"Sweetie, take your face off the window. It's dirty," Claire suggested to her daughter while never taking her own eyes off the window of her tablet.

"But I can't Mommy, I'm too excited!" the young child said with no limits to her endless leaps. "And I can see the island too! We almost there!"

Layla squished her face against the plane's clear window as the island approached. Flocks of birds greeted as they flew by, the light breeze brushed mini waves towards the shore, and the clear blue ocean mirrored the pure white clouds above. Normally, people would think the park became abandoned and left to rot since in its rubble, but no. The American government rushed in as soon as they caught wind about the park's downfall and bought the entire island, along with its research and whatever was left of its scientists. And for the next few years bringing it back to its formal glory. Though, it wasn't used as a park anymore. Many workers left, however, and really the only reason why Claire hasn't done so too is because… well… not to be mean or anything but... who else is gonna pay for the groceries, the bills, the car, the house, and most importantly, Layla's future college? Definitely not Owen and his dead-end job in some restaurant that's who.

The sightseeing together with the plane slowly skidded to a stop on the airway. Now with her pink Barbie backpack slung over her shoulder and her trusty T Rex doll tucked tightly in one arm, there's no one stopping Layla now. She bursted out the door without a moment's hesitation. Claire stumbled in her highheels like a complete drunk trying vainly to catch up yet placing all her focus onto her tablet. "Layla, don't run! You don't even know where you're going!" she called.

"Of course I do Mommy! I have a map!" she shouted back waving her map everywhere for the world to see. In reality, the map is actually something she copied off from the back of her favorite cereal box.

Luckily, before Layla's own makeshift map could lead her to God knows where, she crashed headfirst into a pair of long legs. She stumbled and gazed towards the sky, and found a tall African man staring down at her with curious eyes. The man fixed his glasses. "Well well well. If I'm not mistaken, you're Claire's kid aren't ya?" the man said in a tone that couldn't be any gentler. He offered his hand, the universal gestures of greetings. "I'm Dr. Malcolm. Nice to meet ya."

A familiar feeling sparked inside Layla. Her insides churned, limbs felt numb and became unresponsive, and her brain tripped.

Dr. Malcolm drew back his hand. "A shy one aren't cha?" he said apologetically. "Sorry, couldn't really tell with the way you were running up and down towards the wrong way."

She gulped, a loss for words.

"Oh, Dr Malcolm!" Claire said running up to the two, her entire face flustered and matted with dripping sweat. Next Christmas, she's gonna make Owen get her a portable AC. "I see you've met my daughter, Layla." She patted her child's head. "Layla, this is Dr. Malcolm. Say hi," she urged. Layla cowered behind her mother's legs, one eye hidden while the other barely had the will to stay open to stare cautiously at the man.

Claire quickly apologized for her daughter's lack of sociability, but Dr. Malcolm waved off her worries with a grin. "Don't worry about it, Claire. I understand that kids these days watch movies where the men in lab coats are the crazy evil scientists who experiment on them."

The thought of Dr. Malcolm holding her school's plastic safety scissors that was riddled with the blood of countless other children only prompted her to hug her mother's legs tighter for dear sweet life.

Claire's glare(hey that rhymes!) was fiercer than any velociraptor's. Those damn cold eyes could scare the living shit out of anyone. "Well, since we're done with the uh… introductions," he coughed. Are those murderous orbs still trying to kill him? Damn, they are. "I guess I should show you guys where you'll be staying before we meet our friend."

If it wasn't for the dirt path guiding them, the classroom-sized building might as well be completely hidden under all the heavy forest life. The jeep pulled in front, and Claire shepherd her daughter out of the vehicle. Hand in hand, they followed Dr. Malcolm who brushed aside the faceful of leaves. Then he came to an abrupt stopped just barely a few inches from the door. "Ladies first," he gestured.

Hesitantly, Layla took the first step. Then without warning the door slid open causing the young child to shriek and conceal herself ever closer behind her mother's legs. Any tighter and Claire's gonna be sent to the emergency room.

