Chapter Eleven
Grieving
Part One
Ellie's heart leapt every time the phone rang. Her hopes lied in the call that would bring Grant back to her. She remembered the last time she saw him. She was on the hill with Mike that night she and Grant nearly kissed, watching as her friend climbed into his truck. That was four days ago: sixty-six hours to be precise. He seemed to have vanished into thin air.
When he hadn't returned the following morning, Ellie had asked around about his whereabouts. No one knew anything. She didn't start to panic until dinner rolled by and there was still no sign of him. She began calling around to find out if anyone from the store or diner had seen him. No luck. Her worry increasing, she had called the police. They searched high and low for the doctor for two grueling days, but came up empty. Today, on the third day of their search and forth day of Grant's disappearance, she had been informed that a rescue crew had stumbled across a charcoaled truck burnt so severely it revealed nothing. A fireman had explained to Ellie that she would have to brace herself for the possibility that Dr. Grant's body was in the rumble.
Ellie had crumbled to her knees, burying her face in her hands and released a heart-wrenching screech. Mary Wise had gathered the weeping woman into her arms while the others sought comfort with each other. Charles Orwell had grown violent and smashed a chair by kicking it against a trailer. James Williams attempted to keep the rest of the crew under control all the while wiping the wetness leaking from his eyes. There wasn't a person present who didn't respect and idolize the favorable Dr. Alan James Grant, but no one felt the pain like Ellie Sattler.
Part Two
Ellie forced herself to swallow the cold cereal. It was soggy from floating in the bowl of milk for the last five minutes, but she barely noticed the awful texture. She had hardly slept last night, but she was too exhausted to care. Raising the spoon to her mouth once more, she couldn't help but smile at what Grant would say to her if he saw her moping around eating cereal softer than soup. The spell, however, was broken when she realized that he just might never get to see her do so.
The fireman had left with his horrible news about three hours ago. Dr. David Austin, the second in charge, had given everyone the day off. Clusters of people gathered in tight circles and reminisced about the hard assed, but lovable teacher. Ellie couldn't stand it. She wasn't ready to put Grant to rest just yet. Earlier, after her sobbing had subsided, she had decided that she wouldn't mourn him until there was a corpse to bury.
Finishing her cereal, Ellie tightened the laces of her boots and trekked up and down the hills. She was bursting with energy. She needed to do something. Anything. She hiked further and further from the dig sites until she reached Site F, the farthest excavation. One they hadn't officially started yet. She paused, taking a few deep breaths when she heard a soft moaning.
Ellie whirled around, but saw nothing. Must've been the wind, she thought before starting her walk back. Either that or I'm going crazy.
Then she heard it again. This time she allowed her eyes to hunt out the source. "Alan!" In a ditch ten yards ahead was the rumbled body of the man she adored. She scrambled down the embankment frantically. "Alan! Alan! Can you hear me?" Upon reaching him she noticed his tattered clothes and oddly bent right leg. He was on his back, his face red and beaten. "Alan," she whispered, stroking his cheek gently. "Alan, I'm here. It's going to be ok. You're home."
He slowly cracked open his eyes, but was to disoriented to put anything together. Yet, he relaxed under the soothing voice and featherlike touch. "Li…sa," he murmured before blanking out.
End Chapter Eleven
Hey, how are you all liking it so far? I would like to personally thank my reviewers. Princessdiva06: Thank you so much for continuing to read this story. I appreciated both of your reviews. I hope to update more quickly.
Yvonne: I am truly honored you took the time to read my story. You are an inspirational writer. Your stories are the first Jurassic Park fanfic I came across. I was beginning to worry no one else cared as much as I about Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler. Thanks for proving me wrong!
Maximumbowling10: You got your wish. I wrote more! Thank you so much for your review.