Jurassic Park III and ½: The Lost Hat

Part II
Chapter III

With a sigh, Billy and Alan sat down against the door, breathing heavily. Trevor stood a little way off, staring at the ground, eyes glazed over. He looked almost non-living, if it weren't for the short, sharp breaths that racked his body every few seconds. He seemed to be in shock. Alan hoped it was only temporary. Being suddenly introduced to Pteranodons had probably shattered a lot of illusions Trevor might have had about dinosaurs, even if he looked like the type of kid who ate lots of junk food, went around on a skateboard and wore clothes ten sizes too big for him.

Then again, to Alan, all kids looked like that, so maybe he wasn't the best judge of character.

Billy, however, was practically a child himself, so had a little bit more of an insight on how they felt than Alan. By now fully rested, he stood up, stretched, and walked over to Trevor, clearly concerned.

"Are you okay, kid?" asked Billy, disregarding the fact that no, Trevor was not okay, considering the fact he was finding it hard to breathe.

But nevertheless, the youth managed to nod, very determined not to start crying or anything of the sort. He barely managed, squeezing his fists instead.

"Well.. fine, then," said Billy doubtfully, eyeing him. "I guess we'd better get going, then. Alan?"

Alan was deep in thought, brow furrowed and ignoring the Pteranodon's futile attempts to get outside. "Wha—? Oh. Alright. Let's go."
He stood up, squinting at the trees. It was getting dark, and they needed to establish a camp before they continued. They really should have done that first, but Alan thought the hat might have still been at the Aviary. That, and the fact all three of them had absolutely forgotten, what with the danger of being shredded into a million and six pieces, dying from exhaustion, avoiding dangerous carnivores such as Velociraptors and Tyrannosaurs, and watching the map to avoid getting lost, which it seemed they were, anyway.

Billy watched Alan carefully, sensing a 'mood' again. They'd better get the hat back, or else Alan would be like this for ever, only… worse. "… Alan?"

"Yes, Billy?" asked Alan, turning to face his younger companion.

"What're you doing?"

Alan gave Billy a look that clearly said, 'Are you insane?', as if his actions were self-explanatory, which, in fact, they weren't. It merely looked as though he was watching the trees for no reason whatsoever. Apparently, it seemed Billy's brain was more than a little clouded; he still hadn't thought of finding a place to stay for the night.

"I'm looking for a place to set up camp, Billy, so we can all get some rest."

"But…" Billy trailed off, looking around uncertainly. "Can't we just stay here?"

"Stay here?" repeated Alan, looking at his surroundings for the first time. Staying there was actually a good idea. The area just outside the Aviary was well protected, in a way; trees made a small clearing, and if something attacked, they could always let the Pterodactyls loose, as a last resort, of course. There was plenty of room for all three of them, and there was even a stream somewhere; both Alan and Billy remembered their last experience in the Aviary all too well.

"Billy," said Alan, mood lightened considerably, "that's the best idea you've had all day. Get the tent."

.·•·.

Soon, camp was up, and Alan, Billy and Trevor were sitting around a small fire. They had debated over starting one, Alan saying it was too dangerous, but eventually he had agreed, after Billy pointed out they were well protected from the outside. They had brought some canned food along, so for dinner they had some baked beans and corn, disposing of the cans carefully. Trevor, who had loosened up quite a bit, had then announced he was going to bed, and if a Tyrannosaur attacked them he didn't want to be woken up. Alan couldn't tell if he was serious or not, but dearly hoped the situation wouldn't occur.

Billy watched Trevor go, then turned back to his by now cold dinner, munching on it thoughtfully. "Alan?"

"Yes, Billy?" replied Alan, poking the fire with a stick.

"What happened to you? You know, on the plane?"

Alan stared at Billy blankly.

"You know… the plane… when we were landing…" At the look on Alan's face, Billy shrugged and gave up. If Alan didn't remember, then it obviously wasn't important. "Nevermind."

Alan blinked, then shrugged, going back to prodding the fire. He had to admit, he had no idea what to do next. The hat was supposed to have been there. In the morning, they'd check around the stream, but Alan knew – he could feel – the hat wasn't there. But he had lost it there… hadn't he?

"Billy," said Alan suddenly, "once the Pteranodons left you… where did you find the hat?"
Billy squinted, trying to remember. "It was on the left riverbank, I think. Yes… the left riverbank. I remember because it was muddy and there were all these tracks there, and I got worried because they looked like raptor tracks, and–"

"Raptor tracks?" interrupted Alan, a sinking feeling in his stomach.

Billy nodded, slightly confused, before the significance of those tracks hit him square on the forehead (and it hurt, too). It could only mean one thing.
The raptors had the hat.

End of Part II: Chapter III
A/N: Mrr. Short, I know, but as you can probably tell, I really really suck at emotional stuff. e.e Forgive me? It's pathetic, I know. I'll probably have to redo the last part. -twitch- Apologies.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything other than the fake hat, Trevor, the side door, and some other random stuff. You know.