Author's Note

I don't have a whole lot of time so I'm just gonna post this real quick.

Go onward and enjoy!

Hunt

As soon as they get out of the car, Owen takes Liv over to the cage to check on the raptors. The squad are all already in their cattle chutes along the right wall, or raptor chutes in this case. The raptor chutes are these big metal machines, almost like miniature cages, that are designed to gently squeeze the raptors so that they cannot move at all, allowing humans to safely approach them for checkups and such. The majority of the chutes, and the raptors' bodies, are on the other side of the cage wall, inside the stables, but the raptors' heads stick into the cage, like they're playing peekaboo. Metal clamps powered by hydraulics keep the raptors from moving their heads or even opening their mouths.

Liv understands that it's necessary in order to take care of the raptors without anyone getting hurt, that it's better than knocking them out, but it still breaks her heart to see them restrained in there, every time. And right now, it's only worse. Someone's strapped cameras to the tops of their heads, like adding accessories to machines. She hopes this is the only time she ever has to see them like this.

Owen goes straight to Blue while Liv goes to one of the others, Charlie. She opens herself up to all of them, though, checking to see how they are. Their concern surprises her. They were worried about her, and Owen. They must have sensed that something was wrong, maybe that the Indominus had escaped, at the very least that their alpha and their hatchling were in danger and they couldn't do anything to help. She pets Charlie's muzzle through the bars, cooing softly and reassuring all of them along the bond. They're fine. They're safe, for now. Things aren't looking too good out there right now, but with their help maybe it will be soon.

At that the raptors growl, determined, possessive. Owen glances at her and she smirks. "They're more than willing to help," she explains, "especially since it'll mean helping to keep us safe. They don't like the feel of the Indominus. They can tell she wants to come after me and it's putting them on edge."

"Good," Owen says, leaning into Blue close to check the placement of the cameras, making sure it's not hurting her. "The more they're willing to go along with this, the better."

"But what if they go along with this too well?" Liv asks, worrying her lip with her teeth. "Won't it just make InGen want to weaponize them that much more if they obey orders so well?"

"Maybe," he mumbles, staring hard into Blue's eyes. "But they'll only listen to us. If anyone else tries to do what we do, they'll end up losing a hand. Vic seems to think that kind of hostility can be bred out, but he'll find out soon enough he's sorely mistaken." A thought makes him frown. "And if he even thinks about hurting any of these raptors because of disobedience, I'll bite his hand off."

Before she can ask if Vic would really try to kill the raptors because they refuse to listen, because no freaking way is she letting that happen either, Claire approaches the cage, followed by Zach and Gray.

"Hey, Liv," Claire says with a genuine smile, none of her usual professional mask left. This is the most open Liv has ever seen her and to see that Claire actually likes her beyond a colleague sense? It makes her happy. "Are you feeling alright now?"

"Yeah, I'm good," Liv says, threading her arms through the cage bars and leaning on them. "Just needed a catnap."

"That's good. I remember one time, when my sister and I were little, we were outside playing on the jungle gym when it started to rain. I slipped on the bars because of the water and broke my leg. Our neighbor had been looking after us while our parents were at work, an old lady and good friend, but she wasn't strong enough to carry me inside so my sister decided to levitate me. She slept for hours afterwords because it tired her out so much."

Liv nods. "Yeah, that's basically what happened to me. I did too much so my body shut down to force me to recharge."

"But now you're okay?" Zach asks, trying for nonchalant but she can see his concern in the crease of his brow.

"Yeah, I'm perfectly fine now. Nothing to be worried about."

"Good," Claire says again and then turns to Owen, her face twisting a little sour. "Vic is getting impatient. He wants to start planning and said he'd do it without you if you don't hurry."

Liv glances over at the Research Center, guessing that's where her father is. "Does he even know what happened to me?"

Claire looks over at the Research Center as well with a sigh. "I don't know. If he does, then he doesn't care."

"It's just," she shifts uneasily on her feet, gripping the bars in her hands, "he's always told me never to let anyone know I'm a mutant and I've openly used my abilities today. I keep expecting him to…do something."

She doesn't say what she's thinking he'll do, but she doesn't have to.