"It's okay sweetie, the door's not gonna hurt you," her mother said and shooed her through.

Inside, the countless computers sat on the desk, playing their hums and faint beeps into the trio's ears. A window was etched into the wall in front of them to reveal what's hidden, but even in tippy toes Layla couldn't quite glimpse what lies beyond. And when the young child was shown the door where she was told she had to take the next step alone, sudden uneasiness shifted her legs in an awkward dance as Claire watched pitifully. She knelt down to her daughter's level and bumped foreheads. "Sweetie, are you all right?"

She avoided her mother's stern stare, trying to hide what her eyes truly told. "Yes Mommy, I'm ok…."

"Listen, you don't have to do this if you're not brave enough. We can just head back and tell your father-"

"But I am bwave enough!" she interrupted with burning determination clutching her T Rex stuffed doll. "And bwave people never run away!"

Claire chuckled and patted her head. The last thing she wanted to do was tell Owen how wrong she was. "That's good. Now go get yourself a friend."

Layla springed from the spot when her only exit came to a close, but she forced herself to press on. As she traveled in a snail's pace, her feverish eyes scanned the surroundings. The entire room was… boring. Hardly any color at all. Walls, ceiling, drawers, bed, and even the bed's blankets and pillows were splashed with grey. Her pink and blue pretty much made her shine in the infinite blandness. To add to the boringness, there was a bookcase neatly, but at the same time, crammed with sleep inducing textbooks stuffed with loose papers between every page. But what stood out most of all sat on its table in the middle of the room. A hole in its blue shorts allowed a large scaly tail to swish back and forth like a snake readying to strike. Sharp plates cascaded from the top of its head and formed little bumps behind its black shirt. A monster? Gulping down fear, she took a step forward.

Both Claire and Dr. Malcolm were trapped in unbearable suspense watching Layla slide so painfully slow. Everything seemed fine so far, but there was something troubling the doctor. So much in fact, Claire finally bothered asking. "Dr. Malcolm, is there anything on your mind?"

"Two things actually. One: are you sure it's a good idea for Layla to meet Ethan? She's your own daughter for Christ's sake. And Ethan being based on a flesh eating dinosaur really screams out trouble."

Claire released a sigh. She figured he would bring something like that up. "To be honest Dr. Malcolm, I'm not worried at all. From what I know, Ethan is a well mannered boy who wouldn't dare to hurt a single fly. Not to mention you've known him since he first hatched, so you should definitely know better about him than any data we've collected."

"You're damn right," Malcolm chuckled. "Okay, I see where you're getting at, but two: are you sure your daughter's up for the job? I mean, I've met her today and already I can tell she's the kind who'll probably run from her own shadow. Imagine how'll she react when she meets Ethan."

This never crossed Claire's mind. All she ever thought of was to find her daughter a friend by any means possible; never how she'll react when she meets even one of Ethan's wickedly sharp claws and fangs. "You may have a point doctor," she reluctantly agreed. "But I know Layla just as much as you know Ethan. Sure, she may seem a bit shy, but under that she's one of the sweetest girls you'll ever meet. And if Ethan can only get through with her…"

"Well, here's our chance to find out."

Layla had finally journeyed to the room's center, standing near the strange figure who seemed oblivious to her presence. Its crimson eyes were busy peering through the nerdy glasses that rested on its reptilian snout, totally fixated on the paper where a pencil wrote furiously in its four-clawed hand. Labeled on its shirt was the skull of a T. Rex and written in bold red letters above that read JURASSIC PARK. "Divide by five…. carry the two…. subtract by three…" it mumbled, revealing rows of razor sharp teeth in its maw. "Then-"

"Um… is that…. homework?" she whispered quietly.

In that moment of time, its large head swiveled in her direction and everything froze.

…

…

…

…

It blinked.

