You Were Blue Part 2
The jeep rattled down the forgotten road sending jolts of shock with every hole and bump. No one spoke. Owen's knuckles were beginning to ache from gripping the steering wheel so tightly.
"It isn't too late to turn back if you want. I can take you two back to Claire and you can enjoy the rest of the party."
"We've come this far." Zach didn't break his gaze from the expanding tree line that marked the edge of the road.
In the backseat Gray had yet to open his mouth. He watched the passing greenery of the valley speed alongside of him, too lost in the past to pay any mind to the conversation.
"Gray? Gray!" The sharp calling of his name snapped Gray back the present. Zach, turned around in his seat, gave him a puzzled look.
"What did you say?" Gray asked.
"Do you want to keep going? Or head back to Aunt Claire?"
"Let's keep going. I want to see," he repeated for the hundredth time. That wasn't entirely true. Gray didn't want to see what had become of the park. He needed to see.
The island that had once sparked so much imagination and curiosity in him was now the source of the nightmares that kept him awake at night. And, like any other fear or nightmare, the best way to get over it is to face it. At least that's what he hoped would work.
Owen kept quiet, but continued to maneuver towards the forest. The far-away look in the boys' eyes was one he was all too familiar with. The haunting visions. The chills that ran down your spine on the hottest of days. The nightmares were by far the worst. Owen knew all too well what it was like to have your entire world come undone in your hands. And his heart broke at seeing it happen to these kids.
As abruptly as it began, the journey ended. Owen found that he had no more road to drive on. If they wanted to continue, it would have to be on foot.
The trio exited the jeep and stood at the entrance to the forest.
"Stick close, boys," Owen said, shifting his gun to his other arm. "We don't know what's in there anymore."
Owen crossed the threshold into the trees, with Zach and Gray on his heels.
Inside the dense brush it proved difficult to get a sense of any direction. Spiraling trees guarded against the strong sunlight, allowing just enough to filter through to create elongated shadows. Ferns stretched to the sky, willing their leaves to reach the sunlight.
The first thing Zach noticed in the trees was the silence. This far away he could no longer hear the low rumble of the people in the park. The world stood still in here. The only recognition that he was not alone was the sound of snapping branches under the feet of himself, Owen and Gray. The lack of noise was deafening.
After twenty minutes of silence, Gray was the first to speak.
"What used to be here, Owen?"
"This was the off-season feeding ground for several herds. When attendance ran low, they would move the herds from the south end of the island to the west to let the plants regrow."
"Are there any dinosaurs out here?"
"Could be. From what I've heard, Masrani has been letting them do whatever they want out here. It's more the dinosaur's island than anyone else's. Which, frankly, it should be because—"
Owen was cut off by a deep bellowing sound that resonated through the trees. With the sound bouncing from the trunks it was impossible to determine the source.
Acting on instinct alone Gray gipped the sleeve of his brother's jacket. His blue eyes bore through the dark overgrowth. He wished with all his might that the creature that made the sound was moving in a different direction.
Gun ready, Owen held up two fingers to motion for the brothers to follow him. They scurried from the main trail to crouch by a tree trunk.
Zach's voice came as an almost inaudible whisper. "What is it, Owen?"
"Dunno. Wait here. I'm going to go look and come right back." He got up and shuffled back where they had just been.
He had only gone 10 feet when he stopped and turned. "Do not move from that spot until I come back. Understand?" Matching nods.
Satisfied Owen continued through the thick overgrowth. Gray and Zach were alone in the forest of Isla Nublar. Again.
"Zach?" Gray's voice broke slightly. "Was this a bad idea? Maybe we should have gone back to Aunt Claire when we had the chance."
The 18 year old shook his head.
"If we hadn't done this you would have regretted it. So would I. From the day we came home from this place, the memory of it has done nothing but terrorize us. We need to put an end to it. Now."
"I know. But ever since we got here I keep thinking I'll turn around and that monster will be behind us again. I'm terrified, but I don't want to be anymore. So I'll keep going."
"We'll go together."
Gray smiled. Knowing he wasn't alone gave him some level of peace.
"Zach! Gray!" Owen's voice came sharp through the trees. Both seized up, expecting to be told to run, or to see a dinosaur come crashing through the trees. Neither happened.
"Zach! Gray! Boys, come see this!" Owen didn't sound afraid. He sounded excited.
Zach looked down at his brother. He nodded and together they went looking for Owen. They found him not far from the main trail in the woods.
Owen's frame became visible through the trees. He was nestled between two trunks overlooking a large clearing. Stepping aside for Zach and Gray; he pointed across the grassy meadow.
Following the trail of his finger, Gray and Zach saw what he had called them for. Three dinosaurs rested only 100 feet from where they stood.