Owen pulls her into a side hug and she burrows into him, seeking comfort and the feeling of safety that always follows him. "He probably knows he can't do anything. Not right now, what with everything that's going on. He has no choice but to wait until he can get you somewhere alone. But that's not going to happen." He leads her out of the cage and then crooks a finger at Zach and Gray. "You two, come here." They glance at each other curiously but obey, standing in front of Owen and Liv. "I have a very important job for you. While we're getting everything ready for the hunt, I need you to stay with Liv at all times. Do not leave her side under any circumstances. And if a man named Vic Hoskins tries to take her somewhere alone, you don't let it happen. If he tries to force her to leave then you yell for help. You protect her, understood?"

Both boys nod, probably still very confused, but very willing to help keep her safe.

Is this what it's like to have friends? Owen and Barry don't exactly count since they're family.

Owen and Claire then leave to go help with the planning, leaving her alone with Zach and Gray.

"Hey, Liv?" Gray says.

"Yeah, Gray?" she replies, cringing internally because she's going to have to explain now, she doesn't want to explain again, but if they're going to help keep Vic away from her they have a right to know why.

"Who's Vic Hoskins?"

She sighs deeply, leaning back against the cage bars. "He was…is…." She sighs again. "He's my biological father."

"And why are we keeping you away from your dad?" Zach asks, shoulders stiff. Considering his fears about his own father, he probably already guesses at least a little bit.

Liv turns her head to look at the raptors instead of the brothers. They whine softly, sensing her distress, and she wishes she could have stayed in the cage. "It's like Owen said before. My parents aren't nice people, but my…Vic is worse."

"Does he know you're a mutant?"

"Yes."

"Is he…anti-mutant?"

She nods, unable to get her voice to work anymore.

"Does he…hurt you because of it?"

Closing her eyes tightly, she pushes her back against the bars, feeling like a cornered animal. She doesn't want to run from Zach and Gray, not really, but she wants away from this conversation, doesn't want to admit to the abuse. It's like a cancer, consuming her body, her entire life, and she wants nothing more than to cut it away and forget it ever happened. To admit to it feels like admitting there's something wrong with her. So she doesn't say anything, though it's not like it matters.

Her silence is admission enough.

Something launches into her, squishing her against the bars, and her eyes fly open to see Gray, arms wound tightly around her waist and face buried in her shoulder. After one stunned moment she holds him back, placing her head atop his. She closes her eyes again, needing a hug more than she realized.

It's weird being hugged by someone who isn't Owen, but it's also kind of nice.

She feels Zach come up beside them and then he's hugging them, too, drawing her and his brother close to his chest. "We'll keep you safe, Liv," he says softly. "Promise."

She turns her face into the crook of Zach's neck and exhales deeply, her breath coming out shuttered. A part of her worried they'd turn their backs on her once she told them about Vic, but they haven't. They're going to help keep her away from that monster.

But when she sees Vic's familiar aura coming their way she can't help but wonder if it will be enough.

"He's coming," she whispers, not moving out of the embrace.

"Then we do what Owen said," Zach tells her, moving them closer to the cage door. "We keep you away from him no matter what."

He places his hand on the keypad to the outer cage door and it opens for him with a soft click, his abilities allowing him to control the technology without needing the key code. The three of them slip inside the cage and Zach locks them in.

Vic stomps up to the cage, looking like a grumpy Rexy on a bad day. "Come on, Olivia," he snaps, his eyes sweeping over the three of them with disdain. "We're leaving."

Zach and Gray push her behind them, standing between her and Vic even though there are already bars in the way. "I-I'm not going anywhere with you," she stammers out, tempted to be cowed under her father's anger like she always is but she's determined not to give in to the fear this time.

Vic glares at her. "Don't be ridiculous, Olivia. We need to get back to the Control Room before the hunt begins. Now come on."

"No," she says, sturdier this time, and straightening her spine. "I said I'm not going anywhere with you and I mean it."

"I am your father, Olivia, and you will do as I say," he practically growls at her, hand going to the keypad. But when he punches in the numbers to unlock the door, nothing happens. His jaw clenches and he tries again, but still nothing.

"She's not going anywhere with you," Zach says and she realizes that Zach is keeping the door from unlocking.

"And who are you, you little punk?" Vic demands, anger radiating off of him, but Zach doesn't back down.

"I'm her friend."

"My daughter doesn't have any friends."

"You're wrong. And from what I understand, you're not her dad. You're just the man who supplied a few chromosomes."

Vic slams his hand against the bars with a loud bang that makes Liv flinch, the squad hissing and growling at him. He then turns his dark, fiery eyes on her. "This isn't over."

