Just like she promised, Zia made a stop for Eric's ATV and they loaded it up in her truck before she drove him home. The sky was already getting darker from both the sun going down and the clouds rolling in. While Eric directed her to his place, the two talked about various subjects.

"You do have some kind of schooling right?"

"I've got online courses. I always did good in school so they're pretty easy. Now I just meet or call a teacher once in a while."

"Can't imagine graduating from a computer. I guess it's necessary if they're employing someone as young as you."

"How old are you?

"Now you finally ask."

"I thought it might be rude."

"Well I'm twenty two," Zia was used to being mistaken for a teenager but she was curious about Eric's guess, "How old did you think I was?"

"I used to think maybe sixteen but that was when I first saw you. I figured you work here too so you had to be an adult, and I guessed about eighteen through twenty."

"Then again we do have you, so i guess it wouldn't be crazy to believe I was younger after all. You did forget to factor in the years it takes to get a vet degree though."

"Oh yeah. Still you really seem younger."

"I know, I know, I'm not very mature either."

"I meant it in a good way."

"I just don't feel like an adult a lot of the time. Like I need to grow up, yet I still somehow scored a career here."

"You don't have to be ashamed of who you are. That only means you're both a hard worker and a fun person to be around."

"You're too nice."

"Really, you're the funnest person I know."

Zia glanced at him, "Thanks."

She simply took the compliment. Eric had no idea how much she wished a lot of people in her life had thought so too. Friends, lovers, they never stuck. God she really needed to get a grip and stop getting emotional when things are turning around. She has new better people in her life now, including the boy right next to her.

Eric interrupted her thoughts, "We're almost there, keep going straight. You'll make another right at the end."

"Really? You're pretty close to where I live, we passed by my house."

Eric lived right outside of the worker village her house resided near, both of them had their homes somewhat isolated. They turned to a riverside road that lead to a decently sized cabin with a porch and an outdoor campfire place. Eric would've insisted on it being built smaller if Grant and the other adults weren't so concerned, they didn't think it was a good idea for him to live on his own in the first place but it was what he wanted. Eric was used to it, and he didn't see anything wrong with a guy needing his space.

Zia parked the truck to the side and they got out to set up the ramp. Once they did that, Zia asked, "Should I go? I can stay for a bit but it's up to you."

"If you want to, yeah. Here you can wait inside."

She followed him up the porch as he unlocked his front door. She thanked him and entered while Eric went back to go park his ATV in the garage. Turning on the lights revealed the warm tones of the wooden paneling accented by paler colored walls. The living room and dining area were combined to be the largest part of Eric's home with the basic necessities like a couch, coffee table, television, shelves, and a kitchen table with seats for four and a potted plant at its center. The cabin was overall simplistic.

It was also rather clean for a place lived in by a kid, save for a somewhat cluttered desk in the very corner of the living room. Above the desk was a large bulletin board that held a map of Isla Sorna with many pins going through it. Zia walked toward it where her attention shifted to the shelves filled with books and various items like a miniature sauropod skeleton, a chunk of amber, a display stand with a large raptor claw that looked oddly not very fossil-like sitting on it, as well as framed pictures of Owen and Barry with their raptors and Eric giving a shy smile with Dr. Grant and Dr. Sattler. Zia wondered how well he knew those two.

She sat down on the couch. Looking at the bottom of the closest shelf she noticed what looked like a small navy box full of more photos along with another frame faced away from her. She wouldn't touch the box, no one appreciates snooping. Not only that but a better experience would be that maybe Eric would show them to her someday. She didn't see any harm in looking at the frame though.

Picking it up, what she found was a picture of a blonde woman and a brown haired man with a mustache standing in front of a house, holding each other close. Thanks to the frame being transparent front and back, she was able to read '1985 Amanda & Paul move in' written in cursive behind the photo. Zia would be surprised if these two weren't who she thought they were. Judging by the size of this place they didn't live here, Eric at least wasn't lying about that part. He really did live alone.

Upon hearing the sound of his garage door closing, she put it back how she found it and sat at the end of the couch furthest away from that bookshelf. Eric entered, taking off his shoes and hanging his jacket, walking over to Zia.

"Well this is my home."

"Wait before we forget, what's your number?"

Eric told her, getting his own phone out of his pocket. She called it and ended it when his phone rang so he could save it, setting it on the coffee table when he was done.

He reclined the couch so he could lie down but Zia leaned in to him, "You're too sleepy to even give me a house tour."

