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Welcome...to the Gate

Chapter 4

Where'd You Go?

Owen's less than 36 hours away from the opening of the attraction. He hasn't slept, nor has he eaten, and he certainly hasn't had any time with his girls. This entire build has thrown his life so out of whack that he isn't even sure if he'll ever figure out how to function normally again. He's also confused as to what it means to laugh or joke, and he wishes he could remember what those words even mean.

Currently, he's forced to stand in front of people and give a speech about their own stupidity. He chose the best seven candidates from what he had available from that crapshoot of interviewees. Now, those seven newbies dropped to six. He doesn't know who exactly to blame, but somehow, he thinks it might be Dearing because she's the one who decided he needed more people.

However, if he's trying to look on the bright side, the staff is at an even thirty now, and that's something he thinks he can manage.

Owen can feel the tension, thick and suffocating, and that's not just because they're outside where it's humid and uncomfortable. Worried, angry eyes are on him, seemingly holding him responsible. These people are looking to be coddled, and he's never been the best at wording things nicely. All the same, if he sugarcoats anything, the death count will rise, and that's not something he's willing to allow.

"I've said this before, and I'll say it again," he starts. "Never, ever turn your back to that fence. Just because the Velociraptors seem to comply at times, doesn't mean they're trained."

The crowd around him shifts uncomfortably like he's just announced he has Ebola, and they could be contaminated. Many of their gazes avoid his and suddenly find a spot on the wall, which apparently looks like Harrison Ford or Marilyn Monroe, they're so interested.

But what did these people honestly expect? It's not like InGen bred fluffy puppies or adorable sea lions, which you could watch play with colorful balls, feed, and cuddle with—not that he's sure he'd cuddle with a sea lion. No, they bred raptors—vicious and carnivorous predators that are highly intelligent—and InGen, along with everyone else, expects them to perform like circus animals.

"Are you sweeping the fact Andrew was killed under the carpet?" asks a dark-haired man.

Owen knows him as Hank and tries not to sigh. Hank is not one of the new ones and has always been a thorn in the side because the man believes this job should be simple. He's another who thinks raptors are house pets. Some days, he wishes Hank would fall into the raptor pit, and that would be that.

Owen wets his lips. "I am not undermining the fact that Andrew was killed. We all feel a loss at today's mishap. What I am reiterating is you can never turn your back to that gate."

"Can't we just put the brown one down?" asks a brown-haired woman, Julie.

Owen despises her high-pitched voice, which he thinks sounds similar to nails on a chalkboard. He isn't quite sure how she ended up on staff—or how she's managed to survive—since he was not involved in her hiring process.

"The brown one is Echo," Owen snaps, his patience running thin. He doesn't stop to think that maybe he should take a nap and eat something like a Snickers before speaking to these people. His gaze settles on her, and he can feel his eye twitching. "Look, Julie, I know you haven't been here very long, but you could at least learn their names. And this isn't like the Petsmart you came from, where the most dangerous animal you've come in contact with is the customers—"

"Echo is only acting as a wild animal would," Barry interrupts up from his place on the right and sets a hand on Owen's shoulder. The dark-skinned man is calm and keeps eye contact with the crowd. "Echo is not at fault for today's tragedy. No one is to blame. Accidents happen. That is why we must learn."

Owen finds himself relaxing. If there is one thing Barry is good at, it's seeing all sides of an argument. Plus, that means he doesn't have to talk to Julie and her stupid Petsmart logic or thorn-in-side Hank.

"Please understand what has been said here today and be more cautious," Barry says and gives a nod acknowledging the meeting is done.

As the area clears, Owen sighs. He rubs his eyes that hurt like hell and often feels as though they're turning into those googly ones his vision is so blurry. He knows with the countdown, he won't sleep tonight either. This time it won't be because of the meetings or issues; it'll be because he'll hear Andrew's screams in his ears, see Echo's claws stretch through the gate and rip out his throat.

The blood will drown him.

Even now, Owen has trouble breathing as it fills the darkness of his eyelids.