He stalks off, but none of them seem to breathe until he gets in his car and drives off.

"No, it's not over yet," Liv whispers, mostly to herself than anyone else. "But it will be. Soon."

When Owen tells the InGen security guys that Liv is going with them in the big armored truck, they try to protest. They don't see the need to take her along, they believe she'll only get in the way, and they definitely don't want Vic coming after them when he finds out. Liv sneaks in the truck while their arguing, though, so when Owen orders them all into the truck and the caravan gets underway, none of the guys realize she's in there until it's too late.

It makes things a bit awkward but it's not like they can just toss her out.

They pick up speed and Liv hunkers down in the front of the truck near the cab to concentrate, focusing on the auras. Owen's out in front of the caravan, probably on his motorcycle, and the raptors are running along beside him, excited to be out of the paddock, running free in such a large space, and on the hunt. Barry is driving on his ATV close behind them and then there's a few more smaller vehicles plus the truck, adding up to about a dozen men total to go after the Indominus. They're loaded with lethal weapons this time, she's seen the rocket launchers packed in this truck, but will it be enough? These men may be soldiers, but the Indominus is unlike anything they've ever faced before.

They're getting closer to her. She isn't moving, instead waiting patiently for them to come to her, eyes focused on Liv again. Their plan is working. Maybe a little too well.

The truck comes to a stop. They've made it. The Indominus is maybe fifty feet away now. The men file out of the truck, guns clutched in their hands, and Liv follows them out. It might be stupid, but if the Indominus decides to come after her she doesn't want to be trapped in a truck she doesn't even know how to drive. She'd rather take her chances running through the woods. With her mutant abilities, she has a better chance that way.

All of the men line up behind a fallen tree trunk, the raptor squad staring into the darkness in front of them curiously. Liv stays near the truck, watching with baited breath.

The Indominus. Is. Right. There.

She comes out of the shadows like a specter, her snowy white skin glistening in the moonlight. She's just as silent too. How can something so big make so little sound? She really is the Angel of Death, coming to kill them, tear their heads off before they realize what's coming. And they really have no idea what's coming. Liv knows Owen told the men not to fire until he gives the say so, but she would have thought the Indominus would have attacked by now. Instead, she simply stands there, staring down at the raptors.

Then she starts talking.

She makes little chirrups and rumbling growls, so much like how the raptors talk to each other, only deeper. And the raptors respond. They talk right back to the Indominus with their own chirrups, communicating across species in a way that shouldn't be possible.

Unless it isn't actually across species.

"Raptor DNA," Liv whispers aloud in horror. "They used raptor DNA."

No wonder the scientists flat-out refused to talk to Owen. But they should have, they shouldn't have kept this from them, because this changes everything. Liv looks at their auras, trying to get a sense as to what it is they're talking about, but when she looks she gasps.

The Indominus's aura is reaching out to the raptors' as they talk, trying to forge a bond. But that shouldn't be possible. The Indominus is only an animal, she shouldn't be able to reach out her aura like that, but she doesn't have time to think on it further because then the Indominus looks at the men and the raptors follow her gaze. No, not just the men, but Owen. They're looking at Owen, and that's when Liv finally grasps what it is they're talking about.

The Indominus is trying to take the raptors from Owen. She's trying to assert herself as the new alpha.

Blue understands from a primal perspective. The Indominus is bigger, faster, stronger, more superior to a human in every way. To make the switch from a human alpha to the Indominus makes sense.

But the raptors imprinted on him when they were born. They're family. They're pack. That has to mean something to them, right?

Blue chirrups something, asking a question of some sort, and the Indominus answers with her own grumble. They then change their gazes, from Owen to Liv.

Her breath catches in her throat and her eyes widen in fear. The Indominus wants her, has always wanted her since the day the dinosaur was born. They can sense each other and the Indominus has never liked it, has felt threatened by her more than she's ever felt curious.

She wants to eat her.

That's what Blue's question was. She was asking what would happen to Liv if they went with the Indominus.

"L-Ladies?" Liv whimpers, her voice soft but still carrying across to them since their heads perk up slightly. Blue cocks her head at her, still staring. She's feeling confused. The Indominus is more like her than Owen is, would make a better alpha, but Blue isn't sure what to do. The others will follow her lead, whatever she decides, so Liv talks to her, both through their pack bond and aloud. "Blue, don't do this, please. Don't turn your backs on Owen. You've always thought of him as a good alpha. He takes care of you and he loves you. I know you love him too. And..." She swallows thickly, trying to fight against her growing tears. "And I love you. Please, if you go with the Indominus, she'll kill us all. Me, Owen. All of us."