"Wahhhhh!" it screamed and threw itself from the spot. The fallen chair rattled the room as the creature fell flat with its tail lying limp against the ground. "Oww…." it moaned. Stars swam around its head and the creature shook them off, then fixed its misplaced glasses. Brushing aside dirt it swiftly stood to full height, which was nearly as tall as her mother in highheels! And that's basically a giant in her opinion. Then ,simply out of curiosity, she stared below his waist. His legs were digitigrade. And each foot of his had its own set of four silver claws; one claw equally as big as its brothers with one little sibling hanging behind.

"Oh, hello!" the creature spoke frantically while trying to get a hold of itself. "Please excuse my little misstep there. It's just that I can be quite the leaper when there's an interference during my deep focus."

"Um… uh….," Layla stammered. By the way spoke she could tell the creature's a boy. Not good. Not good at all.

"You must be one of my caretaker's child, yes? She told me I would be meeting you soon. Allow me to introduce myself." The creature placed a hand on his chest and followed with a bow "My first name is Ethan. Though it is custom for humans to have a last name, I currently have none. I hope that is okay with you."

"I...guess...well… is okay…."

Ethan clapped his hands together, an honest smile forming across his muzzle. "Excellent! Now if you're concerned with my age, I am approximately…. 13 years and 67 days old. As for my hobbies, the only one so far is drawing. Though I am sure to find other future hobbies that suit my interests."

"O….Ok…."

"According to the textbooks I've read, I have given myself a proper introduction. So I believe it's your turn to introduce yourself."

Introductions?! Layla could barely introduce her plastic dolls in her school's show and tell! But she has to at least try. Summing up her will, she finally shouted in her bravest voice, "M-M-My name is Layla and…. and… and I'm six feet old! And… and…." Out of ideas, she guarded her flustered face with her T. Rex stuffed doll. "And this is Mr. T. Rex! He's been my friend since my five birthday!"

Interested in her little green dinosaur, he said, "Amazing! Did you know your doll depicts a Tyrannosaurus Rex, otherwise known as a T. Rex as you earlier described it? I've read somewhere that they're most notable for using their strong jaws to easily kill and tear apart prey"

Stunned by this revelation, Layla turned her doll to face him. "Mr. T. Rex…. you... you kill?"

Mr. T. Rex's head flopped to one side, his googly eyes googling around.

Realizing the fear he unintentionally cause, he quickly assured, "No, of course he doesn't! I've read somewhere that dolls like your Mr. T. Rex is simply a tool created by humans to be… uh… what are dolls made to be used again?"

"But if Mr. T Rex eats meat like a mwonster, how can he be a doll?" she whimpered innocently through bittersweet tears.

Ethan sighed. "As I said before, your doll merely depicts the mwonster you name eats meat. And besides, we all eat meat, including me." A habit of his, his long pink tongue licked alongside his jawline dripping drool wherever it goes. Then he said as if entranced in a dream, "Especially when the meat is so pink and fleshy when I tear it apart…. the sweet blood running down my-"

"Bl-blood?" she said meekly.

The dinosaur's mouth clamped shut when he finally noticed Layla's leaking tears. Obviously caused by him explaining his small eating habits. They can't be that grotesque, can they? "Oh, excuse me if I had frightened you, Layla!" he said hastily. "My only intentions are to exchange information about myself so you can trust me." His head lurched down in shame as he rubbed the back of his neck for comfort. "And maybe even become friends…like what other humans I've read do with each other." With great will he extended his shaky claws to her hoping for a handshake. However, the fearful look he created in her told him he shouldn't expect as much, but he hid sadness behind his smile. "Well, exchanging information isn't the only way we can befriend each other. I've read somewhere that activities like drawing can help bring us closer together." Like a perfect gentlemen, he pulled out a chair just for her. "Shall we get started?"

Layla scooted her chair off far more than reasonable; that super nice dinosaur might as well be that witch who tried to kill Hansel and Gretal with diabetes, but no way will that stop Ethan from trying. He forced his hand to rush through his drawings, and with each one done he showed them off with pride. Everyone of his pictures were dinosaurs wearing interesting and even laughable costumes, but Layla's own fear blinded her from seeing any of that. And soon, with each failed attempt, Ethan's showcase of pictures slowly came to a stop. Often he would suddenly stop everything and give his empty paper a void stare.