"Apatosaurus," Gray said, confidently. "The park has lots of them."
Zach marveled at the size of lizards. Two of them stood by the trees nearly two stories tall. They stuck their long necks deep into the leaves of the trees away from his view. The snap of the branches echoed across the field. The third dinosaur rested in the sun, its tail and neck curved into a delicate semi-circle. With its eyes closed the creature seemed completely at rest.
Even further away were other species. Gray recognized Triceratops, Stegosaurus, and Ankylosaurs clustered together in small groups. All of the animals were grazing or resting in the warm afternoon sun.
"Found the source of the noise. Nothing to worry about. These guys won't cause any trouble." Owen never took his eyes from the Apatosaurus in front of them.
The last time he looked at one of these beautiful animals, it had died in his arms. Seeing life go on after such tragedy gave him more comfort than anything.
"Owen, thanks for taking us out here," Gray finally said. "I wasn't sure if I even wanted to come back to the park. But seeing this makes it OK."
Smiling at the young teen, Owen affectionately ruffled Gray's hair. Gray grinned and for a moment Owen saw a flash of what this boy used to be like. Long before the scars of Jurassic World sunk deep into him. Owen saw a boy with knowledge, passion, and a thirst to understand the world around him.
The wonder from his eyes faded rapidly though. And the cautious, untrusting gaze returned. The waking nightmare resumed.
"Let's go see if we can find any more of the herd," Zach suggested. He knew the look in his brother's eyes. He was remembering it. The Indominus Rex. In a field just like this one was the last time their lives were OK. Before they went into the forest and it all went to hell. Those memories were ones that Zach locked tight. It was harder for Gray, but he was learning to cope. What he needed right now was to take his mind off of the past.
"Sure. The meadow runs quite a ways down. If we get near the river we might find some Parasaurolophus by the watering hole." Owen opted to trek through the woods rather than the open field. Too much exposure there.
Zach fell into step beside Gray. "Say the word and we can go back," the elder Mitchell whispered.
"I want to keep going." Gray still wasn't sure if he was convincing his brother, or himself of this. He knew what he needed to do, but every shred of his instinct told him to go back. Gray knew that if Zach and Owen could be brave, then he could too.
Nothing else moved in the forest. Gray found himself baking in his t-shirt and shorts. He promised himself a massive glass of lemonade when they got back to Main Street.
As they walked Gray had a strange feeling. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Despite the unwavering heat, he felt chilled. Gray didn't know how he knew, but there was something nearby. Something was watching them.
"Wait!" Gray nearly shouted. He concentrated on the trees, looking for any sign of life or movement. Anything. Something made his skin crawl and he was determined to find out what.
"What's wrong?" Owen asked.
"I-I don't know. I just feel like we aren't alone out here. It's like something is watching us."
"There's all sorts of small dinos and birds living here. Anything big enough to hurt you would be making a lot more commotion. Let's keep moving."
"No, I'm positive. There's something here." Gray stood rooted to his spot.
Zach sighed in irritation. "Man, let's go. There's nothing here."
"How about I take a thirty second look around. If I don't find anything we head back. Your aunt's head has probably exploded by now."
Gray nodded. Owen doubled back in the direction they came and slipped from sight. Once he was gone, Gray started walking in the other direction.
"Gray! What in the world are you doing?" Zach called.
"I know there's something here. I want to; no, I need to find it." Gray didn't look back, but kept walking.
In a few short strides Zach caught up and was walking alongside his younger brother. "Fine, but if Owen gets pissed this one is on you."
Gray chuckled and pushed past a large, leafy plant.
He looked all around for any sign of life. Nothing seemed to be nearby. Maybe it was his imagination and paranoia. Gray was starting to feel ridiculous.
A sound broke through the trees. A low, throaty bark. A shiver went down his spine.
"Zach," Gray hissed, reaching out for his brother's wrist. "Did you hear that?"
"Yeah." Zach's voice was low. He knew the sound. Possibly the most dangerous creature in the park.
Very close-by was a Velociraptor.
"We need to go. Now." Pulling Gray with him, Zach began to back up in the direction they came.
Owen'll know what to do. Right?"
Zach didn't respond. Last time they saw the raptors they obeyed Owen. But that was two years ago. Who knew if they even remembered him still? Zach didn't want to wait around to find out.
Gray froze. "Zach. I see it. Over there, by that tree." He pointed to a dying trunk not ten feet from where they stood.
Laying at its base was a raptor. As Gray studied the reptile, something didn't seem right.
"Zach, I think it's sick." He broke free from his brother's grasp and inched toward the tree.
Every survival instinct in his brain told Gray to run, but something compelled to keep moving closer. He ignored the urgent calls from Zach to come back. One step at a time.