Please don't leave me. I love you. Please don't leave.

The Indominus growls something, something that tastes like a threat, and the raptors turn back to the Indominus with matching screeches of rage.

Liv grins. They won't let the Indominus have her.

And then things start exploding.

The darkness erupts in flame, someone with a rocket launcher firing even though Owen didn't give the order, but someone must have, that someone probably being Vic. The Indominus roars, more angry than actually hurt, and then there's a flurry of movement, guns, and death as the men and the Indominus fight. She doesn't know where the raptors went. They disappeared into the darkness as soon as the first shot was fired, but she knows they haven't changed sides, that they haven't picked the Indominus as their new alpha.

The Indominus isn't happy about that. She is cold fury, seeping into Liv's skin like an Arctic wind, and though these men stand in her way and she's willing to go through them if she has to, it's Liv blood she wants to taste right now.

Liv runs.

She runs as fast as her feet can carry her, stumbling around the auras of the plants, while trying to concentrate enough to hide her own aura. She still can't hold it for very long but maybe it'll give her just enough time to get away from the Indominus. The dinosaur still has her natural animal instincts, though, and the gasoline Owen poured on her earlier has probably faded too much to be of any help anymore. But that's probably for the best. She still needs to keep the Indominus focused mostly on her without running the risk of the dinosaur actually finding her and eating her. So she doesn't stop running, staying just far enough ahead of the Indominus to stay out of danger so that the others have a chance at stopping her.

It seems to work for a little while. Liv can feel herself getting further and further away from the Indominus because the men attacking her are putting up more of a fight than the dinosaur thought they would, but then something happens that makes several of the auras blink out at once. There's more gunfire and explosions. As Liv continues to run, eyes focused on the Indominus's aura, all of it combined barely makes a dent. They have rocket launchers but it's almost as if the Indominus is a tank for all the good they're doing. Even with the Indominus distracted trying to find Liv, this is proving to be not much of an advantage as they though it would.

The plan is crumbling fast, so Liv just keeps running.

Her breath gasps in and out of her, more than one kind of exhaustion starting to weigh her down, but she doesn't let up, she keeps running, keeps hiding herself from the Indominus.

And then an aura pokes up at the edge of the fighting. A raptor aura. Charlie. She barks at the Indominus, taunts her, until the Indominus runs after her and away from the few remaining men.

Away from Liv.

She collapses to her knees on the ground, her lungs working overtime and sweat trickling down her neck. Charlie is using herself as bait now, luring the Indominus away to keep her safe. Liv watches, afraid the Indominus will catch up to Charlie, but even though the Indominus has long, powerful legs, she's still no match for the speed of a Velociraptor. Charlie draws her further and further away, and then, in a flash, Charlie disappears into the jungle without a trace. The Indominus tries to find her, but it seems she can't see other auras as well as Liv can. Liv is the only one she can see so clearly, the other auras a dull blur, making her unable to find Charlie. Her frustration builds into anger and she roars, loud and long, echoing between the trees, but it is very far away from Liv, so she finally lets go of her own aura and allows it to be seen again.

Liv waits to see what the Indominus will do and is surprised when she doesn't come after her again. Instead, the dinosaur keeps walking

Towards the main park, where all those warm bodies she sensed earlier used to be. As far as Liv can tell from the auras, the tourists fled from Main Street after the Pterosaur attack and went to the docks in order to evacuate the island on ferries. Most of the people are long gone now and anyone who's remaining will be gone as well before the Indominus can get there.

Still, the dinosaur is curious, and she wants to know more about this island she considers hers.

Liv lets her head hang, failure heavy on her shoulders. What more can they do? The only plan they had left is in shambles. There are no more men to fight the Indominus. None of their weapons were able to even slow her down. How do they fight an animal like this?

The rumbling of an engine makes Liv's head snap up, swiveling around to find out where it's coming from and who it is. She hopes it's Owen. Owen will know what they should do next.

She sees the headlights of an ATV coming towards her and stands, thinking it's Barry. Good. Barry can help her find Owen and then they can regroup. Come up with a new plan. The ATV stops right in front of her and she raises her hand, shielding her eyes from the bright light shining in her face. She can see the shadow of a form on the back of the ATV, though, and it gets up and circles around the vehicle towards her.