"Are… are you okay?" the child asked.

Her voice knocked Ethan's head back into the real world. "Oh….uh… yes! Of course I'm okay! Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because you aren't making Mr. T Rex in a clown costume like… like you said you would. Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong." To further prove it, he showed her his false smile.

Yet much to his surprise, she somehow caught his lie. "But you look sad," she said with honest worry.

"How can you even tell if I'm sad. My appearance is nothing like a human," he said almost like she angered him.

"Because you look like me when I'm sad."

Ethan dropped his pencil, the fall echoing across the room. "I…look like you?"

Thinking hard, Layla placed a finger over her chin and gazed at the ceiling. "Not really, but I noticed that when someone is sad they look like everyone else who are sad."

Disappointed, he said, "Oh, ok. I understand."

"But why are you sad?" the child kept persisting. Ethan shifted his gaze. "Pwease tell me Ethan. I can help!"

There was a dangerous glint in his crimson orbs. "Are you sure you want to know? It could be dangerous," he warned maliciously, revealing sharp teeth. Layla's fear came gulping her throat ; however, her determination endured. Ethan sighed. "I scared you, didn't I? And I probably have been since we met," Reluctantly, she nodded, causing him to stare at his silver claws as if seeing them for the first time. "Believe it or not, I'm just as much scared as you are. I fear that my… non human appearance will prevent any chance of me making friends with kind humans like you. And it appears to be true…. and that saddens me."

Maybe Layla was hallucinating, but one look at Ethan and she felt as though she was staring at a mirror; scared, lonely, and heart-breakingly sad. So she did the only thing she knew how to. She ran out of her chair, jumped into his lap and gave the poor dino boy the tightest hug in the entire universe.

"Wh-What are you doing?" Ethan stammered. This sudden assault nearly made his instincts kick in and mutilate his attacker, but he held back with all his strength.

"I'm hugging you, Dummy. Duh!"

"B-But why?"

"Because whenever I feel sad, my mommy and daddy hug me to make me feel better. When I hug you when you feel sad, do you feel better?"

How can hugging make one feel better? his intelligent brain pondered, but his happy heart beated faster than ever before, and soon, his scaly arms wrapped around the small child in a loving hug. With her head pressed against the dino's chest, she could practically feel it rumble from his soft growling purr, prompting her to snuggle deeper into the massage.

Ethan was the first to pull back. At first, she was worried. Was her ultimate weapon a failure? However, he dashed those worries away with a chuckle. "Interesting, that hug really did make me feel better. So, since I'm back to imagination mode, how about I finish drawing your Mr. T Rex riding a unicycle while dressed as a clown like I promised?"

"So, what do you think of Ethan, General?" Claire asked the imposing man who stood upright like a solid wall, his steel cold eyes paying close attention to the window.

The man chuckled. "I think you're experiment looks great, Mrs. Dearing," he congratulated. "It looks like a good dinosaur who will have a great future ahead of it." His words held truth, but the strange part is he didn't see the pencil in Ethan's hand, the carefulness of how he directed his claws to avoid wounding the stupid kid as he guiding her hand over the paper, nor did he see the joy his smile had. Instead, the general saw a gun blazing endlessly in his hand, his sharp claws lodged deep in an enemy soldier's throat, and the knives in his maw tearing apart the flesh of all those who oppose it. The perfect weapon.

"But you are going to take Ethan with you now, are you General?" Claire asked.

He scoffed. "Do I look like an idiot? No, of course not! The thing's a wild animal who won't hesitate to kill any of us if given the chance. Especially since the beast is a smaller copy from the dinosaur who screwed up your park. When are you going to install the device like I've ordered you damn scientist to?"

"As I've explained the last time you were here, General, Ethan is far too young for us to conduct surgery on. If we were to do this now, you're betting his own life on the line. And it'll take years if you want another Indominus Rex experiment like Ethan." Struggling, Claire maintained her poker face.

