A whole month with no updates. NO UPDATES! UGH! It has been an awful and awfully busy couple of months. And I just... can't... DO! ANYTHING! NO DOING OF ANYTHING! Also... I've been floundering a bit on the story. I've always been in the mindset that I write for myself. I write stories I would want to read. And while having readers/fans/followers is awesome, I've always said it doesn't matter what they think. Only me. 8D And then this story just blew up and got so much bigger than I ever thought or imagined. And suddenly, I'm a bit panicky that people won't like the ending. And you'll all come at me with pitchforks. But uh... I'm just gonna camp out under my bed and continue with the maybe awful story I've been writing all year. 8D

Also... hope this chapter isn't confusing. It's a lot of back and forth. 8D Lots of cut scenes happening all at once.

Raptor
Chapter 32: Crash

An hour earlier...

She slammed on the breaks the second she heard Gray scream. The tires squealed and the truck lurched to the side a bit. "What happened?" She turned slightly. Zara was already turned towards the window, looking back at Gray.

"Zach!" Gray screamed his name again. "He fell out!" He said, pointing.

"Oh god." Claire turned to look in the side view mirror. Zach was too far away. Why was he so far away? Why wasn't he running back to the truck? Her eyes widened as Zach turned and disappeared into the jungle. And then one of the raptors followed behind him. "Oh god, oh god, oh god..."

Zara reached over and touched her shoulder gently. "Claire, breathe." She said.

"Don't tell me to breathe!" She snapped. "I just killed my nephew!"

"Killed?" Gray started hyperventilating. "Did she say killed?"

Zara shook her head quickly and looked back at Gray. He was half hanging through the window. "No. He'll be fine." She said with a nod. "You saw him get away, right?"

Gray glanced between Claire and Zara and he nodded as he struggled for a moment to breathe.

Zara leaned closer to him. She reached out and grabbed his hand. "Breathe." She said, in the same tone she'd told Claire. "Both of you. In and out, okay?"

Gray nodded his head and did as she said. He breathed in and out for a moment. Then he nodded his head. "Yeah, I saw Zach get away. I think Echo followed him though..."

"Oh god..." Claire wailed and dipped her head forward. Her forehead touched it to the steering wheel.

Gray wiped at his eyes as he detached himself from the window and slid back to the floor. He stood up and turned around. He walked to the back and peered out the window in the door. Delta was still on the ground. He could just barely see her. "Delta's still there." He said. "She might be dead."

"We have to find him." Claire said suddenly, sitting back up. "We have to go! Now!" She flung the door open frantically and jumped out.

"Claire!" Zara scrambled out after her. "Get back in the truck!" She said, reaching for her arm.

Claire ignored Zara as she stepped to the edge of the road. She tilted her head back and yelled. "ZACH!"

"Get back in the truck, Claire!" Zara grabbed her arm and tried to yank her back.

Claire shook her head and pushed Zara away. "No! We have to go after him!"

Zara shook her head and grabbed for Claire again. "If we go running around out there, we're just going to get lost."

Claire shook her head. "I was out there earlier. I did fine."

Zara rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You were out there with Owen. He's like... the definition of outdoor... mountain man... or whatever. You are not." She said, wagging a finger at her. "To be honest, you probably just got in his way!"

Claire spun around and her mouth dropped open. "I did not!" She snapped back. "I helped!"

Zara shook her head and rubbed at her forehead. "Claire." She said as calmly as she could. "Get back in the truck." She said. "NOW!"

Gray opened the back door. He slipped out and looked down the road. Delta was suddenly gone. His eyes widened. "Aunt Claire... the raptor's gone..." He said, pointing. "She uh... she's not dead..." He said, a tremor in his voice.

"Get back in the truck!" Zara yelled, grabbing at Claire again. "Now, Gray!" She snapped, finally able to pull Claire towards the truck.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Simon's eyes tried to follow the movement in the trees below. But he'd lost sight of the albino monster as it got darker around them. He lost sight of everything. "Damnit." He breathed out. "Where is she?"

One of the two ACU men leaned forward, trying to see as well. "We lost visual, sir."

Simon glanced over at the man. He couldn't remember the man's name. Either of them, actually. "Damnit." He hissed again between clenched teeth. "I can't see anything." It was too dark and the spotlight wasn't strong enough to help. The beam was too narrow and the trees stopped it.

"Sir." The second, unnamed man leaned forward from the backseat. "We should land and regroup with the others."

Simon reached for the radio and the helicopter dropped.

"Sir!" One of them yelled.

"Got it. Got it!" Simon said as he stabilized the helicopter in the air. "Everything's fine." He said. "I got it all under control."

"Just land it, sir."