"I'm tired but not sleepy. Besides it's not much."

"It's okay I know it's late. Another time, but those eyes are looking real shiny to me. Did you want me to just sit here with you?"

Eric blushed, "It's okay if not."

"Just say yes, man."

"Zia…"

"Want me to make you something?"

"Um, no?"

"Chocolate milk?"

Eric couldn't tell if she was messing with him, "No thanks I can get things myself. And you're the guest."

"How's your shin?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore. Do you want water? Or something to drink?"

"You're the one who shouldn't have to get up. I made you bleed. Look there's even some blood that dripped down to your sock." Zia pointed out the dried red stain. "If I want something I'll get it myself. If that's alright with you?"

"I've got nothing to hide in the fridge anyway."

"Who said anything about hiding things? Whatcha got in there, a severed head?"

"Why would I?"

"I don't know. Maybe you feed Rexy your victims and collect their skulls."

Eric laughed, "Maybe I can get her to eat my enemies some day."

"Now that you mention it I think you might be the safest person on this island if shit were to hit the fan."

"I'd hope she'd protect me."

"Hopefully Rexy senses that we're cool, I want some of that protection too." Zia got up, "I'm getting some water, will I find a poor frozen Compy if I check the freezer?"

"Why do you think I have dead things? I don't even like being near Compies, they creep me out!"

"Sure, but maybe you finally snapped and killed one to see if they taste like chicken." Zia called from the kitchen, drinking her glass.

"You think anyone's ever eaten dinosaur meat before?"

"Hopefully not." Zia came back, "I like it here, you've got yourself a cozy little place."

"Thanks."

She glanced at the framed photos, "Pretty cool you and me are in that same circle of raptor researchers, huh? Except I haven't interacted much with Dr. Grant and Dr. Sattler." Zia poked his side, "Are you their secret son?"

"Hehe, no. Ellie I don't see a lot, but I do talk to Dr. Grant once in a while!"

Zia figured as much. She thought now was the time to say what's been on her mind.

"You know since we're so close, we can meet up more often. Do more than just lunch breaks."

Eric looked at her, did he just tilt his head? She could not get enough of his puppy-like mannerisms. Maybe he got it from the raptors.

"Really?"

"How about you come over to my place tomorrow afternoon? To, I don't know, watch movies?"

"I'd love to!"

Zia got up to leave, "I've got work in the morning so I'll text you my address and when to be there. I'll see you tomorrow."

She then was surprised by Eric going in for a hug.

"Thank you, Zia!"

"Come here," Zia put her arms around him. She could tell he worked up the courage to hug her, and she began petting his hair. "You're a good kid, Eric."

He buried his face in her shoulder and groaned in embarrassment at the compliment, "You don't have to say things like that."

Zia grinned, "Oh don't fight it. You've been such a good boy."

She really didn't mean to blurt that but Eric seemed too embarrassed at the moment to think it was particularly weird or anything more than her teasing. She began to pull away but Eric didn't immediately get the hint.

"Eric?"

He didn't mean to hold on to her for so long but he let go as soon as she made it known.

"Sorry." Eric looked away from her and gave her space.

Though she found it to be cute, this behavior had Zia worried for him. She personally liked it, it was nice to feel wanted and she wished the hug lasted longer too. Others might've brushed him off or gotten annoyed at him for being clingy, but she knew better. Eric's earlier words about feeling less alone around her confirmed it, but before that she was picking up on all the signs of a lonely kid. She's been there.

"You're okay." Zia realized he probably wasn't so used to compliments. Or being touched. Eric felt her hands gently cup his face. He couldn't stop himself from nervously smiling.

"Thank you for the fun day, kiddo."

Zia drove off as Eric watched her from his porch, waving at each other as she happily drove home in the rain.

Eric went to his bedroom. He was very happy despite how tired he got, he didn't even feel sad that Zia left. She gave him too much to be happy about. Only one thing could ruin this night, which is why he didn't feel like sleeping just yet. Eric needed his dreams to either be pleasant or unmemorable tonight.

What he did remember was his text from Dr. Grant, a perfect excuse. He opened it, reading, 'Hope you've been doing good Eric. Please call me soon.'

Eric dialed the paleontologist, realizing too late that it was already going to be nearly 11 pm, but the call was picked up.

"Eric?"

"I'm so sorry Dr. Grant! Is it too late?"

Alan sat up from the research logs currently taking up his desk space.