The general never caught the bluff. With a disappointed grunt, he began to exit the room, but not before giving a warning. "I'll believe you for now, Mrs. Dearing, but remember this. That beast out there PRETENDING to be friendly with your stupid girl is NOT a human being. It's an experiment bred up in your big fancy tubes for AND ONLY for me. You can think it's a human; you can treat it like a human; you can even make it believe it's a human… BUT once you get that device in its brain, the monster will be under MY control. Not yours, got it?" His loud steps were the final echoes of his departure.

Finally, Claire released her tears.

Dr. Malcolm was silent throughout the whole, and up until now he found the time to ask, "So, what are we going to do?"

Claire rid herself of the watery remnants. Then, composed herself like the stern woman she is. "The only thing we can do…. for Ethan." She took one last look Ethan. The dinosaur was clapping proudly for her daughter's beautifully scribbled picture of him. "We give him the happiest life he can ever wish for before… before he loses everything..."

"We're going outside?" Laya questioned as she had trouble tying her shoes. Good thing Ethan was there to do it for her.

"We're going for a walk; to be specific," Ethan said while finishing up another one of her pink shoes.

"My mommy and Mr. Malcolm let you play outside?"

"Again, it's a walk, and of course they let me. How else am I gonna get any exercise? Surely not sitting around here all day wearing out my hands," he smirked. "Actually, I'm allowed to venture anywhere as long as it's not behind a fence."

"Okay," she said, her brain having trouble processing the whole thing. "But if we are going outside, don't you need to wear shoes too?"

Ethan grinned, but inside he laughed. Him wearing shoes? The image was ridiculous. "No because I'm pretty sure there isn't a single pair of shoes out there quite my size," he answered and ruffled her hair. "Even if I do choose to wear shoes the claws on my feet will surely rip the fabric. And I read from somewhere that shoes are getting more expensive these days so I rather not anger my caretakers by wasting their money." When Layla's shoes couldn't crush her feet any further, the two walked out of the dinosaur's bland room hand in hand. A part Layla hoped her mother was ready to pounce on her as a form of congratulation for making her first friend. Strangely though, it seemed if a magician magically whisked them away. Or at least, that's what her young mind said.

"If you're wondering where Mrs. Dearin and Dr. Malcolm are," Ethan said when he noticed her confusion. "According to what I've read, they are currently in a period called Lunch Break."Does Ethan get everything he knows from reading?

Together, the two escaped the confines of the building and walk across the barren road. While man-made buildings offered air conditioning, the so-called great outdoors offered blistering heat and blood seeking mosquitoes. At least the gracious trees surrounding the road provided a sense of coolness with their dark shades for them. Being a reptile, Ethan actually prefers the heat. The same couldn't be said for Layla, however. And being the smartass Ethan is, he made sure to explain every plant and bug that happened to pass by in perfect detail. One word went through one ear to the other, sadly.

Having done this daily walk so many times alone, Ethan wouldn't usually feel a tinge of excitement, but today, he felt as if his heart was exploding with happiness, which his brain concluded was physically impossible. From time to time, he just had to make sure the young child was real by gently squeezing her soft human hand.

As for the human, she basked in her surroundings way differently than she did when she was cooped in a car watching everything pass swiftly. One example being she would crouch down to the nearest plant possible and become transfixed on the bugs walking along the stems. With the way she's been acting, Ethan asked if this was her first time being outside, then was shocked to be answered with a near quiet "yes".

Their walk came to a stop. Right there, standing in all its shiny glory, was a FUCKING playground. The slippery slides, the monkey bars clean of any grubby fingerprints, and the firepole perfect for training kid-sized firefighters were all ready for abuse. And were those swings empty? Hell yes!