The man stands in front of the light and her hand drops, along with her stomach. She should have checked his aura.

Because that's not Barry. Or Owen.

"You're coming with me," the man says, one of the InGen security guys that came with them to hunt the Indominus. He's in full body tactical gear and that, plus the darkness, makes it hard to see his face, but she can still see his frown.

"Where are we going?" Liv asks without moving at all. She doesn't trust this man. Something doesn't feel right.

"I have orders to take you back to the Control Room," he says impatiently.

"Who's orders?"

"Vic Hoskins's." He grabs her roughly by the arm and starts dragging her towards the ATV. "Now come on."

"No! Let go of me!" She struggles in his grip but his hand is like stone, ungiving no matter how hard she pulls. She reaches out to the plants and starts to make them grow, to reach out to the man, but before they can help her the man points a gun to her head. Both her and the plants freeze.

He tisks disapprovingly. "I don't think so. I saw what you could do earlier, out on Main Street. You're not gonna pull any little mutant tricks on me."

"My father won't like it if you kill me," she says, unsure if her words are really true but she has to try.

"Oh, I won't kill you. But I hear you heal pretty quick so hurting you is still on the table. How does a bullet in the leg sound?"

He starts to pull her towards the ATV again and she still struggles despite the gun. A gunshot will hurt worse than anything she's ever felt before but it's better than going back to Vic.

"Help!" she screams. "Somebody!"

"Shut up!" the man growls and uses the butt of his gun to smack her across the face. She sees stars.

And then there's another growl, this one decidedly not human.

The man spins them around, wrapping his arm around her neck and squeezing so her back is pressed to his chest, using her as a human shield. He points the gun in front of them but nothing is there. At least, nothing that the headlights show. Anything can be lurking in the darkness.

"Who's out there?" the man calls out, fear making his voice shake slightly. "Show yourself!"

Liv's not sure if she actually understood the demand or not, but after a breath of tense silence Delta steps gracefully into the light, teeth bared menacingly with a low, grating growl. The sharp talons on her feet tap on the ground and her hands flex, wanting to strike but holding back. Liv instantly recognizes the tactic, has watched the raptors perform it a thousand times. Delta is just the distraction while the others sneak up on him from behind.

But the man isn't just going to wait for the attack either. He cocks his gun, ready to fire. "S-Stay back!"

"Don't you dare hurt her!" Liv shouts, yanking at his arm, but then there's a flash of movement to their right. Echo launches out of the bushes before the man can even react, snapping her jaws on the man's arm holding the gun and yanking it away so he can't hurt anyone. The man screams, the pain making him drop the gun, and then he's yanked away from her as Charlie attacks him with her teeth and claws from behind.

Liv falls to the ground and rolls away, keeping her head down as she listens to the raptors tear the man apart. She can't bring herself to look but she isn't disgusted by what the raptors have done. They've saved her from a man who was going to hurt her, who was going to force her to go back to Vic.

Is it a bad thing that she cares more about her own life than the man's?

She feels a presence looming above her and looks up to see Blue standing over her protectively, watching as her sisters tear the man apart as if afraid he's going to get back up and come after Liv again. Liv pets the underside of her belly in both reassurance and thanks. Blue lowers herself just a little bit more, closer to Liv.

Long after the man's screams have ended and the raptors have had their fill Blue backs away, allowing Liv to climb to her feet while carefully keeping her back turned to whatever is left. Charlie, Delta, and Echo return to Blue's side, their mouths and claws a little bloody, but she still can't help but smile.

"Thank you," she says, petting them each on the head. "And thank you for choosing us over the Indominus. I…I don't know what I would have done if…."

Blue bops her in the middle of her chest with her head and Liv feels such an overflowing feeling of mine. They want to protect her. They would never let the Indominus hurt her.

They love her.

Liv pulls them all close to her and it's both the weirdest and best group hug she's ever had.

Author's Note

That's right, no raptors dying in my fic! And yay for the raptors not turning against Owen! I tried to get in a good balance of why they probably actually did it in the movie. It is only logical for them, but in my fic it's more than that. They would have had to let the Indominus kill Liv, their hatchling, and that's something they would not do. She is their baby, no matter what.

Next chapter will be on Tuesday. And it will have something you all have been waiting for.

Hope you enjoyed, PLEASE REVIEW, and see you all next time!