so damn proud that he's my brother.

"Yeah. I think that's a great idea." He responded, squeezing the little hand on his wrist. Gray's smile lit up then.

Surprisingly, Ashley didn't argue and instead simply nodded her agreement.

"Ok that sounds like a good plan, good thinking Gray and James." Carlos said, also pretty proud of his brother for thinking about the supplies. "But guys… if we're going back there… you need to be prepared for what we might see. Last time when I went along with the adults to the place where the dinosaurs attacked the cars on the highway… well I saw some pretty awful things. You need to be prepared for that."

"We have to go back." Was Gray's reply. A look of determination and bravery masking over those of fear and wariness. There was no way he was leaving anyone behind.

So the kids gathered what little they had, and started the trek back through the woods to the camp. Carlos left the walkie talkie gripped to the loop in his jeans, in case they'd hear from the adults again. As they walked he wondered to himself where the adults might be. They said they were safe, but he just couldn't shake the worry eating at his mind that maybe they weren't. He'd been about to ask them their location when the connection went dead. Next to him, walking side by side with Zach, Gray was thinking about what they would see at the camp, and trying to prepare himself yet still keeping the optimism that there were going to be some survivors, just waiting for someone to come help them. He kept his eyes trailed on the forest floor. James was talking animatedly to him but he just couldn't get himself to listen. So he tuned it out and nodded every once in awhile. It seemed to work well enough.

"Holy shit." Ashley whispered, and Gray looked up.

They were here. And in front of them looked like a war's battle field. The wall was pretty much still intact, except for some areas where Pterodactyls had flown into. But it was the inside that was so horrible. The tents were toppled over, crushed. Food and supplies littered the grounds and fire's were burned out but smoking, sending sheets of smoke into the air. And then there were the bodies. Men and women, and even a few kids lay dead on the ground, hanging from trees, and flopped against the fence. Some of them had injuries so extensive their once normal features couldn't be made out.

Gray felt bile rise into his throat and desperately tried to choke it down. Even trying to prepare himself, he wasn't ready to see this. His hand found his older brother's in a matter of seconds, squeezing it as he tried to remain steady on his feet.

"W-we have to search for survivors." He rasped, feeling as James grabbed onto him from his other side.

"Are you sure you can do this Gray? James? You guys could just wait for us outside the fence if you want." Zach said seriously, no judgement in his words and a terrified look in his eyes.

"No. I'm not going to leave you." Gray whispered back, his voice seeming to lose even more of it's volume.

He felt James nod next to him.

So they split off into 2 groups once more. This time Ashley went with James and Carlos to gather supplies, and the brothers found themselves alone to look for survivors.

They started to step over bodies, scanning the ruins of the tents for anyone alive, and calling out silently to see if anyone would respond. As they ventured farther into the camp they sidled closer to one another, continuing on the knowledge that they weren't alone, and that they were there for each other. Alive, breathing, moving.

"I don't… I don't think there's anyone here Gray." Zach said, looking down into his brother's pale face.

"You think... some people escaped Z? Like we did?" He asked, and Zach was really surprised to hear his old nickname Gray hadn't called him since they were much younger. Gray must really be feeling vulnerable right now.

"Yes. I really do." And he wasn't lying, "There are a lot of bodies here, but it looks like at least 20 people escaped. There were 50 people here. Yes. Some people made it out."

He felt Gray shiver into his side, and take a shaky gulp. "Ok. Good."

Pulling onto Gray's hand, Zach started to lead them back to the entrance of the camp when they heard a choked cough coming from nearby.

"Zach, did you hear that?" Gray asked, hoping booming in his voice

"Yeah I did. It was coming from over there!" He pointed to a small corner tent, half way toppled over but it looked like there was someone in there still!

The brothers rushed over to the source of the sound, and saw someone struggling under the tent's covers.

"Hey, hey relax. We'll get you out of here." Zach said, watching as the silhouette started squirming and breathing heavily at the sound of something approaching.