"I thought you might like this," Ethan said cheerfully as he watched the little kid bound off towards the swings. It would be a little surprising for anyone to see a children's playground still standing after the park's little incident, but believe or not, this park was the only place completely untouched from the destruction that raged like wildfire. And the scientists weren't being superstitious or anything, but they took it's survival as some sort of sign and kept the playground in peak condition in all these years. Today's actually the first time a kid would play on it after so long.

"Push me Ethan!" Layla begged as her legs tried vainly to bring herself up more than two feet.

"Uh, ok," he said, caught off guard by her request. Brushing aside hesitation he was super careful to not puncture her back with his claws as he pushed her into a steady rhythm. With each push gradually growing in strength, he began to wonder why the humans he's seen in his textbooks would enjoy the position he's in. Isn't it better if you're the one on the swing seeing the entire world on a higher plane? But something weird started to take place. As she smiled, he smiled too. As she laughed, he laughed too. As she leaped off the swing and plummet into the Earth. well… Ethan dropped everything. To make matters worse, he couldn't tell where exactly she'll be breaking bones. His legs grew a mind of their own. Driven by fear they rocket launched Ethan off the ground and he snactched her from the sky.

"Heh heh, that was fun!" the kid cheered while wrapped in Ethan's shaky arms.

"Fun?" Ethan said in total disbelief. Even still his heart thumped madly inside his chest "That was absolutely the complete opposite of fun! Your fragile form could've been damaged! "

"You sound like my mommy," she said with a grumpy pout.

"Precisely! Because I sound like your mommy it's imperative that you listen to me. Now, because I am concern for your well-being, we are leaving." Foretelling her protests, he explained, "Sunset will soon take place and remaining outside after dark is a dangerous situation. I will carry you back to the building and we will wait for your mother."

"Ahh…" Layla groaned, then said her goodbyes to the playground.

Covered in silence, the two made their way back. A few minutes later,Ethan could see the hidden path thanks to his keen eyes. Just a few more yards. Although, things weren't gonna go the way Ethan planned.

Nobody can destroy child's fun and get away with it! Being the vengeful kid she is, Layla wiggled out of the powerful dinosaur's firm hold and barged into the woods.

"Layla, dammi- I mean… curses!" Ethan shouted. "Don't run off! Running blindly into the woods will only result in you getting lost!" Despite his warning, Layla never came back. Not even a single laugh returned. Out of options, he followed.

Navigating in a forest is way harder compared to what he read in the textbooks. The heavy forest life prevented him from seeing more than two feet and the persistent shrubby thorns hindered his movement to a point of a snail's pace, but he trudged on, and thanks to his determination, the dinosaur broke through and came upon a clearing. Here, no trees towered over him. instead, a great fence extended across the open grass.

And what stood besides it was Layla curiously poking her head out of its ripped hole. The worst part, a sign just above her head read, "WARNING: 200,000 FREAKIN VOLTS. DO NOT FUCKING TOUCH YA SCRUB" FYI, the author added that last part for fun.

"Layla, don't touch that!" Ethan roared at the top of his lungs. The dinosaur seemed to have forgotten some of his studies because kids are hardwired to do the EXACT opposite of what you say. Her forehead bumped against the metal wire.

Nothing happened.

Ethan's relief came emptying out of his mouth. Then, his pupils dilated as he ran to her side. Claws firmly on his hips, he scolded, "Layla, did you not read the sign! You could've been killed!" He pointed at the sign.

"Oh… uh…" Finger on her chin, she began, "It says… two zero com...ma? Zero zero and… zero! And then it says...freekin volts? Do not fu-"

"Don't finish that," Ethan said quickly. He pinched the bridge of his snout, his worry transforming into a headache. "Just…. just tell me why you ran."

Pouting, she said, "Because I wanna have more fun with you before Mommy picks me up! So I played hide and seek with you!"

"That makes total sense I guess."

"And before you found me, I found this hole we can go through! My mommy read me a story about a girl who goes inside a hole and gets invited to a tea party!"

"I doubt something like that will happen to us in real life, but maybe-"

Layla was already long gone from listening when she was waving from the other side of the fence.

