Staying Alive

P.O.V Change: Yaz

Sammy, myself and Ben were kneeling behind some foliage, looking at the Rex and mammoth tear into one another. King Richard is bleeding heavily and is swaying side to side in exhaustion. Big Eatie, has several purple bruises that showing around her mouth, neck and ribs but she is still standing strong. The drones are slowly moving closer inward, keeping both of them within the small death cage. "How could we let this happen?" I ask. While I believe that we should have gotten off this island already, I'm horrified at the level of carelessness that I had for these animals. Shocked and taken from their loved ones just to kill each other for the entertainment of a sadist. I look to Sammy and Ben, Sammy is covering her mouth while looking in horror and Ben is unnerved by the unnecessary violence displayed in front of us. I hear leaves moving and see Kenji and Brooklynn returning.

"What's going on? Why isn't Darius and Ryan stopping this?" Sammy asks as we see Big Eatie go for a snap only for King Richard to deck for in the head with his tusks. "There was a bunch of BRADs. We had to take cover." Kenji says in a dejected voice. "Else lost sigh of Kash." Brooklynn follows up. "So...he could be in there with them." I say as I look back to the compound.

"Come on, you piece of shit!" I hear a loud voice coming from the jungle. It's Ryan. We all start running around the clearing to where the voice originated. I hear a screech of a Velociraptor and my stomach sinks. I run faster and break through the foliage to see the Raptor standing over Ryan as the carnivore is bitting down on the axe handle. Ryan is using the axe to keep the sharp deadly teeth away. "Leave him alone!" I scream out as I unsheathe my machete. The raptor breaks from Ryan and looks at me, I notice its scar over its left eye. "Remember me?" I say mockily as the animal snarls and walks slowly towards me. "Hey, dirt bag?" Ryan says as the raptor turns back and gets booted in the head. The predator cries out in pain and is wobbling around dazed. I run up next to Ryan as he ready's his axe. The raptor looks at the both of us and slowly walks away before dashing into the jungle.

I turn to Ryan and sheath my machete before hugging him. He hugs me back before kissing the top of my head. "I thought-." I go to say but he just kisses me which...cuts everything out. "I'm fine, luv. All good, thank you." He says as he leans his head on mine. "Hey...are you two done?" We turn and see the others standing there, very amused. Brooklynn has her hand on her hip. "Don't you talk." Ryan says which makes her do a quick take to Kenji before blushing. "Ryan, why aren't in the compound?" Ben asks. "The raptor came upon us, I ran so to get it away from Darius." He says as Big Eatie roars in the distance. "We have to get back." I say as we all run off back to he compound.

P.O.V Change: Ryan

We all watch with underlying anger, horror and indecision about what to do. We have no idea where Kash is and knowing our luck, most likely in the compound with Darius. "What are we going to do. Big Eatie and King Richard are going to kill each other." Sammy says as Big Eatie goes to bite down on King Richards neck, the mammoth catches the underside of the Rex and with a sheer feet of strength, lifts the 8 ton Tyrannosaur, barely, before flopping under on her side. A loud crach can be heard as Big Eatie roars in pain. I look to see that a bone is sticking out of her leg. She goes to back up but the drones keep her in their barrier. She has no choose but to fight, broken leg and all.

"The drones are forcing them together. Split up and take them down!" Brooklynn shouts as we all split and go. Sammy with Ben, Kenji with Brooklynn and myself with Yaz. We climb a tree, close to where King Richards drones are waiting by. Yaz tries to swing her machete but the drones are just out of reach. I climb higher before throwing my axe into one of the rotors of the drone. It goes crashing down to the ground, destroyed. Yaz, finally is able hit the one she has been swinging for as I drop down to her branch. "About time." I say cheekily as she punches me in the arm. We both jump down to the ground, an notice that Ben and Sammy are throwing some rocks at the drones still in the air. We run towards them while picking up some more. We throw them but they miss. I grab a particularly sharp angled rock and heave it towards a drone, the rock clips the rotor as it crashes. "Good shot!" Yaz says. "Three down." Kenji says as he and Brooklynn catch up with us.

