we have our teams for the arc, but don't worry they all meet up again in at least chapter 26.
Owen hadn't run like this since the Indominus escaped containment. Hell, even an active volcano erupting didn't cause him to run the way he was running now. Apparently the only way to escape a giga was to run like all of your exes were behind you and to keep serpentining. A lot of serpentining. He was grateful that Blue came with him when they scattered, because he was using her and her magnificent nose as a navigator through this hell hole.
He let out an admittedly girlish scream as large jaws snapped behind him. Time to serpentine again, he weaved through the trees in a random pattern. The last thing he wanted was these giants catching a pattern and catching him mid serpentine. "Blue! Find us a way out!" he called as he picked up the place, trying to find a new inspiration to run faster.
Let's see… angry mom? Ah, no, angry Maria. That was enough to double his efforts, his pace picking up as Blue called back to him. He could see a clearing up ahead, and hear the blessed sound of herbivores peacefully grazing.
He actually felt bad about this.
Both alpha and beta broke through the trees and into the herd, immediately sending them into a fit of panic. Both raptor and human ducked and weaved, Owen praying and cursing as he heard the trees break apart and another roar sounded, causing more chaos around him. Blue called back to him again, she had found them a path through the herd and into the forest on the other side of the clearing. And, more importantly, out of the giant's territory.
Owen resisted the urge to let out a whoop and followed his beta through the path, cursing when a pachy cut in front of him. He could still hear the giga's roar, but no longer felt it's footsteps following him. They must have preferred the buffet he led them to.
The two ducked into a cluster of trees, leaning against the trunks and in Blue's case just falling on the ground, in exhaustion. He let out little laughs as the adrenaline still coursed through his veins. His laughs cut off when footsteps came, hoping it was Maria and Eric coming to meet up with them.
That hope came crashing down when Agent Wilson and Vilks showed their stupid faces. The men panted as they caught their breaths, relief on their faces when they saw Owen looking at them.
He didn't share their relief.
Why did Maria get to have a nice companion? She was probably out there, flirting and having a general good time considering the circumstances and here he was. Stuck with Agent Ass and Agent Jackass.
At least he had Blue still.
"Where's number 3?" Owen asked as he finally caught his breath.
"Didn't run fast enough," Agent Jackass said as he stood tall. "Where is Kirby and the woman?"
"Maria, and I don't know. They went the other way I think," Owen said. One person was already down, he just hoped that Maria and Eric didn't make it three already. "Did you see Ripper?"
"Damn thing tore off after them," Agent Ass huffed.
Owen relaxed. Good, that was good. He wouldn't know what to do if Ripper had picked a fight with those giga's. The hybrid was smart, he must have figured he wouldn't have walked away from that fight. Plus, with his presence there for Maria and Eric, their chances just went up significantly.
Running. She hated running.
Curse her for actually liking her body, maybe she should have listened to her bullies growing up. Because right now she was five seconds away from falling dead, of course if she slowed down the giga's behind her could arrange that.
Both she and Eric were running blind, panic filling them as the giga's gave chase. Ripper was nowhere to be seen and while she prayed to god that he was fine, she couldn't exactly stop to look for him. Right now she was more worried about keeping up with Eric as he dragged her through the forest, ducking and weaving them through the trees.
Thank god for Eric, Maria decided as she struggled to keep up. If it wasn't for him grabbing her, she would no doubt be giga food. Someone soft and squishy like herself? Oh she'd be a good snack for them no doubt.
She let out a curse as a branch nearly hit her in the face. Okay, maybe she should stop thinking about her snack status and focus more on actually escaping with Eric.
"There's a clearing!" Eric called, relief clear in his voice.
The pair redoubled their efforts in escaping, pushing themselves to their limits as they made their way to the break of the trees. Breaking through, they rushed into the herd that was peacefully grazing. Maria allowed herself a brief flash of regret as the trees shook behind them, all these herbivores wanted was to eat, but shook it off when a giga roared.
She wasn't about to die on this island.
"Into the herd, we gotta get to the other side!" Eric called, his grip on her hand slipping as giant and panicked bodies began to run around them. A pachy ran between them, causing him to lose Maria. "Maria!"
"Keep going!" she called out in a panic, she dodged a parasaurolophus that ran past. The giga's reached the clearing, their roars echoing across the plains. But she doubted they'd still go after the two, not with all these meals in front of them. No, now they just had to survive the trip to the forest on the other side.