Yet, he still can't bring himself to blame his girls. They are acting on merely on instinct. They can't be at fault for that. So, who is he trying to blame?

As he rises, however, he sees one of the new girls—whose name he can't quite recall at the moment—lingering in the corner and approaches her. "You, newbie."

The bite in his voice causes her wide gaze to turn on him.

"Why didn't you warn Andrew about being too close to the fence?"

Barry turns to him with wide eyes. "Owen, I don't think now is the best time—"

Her brow rises as she fidgets with the glasses in her hand. Owen wants an answer, but Ben is suddenly there, handing him several Jolly Ranchers.

"Eat a few of these," Ben says. "Then, speak."

Owen looks at Barry, who gives him a nod, and he settles next to glasses girl. He's managed to put a grape-flavored one in his mouth, which keeps him from saying anything else for a while. By the time he's reached his third—which is blue raspberry—Barry's gotten him water, and he feels his muscles unwind.

He brings himself to look at the girl with the glasses. "Sorry, Doe."

"These things happen. Today was a tragic situation," she responds and rises from the chair. "I'll try better next time."

Owen knows it isn't her fault. It's his, and that's why he's trying to blame others. But if he opens his mouth, he'll probably shove his foot further in it. He rises when she does and trails her towards the main gate. Ms. Doe splits off to the steps while he turns for the paddock entrance. Owen catches Ben saying something to her before he approaches.

"Do you feel better?" Ben inquires.

He's just starting on his fourth Jolly Rancher and gives a nod. "Somewhat."

"Those Snickers commercials are no joke. Low…low blood pressure can affect your entire personality and when it's paired with lack of sleep…" he trails off as if he's a bit unsure what he's saying, but that's probably because Owen has chewed off a few heads in the last several minutes. Ben shoves his hands deep in his khaki pockets. "My suggestion, if you're not going to sleep, is that you keep a snack with you at all times today. Probably get some sort of nutrition as well. Perhaps orange juice."

"Are you a doctor?" Owen asks.

"Not entirely…"

"Not entirely?" Barry questions with a raised brow. "And yet, you know about the human body?"

Ben runs a hand on his neck. "Well, you see—"

"Mr. Grady?"

Owen winces as he looks over to see Dearing approaching him like a stampeding triceratops. Barry suddenly decides that the muzzles need to be looked over for maintenance while Ben scurries off faster than a mouse.

Her hands settle on her hips. "Mr. Grady, what is this I hear about one of your employees being…eaten?"

The sip of water he takes is probably a lot longer than it needs to be as he braces himself for the storm. "Again, it's Owen. And it's exactly what you heard it to be."

"I thought you had this under control? I thought you said those assets were safe?"

"Those assets are living dinosaurs, and I had thirty-one people running around who are extremely inexperienced. You can't just drop seven new people on me while I'm still trying to train the others," he responds and takes another sip of water while he eyes Barry, who's not really inspecting the muzzles.

"The raptor exhibit opens tomorrow, bright and early."

Owen sighs before finishing off the bottle. A cold tingle runs up his back as he gets the feeling of being watched. Out of habit, he glances at the palms. "Push back the opening, then."

"No, we're already sold out for the next month. The paddock is to be assessed today—"

His attention snaps to her. "You don't even leave time for trial and error?"

"The paddock is seen as secure, so that is not an issue," she responds and glances to her ringing phone before giving a curt nod. She looks up at Owen. "We have been given clearance to initiate a trial run of the paddock. We will open up the locks if you could please direct the assets into the addition."

He pops the last Jolly Rancher to keep himself from saying anything stupid. As he followers her out, he casts a glance backward to see Echo studying them. He wonders if she's plotting his demise. It's not like he probably doesn't deserve it.

｡.•°•.｡ɹǝƃunH｡.•°•.｡

I'm woken by a nibbling on my tail. It's not enough to hurt or break skin, but it is enough to irritate me. With a flick of my tail, I earn a yelp and quickly see Charlie move into my sight.

Wide eyes are focused on me as she rubs her snout. "That hurt."

"Don't bite me," I growl in response and shut my eyes again.