"Layla, what are you doing?" the stunned dino screamed.

"Going to a tea party, duh! Come join me!"

Join her? Ethan grabbed and squeezed his tail like a stress toy. "But I remember my caretakers told me to never cross over a fence because of the dangers behind it. So wouldn't that be… you know… breaking the rules?"

Her pleading puppy dog face was enough to persuade him. Besides, weren't rules made to be broken?

Passing through the same hole Layla took was much more of a hassle for him due to his size. Once he got through, Layla dragged his hand forward while he searched everywhere for some hidden camera glaring at him right now.

Soon the grass before them fell into a slope forcing them to pause and take in the scenery. Below them was not a forest, but an entire jungle! Being so up high they couldn't see what resided inside, but they could see the orange sun sinking beneath the lush green bushes.

"Hey Ethan," the child said quietly, taking a step back.

"Yes?" the dino said, turning around to face her.

Layla felt as though she was seeing Ethan for the first time. The breathtaking orange sky played as the perfect background; his white scales emanating the light that once belonged to the diving star; his long tail swishing back and forth like it has mind of its own; and the pearly teeth in his smile glowing brightly.

She tackled him. "Tag, you're it!"

Ethan was no way near prepared for her random assault. They came tumbling down the slope. At first, the dinosaur was enjoying the sensation of them laughing together while the grass brushed against his rough scales, but when the speed they fell increased tenfold, Ethan tightened his hold around her and pushed her head into his chest. The journey ended when Ethan landed firmly on his but with his tail laying limp from the overdose of adrenaline.

"That was fun!" the child cheered safely in his lap.

He pieced his mind back together. Then he found everything around him to be strangely blurry. He couldn't even if the girl on his lap was really just some alien blur thing, and she was like two inches away from him. He blinked, hoping that would be the cure but to no avail.

"Ethan, I think your glasses are missing," she suggested.

"Eh?" He slapped the spot where his glasses should be; the only is, they're not where they should be. After carefully removing Layla from his lap, he crawled over the ground like a sniffing dog.

"Hey, Ethan, are these your glasses?" the human said sweetly, handing out what was hopefully his glasses.

"Oh yes thank, Layla!" he said as he reached for his glasses and grabbed nothing but air.

"Um… I'm right here."

Saying the usual, "Of course I knew that" he stood to full height and brushed aside the dirt. He grabbed ahold of his glasses and put them right back on. Finally, he could see Layla's happiness clearly.

Crack!

"Layla, did you hear that?"

Crack!

"No, why?"

Crack!

"There it was again!"

"But I don't-"

"Shhh! Listen!"

Ethan finally pinpointed the source. He never noticed until now, but they were right near the jungle. Not looking above it like gods, but looking at it face to face.

Ethan's pupils dilated.

He saw it all. The hidden danger that lurked within. The countless predators that watched their every movements. And their murderous intent. His heart beated madly with fear. "Layla, we need to go," he said.

"But-"

"Now!" He scooped her into his arms, despite her protests, and ran back up the slope in a speed he never thought possible. Now possibly safe, he gently dropped her to her feet.

Before Layla could say even a single word to what just happened, a new sound crackled from above.

No longer was the late afternoon sky filled with orange, but dark grey clouds amassing into an army. Thunder boomed and lightning began to crackle.

A storm was coming.

Claire dropped off her daughter in her new bedroom just before the climax of the storm. The elegant room used to be one of the rooms used only for tourists with a cushy bed made for jumping, a flat screen T.V hanging on the wall containing millions of channels, and the perfect view of the storm right out her window.

Scared, alone, the heavy rain pounding against the glass, and the ominous wind howling outside, Layla cowered beneath the covers. Everything around her was illuminated by darkness and only the brief flash of lightning shedded hardly any light. To pass the infinite time, she had a bit of a staring contest with the closet sitting innocently at the corner. It couldn't fool her, however. With the stories she's read, it's only a matter of time before the scary monster pops out to stuff her in its throat.

Never did she imagine the monster would come straight out of the door.