"You're being dramatic." Simon shook his head. But he could admit when he was licked. It was getting too dark too fast. He wasn't helping anyone right then. "Radio Owen." He said with a defeated sigh. "Tell him we're lost visual."

The man nodded as he reached for the radio. But he couldn't get anyone to answer.

It was a shaky landing. Simon couldn't see well even with the spotlight. They landed and Simon shut the helicopter off. He grabbed the radio from the ACU man and stepped away from the helicopter. "Owen." He said as he held the radio up. "Owen!" He repeated. There was no response. "Anyone?" He kept trying for a few minutes. Then he lowered the radio and looked at the two ACU men.

"What's going on?" The other one asked.

Simon shrugged and pulled out his cell phone. "You're right." He said. "No one's answering." He called the control room and put his phone to his ear.

"Hey boss man." Lowery answered after a moment. "Glad you're still alive. You know. Again. Did you crash the second helicopter?"

Simon shook his head. "No, Lowery. I did not. We landed safely."

"Glad to hear it." Lowery said.

"What's going on?" Simon asked, stepping farther away from the helicopter and looking around.

Lowery sighed over the line. "We can't be exactly sure. The raptors took out all the camera."

Simon frowned and stilled. "The raptors?"

"Yeah." Lowery answered. "Best I could tell.. is Ida like... instantly brainwashed the raptors and told them to attack everyone."

"The raptors attacked?" Simon repeated, turning around towards the two ACU men. "Owen's raptors?"

"Yeah." Lowery sighed over the line again. "Haven't been able to get a hold of anyone. We're not sure if... there's even anyone to get a hold of. You're the only one we've heard from." He said softly.

"We will see if we can..." Simon stopped. All three of them could feel the ground and trees shake. They turned as Ida stepped out. She let out a roar and ran for the helicopter. "Shit... run!" Simon dropped both his phone and the radio as one of the ACU men pushed him forward. He staggered and ran after them. They heard the crunch of metal and broken glass as they dove into the trees. They kept moving, as fast as they could.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Echo started fussing over Charlie the moment Owen left, trying to help as best she could. She tried to make a nest of leaves and dirt to put under Charlie's head like a pillow. Charlie sneezed at the dirt in her nose. And then Echo tried to keep Charlie warm by clawing up the long grass and throwing it on her. But the grass just made Charlie itchy. So Echo tried to clean off the grass and dirt. And only made it worse. She turned and shook her head as she spat a clod of dirt from her mouth. Now they were both muddied messes.

[Stop!] Charlie snorted loudly, lifting her head a bit inches.

Echo paused and looked down at Charlie. [Fix!] She said, shaking her head. She had to fix Charlie. Dad said to protect Charlie. But if Echo could fix Charlie, then everything would be alright and they could go help daddy find Delta and get rid of the dumb Ida.

Charlie shook her head and laid back down. [Can't fix.] She said softly.

Echo let out a whine and nudged Charlie gently. [Fix, fix!]

Charlie breathed out and closed her eyes. She was tired and in pain.

Echo let out another whine and settled down next to Charlie. She stretched her neck out and started licking Charlie's back gently. But just as soon as she started, she stopped. She lifted her head and looked up. She'd heard something. She wasn't sure what it had been. But she had heard something. It like glass breaking. And it sounded close. [Charlie stay.] She said, standing up slowly.

Charlie opened her eyes and looked up. [Echo stay.]

Echo shook her head. [Echo save Charlie.]

Charlie let out a snort. [Careful!]

Echo nodded and turned. She needed to see if that noise was Ida. And if it was, she needed to keep Ida away. And if it wasn't, she would come right back. Echo slunk close to the ground, keeping hidden in the tall vegetation.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Owen smiled again and sighed. He reached out and grabbed Zach's hand, relishing in the way the kid laced their fingers together so easily, despite being so terrified just a short time ago. He wanted more time, just to hang out. To talk and to get to know Zach better, as a person and not merely a presence in his soul. That's what he really wanted. And that's what he felt he owed Zach. Time. The raptor practically purred in his head, in contended agreement and Owen smiled again.

Zach looked down at their joined hands and let out a sigh. "I don't want to go." He said softly.

Blue let out a loud snort and shook her head. [Babies.] She grumbled.

Owen smiled and let out a soft chuckle. "I know." He breathed out, speaking to both Zach and Blue. "There will be more talking later, okay?" He squeezed Zach's hand and the kid looked up at him. "I promise. But we need to get moving. Like now."

Zach let out a sigh and nodded. "Yeah, yeah."

Owen smiled again as he turned and glanced at Blue. "Blue, scout ahead a bit. See if you can find Delta's trail. Or Ida's. Anything. We'll double back and find my bike and be right behind you."