5 feet away. The dinosaur let out another low chirp but remained where it was. Another step.
A few more steps and he would be next to it. Still no movement. Gray's entire body shook.
Bloody images flashed in his mind. Hoskins screeching in pain as the raptor sunk its teeth into his flesh. The raptors working as a pack to hunt him and his family.
He was there. Standing next to the Velociraptor. He knew who it was.
"Hi there, Blue," Gray said crouching on the balls of his feet. Blue, recognizing her name, shifted her head slowly to look at him. She didn't make a sound.
Zach had finally worked up the courage to come forward. He knelt next to his brother, placing a hand on his shoulder, thankful that he was all right.
Gray's voice quaked. "Something's wrong with her."
Blue tried to lift her head, but only managed to get it a few inches off the ground before collapsing. Her breathing was shallow. Gray noticed that her chest barely rose and fell.
Nowhere on her did Gray see any kind of injury. Whatever was wrong, it was bad, and it looked like it was killing her.
"Zach! Gray! Where are you?" Owen's voice rang through the trees, his panic evident.
"We're over here!" Zach called back. He didn't move, having no intention to leave Gray alone with Blue.
He turned his eyes back to the dinosaur. She had opened her eyes more, cocking her head towards the sound of Owen's voice. A second time she tried to lift her head, but didn't make it half as far as she did the time before.
There was a sound of snapping branches, followed by Owen swearing.
"Where the hell do you two think you were doing? Claire is already going to lose it when she finds out I brought you out here. How do you think she's going to handle finding out that you walked out…" Owen cut off his yelling with a sharp inhale.
For several seconds he didn't move. Owen took in the sight before him unbelieving of what he saw. Somehow, against all possible outcomes, he came across the one dinosaur that he regretted having to leave more than anything; the one creature who kept him awake at night thinking of her loyalty and determination to fight for him. Blue was in front of him.
"Blue?" Owen whispered.
Gray and Zach scrambled out of the way as Owen crept forward.
"Hey there, girl. It's OK, it's just me. Remember me, Blue?" Owen sat on the ground next to the pack beta. She stirred at the sound of his voice, but didn't move.
Carefully Owen reached out and patted her head. Blue hissed lightly. "Shhh, it's all right. It's all right. I'm sorry I had to leave you. I'm so sorry, Blue."
"What's wrong with her?" Gray asked.
Owen didn't respond for a moment. He simply sat with his hand on Blue's head. Finally he turned to face the boys.
"Velociraptors are pack hunters. They work together to take down other dinosaurs and all feed together. A single raptor doesn't have the speed or power to hunt on its own. Nothing of any substantial size at least. Charlie, Delta, and Echo all died two years ago. Blue hasn't been able to hunt since then. And there isn't enough small game on the island to keep her sustained."
"She's starving?"
"Yes, Zach. She's starving. And not just that. She's dying."
"No. She can't be," Gray whispered.
"She is, kiddo. There's nothing I can do." Owen couldn't bring himself to look either of the brothers in the eyes. He didn't want them to see him so upset. So broken. While he maintained a strong bond with all of his raptors, Blue was special. She was the eldest, the one who led the others to obey him. They had a connection that couldn't be explained.
Owen recalled the day she hatched. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid his eyes on. From that moment he knew that there was nothing he'd want to do, other than work with this animal. Her pure, primal power and intelligence earned his respect from that first day. And now she was reduced to scavenging for scraps while starving to death.
"But…" Gray paused. "She saved our lives. She can't die. Not like this."
"Are you sure you can't do anything?" Zach asked. He watched Owen carefully. He noticed the man's body trembling. Zach couldn't begin to imagine how much pain Owen was in right now from seeing Blue like this.
Owen rubbed the back of his head. He grimaced as he finally looked away from Blue and turned his head to Zach and Gray. The two watched him intently. Gray looked close to tears. He rocked slightly and was muttering something to himself. Zach's expression remained stoic as ever. His hands; however were clenched tightly into fists, shaking and trembling with such ferocity that Owen thought the teen was ready to take a swing at the nearest tree in sheer frustration and anger.
"There's only one thing I can do," Owen finally said grimly. "I can put her out of her misery so she isn't suffering anymore."
"No!" Gray hollered. "There has to be another way!" The floodgates burst. All the emotion that Gray was trying to keep in control released at once.
In an instant Zach's entire body language changed. He grabbed Gray's shoulders, dropping down to one knee to be at eye level with his brother.
"Gray, look at me. Come on, man. Owen's right. You know he is."
Gray took a long shaky breath. "That doesn't make it fair."
"No, it isn't fair. You're right. Blue saved our lives. Should we let her suffer any more than she already has?"