There's a plop next to me, followed by a nudging snout. "Can we play?"

"Find Delta."

"Delta's not you."

Heaving a sigh, I crack an eye at her. She's laying there with big, pleading eyes, and I hate when she does that. How can I snarl at her when she just wants my attention and a playmate?

I rise from my rock with a snort. Charlie is much more tolerable than Echo, but there are times when I just want to sleep and ignore the roar in my stomach.

Without a growl, I start into a trot around the territory which has been silent as of late. Although it seems the creatures beyond have given up, I'm still expecting an ambush at any time. There are more fleshlings than usual, which means something is going to happen.

Echo has tried on several occasions to hunt them and was nearly successful today except the metal jaws stopped her. As I glance up to them flying above us on rocks, I wonder if it's possible for me to fly as well.

The thought vanishes as Charlie moves in front of me. She's been faster at running and isn't always content with our slower trots. With a snap of my jaws, she slows and takes up position to the left of my tail.

"Why does the grey stone surround us?" she asks.

Her question is surprising. It's not something she's growled before. I always thought she accepted the mountain for what it is, unlike the rest of us. I've tried to leap it but found it too high. Delta has tried to dig under, but it seems to have unknown depths. Echo has tried slamming through it countless times.

Charlie has always appeared to see it as the immovable mountain in which, occasionally, there are caves opened by the fleshlings.

"I know Alpha keeps us here," she continues. "But we can't even run. And we know there's a lot more beyond these walls. I mean, you came from the other territory, too. Right?"

I slow to a stop and look at her. The top of her head reaches my neck now, and her eyes are always full of questions. The light spots of blue have faded, and her color is not as bright as before, making it easier for her to blend into the bushes.

"Why did Daddy put us here?"

I snort. "Alpha did not put us here."

"Then why did he allow the fleshlings to put us here?" Her brow furrows as she shakes her head. "Is it that red fleshling? Does she control him?"

A growl forms in my throat that mimics the animal in my stomach. "Do not listen to Echo's insanity."

It is Echo's belief that Alpha has some form of loyalty toward the red fleshling we've seen lately. The female is constantly pacing the other side of the large metal jaws, and Delta growls that the female snarls nothing nice.

Charlie hisses a sigh. "The female is always here, though. Echo says she brought the roars with her."

"Echo doesn't know what she speaks of!" I snarl, and my tail stiffens. "She does not command this territory. You listen to me, not her."

She crouches slightly and whimpers. Charlie never tries to upset me. In fact, with tensions high about the creatures beyond the fence, she's the only one I can tolerate for any length of time. Delta is too concerned, asking me what I'm going to do about this, while Echo is off hiding in the bush or trying to impress Alpha.

Charlie… At least she's easy to manage. Mostly, she wants to run or play hide and seek. It doesn't take a lot of focus to do either of those, but it does not silence the animal in my stomach.

"Come," I growl softly and begin to trot the territory again.

Glancing back, Charlie has her nose in the air, and there's a look of peace on her face. It's surprising because I can hear the animal in her stomach growling as loudly as mine. It's as if she's content just following me, which makes no sense.

Doesn't she want to eat?

When I come to a halt again, she moves to my left flank and waits. I watch as she digs her claws against the ground.

"What?" I ask.

She takes a breath but looks away to the ground she's still digging at.

"Just because I'm lead doesn't mean I know what you're thinking," I growl. If I knew, I'd know why we're kept in this place. I could get us out.

And I could know why Alpha stays away.

She sighs and looks at me. "I'm… I'm hungry."

Perhaps I do know what Charlie is thinking. Or maybe I listen better than others. Still, my heart sinks. I know what that hunger is like, and I wish she didn't have to face it.

I nudge her lightly. "Perhaps Alpha will come with meats today."

I see a spark in her eyes, and her tail swishes slightly. I don't have the heart to point out I said perhaps, which really means no.

The bushes don't have to rustle for me to feel it. I stiffen as Delta comes leaping through. Charlie startles and cowers next to me. I close my eyes. She needs to stop being so fearful. That's not how we act. However, Delta and I didn't become hunters overnight.