A gasp followed the sudden creak of it opening. The lightning flashed and she only caught a glimpse of its tail slithering out the door. Frozen with fear and blinded by darkness, she strained her ears for its footsteps, or anything at all for that matter, but the pounding rain and thunder crowded her hearing. The lightning flashed again, and this time, the monster was closer than ever before navigating through her room, clenching something in its silver claws. A weapon?

Whatever the case, Layla prayed her hardest.

Lightning flashed once again, and now, the monster was literally standing right near her bed. Then it spoke showing the razor teeth in its muzzle, "Layla, is that you? Are you capable of speach?"

She threw off the sheets, but the darkness still hid everything. " Ethan, is that really you?" Her hand reached out cautiously and was gently graced with the monster's scaled hand.

"Yes its me. Why wouldn't it be me?" The lighting flashed yet again, and revealed a familiar dinosaur staring curiously at her. It really was Ethan! "If you're wondering why I am here and not back in my room, it's because you forgot something. And don't worry, I was able to get here before the rain poured." Grabbing ahold of her hands, he placed Mr. T. Rex back to where it belongs.

"Mr. T. Rex?" Layla said, recognizing the cheap fabric of his green scales.

"Yes, it's him. As soon as I noticed him still in my possession, I ran to your living quarters before any rain hit me."

"Why?"

"Because I finally found out the reasons why young humans like you need dolls. One reason is that in times of distress, such as this storm, humans need something to hold onto that they believe will give them comfort and protection. How you cling to Mr. T. Rex as if your life depends on it is a prime example." Turning his back to her, he finished, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to return to my room."

Layla simply sat there as she watched her friend walk away, but a jolt of lightning shocked her to her senses. "Wait, Ethan!" she shouted. "Please don't go. I'm scared and I want you to stay with me."

"You don't need me," he said as if it didn't matter. "You have your friend with you…"

"But I want my other friend with me too!"

The dinosaur stopped dead in his tracks. What did she just say? Without looking back, he said, "When you said other friend do you possibly mean me?"

"Of course I do! You're my best friend Ethan!" Her grand speech radiated fierceness and honesty combined into one, but booming thunder knocked it back where it came from. Upon realizing this, Ethan set himself in Layla's bed without wasting anymore time, careful not to rip anything as he draped the bed sheets over them. Taking off his glasses, he placed them on the nearby table.

With her head pressed against his rough chest, the young girl slowly found herself overtaken with blissful slumber. The soft breathing emanating from Ethan drowned out the booming thunder, the pounding rain, and the harsh winds blowing across the island. And if she put all her heart into listening, she could hear the steady beats of his heart.

"Ethan, can you promise me something?"

"Hmm?"

"Can you promise that you'll always be my friend?"

Promises, Ethan pondered. A deal made between humans. "Only if you promise me one thing: visit me with every chance you get, no matter what."

"Deal," Layla yawned. Suddenly, the loudest thunder roared, but this time, she didn't so much as flinch. Instead, she asked, "Ethan, how come grey clouds scream like a girl?"

"Well," he said with a chuckle. "If you are referring to thunder then…"

Blah Blah Blah

"And that's how babies are made," Ethan finished happily. Luckily, she fell asleep long before he explained the human reproductive system.

Each second the dinosaur's eyelids fought to stand as Layla's gentle breathing became the only thing he could hear. During the final moments of his consciousness, Ethan took the time to examine the child in his arms. She was not maniacal or evilly ambitious; nor was she cruel like the humans he learned about in his history books. Instead, she was a sweet loving child eager to have fun with the friends she makes. Also, she is…

My first friend... Ethan whispered into her ear and embraced her tighter. Showing no complaints, Layla snuggled deeper. Hugs really do feel nice.

And that's it for now. Starting from here the next few chapters will be like one shot chapters about the experiences Ethan and Layla have together as they grow older. Then when they're both adults shit starts to happen. There's probably a few errors, but I'll find them later. Anyways, fav, follow, and review!