Blue narrowed her eyes at him for a moment, looking at him like she didn't trust him.

Owen rolled his eyes and shook his head. "We will! I swear!"

Blue let out a snort and then nodded. She still didn't want to leave them alone. It was equal parts because she wanted to protect them and she didn't trust them to stop talking and go. She turned and darted off.

Owen let out a sigh, watching her disappear. "Stay safe." He whispered. And stay you, he thought. He took a deep breath and turned. And Zach was smiling at him. Owen smiled back. "Stay close." He said. "Don't want you getting lost."

Zach nodded and pressed closer. He squeezed Owen's hand, their fingers still locked together. "I won't let go." He promised.

They found Owen's motorcycle quickly, right where he'd dropped it, forgotten when he heard Zach's voice. He pulled away from Zach and bent down over the bike. Owen hefted it up and climbed on. He started it and revved the engine. It seemed fine. Good, maybe things were looking up.

Zach had stepped back, out of the way. But he nearly tripped over something. He looked down at his feet and... oh shit! He'd nearly tripped over a rifle! Yeah, that was probably a bad thing. He bent down and picked it up. "Hey, Owen." He called, holding it up. "Think we might need this?"

Owen's eyes widened as he looked up at Zach. Yeah, things were definitely looking up. He smiled and nodded. "Yeah, here." He held out his hand and Zach stepped closer to hand it over. Owen lifted it closer to his eyes. He checked the sight and the magazine. It looked undamaged. He slung the strap over his head backwards, holding the rifle against his chest instead of his back. Then he smiled and looked at Zach. "Get on." He said, holding out his hand.

Zach blinked at him for a moment. Then nodded and reached out to grab Owen's hand. With the help, he slowly climbed on and settled down beside the raptor Alpha.

"Scoot forward." Owen said. "I need you to hang on. Tight. And keep low." Zach nodded and wrapped his arms around Owen's waist. He pressed himself flush against Owen's back. Owen could feel the kid's heat against his skin. Should of let Echo find him a shirt. But it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Like Zach was part of him, a part of them, the raptor added in his head. Owen spared a moment to let the feeling wash over him. Then he pushed off and they were speeding through the jungle.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

After a bit, the three men wandering through the jungle stopped to catch their breaths. "Now what do we do?" One of the men asked.

Simon sighed and shook his head as he straightened up and looked around. He had no idea. He had no idea where they were or what to do. He'd obviously never been to this part of the island. Hardly anyone had, he was sure. "I don't know." He said after a moment, shaking his head again. "Keep moving. Eventually we'll..." He stopped.

There was a rustling in the bushes. The ACU men lifted their rifles.

"Hold on. Can't be Ida." Simon whispered, lifting his hand to stop them. "Too small." They kept their guns up but didn't fire. "Is someone there?" Simon called out.

The bushes shook again and one of the raptors popped up. She tilted her head. And then quickly ducked back down with a soft whine.

Simon's first instinct said run. But she wasn't attacking or running. She was hiding in the brush. And Simon wondered if she was hiding from the rifles. He stepped in front of the ACU men. He reached out and touched the tips of their rifles, pushing them down gently. "I know this raptor." He said.

"The guy said they were attacking everyone." One of the men said.

"She's not attacking now." Simon pointed out. "Just hang on." He turned towards the bushes and stepped forward.

"Sir!" The other said, standing up. "You can't be serious!"

Simon ignored the man as he took a step forward. He tried not to shake as he moved. "Echo?" he said her name softly.

She popped her head back out. She tilted her head again and blinked at him.

"You... remember me?" Simon held his hands up and took another step towards her. "We met earlier today." He said and she tilted her head the other way. "I was with Zach and Gray." Simon continued.

Echo nodded her head. Her eyes darted to the two men behind Simon and she let out a squeak. She ducked down a few inches, just the top of her head sticking out.

Simon smiled. "You're not going to attack us." He said, shaking his head.

She shook her head as well.

Simon glanced over his shoulder. "See? It's good. Everything's good." He turned back to Echo. She stepped out of the bushes and shook herself. Simon stepped closer to her. He held his hand out towards her, trying not to seem as scared as he was deep inside. Because yes, he knew it was crazy to trust her, when apparently she was attacking people who knew how long ago. But right then, standing in the middle of the jungle with no clue where they were, he liked the odds she gave them.

Echo stretched her neck out and touched his hand for a moment. Then she snorted and straightened back up.

"Echo, can you help us?" He asked. "We're a bit lost."

She tilted her head to the side.

Simon continued talking, not completely sure she understood everything. But he'd seen the way she communicated pretty easily with the brothers. "Can you get us back to the others? Back to Owen?"