"Not at all. We can talk."

"How have you been?"

"I'm doing fine, thank you. I should be the one asking you that. I'm sorry we haven't had a chance to speak in a while."

"I hope you don't feel guilty about that! You shouldn't."

"It's hard not to."

"You have a very important job and I still think I talked enough about my problems."

Alan hesitated, "I still worry there are unresolved issues that go beyond that island, but you're just not ready to open up about them are you?"

Eric's silence said it all.

"I'm sorry if I brought the mood down."

"It's fine, it's just hard I guess to admit things out loud? But it's okay! I've been having a great time lately."

Alan believed him. He was liking the return of a somewhat energetic playfulness in his voice, he actually sounded like a normal kid. Too long did Eric have an air of depressed tiredness, which is why he was gladly surprised to hear what he just heard.

"Really? Anything new?"

"Yeah, I've been hanging out with someone!"

"You've made a friend?"

"Yes we're friends! I think you might know her, Zia?"

"Yes, Dr. Zia Rodriguez. She's one of us now, we've been having her over at the paddock and recently got her approved for IBRIS a few days ago. Owen introduced you two?"

"No, we saw each other around for the past few months and we finally said hi. Now we talk and hang out, have lunch together, and today after work she took me to go to this nice trail in the jungles with Brachiosaurus, it was so nice! I'll show you a picture when she prints one out for me. She told me about working with you guys and the raptors. Have you talked to her?"

"Owen is who she talks to most, he has nothing but great things to say about her. We've only spoken a few times but she strikes me as a genuine and compassionate person."

"And she's great at her job isn't she?"

"A natural. IBRIS needed someone like her onboard."

"Wait, the raptors didn't do something to the old vet did they?"

"Well, we planned on firing him for being terrible but he quit after Blue barely gave him a nibble…"

"What?"

Alan sighed, "If I talk about him I'll go on a rant, so point is we requested a new hire from a number of vets who excelled their training, see which one would fare best with the little terrors. Rodriguez came out on top."

He cleared his throat, "Eric, I have to say I haven't heard you this lively in a while. I imagine Zia is doing wonders for your mental health."

"She does make me feel like my problems go away when she's around."

"I'm very, very glad to hear you're doing better. You deserve reliable company. Someone who can look out for you and be there for you. But Eric…"

"Yes?"

There was a pause.

"I'll save it for another time. You get yourself some rest okay? Stay safe, and Ellie says hi."

"Oh, tell her I like the fern she sent me!"

"I'll relay that. Goodnight Eric."

"Goodnight."

Eric did have a sense the paleontologist wanted to tell him something, he knew that tone when Alan was about to get serious. He supposed it wasn't too urgent after all. He loved the circle of people who look out for him on this island, they were like his new family. It's just he felt like he needed a break from the air of seriousness that comes with being close with much older adults as a kid. Especially ones who were very concerned about his mental state over what he's been through.

Eric felt like he didn't need to talk about his problems anymore, he needed someone to talk to and hang out with as a friend. Someone he can see more often. It's a thought he learned to feel less bad about for having thanks to Owen being able to read his situation and agree. It was rational to love his new family but yearn for more, for friendship. Especially when said family was constantly busy with an important job as researching Velociraptor intelligence and maintaining a relationship with them to try to prevent any casualties.

The problem was Eric didn't have many opportunities. He tried his best to be likable and socialize with the teenagers on Masrani internships but they didn't care for him, which was why he was scared Zia would find him annoying or even accuse him of stalking her. Eric feared she might not even want him around until her visits to Rex kingdom gave him confidence that she took interest in him. He had to pretend to not notice she always looked right at him in order to keep focus and not seem overly happy. In that moment he decided to finally talk to her after the show, and sure it turned out she was an adult but she really didn't feel that much older than him.

Eric undressed himself and put on the shirt he'd left on his chair, a black tank top with a faded white logo of the T. rex skull and arms in a circle, sleeping in only that and boxers despite the colder weather. He just felt like wearing less when he slept, his blankets were very warm anyway. Eric knew they'd help him fall asleep faster but he had been trying to avoid sleep for a reason. He already felt very childish for having that freak out earlier today, but what he hated even more were the nightmares that had him feeling like a scared child. He tells himself he's too old for this and he's faced way scarier things that are real, but once every few weeks he finds himself dreading nights where they came for him.