"We're here to help." Gray said, starting to look for a way to open the tent and get the person out.

It was a bigger silhouette, obviously belonging to an adult, and once the person heard the voices of the two kids they stopped struggling and only heavy breathing could be heard, hard and thick breathing.

Fingers fumbled around until finally finding the zipper which was the entrance to the tent, the brothers were quick to start unzipping it. It was halfway open when he said something.

"Stop… huff… just leave me kids."

It was an old man, the two of them could make that out from being able to see his head through the flap. He looked to be around 70 years old. His hair was light gray and his brows were scrunched up in what looked to be pain. He was gritting his teeth and staring into their eyes with such deep sadness, it looked like he'd already given up on himself.

"No, we can't just leave you he…" Gray stopped, his mouth falling open and his hands flying to cover it. The deepest sense of dread and fear pulsated through his bones at the sight in front of him, to his left Zach was having the same reaction.

Going right through the old man's stomach and into the ground, was one of the tent's poles. It was lodged deep into him, pinning him to the ground and flowing blood out of the wound like a rapid river. His hands clutched at the pole, red with blood. And it was then that they realized why he wanted them to just leave.

There was nothing they could do.

"Oh... god." Gray whispered, his heart in his throat and his head feeling heavy. He felt his brother grasp onto him tightly, trying to keep the both of them steady.

"Go… kids…" The old man said, blood starting to trickle out from his mouth.

"No." Gray said. "No."

He put his hand onto the old man's shoulder, as lightly as if the man was made of glass.

"No… there has to be something we can do to help.. Please. Zach tell me what to do! Zach please!" Gray cried desperately.

Zach choked on his own voice.

"Gray I…"

"No no no no, don't close your eyes. Open them. Please!" Gray cried, watching as the man went limp.

"Gray…"

"His pulse, I can't feel his pulse!"

"Gray please…"

"No! Oh god no!"

"Gray!" Zach gently but forcefully brought Gray's eyes to look at his.

"Gray… he's dead."

Gray scrunched his face up, heavy hot tears flooding out of his eyes. And grasping onto his stomach, he started to heave into the dirt beside him, sobs bubbling out of his throat with throw up, staring into the dirt with such deep sadness and uselessness.

"Oh Gray…" He heard Zach say behind him, and then a hand was around his waist, holding him up and keeping him from falling into his puke. He heard Zach crying as he heaved, doing this for what seemed like ages before collapsing into his brother's chest.

He closed his eyes and sobbed. Feeling his brother's head rest upon his own. Him sobbing too.

And they cried, for an old man they didn't even know.

For the old man they couldn't save.

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They brought Karen back after what seemed like hours to the adults locked in the small basement. Owen had filled them all in on his short conversation with the kids and even though it brought them some comfort, knowing the kids were alive and were heading for a town, it didn't take away from the gut wrenching screams coming from past the door.

When they brought her back the door was opened and she was thrown in like a rag doll, limp and panting on the floor, unable to lift herself.

Claire and Scott were quick to run over to her and they lifted her up slowly until she was leaning heavily into Scott's chest.

There were no visible signs of cuts but she had bruises littering her entire face, so much that it was swelling up, along with bruises on her arms and stomach, where her shirt had been ripped in the middle.

They all crowded around her, Claire gently stroking her hair and Scott holding her lightly around her waist.

"Karen… what did they do to you?" Claire asked. Owen was on her right, keeping his hand on her shoulder to try and keep her grounded.

"I'm ok." Karen replied in a hoarse whisper, "They were trying to get me to tell them where my boys are… through torture."

Scott choked on his breath, holding Karen just a little bit tighter.

"Karen…" He started, not really knowing quite what to say. He'd never seen Karen this hurt. Not in all the years he had been married to her. And it made his blood run cold in his veins.