Big Eatie, though in pain is able to dodge out of the way of King Richards tusks and bites down on his spine before pushing him over onto his side. "No, King Richard!" Ben cries out. "Come on, get up!" Brooklynn and Sammy say at the same time. Big Eatie hobbles over to King Richard before gazing down at him but she doesn't go for the kill, she just turns away but the the remaining drones hover around her and push her back. They want her to kill him. Big Eatie turns back and gives a final roar, she lunges for King Richards neck but a drone stops her. They begin herding her towards a large platform close to side of the compound. We all look confused before following the drones. Big Eatie is placed on the platform before two BRADs run out and spray a gas that seems to make Big Eatie collapse. A gas tranquilizer, smart. We all sigh in relief. "Wonder why he stopped them." Ben says as we hear a door opening and see Kash and Darius walking out, escorted by two BRADs. We pull back just so Kash doesn't see us.

They appear to be talking about something and Kash just starts laughing. That's not creepy at all. They continue on their way to the knocked out Tyrannosaur. "At least...he's alive?" Sammy says unsure. "For now." Yaz replies darkly which I agree with. I don't know what Darius said or did that allowed Kash to let him live but one wrong mistake could end that. We see the the platform is moving down somewhere. "No! Where is he taking Darius?" Brooklynn says worriedly. "There must be an underground system beneath the biomes. Mae will likely know." Yaz says as we all head back to the cave.

We come back and Mae lights up when she sees us. "You're back, how did it go?" She says but than looks around. "Where's Darius?" I kneel beside her. "Darius is with Kash." I say as Mae goes quiet. "We also found out that Kash is forcing the animals to fight. Big Eatie has a serve broken leg and King Richard is critical." I say sadly as Mae erupts in anger. "No! I'm sorry...this is. Big Eatie has gone through so much and King Richard doesn't deserve whats happened. And now, Darius is stuck with that monster!" She says with venom in her voice. "Darius knows what he's doing. He has somewhere managed to gain some of Kash's trust. Kash will keep an eye out but that gives us some time to help him. We just have to know how to get into the underground." I say reasoningly as the others nod in agreement. Mae gets her tablet. "There's an underground med bay, if what you said is true about Big Eatie than that's where Kash is most likely headed. I didn't have access, most likely of all the horrible things that Kash is doing. And on top of all that, he has my research. How could I've been so naive?" She say with a dejected and defeated tone. "Because it's better to hope than to fear." I say as she looks at me. "Mantah Corp told you that this place is a research facility. They exploited your love for your work and dinosaurs. None of this is your fault Mae, don't blame yourself for the evils that others have done." I say as she smiles gratefully at me. The others nod is agreement. They know what I'm taking about. Trusting Mitch and Tiff was a blind mistake. Their hope of going home blinded them to the fact of Mitch and Tiffs true selves, and we all suffered the consequences of that mistake, directly or indirectly.

"We need a way to get in." Brooklynn says. "Any of the feeding platforms should get you too the lower levels and the next one is in the desert." Mae says as we groan. "With the Saber tooth tiger?" Ben questions sarcastically. "So not 'not dangerous'." Yaz points out. Everyone than turns to me as I look between all of them. "What?" I ask as Sammy answers. "What do we do?" I realise that they are asking me to decide. I ponder about it. We can't go back to the compound, BRADs and those raptors will patrol that place. The tundra is a freezing hellhole with that Yutyrannus also walking around and we don't know when that feeding platform will be scheduled. "We go to the desert. We deal with the Smilidon if we have too. We do whatever it takes to get Darius back." I say with determination as everyone nods.

