A/N:
"Normal Speech"
"Thoughts"
"Telepathic speech"
"Roaring"
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
Nose to the wind, Riley ran free. Only squirrels and birds noticed the orange Velociraptor rushing through the forest.
Riley gave a toothy grin, resisting the urge to roar happily. The cool grass was wet with dew, wetting her rough skin. Her paws pounded powerfully against the ground and wind rushed against her face.
Eventually, though, Riley had to stop running. Her recently healed paw was still tender at times, and deep breaths were difficult since her stomach had healed.
Panting, Riley turned back toward the lighthouse. Despite how tired it made her, Riley loved to run. It came naturally to her, and she could forget everything.
She happily rubbed her muzzle, pausing when her paw brushed the twin scars trailing from between her eyes to her jaw. Sadness clenched her stomach as she remembered her own father's claws slicing into her skin.
Thudding footsteps brought Riley back to the present. She ducked behind some brush, sniffing suspiciously. After a moment, though, a familiar scent made her stand and grin.
"Fiona!" Riley called telepathically.
A moment later, an orange-brown Spinosaurus walked into view. Fiona shook her head at Riley, a disapproving frown on her snout.
"Riley, I've been looking everywhere for you," Fiona said sternly.
Riley blinked innocently. "I just wanted to stretch my legs,"
"You know Ms. Moynihan doesn't like us going dino so close to town. Roger's cloak hides our dino signatures, but there's still the risk that people can see us."
Riley sighed. Her head lowered as Fiona turned away. She reluctantly followed the larger dino.
It had been two months since the squad had learned that Veloci was Riley's father and she had come to live at the lighthouse with Ms. Moynihan. Since Riley was officially missing, she couldn't be seen by anyone in town in human form and she definitely couldn't be seen in dino mode.
Riley understood that Ms. Moynihan and the other teens just wanted to protect her, but she was so used to moving around frequently and being able to go outside whenever she wanted. She wasn't made to stay in one place for long.
Riley stopped to look at the sky when she and Fiona reached the cave that held the secret tunnel leading to the lighthouse. She sighed and followed Fiona.
Everyone was waiting for them in the underground meeting room that Riley spent most of her days now. No one looked worried like they normally did when Riley disappeared during the day, only serious and stern. Buzz had his face turned away.
"Riley, we have discussed your romping in the daylight," Ms. Moynihan began.
Riley rolled her eyes and turned human so she could talk. "But I can't stand being stuck down here!"
"It is only for your own good, until we can figure out a better solution. I have friends out west who would be glad to help us, but I can't take the time to get you there yet."
Riley crossed her arms and listened to the lecture she now got on a regular basis. They were all worried that Veloci was keeping a close eye on the school, and couldn't risk letting anything out of the ordinary happen. And the science teacher up and leaving for even a brief time was something that they worried could draw attention.
"You aren't to go outside at all."
The last statement made Riley snap back to the present. "Wait, what?"
"People have been seeing you," Max said. "We've managed to keep them from making a big deal out of it so far, but we won't be lucky for much longer. Sooner or later, someone is going to realize that there really is something in the woods."
"And then Veloci will be coming after you," Caruso said. "And us."
Riley's eyes narrowed as she turned to Ms. Moynihan. "Tell me where your friend is in the west. I'll leave tonight."
Ms. Moynihan shook her head. "They're too far away for you to go alone."
"So put me on a bus!" Riley said.
"We can't do that. People will question a minor traveling alone. All it takes is one rumor to reach Veloci, and he'll be on your tail faster than a pack of rat-a-saurus' after a dumpster," Roger said logically.
"There has to be a better solution," Riley pleaded. "I'll be extra careful. I'll only go out at night!"
"That's still too risky. If Veloci gets any idea about the lighthouse, then the whole squad is in danger," Max said. "Please, Riley. At least do it for the team."
Riley growled under her breath. She wasn't mad at the squad for being cautious. She knew they only wanted to protect her.