"It's ok Scott." Karen said, and in a rare form of affection she lifted her shaky hands to grasp his. He didn't hesitate to grab onto them softly.

"It could have been much worse. They just beat me around a bit. I saw a bunch of knives and things they had on tables around the room, but they didn't use them on me. I'll be ok."

This seemed to convince the others well enough, except for Owen, who as usual had a fishy feeling about everything that was happening. He believed they had the knives out to show Karen and the others how much worse it could be, warning them to speak up or else. Of course there was no way he was going to tell anyone that. Not even Claire, he didn't need her worrying more than she already was.

God I miss the sassy and self confident Claire who didn't have to worry or be scared all the time. I even miss her being sarcastic with me. I just hate to see the woman I love so scared.

Love. He really loved Claire, right then it just hit him. Sitting there, enduring something awful and watching his girlfriend suffer is when he realized. God. I love her.

"Owen?" Claire asked, looking up at him with concern. The others were staring at him too making him wonder just how long he'd been lost in his own thoughts.

"Sorry, just thinking about how we need to find a way out of here. Meet up with the kids and then find a place that Karen can heal away from a musty basement room.

The sound of the metal door being pushed open interrupted them for what seemed like the millionth time in such a short time span. This time yet another person was standing in the blinding light. But the difference was, this time the person was carrying a tray of bread and water.

As he stepped into the light a bit more they could make him out a little easier. He was a rough looking man with a bald head and muscular arms. He looked pretty damn mad too, a natural scowl etched onto his face.

Owen had to try really hard to keep himself from audibly gasping at that moment. He knew who this man was. He'd seen him on the news months before all of this shit had started. His name was Randall Jackson. He was a convicted murderer sentenced to life in prison near Owen's home of Wisconsin.

As he entered the room Owen took a more protective stance in front of the others, who didn't seem to recognize the man. Either because they'd never heard of him or maybe because they were starving and he was holding food and water, but either way just like moments earlier, he decided to keep his knowledge to himself but remain guarded for the safety of the others. He didn't want to see a panicking Maculane couple running around the room like madmen.

"What do you want?" He asked, holding himself in front of Claire protectively, so close he could feel her hot breath on the back of his neck.

"I brought food and water. Unless you fucktards don't want it, cause I could jus' turn around and eat it meself." Randall spoke in a deep voice, frustration and arrogance lacing his words.

"We really need the food Owen, and Karen could really use some water after being beat up like she was. She's probably dehydrated." Claire whispered into his ears from behind him.

"No! Umm no need for that, we'll take the food." Mr. Thompson said before Owen could make a real move at all.

"That's what I thought." The man said, putting the tray of food on the ground, but not moving an inch from his spot.

They all just sat there for a minute, exchanging glances and wondering if the man was ever going to leave.

Finally Mrs. Maculane stood up and made her way over to the meager food. She was about to grab a small slice of bread when Randall slapped her hand away, and she shrieked like she'd just seen a ghost.

"I didn't say anyone could eat this now did I?" he chuckled, licking his chapped dry lips with his tongue.

"What do you mean?" Claire asked, leaning forward a bit from the position she was in next to her injured sister.

"What I mean is only 2 of you get to eat tonight."

"And you get to decide who those two people are."

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Five kids gathered around in the middle of the wrecked camp, Carlos and the others having heard the cries of their friends and run over to see what was the matter. Only to find the two brothers leaning into one another, with so much emotion running through their faces and a dead man lying in front of them not even a yard away.

After the two had explained what happened, they all gathered in the middle of the camp, where Carlos had left all the supplies they'd snatched up. And they looked through it all with heavy lead filled hearts.

"Lots of food, some water bottles, first aid materials, backpacks, extra clothes and some pots and pans. I think that's all of it." Ashley listed off, her voice void of the usually arrogance and sarcasm it held.

"That's a lot of stuff." Zach replied, looking down at all their newfound stuff. With that they'd be ok for quite a long time, even if they had to rough it without shelter.