We make to the airlock and enter the desert. Half way through, we feel the heat starting to take its toll. "Guys, I know that we're in a desert but is it suddenly hotter than before?" Sammy asks as she wipes sweat from her forehead. I'm starting to feel the heat blister my skin. This sucks. "How do we get to the feeding platform without becoming sabre tooth dessert?" Yaz asks as I see something in the distance, it's looks like a mirage or something. "...before it goes back down." I hear Brooklynn say but I notice the 'mirage' moving. "All of you, shut up." I say as I stop and narrow my eyes. Whatever it is, it's big. "What is it?" Yaz asks as she stands next to me. "Something..." I say but I feel the ground rumble beneath our feet. We all watch as heavy footsteps are heard across the desert. The shape moves closer and I start to see some features. The thing is enormous. Far larger than any Tyrannosaur I've ever seen. It's huge sail towers on its back, it's long crocodile snout give a bizarre appearance. The long arms with sharp claws complete the dinosaur as it stops and stares at us. A Spinosaurus. "That's new." Brooklynn quips as I take a few steps back. "We should definitely run." A deafening roar is unleashed as it echoes across the plains. "Run!" I shout as we scream in terror as the enormous predator chases after us. We run down a hill as the Spinosaurus follows. "What is that thing?" "I didn't know that they made them that big!" Ben and Sammy says respectively as Brooklynn points out a small gap between the rock faces. "Through there!" She says as everyone fits through. I look back at the animal, it's green eyes are filled with a rage that I've only seen from one other animal. Allison. The Spino roars as it goes to snap at my feet. I kick jump to avoid the teeth. "Whoa." I say to myself as I fit through the gap. The Spino crashes into the rock face before is levels its snout and fits through the gap, it's tries to snap at me before I feel Yaz and Kenji drag my back out of range of the snapping jaws. The animal pulls back and gives another loud roar as the rocks around shake and one crack forms along the wall. "Go, go, go, go!" I shout as we run further into the shallow gorge.

We come to an intersection and turn left. "It can't get in here. Right?" Sammy asks which Kenji answers. "It's too big. Besides we still have to worry about-." He's interrupted as a growl is heard and we look to see glowing green eyes coming out of the shadows. "Right into the tigers den." I quip. "Just gets better and better." Ben also quips as we bolt back from the tiger, who roars and chases after us. We turn to the other pathway and fit through the tight space. The tiger is undeterred and jumps up. It's paws bracing against t rock walls as it moves over the space. We continue running until I hear a bang and see a dead end. I look at Brooklynn who is bleeding from her nose, that is also slightly crooked. That's gotta hurt. We hear a growl and see the Smilidon stalking us. I hold my axe and Yaz with her machete. Ain't going out without a fight. The tiger charges and jumps towards us, we brace but the rocks to our left are blasted inward as the long snout of the Spino reaches in and snaps at the tiger midair. We cover our eyes from the dust and hear the tiger cry as it's pulled out. We slowly walk over and peek out to see the Spino shaking the tiger before slamming down to the ground. The massive predator stomps on the mammal, breaking its entire spine under the pressure and weight of the dinosaur. The Spino leans down and rips into the now dead tiger's head.

The others look away but I watch just in case it catches us and...I jinx it. The Spino pulls its head before slowly turning around to where we are. It's lips are curled showing the pointed teeth, dripping red with blood. A deep hate is burning within its eyes as it runs towards us. "Back up!" I shout as we hug the wall as the Spino's is barely able to fit, it tries to snap at us. "Go, go, go!" Brooklynn shouts as she pushes Kenji to the exit. I move forward, followed by Yaz and Ben. Brooklynn comes out later pulling Sammy along with her. The Spino gives one last mighty roar that shakes the rocks around us. "Come on, we have to make it to the platform before it lowers!" Brooklynn shouts as we run out of the rock maze and reach the platform. Its already gone. "It could be bourse before the next one." Yaz says but I have an idea. I jump down while bringing my axe along the wall, slowing my momentum. "Ryan!" I hear the others yell and after a 3 seconds, I hit the bottom. "It's not far, jump down!" I shout up as Brooklynn jumps, then Yaz, Kenji, Sammy and Ben.