"There's activity on the East side," Delta informs me. She snorts and taps her talons against the ground.

My tail rises as a growl forms in my throat. This is the moment we've been waiting for, and suddenly, I'm unsure of what to do. I need to defend the territory, but what becomes of Charlie? Where do I put her? Where will she be safe?

I hiss and give my head a shake. "Where's Echo?"

"Watching through the bush. Fleshlings are at the top. They have the movable silver cave."

Snorting, I find it odd they're going to give us meat. What is this about?

I turn toward the East, and Delta immediately lines up with my right flank. I pause to look at Charlie, who's still hunched toward the ground.

She looks up at me. "What's happening?"

Scenting the air, I discover there are at least twenty-four different fleshlings and none of them are Alpha. It should be manageable should they attack from a lower position. And if Charlie is near me, she can be of some help, but I can also keep an eye on her.

"Time for another lesson," I growl.

To this, she perks up and takes position next to my left flank.

"Keep quiet. Follow my lead."

I pick up a trot and slide into the bushes as silent as a shadow. It's not long before I find Echo. Her gaze is on the top of the grey rock where fleshlings walk back and forth holding those lightning sticks of theirs.

They don't worry me as much as the dark opening in front of us. That side of the territory has never held a cave, and I'm worried the creatures will attack through there.

"What's going on?" I question.

Echo tilts her head toward me but doesn't take her eyes off the fleshlings. "I think they want us in there."

"Is Alpha here?" Delta questions as she positions herself between Echo and me.

"He was by the large jaws earlier with the red fleshling. He has disappeared since."

Shifting, I give a nod. "Stay here."

Delta grumbles in disagreement but remains rooted as I trot into view. I remain close to the bush since it's the easiest way to disappear. Fleshlings are horribly loud and can't manage leaves the way we can. I'm surprised when they throw a piece of meat to the ground.

They've tried this several times before, and while we always get the meat, we never seem to quite respond the way the fleshlings want. But, on days when we've killed a fleshling, we never receive meat.

Something's not right.

"Daddy!" Charlie suddenly shrieks from the bushes and comes crashing out in front of me.

A shriek leaves my mouth, and I'm not sure if it's from being startled or the fact she suddenly has rocks for feet.

"What the hell?" Echo growls, and I quickly remember that she's never heard Charlie's term for Alpha.

Snarling, I quickly move in front of Charlie. When I look up again, Alpha's gazing down at us. I watch him, challenging him to come down to our level.

He quickly disappears from sight, and I'm not entirely surprised. He often leaves when I—we need him most.

With a snort, I turn for the bushes. Charlie takes her spot at my left flank, head bowed as she follows. She's sucking in several breaths to keep herself from whimpering. Better she learns now that he will always stay at that distance.

The low growl of the large metal jaws grabs my attention. Why would they be opening? Echo killed that fleshling earlier. My tail stiffens as it hits me.

The creatures from beyond the fence.

Sprinting, I rush the gate with a snarl. I will kill whatever has entered my territory. It will not get to my sisters.

I reach the gate in less than a breath, and my eyes widen. Skidding to a stop, the ground under my talons scatters everywhere. A growl forms in my throat as I lower my head slightly, bracing for a pounce.

I stomp the ground as the challenger raises a hand. I can feel my sisters behind me, waiting for my call. Echo's growl is low and there are notes of uncertainty in it.

I don't know what to do. I never expected this, and my talons shift back and forth. I can feel my chest heaving and if I don't get it under control, Echo will use this as an opportunity.

"Easy, Blue."

I can't stop the screech that bursts from my throat in response to what little I can understand. It's so hard to breathe. Everything is confusing, and I'm growling in an attempt to seem like I don't want this because I can't want this.

The smell of white, furry meat from the small, shiny cave pulls my attention, but I can hear something crackle.

"Eyes on me."

The air around me stills as I look up. Before me is a tasty stick of meat. However, that's not what I focus on. A request was growled to me, and I comply.

I look at Alpha.

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