Nights where he would be taken back to Sorna. Never to any of the pleasant memories, alone in areas of the island familiar to him despite the darkness, ranging from a field of long grass to a foggy abyss or a fire ablaze in a river. He would feel the gaze of whatever stayed silent lurking in the dark until a furious roar would echo off in the distance, followed by screams of people he knew. He hoped they never got worse than that. He hoped he didn't have to deal with it tonight.

The sun didn't shine on the next day, Eric woke up at 10 am to light clouds and rain. Luckily nothing happened, but he was never in his best moods during the morning. He had no idea at what time he finally slept, his hair was sticking up and his eyelids felt heavy. He should shower but then again he had his bandage that he wouldn't want to get wet, he'd probably have to ask Zia about that. He walked to the kitchen to get a glass of milk and toasted himself waffles, wanting to at least have breakfast before anything else, usually he'd cook a better meal like eggs and bacon but he didn't feel like it.

What he could no longer ignore was his raging boner and his overwhelming horny state. He knew at this point that neither would go away just because he tried to ignore it, it only delayed the inevitable. He's deprived himself of release for three days in a row, or was it four? Eric didn't even know anymore. He at least progressed from the times where he'd always guiltily felt like some animal who couldn't control his hard-ons being surrounded by so many girls at school every single day.

Eric never got reassurance since he lied to everyone saying he already had the talk with his parents when in reality they never had the chance. He didn't even think he needed it when he was younger after reading a book about human body systems that explained he would be capable of reproduction as well as maybe grow taller and hairy, figuring that was enough of an explanation he needed. Eric would go on to find out how wrong he was. Weeks after he turned twelve he was completely unprepared for the constant erections and urges to have sex. He didn't ever expect that humping pillows would become part of a routine that he'd started out of instinct.

Eric would always look forward to alone time at home after being all day at school, or else he'd have to wait until his parents fell asleep. Then yet another set of complications dropped on him when he first produced sperm. Not only was he surprised at shooting a sticky mess but he suddenly found the idea of impregnating girls to be hot. Things just kept piling up for him to hide away and all he could do was get over his guilt about it all. He supposed that a few months stranded on Site B helped him with that.

Eric went back to his room, pulling down his boxers to let his four inches spring free. Taking off his shirt so it's not in the way, both pieces of clothing ended up discarded on the floor. He grabbed two of his four pillows that he designated as ones not meant for sleeping on. He stacked them on the bed, placing his knees on either side as if to mount them. Using his thumb to spread the increasing amount of precum over his dick's head, he began using his hips to rub the length and his balls against the pillow.

"Oh…Zia…"

Eric slowly thrusted, thinking back to Zia's ass that wasn't big but still perfectly and nicely shaped under her gray pants. It wasn't the first time he'd seen it in tight pants or shorts, but it was his. The most revealing clothing he's seen her wear was a sports bra while out on a run. He imagined himself fucking her from behind, running his hands on the soft outline of abs to her small tits. It was all he could emulate.

"Mm… oh yeah…"

He wanted to lift her legs up on his shoulders and pound her but he also wanted her on top pinning him down. Eric's moans grew more frequent and louder at the thought of Zia being forceful. Since he lived alone Eric never held back anymore.

"Ah… oh fuck, fuck.."

Every time he learned to pace himself more and more to last longer. He also thought it'd make his orgasm even better. He then thought about how Zia held him close. Eric's mattress started creaking as he quickened his pace, ravenously plowing his pillow as he felt a pressure build.

"Mmn, oh Zia! Ah..ahhAH-"

Eric kept pumping his hips as he came, spurting out five loads all over the pillow, moaning while his body shook and slowly begun to stop humping. Tiring himself out, he collapsed down on to the pillow for a while. Eventually getting up Eric found his dick still hard and sticking in the air, but he stopped himself from going any further rounds. Once was enough or he'd be wasting his morning going again and again until his dick was sore. After cleaning up his mess and tossing his pillow case in the laundry basket, Eric sat down and pulled his clothes back on.

He taught himself to feel less guilty thinking about girls he knew when he masturbated, as long as he didn't view them as sex objects. Catching real feelings for girls wasn't new to him either, but this time the issue is the girl is an adult and into other girls, so he shouldn't even think of her as anything but a friend. He would never say such a cheesy thing out loud but Zia has been nothing but an angel to him. She was giving him exactly everything he always wanted for years, hangouts, touches, a genuine friendship. Yet despite that being way more than enough for him, Eric couldn't stamp out his feelings for her.