I am SOOO thrilled that you guys liked my first one shot! Thanx for all the comments and all the love! Hope this one is just as enjoyable. Happy Monday!
Spoilers still, characters belong to the Jurassic franchise, yada yada yada... everything else, my imagination.
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Maisie was up, trying to rise above the horrible images that were hunting her. But it was still behind her! The Indoraptor! Eli Mills was ordering it to find her, take her, KILL HER! Maisie then realized that a scream was cutting her throat. Her eyes opened to darkness, but there were shapes; unfamiliar shapes. Where was she? "Iris! Grandpa!"
A light went out, highlighting a doorway. The door opened a second later. Maisie screamed again, her back hitting the wall as she scooted away.
"Maisie?"
Maisie's gasps for air slowed at the sound of her name. "C-Claire?"
Red hair undone, in sweat pants and a large t-shirt, Claire Dearing come to the bed and sat tenderly beside Maisie. Maisie looked down at hr fists, clutching there sheets, then back up. Claire. Claire and Owen... Owen Grady filled the door, shorts and a sleeveless shirt that stated U.S. Navy. There were hidden shelves on either side of the door, the only storage in the hub of a bedroom. It made up the far end of the trailer. She was in Owen's trailer, some hours north of Grandpa's estate.
Claire rubbed her legs, demonstrating deep, slow breaths. "It's ok. We're here, it's fine."
Maisie matched her breaths, relief weakening her rigid muscles. She was here; not with Mr. Mills, not hiding from the Indoraptor. Maisie let Claire pull her into her arms, ear falling on her chest. She heard the woman's heartbeat. Quick, but steady. Strong. Grandpa's had always been so quiet and slow...
Maisie blinked out tears, spying Owen's eyes on her. "I... couldn't breathe. It was... coming... a-and I..."
"It's not coming for you." Claire reassured Maisie, working soothing circles on her back. "It's dead."
Then why did Maisie feel so exposed? She reached out a hand to Owen. He was there in one step, hunched down and holding her fingers tight. He looked worried about her, but his face never lost that confidence. Maisie had liked him the minute she saw him with the raptors; confident and caring... nice. Maisie wanted that kind of confidence. "I tried... finding Grandpa-"
"Hey." Owen squeezed her hand. "It was a dream. It's over."
It was. Maisie knew that. But she also knew that it didn't solve everything. She was too smart for that; maybe that was the problem. "Mr. Mills... he'll come looking for me."
Owen's expression steeled then. "Nobody's getting to you while I'm around, kid."
Maisie tried to steady her breath, pulling his hand closer. "Promise?"
"Promise." Owen's answer didn't hesitate and Maisie sensed Claire's neck warm. She believed in Owen as easily as Maisie did. Watching them together, it was clear that they didn't agree on much. Yet, they believed and trusted each other. Was that what couples did? Maisie had asked Iris about her late husband before, only to be told not to be nosy and impertinent.
Iris. She had listened to Mr. Mills dismiss her, but couldn't know if she had made it off of the estate... alive. Maisie rocked slightly against Claire, tears coming anew. She felt the button on her palm, recalled the buzz and automated hiss of the lab doors. It had felt right; like she wasn't the only one who would be left... but, had she caused Iris her death?
Owen cleared his throat. "You saw that cabin out there, right?"
It was like he could pick up on people's thoughts. Maisie glanced at the window, nodding. Owen grinned. "I could use your help nailing some boards tomorrow. You know your way around a roof, right?"
Maisie almost laughed. Jokes had been Grandpa's way to make her feel brave. Iris had always been watchful of her and Grandpa had been forever loving, but Maisie had had to develop a self-reliance that came with her isolated existence. She had felt that isolation, but had never let it bother her. It bothered now, and it felt like her self-reliance was gone. Maybe it had been scared away, fearful of the new surroundings; her new identity. Maisie hoped that Owen and Claire could help coax it back out.
Claire pulled her back to show her an encouraging smile. "And there's a lake! I can show you how to fish, if you want."
Maisie and Owen shared a puzzled look. Owen squinted at Claire. "You fish?"
Claire's face lost the smile. "I have a father, Owen. And I find foggy lakes at 4am to be very peaceful. A good place to think."
Owen shrugged, winking at Maisie. "She can really reel 'em in with the scent of vanilla."
Maisie did giggle this time, wiping her cheeks. Claire shifted to glare fully on Owen. "I'm certain that I've reeled in more-"
"Always a competition with you." Owen observed with his own laugh. Claire dropped her arms from around Maisie, hand going to her hip. "Real mature."
Maisie brushed her hair back, sighing deeply. "Thank you. I'm better now."
They stopped, focus honed back on her. "You sure?"
"I'll get you some water." Claire decided, already up. Maisie liked that thought and waited until she had her water and sipped it to Owen and Claire's satisfaction. She laid back on her pillow as Claire tucked her in.
"We're right outside." Owen pointed back through the door. Claire smoothed the sheets a final time. "Good night, Maisie."
"Good night."
The door closed and the lights went off, placing the room back in shadow. Maisie's chest tightened a moment, but she turned over, eyeing the window. It was higher up, but she knew there was a meadow outside. A meadow, a half-built cabin, and a lake, like Claire had mentioned. They were all out there, somewhere- Blue, Mr. Mills... the triceratops, the pteranodons... the tyrannosaurus rex.
Maisie closed her eyes. The dinosaurs were out there. But there was also the cabin that she'd help Owen with... the fish that Claire would teach her to catch. Maisie held those thoughts close behind her eyelids, letting them slip into her sleep. And become a better dream.
THE END
More to come, promise! I plan to alternate between Owen/Claire/Maisie's POV to keep this dynamic well-rounded. Sound like a plan? (And yes, dinosaurs will show up soon.)
Hoping that I can carry this pretty far because I really enjoy writing these characters. I also enjoy hearing your comments, so keep 'em coming. Thanks again for all the reads.