Sniffling, Gray shook his head. "You're sure this is the only thing you can do?" He looked up at Owen.
Owen got up from where he sat next to Blue and crouched in front of Gray. "If there was anything else I could do, I would. But this is the right thing to do. She's in pain, Gray. A lot of it. And she doesn't deserve to suffer any longer."
"Can I say good-bye to her first?"
Owen flashed a smile. "She would like that."
Zach released his grip on his brother and Gray tip-toed to the dying dinosaur. He sat on the ground next to her head, as Owen had just been doing.
Blue weakly looked up at him and blinked. She let out a soft chirp, but didn't move. She didn't have the strength to do anything more.
Slowly, Gray reached out his trembling hand to stroke the length of her snout as he watched her breathing in and out. She let out a contented sigh. Gray marveled at the smoothness of her scales under his fingers. All his life, he had wanted nothing more than to touch a dinosaur; and every part of him was screaming at how it wasn't fair that these were the circumstances that it had to happen.
"Blue," he said softly. "I'm sorry this has to happen. You saved us, and this is what you get. Thank you for helping us. Zach, Owen, Aunt Claire and I would have all been killed if it hadn't been for you. Good-bye."
He stroked the raptor's head one final time before getting up and joining his brother and Owen. He wiped his eyes and nodded at the older man. He knew what had to be done.
"Thanks, Blue," Zach mumbled. "You saved us all."
"Zach, why don't you and Gray head back to the trail. I'll, uh, I'll meet you there when I'm done. And don't wander off."
"You got it, Owen," Zach replied. He put a hand on Gray's back and the pair of them walked back to the trail.
Owen was alone with Blue. He set his rifle on the ground and positioned himself next to Blue, with her head on his lap. She wasn't a danger to anyone in this state. And he wanted her to be comfortable for at least a few seconds.
"You know, old girl, you were a right piece of work sometimes. Like when you almost ate that kid in the training pit. Or the number of times you almost killed me. But I never expected anything different from you. You were Blue and I was Owen. And even though at any moment you could have killed me, we worked. You and I were a team, and we always will be. No matter what happens you're always going to be my girl."
Blue shuddered. She growled lightly. Owen wanted to take it as a sign that she was agreeing with him. That deep down she knew that what they had was different than any dinosaur and handler.
"I'm not going to let this go. Every day I'm going to show those damn fools at InGen and the world that dinosaurs deserve our respect. Because, with the right bonding they can be more loyal and protective than any human ever could. Losing you won't be meaningless. I promise."
Owen trailed off, simply sitting in the sun with his raptor as she slowly breathed in and out. The sun broke through a spot in the trees, casting a brilliant shade of gold in the forest. It was a peaceful place. All Owen wanted to do was stay there with Blue and pretend the rest of the world didn't exist. That's how it had been before InGen ruined it all and took everything from him.
"The world is a big place, Blue. I can't ignore it anymore. I know that. But for a while, it sure was nice. Just you, me and the rest of the pack. But those times are over. And I'm so sorry. But nothing can stay the same forever. As the world changes we need to change with it. There isn't a place for old timers like us in it anymore."
Owen lifted Blue's head from his lap and stood. He couldn't put this off any longer. It wouldn't be fair to Blue. And he couldn't be selfish. As much as he wanted Blue to live, pretending that she could get better was just hurting her more.
Owen picked up his rifle. He pointed it right between her eyes. The raptor watched him with her last strength. Owen saw it then in her eyes. Pleading. A wish to go with dignity. Begging him to do what had to be done.
"I'm sorry."
He pulled the trigger.
The sound echoed through the forest. Back on the trail Zach and Gray flinched when they heard the gun go off. Gray, having finally stopped crying, whimpered.
"She's gone," he whispered.
"Yeah, she is."
Zach and Gray waited on the trail, as Owen instructed. When he finally emerged from the trees, neither brother had the heart to say anything to him. The tormented look on his face was more than enough.
He shifted the gun to his other shoulder. "I, uh, think it's time we head back. Claire has probably torn the place apart by now looking for the two of you."
As the trio walked back to the Jeep, Owen made a list in his head. Lists always helped him figure things out. Put them in their natural order.
Step 1: Get back to the Jeep
Step 2: Get Zach and Gray back to Claire
Step 3: Apologize to Claire…for everything
Step 4: Survive
As the Jeep came into view at the edge of the forest, Owen realized that in order to finish his list he would need to learn to survive in the world. And that meant adapting.
I struggled a lot with finding a good place to end this. I liked how the movie ended with some speculation as to what they would do next, and I wanted to reflect that in the story. Please let me know your thoughts. Hope you enjoyed You Were Blue.
Peace out,
Wolfie