Dodging the giants, leaping over the compy's. Maria quickly made her way, trying her damndest to keep an eye on Eric. It was hard, especially when the corythosaurus' cut her off. With a yell, she pushed herself as she ran in front of the approaching parasaurolophus and hit the tree on the other side. Knowing it wasn't safe, she stumbled further in with labored breaths.
"Maria!" Eric called out, voice somewhat softer.
"Here!" Maria panted as she leaned against a tree trunk and slid down. She glanced up as rapid footsteps came, and smiled weakly at Eric as he panted down at her. "We made it," she said as he collapsed beside her, soft laughs escaping them.
"How's that for a rush?" he asked as he leaned his head against the trunk.
"Where… where is Ripper?" She frowned as she stood, admittedly sloppily. She looked over at the clearing, hearing the chaos that still came from it. Did he get caught up in that? Did he actually try to fight the giants?
A soft rasp sounded in her ear, causing Maria to shriek as she turned to look at the emptiness behind her. A soft ripple came, revealing Ripper grinning down at her. "Rip, don't do that," Maria gasped as she held a hand over her chest as she tried to convince her heart to stay and not leave her.
Ripper let out his huffs, which caused Eric to let out his own laughs. Shaking his head, Eric flashed her a grin. "I guess he got his payback for the boat," he said as she finally got herself back under control.
Maria shook her head as she settled back down beside Eric, they'd continue on their way soon but now they needed to rest a bit. The two frowned when a crackling sound came from their bags, Maria shrugged hers off and looked inside. "The radios," she said as she relaxed and took it out.
"Maria Anne Brennan," Owen was saying, tone on the verge of despair.
"How many Maria's do you think are on this island?" Maria asked into the radio, smiling as Eric snorted.
"Christ. I thought you were giga food! Is Eric there too?"
"I'm here," Eric said into her radio.
"Can't be bothered to check your own bag, huh? Did Ripper make it?"
"Yeah, and he's in high spirits," Maria said dryly as she looked at the smiling dinosaur.
"Oh, good. Now, let me just say that this is a bullshit arrangement. You three get to have a nice and relaxed walk through the woods while I get two jackass government officials."
Maria snorted before she frowned. "Wait, two? What happened to the third one?"
"Didn't run fast enough apparently. Tell Eric to joke about happy things next time," Owen said, causing Eric to wince.
"That was an honest and innocent joke," he said weakly.
"Your jokes are dark man. Now, where are you, we can meet up and be on our way."
"Actually, this might be good to be split up," Eric mused as he pulled out his map. "We can cover more ground, there's a facility near the center of the island, filled with cars. We can meet up there."
There was a heavy sigh on the end of the line. "You're a cruel man and I hate you. Fine, we'll divide and conquer." There was a pause before he spoke again, "frequent updates. Let us know when you make camp, when you head out. That sort of thing."
"We promise," Maria said before the connection went dead. She glanced at Eric as she stretched out her legs. "We should press on. Probably for the best if we don't stay here so close to the giga's territory."
"You're right," Eric said as he hauled himself to his feet and held out his hand for her to take. Helping her up, he gave a nod further down. "We'll keep going this way, we should hit the… aviary by noon."
"What are the odds that they're still there?" Maria asked softly as they began their trek. She heard Billy's horror stories, she heard the absolutely stupid stunt that he pulled in that cage. She didn't want to face those pteranodons.
Eric was quiet as he thought, debating the knowledge he had leaving and the time span. "It's a good chance," he finally allowed. "They were leaving when we were rescued off of the island, but that was their home for the longest time. I hadn't heard any reports of them nesting anywhere, so it's possible they doubled back shortly after 2001."
"So a wide berth," Maria concluded.
"Wide berth," Eric confirmed.
Maria swallowed thickly as she steeled herself for what was to come. "You think if I send Billy a "you were right" text message he'd get it?" She was glad she didn't put money on the bet they made before they shipped off, bet you meet a big one in the first hour.
The ass.
Eric snorted. "He's the kind of guy who just knows as soon as you think it," he said bumping his shoulder against hers. "Besides, he doesn't need to know yet. We survived, and we're doing a lot better this go around. The company is better."
"So I'm better than crushing loneliness or Dr. Grant?"
"Both, you're a prettier sight than Dr. Grant," Eric said, jumping when Ripper growled as he stalked past him. "I forgot he was there."
"That's why he growled," Maria said with a giggle.
Trust Ripper to cock block her, she thought fondly as she gave her hybrid a sweet smile.
Things were going to turn out fine, she was 75% positive.
Poor Eric, he's going to have to be quick around Ripper if he want's to get anywhere with Maria lol