They started packing up the stuff into the backpacks they'd found and everyone grabbed onto a backpack and hoisted it on their backs.

Gray swayed on his feet a little, a little dehydrated and woozy from throwing up earlier. Zach pulled him into his side, grabbing the backpack from his shaky shoulders and putting it on his own.

"Zach… no." Gray started to protest.

"Yes Gray. You're in no shape to have to carry this right now little bro."

Too exhausted to argue, he simply nodded. Leaning into Zach's side even more.

No little kid should have to see all the shit my brother has seen lately. It's just not fair.

Zach thought, pulling out some of the granola bars they'd gathered and passing them around.

"There's no way we're getting to the town without some food for energy." He said, handing them each some granola bars and opening one for Gray.

"Eat and then we'll go." He continued.

"I need to go do something first." Gray interrupted, pulling himself off his brother with a bit of effort.

"What do you need to do? We're in a camp full of dead people you creep." Witchley snarled, the food in her stomach seeming to give her back some of her personality. Unfortunately.

"Seriously Ashley…" Zach defended.

"I need to go and say goodbye to the old man."

"But you didn't even know him!"

Zach looked to his brother, completely tuning out Ashley's whining.

"Yeah ok. Sure bro. Want me to come with you?"

"No. That's ok. I'll be fine, I promise." He answered, hugging Zach tightly before eating the last bit of his granola bar and walking off to where the old man was.

"You really think it's such a good idea letting him go by himself?" Carlos asked with concern.

"No don't worry, I am going to follow him to make sure he's ok. I just know he wants to be alone."

"Yeah well he obviously won't be alone with you there Zach…" Ashley sneered.

"I am so done with your shit lately, and how you're treating Gray. I'm breaking up with you Ashley." Was Zach's response.

And he walked away with a satisfied smirk hearing her bumble and stutter incoherently behind him about how he was making a mistake or some shit like that.

And before he turned the corner he heard Carlos say something that made him laugh:

"Talk about fucking finally."

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Gray approached the tent where the old man lay, taking a deep breath before swallowing heavily and pushing the tent's cover back over the man's body, to cover him.

"I know this isn't much of a burial, and I'm sorry about that.." He whispered.

"If I could, I'd bury everyone here… listen… I didn't know you at all. But you're the first person I watched die like this. Sure I've seen people die. At Jurassic world, and the boy in the car next to us… but I've never been this close to anyone dying… and I couldn't save you… I'm so sorry."

He looked to the ground, and picked something from the grass now protruding from the ever melting snow.

"Wherever you are now, you don't have to deal with this anymore. I hope you rest in peace."

He slowly lifted himself up, not noticing the ruffle behind the bush near him, where his older brother knelt, watching with heartbreak as his brother talked to the man now hidden under the tent.

And he watched as Gray left, putting something down on top of the tent before trudging back to the others. And for a minute Zach just sat there, feeling the same emotions Gray did. Knowing the old man was always going to be 'the first person they couldn't save'. He shivered at the thought of him only being the first, because he knew he wouldn't be the last. FInally he got up and turned to start walking. Not before looking once more at what Gray had left on the ten's exterior.

A single four leaf clover.

TO BE CONTINUED….

Yikes this got dark quickly huh? Sorry about that but guys this is an apocalypse, can't expect everyone to live and for the kids not to see anything. I guess that was just a breaking point there for poor Zach and Gray. I know, I am evil. But as the days go on, the dinosaurs wreak more havoc, and the world goes even more crazy. If anyone is confused as to why this one death of someone they didn't even know hit these two so hard, just think about it for a second. This was the first up close gruesome and hopeless death they saw, and it was also heart wrenching for them to learn the lesson that you just can't save everyone. No matter how hard you try. Also is this a reconnection for Karen and Scott we see? Hmmmmm… :P

Please review and I can't wait to update again soon. Until next time

-Supermikeyninjalady