She was mad at herself, for not being able to obey their wishes. It shouldn't have been hard to just lay low until summer vacation came in a few more months.
"Why do I have to make things so difficult?" Riley thought, scratching at her itchy skin. "Just do what they say and stay put!"
"Riley!" Max suddenly yelled.
Riley blinked, realizing that the skin on her arms was changing. She closed her eyes as her body stretched and changed into her Velociraptor form.
"That is also why you can't go alone," Ms. Moynihan said with a sigh. "Your fits have become more frequent."
Riley's eyes squeezed shut. "I can't help it that I turn into a Velociraptor when I'm upset! Or that I've had a hard time relaxing when I'm practically a prisoner!"
"Riley, look at me!" Fiona ordered sharply.
Riley's eyes snapped open to glare at Fiona. The Spinosaurus had moved defensively in front of the teens and Ms. Moynihan. The ridges over her eyes were creased nervously.
Riley shook her head, recognizing the expression and the rising rage within her. She had to get herself under control and change back, before she hurt someone!
She tried to turn away, but the feral side forced her back. She lowered her body aggressively and roared a challenge at the larger dino blocking her path.
The Spinosaurus roared, but Riley could sense fear behind it. She ran at the Spinosuarus, mouth gaping. A large tail swung out and swatted Riley's nose, making her pause and blink.
"That's all she has?"
Riley snarled, and the Spinosaurus shifted away. Riley could smell fear from behind the larger dino, then a figure darted out.
"Buzz!" the Spinosaurus bellowed.
Buzz? Riley cocked her head, curious at the boy evading the Spinosuarus' attempts to herd him back behind her. He came to a stop between the dinos.
"Riley, you need to calm down," the boy said, raising his hands. "Everything is going to be okay, alright?"
"Buzz, get back here!" somebody yelled.
Riley snarled at the boy -Buzz. She was as big as him and he had no way to defend himself. Why wasn't he running? She lowered her head and charged.
The Spinosaurus roared in real anger and surged forward. She stood protectively over Buzz. Thinking fast, Riley jumped and rammed into the Spinosaurus, who stumbled back. Riley landed on the ground between the Spinosaurus and Buzz.
This seemed to anger the Spinosaurus. She straightened and roared again. Riley snarled back. She crouched to charge, then felt a hand on her shoulder. She whipped around to face Buzz.
"I know you don't want to hurt us," Buzz said. "We're your friends, remember?"
"Buzz, what are you doing?!" someone whisper-shouted.
"You're going to get hurt!" another voice added.
"No, I'm not," Buzz said firmly, staring into Riley's eyes. "Riley would never hurt me."
"Oh, really?"
Riley growled, but it was lacking any venom. She felt confused and scared, like she was about to do something horribly wrong.
"Come on, Riley. I know you're in there," Buzz said soothingly.
Riley shook her head and tried to turn away, but Buzz put a hand on either side of her snout and turned her head back. Riley blinked at Buzz, the last of her anger fading. What had she been thinking, attacking her friends?
Riley moaned and pressed her head into Buzz's chest. She sighed and transformed back. Feeling arms wrap around her, Riley lifted her head and pushed away from the hug.
"I'm sorry," Riley whispered, stepping away.
Fiona turned human as well before speaking. "What happened? I thought we had to startle you out of full feral."
Riley shrugged. "Calming me down works, too. It's just much more risky and rarely works. Only one other person has ever been able to do it."
The rest of the squad stared at Riley, obviously waiting. Riley looked at her shoes, not wanting to explain. Thoughts of the soothing voice and calm blue eyes brought an ache deeper than the thought of not being permitted outside the lighthouse.
"I don't want to talk about it," Riley finally said when the staring became unbearable.
"If you're-" Buzz started, but was cut off by a beeping.
Roger lifted the scanner he carried everywhere. His eyes widened as he said tersely, "Guys, we got mutants an hour's drive from here."