She nodded her head and turned.

One of the men stepped forward and grabbed Simon's shoulder. "Sir... what if it's some kind of ambush?" He hissed.

Simon turned towards them and threw up his arms. "By all means, stay behind." He said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Ida just ripped through our only way out. So I'm going with the raptor." He said, pointing towards her. Then he turned back to Echo and clapped his hands together. "Let's go."

Echo paused and glanced over her shoulder. She tilted her head for a moment, watching the humans. Then she nodded and turned. Simon followed and reluctantly, so did the two ACU men. She moved quickly, stopping every few minutes to put her nose to the ground or the bushes and check the trail. Once, she let out a whine and ducked into the brush. Simon didn't hesitate to duck down beside her. And when they heard a roar, that sounded like it wasn't too far away behind them, the two ACU men followed.

She led them back, moving quickly and weaving through the tall vegetation. Simon had to run to keep up with her. But he didn't complain. He wanted out of there just as much as she did. Finally, the ACU truck came into view. "Echo! You did it!"

They ran for the truck. It was open and unlocked, the keys were still in the ignition. But as Simon went to climb inside, Echo pressed closer to him and grabbed his jacket. She tugged on it gently and he turned towards her. "You want to ride in here? I thought we'd follow you. We're still looking for Owen."

Echo shook her head and stepped away. She turned and looked off into the distance for a moment. Then turned back and tilted her head.

Simon stepped down from the truck. "You... want me... to follow you?" He asked her slowly.

She nodded her head vigorously.

Simon looked around. "To do something." He asked.

She nodded again.

One of the men walked around the truck towards them. "Sir, we should go."

Simon glanced back at the solider and held up his hand. "Hold on a minute. She helped us."

"She tried to eat everyone." The man replied.

Simon shook his head. "I'm just going to see what she wants." He turned back to Echo and nodded. "Uh... okay. I'll come with you."

Echo turned and darted off.

"Not so fast!" Simon called after her, trying to follow. She slowed and waited for him to catch up. It wasn't too far away when she stopped. And Simon saw why. A very injured looking raptor was laying, half covered in grass and leaves. She lifted her head and looked at him. Then she laid back down with a sigh. "I know that's not Blue..." Simon said. "The other two..." He tried to recall their brief introduction. "Delta..."

Echo shook her head quickly.

"Uh... Charlie?" Simon asked.

Echo nodded.

Simon nodded and breathed out. "Charlie's been injured... you want... to take her with us?"

Echo nodded.

"Alright." Simon breathed out. "Let me go get the others to see if we can get the truck closer and lift her."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Blue appeared beside them, keeping perfect pace with the bike.

"Anything?" Owen yelled over the engine as he slowed a bit.

[Delta far.] She answered.

Owen nodded. "Ida?"

Blue snorted and shook her head. [Other way. Farther.]

"Okay." Owen said with a nod. "Find Firelady."

Zach leaned up, stretching his lips to Owen's ears. "Firelady?"

"Claire." Owen answered.

"Oh..." Zach mused. "We were in a big truck... uh... on the road, I think." He said. "From the raptor paddock. Delta and Echo were following us. Delta attacked and I hit her with a cattle prod thing we found in the back of the truck. She was knocked out on the ground when I fell from the truck and Echo chased me."

Owen let out a laugh. "You attacked Delta?"

"She attacked us first!" Zach snapped.

Owen smiled and glanced at Blue. "Hear that?"

Blue nodded and darted off.

Zach settled down against Owen's back. They rode along in silence for a few minutes. And then Owen slowed to a stop and shut the bike off. "What's wrong?" Zach asked.

"Gunshots." Owen said, straightening up. He turned and looked behind them. There were lots of gunshots. But it was coming from behind them. Maybe one of the ACU or InGen men were still alive.

Blue joined them again. [Firelady.] She said, turning to point the way Owen had been going. [Looking for Trip.]

Owen glanced that way and sighed. "Damnit."

She snorted loudly and tilted her head. [Cage home.] She said.

"What?" Zach asked.

Owen turned slightly to look over his shoulder at Zach. "Your aunt is ahead of us, looking for you." He answered.

Zach smiled slightly. "That's gonna end badly."

"Oh yeah. It will. Blue thinks they're headed back to the raptor paddock." Owen said with a nod. "But we're closer to Ida and whoever's shooting at her."

Zach shrugged and tightened his arms around Owen's waist again. "Then stop thinking and go after the killer dinosaur."

Owen let out a laugh and started his motorcycle again. He glanced over at Blue. "Stay behind, Blue. If it's one of the soldiers, they'll shoot you first out of fear."

Blue nodded.

"Hang on!" Owen swerved and turned the bike around.