As everyone gathers themselves, we look at the structure that we are now in. Food is displayed all over the place. Some new and some that needs throwing out. The stench is almost sickening. I turn to Brooklynn. "Hey, how's your nose?" I ask rehortically as she glowers at me. "Let me have a look." I say as she lifts her nose. "Doesn't look too bad." I say before I suddenly straighten the nose, Brooklynn cries out on pain as the others gather around. "What did you do?" Kenji asks in an angry voice. I glare at him. "Watch your mouth before you start throwing accusations and for your information, I fixed her nose. You're welcome." I say as Brooklynn say thank you before going back to hold her nose. "Let's find Darius and get the fuck out of here. This place stinks." Yaz says as we all run to the door.

We run through the underground. "The med bay should be straight ahead." Brooklynn says as she checks the doors computers, how the fuck she can, I have no idea. We continue on and find a particularly large door. We enter and find a large spacious area with dozens of container laying around and an elevated platform that has Big Eatie on it. The medical robot arms seem to fixing her leg. I guess that one good thing that Kash has done. We turn a corner and see a closing elevator that has Darius and Kash. Darius jumps through and runs towards us. We are cheer and laugh as we enter a big group hug. "Thank god you're ok." Sammy says happily as we break. We hear the Dinh of the elevator and run over to some boxes. "How did you guys get down here?" Darius asks. "Mae told us of the feeding platforms. We jumped down one to get here." Kenji says proudly.

"What happened?" Brooklynn asks as Darius takes on a somber look. "I was going to stop the fight but the phone was right there." He says as he holds his hand out. "I'm sorry, I wanna get us home but Kash caught me. And now we're stuck here and the dinosaurs are hurt real bad and-." Yaz interrupts him. "Darius. It's ok. You did what you thought was right. And it's like you said, 'we are the only ones that can help these dinosaurs'. So we're going to stay." She says which I follow up. "She's right. These animals don't deserve this treatment and that punk ass needs to be taught a lesson." I say as I punch my fist and palm together. "Aaaand on that note, we should get out of here before psycho nutjob comes back." Brooklynn says as she points to the elevator.

"Wait." We stop and turn back to Darius. "Kash is planning on using Mae's language research to control the dinosaurs." We all look horrified at that thought and image. "What? How?" I Ben asks. "I don't know but I believe it has something to do with these chips." Darius says as she holds up one of the chips. "Guys, I know this is going to sound nuts but the only way to found out how to stop Kash from doing this is of-." Brooklynn interrupts. "You stay here." Darius nods and I see why he would suggest it. He has some level, however small, of trust with Kash and an informat on the inside would be a great boon to us. "If I run now, he's going to hunt me and find the rest of you. But if I'm on inside..." Brooklynn perks up in realisation. "You can get information. We can undo Kash's plans on the outside while you work your way in." She says but Kenji has his doubts. "Makes sense." But Ben is completely against it. "It's crazy. He's already tried to kill Mae. He'll try to kill you too." But Darius isn't worried. "He hasn't yet." Yaz also disagrees. "No. No way. We need to stay together." I put in my two cents. "I think it's sound. Kash knows that Darius is here, if he runs than the greater risk we all are. If you stay to his good side, flatter him, make him feel superior, do whateve you have to do to stay on his good books. But don't push your luck, don't ask a lot of question and most importantly...don't argue with him, just do what he says." I say which gets me different looks from everyone. Ben and Yaz look horrified while Brooklynn and Kenji see my reasoning while Sammy appears to be on the fence. We hear a ding. "We need to make our decision now!" Sammy says worriedly as we all look to Darius.

He turns and runs back to the elevator, making his choice. "We have to go." I say as we all move. Yaz glares at me as she passes. I made a bad mistake but the logic reasons that Darius stays, the risks are bad either way, only less if he is close to Kash. I hate doing this but we need to think logically. I need to sit down and talk with Yaz and clear the air. I don't want this to ruin what we have...but a voice in the back of my mind says 'probably already has'.