Chapter 30- Home

Avery sat watching the pair of Ankylosaur in the approaching dusk. Connor was grinning widely as the little one ran around him, occasionally headbutting him as Connor held its food out of its reach. Abby approached and snatched the leaves out of his hand and held it towards the Ankylosaur. Musing silently for a moment she grabbed her phone out of her pocket and took a few quick pics of the Ankylosaurs.

She didn't need to photograph them as a scientist from the home office was taking multiple pictures for research, even though he was too scared to approach the heavy creatures. She more took the pictures for her own memories; to capture the joy on Connor and Abby's faces. There was too much sadness lately and she was glad to see Connor happy despite Tom's death two days ago.

She remembered back to earlier in the day, the time she spent with her friends and family. It was peculiar how quickly she had formed a strong friendship with Connor and Abby. Avery didn't have many friends, preferring to spend time with Stephen and her father. It was a welcome change.

Avery thought back to her fight with Michael. Avery wished he could be here with her, but she was not allowed too. She did not know how he would react, she did not know how to react half the time with these creatures from the past. She would not mind the quiet times like these, when none of them were fighting for survival against the world's oldest creatures. She wondered if Stephen was right, perhaps it would be better for everyone to know about the creatures.

No, it was a selfish thought. It might make things better between her and Michael, but it would create panic and confusion, just like Lester kept telling them. Maybe she would talk to Claudia, see if she could get away with telling Michael about the anomalies.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear Abby until she was over Avery's shoulder. "Nice picture. Could you send it to me?"

Avery jumped and turned her head towards her. "Sure." Avery thought back to her conversation in the café. "Why do you want it?"

"Because it's a good picture."

"Or is it because you secretly like him?"

Abby raised an eyebrow and shook her head. "No, and I doubt this is the last time I will be saying this, we are just friends."

"Who happen to be living together?"

"Yes."

"I se-." Avery was interrupted by the approach of Ryan.

"We've found the anomaly." Ryan said approaching them. Seeing the Ankylosaurs with the team he raised his gun and aimed it at the pair.

Stephen came forward and moved his aim down. "Don't. They're not attacking. Anyway, your bullets won't pierce its armor." Ryan lowered his gun but still had his finger on the trigger.

"Where's the anomaly?" Avery asked. She stood up and dusted off her jeans. She smiled as the baby Ankylosaur whined before wondering off to one of the others.

Ryan took his eyes off the dinosaurs. "A little off that way." He pointed behind her where the trees slowly started to spread apart. The sun dipped between the branches, the cloudless sky promising a warn night.

"We need to get them down a steep hill. There were tracks leading up it. Looked like they struggled a bit." Stephen cut in from beside Connor. The younger ankylosaur had wondered over them and looked like it was trying to push Connor over.

"How are we going to manage that?" Avery asked incredulously. "They're going to be hard to move. We can't fit any of the trucks needed to move them between the trees. Any ideas Nick?"

Nick surveyed those around him and looked off towards the direction Ryan pointed. "Stephen go see if you can find a less steep path down to the anomaly. The rest of us will try to grab some of the scrub they are eating and see if they will follow us."

It was remarkably easy to get the Ankylosaurs to follow them. However, it was going to be difficult getting them to the anomaly, which lay at the bottom of a small, yet steep valley. Nick decided he and Stephen would go down and lead the Ankylosaurs, being careful to not stay directly in front of them should they slip or stumble.

Ryan told his soldiers to clear away from the bottom of the valley for the same reason. With all their thick plating the Ankylosaurs would weigh over a ton, even the baby one.

The mother was first to reach the anomaly. Once she saw it she called back to the younger one and walked through, probably recognizing it as somewhere warmer and more familiar.

As if sensing that perhaps this was goodbye the baby Ankylosaur headbutted Connor and Avery, who had been leading it. Avery knelt and gently scratched under the baby's chin before standing up with a small smile, and Connor gave it one last pat on the head and pushed it toward the valley. Stephen came over and laid a hand on her shoulder as they watched the Ankylosaur scurry through the anomaly. It called loudly at them before running after its mother.

After moving through Ryan's soldiers took position around the anomaly again. "Avery let's go." Claudia said as Avery sat down at the top of the valley. When Avery stayed on the ground she sat down beside her. "What's wrong? Still thinking about Michael?"

"Yeah. He knows I've been lying to him about our job. We met a soldier, Becker, from the home office, at the shooting range he took me to after what happened to Tom. Becker said some things about the home office and Michael got interested with what I do at my job. He knows I'm not telling him the complete truth." Avery told her.

"It's hard. I know. But it is for his safety, even if he does not know it. Look, I'll talk to Lester see what I can do."

"Thanks." When Claudia nodded, Avery added with a whisper. "Also, I've seen the way you've been looking at my dad." When Claudia sent her a look Avery divulged. "Don't leave it too late. I know Helen's returned, but he doesn't trust her."

"He may not trust Helen, but I can tell he is still in love with her." Claudia muttered.

"Don't let that stop you."

Claudia nodded with a faint smile and stood up. "You coming?"

Avery shook her head. "No. I'm going to stay here a little longer. See if I can help some of the scientists with their work; stay as backup if any more creatures turn up."

"Keeping busy?" Claudia said.

"Yes." Avery didn't want to go home. Maybe a night out in the wild would allow her to think.

"Then I'll see you later." Claudia said. She walked over to Ryan and talked to him for a moment before walking in the direction the others had left.