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Raptor
Chapter 35: Converge

The truck pulled to a jerky stop in front of the raptor paddock. It was dark and the place looked empty. There was no sign of anyone returning. "That was fun." Zara breathed out dryly. She undid her seatbelt and turned to Gray. "You alright?" She asked softly.

Gray's eyes were on the windshield, looking around. At her voice, he turned to look at her and nodded his head slowly.

"Don't worry." Zara said with a forced smile. "We're the first ones back." She said. "That's all. Doesn't mean anything."

Gray nodded again and looked back out the window. "Maybe someone's hiding inside." He said softly. Before Zara could answer, Claire let out a loud sigh. "Aunt Claire?" Gray said softly, turning towards her. He reached out and grabbed her arm.

She turned her head towards him and blinked. "Where are we?" Claire asked softly.

"The raptor paddock." Zara answered.

Claire nodded her head slowly. She turned and looked out the window. "We're waiting for Zach and Owen." She stated.

"Yes." Gray said, nodding.

Claire nodded her head again. "Good, good." She said. "That's good." She swallowed and pulled out her cell phone. "I'm going to call Lowery." She said slowly. Her fingers shook a bit as she pressed the buttons. Then she put it to her ear.

"Claire?"

Claire was startled a bit by his voice. "Yes." She said, recovering quickly. "What's happening?"

"We've got all the investors and their families in the hotel." Lowery said in a professional voice. "Got everyone calm and have guards posted. Vivian's got the coast guard on the line. They're on their way to help with the evacuation. We should have a working ferry within the hour and can start boarding."

"That fast?" Claire asked.

"Well... maybe faster." Lowery answered. "Not totally sure. Estimating repairs will be done within the hour."

Claire frowned. "Repairs?"

"On the ferry." He answered.

Claire frowned for a moment. "What ferry?"

Lowery was silent a moment. "Uh... the one that broke down a couple days ago. It's been sitting at the dock."

"Oh... right." She'd forgotten about it. "That's good." She breathed out. That was really good. She smiled and leaned back in her seat. "Thank you, Lowery." She said softly. "For all you've done."

There was a pause over the line. "Don't say that." He said quickly. "Very ominous. Like you think I'm gonna die or something."

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Have you heard from Owen?" She asked hopefully.

"Nope, no, negative." Lowery answered. "Simon called about twenty minutes ago."

Claire turned slightly and glanced over at the waiting Gray and Zara. "Mr. Masrani?"

"Yep." Lowery said. "He's still with his ACU team but no word from anyone else either. And then I suspect Ida showed up and wrecked something. There was a lot of noise."

"So basically... nothing." She said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "You have nothing."

"Basically." Lowery agreed.

She let out a sigh. "I'm at the raptor paddock. If you hear anything..."

"Yeah, I got it."

"Good." She hung up and sighed. "Well... we should go check it out, make sure they aren't hiding inside." She reached for the door handle, her hands still shaking. Zara opened the driver's side door and got out quickly. Gray slid out behind her and then darted around to the other side. He pulled Claire's door open and she smiled down at him. "Thank you."

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

Blue made it back to the raptor paddock first. She'd followed the scent of Squirrel and Firelady and raced off when she'd figure out where they were headed. Alpha could follow her easily, she knew. It was smart, she thought, for them to return to the paddock. She was almost surprised Firelady had done it. Though she wondered if it was Firelady's mate or Squirrel who had the idea. She slowed and eyed the truck warily as she approached. She pressed herself low as she crawled closer. Then she popped up and looked into the cab. But she found it empty. She slunk around the back and peered in. It was empty as well. She stepped back, away from the truck. She snorted and shook her head. Where were they? Had they left already? Where they inside? That's where they must be! Their scents were still there and still fresh. She turned and eyed the door.

Suddenly, that door burst open. Firelady was standing, a large rifle in her hands. She lifted it and aimed it at Blue. "Go away!" She screamed.

Blue shook her head and stepped back. But it was quickly clear that Firelady wasn't backing down. Blue ducked back behind the truck as a bullet zipped by and ripped through the metal. She breathed out loudly. Then she turned. The rumble of Alpha motorcycle came to her. She lifted her nose and let out a loud whistle.

"Claire!" Owen shouted as he drove up. "Put the gun down!"

Claire's eyes widened as she heard Owen's voice. She lowered the rifle slowly and took a step away from the door. "Owen?"

Owen pulled the motorcycle to a stop and shut off the engine. "Yeah." He called out. "Don't shoot my girl." He slid off and turned to help Zach.

"Zach!" Claire dropped the rifle and ran forward.

At his name, Zach looked over at her. His eyes widened and he held up his hands in front of him. But Claire ignored him as she threw herself at him and he stumbled back. His repeated, "I'm okay, I'm okay," fell on deaf ears as she squeezed the air out of him.

Owen smiled and shook his head. "Claire, ease up. He's fine."

She finally let Zach go and pulled away. She turned towards Owen, a soft smile on her lips. "Thank you." She said softly.

Owen smiled and looked away sheepishly. "Yeah uh... yeah." He scratched at the back of his neck. If only she knew... she'd probably kill him. He glanced sideways at Zach and the teen was smiling broadly, like he was thinking about it too. Yeah, Claire would kill him.

Claire frowned, glancing between them. "What?"

Zach shook his head. "Nothing. Where's Gray?" He said quickly and changed the subject.

Claire glanced back at Owen for a moment before she turned back to Zach. "He's inside with Zara..." She paused as she looked at Owen. "Why, exactly, are you half naked?"

Zach's eyes widened and he turned away quickly.

Owen shrugged and waved her off. "I'm covered enough. Why..." He smiled and tilted his head. "You getting hot?"

Claire's mouth dropped open. She shook her head slowly. "You are impossible!" She threw up her arms.

Owen cleared his throat and crossed his arms over his bare chest. "Fine. Sorry. Have you seen Barry?"

Claire glared at him for a moment longer. Then she rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I talked to Lowery. He heard from Simon..."

"Simon's with us." Owen interrupted.

Claire's eyes widened and she breathed out. "He is?"

Owen nodded and turned around, looking back down the road. "Well... he was." He said, pausing for a moment to listen for the rumble of the truck. "Should be right behind us."

The door burst open again and Gray came flying out. Zach turned and smiled. He straightened up and held his arms up. He breathed out in relief as Gray ran to him and Zach held onto to him. "Hey." He said, lifting his brother up off the ground for a moment.

Gray hugged him tightly. "Hey."

"You okay?" Zach asked, setting him back down.

Gray nodded as he stepped away. "I knew Owen would save you." He said softly.

Zach smiled and nodded. "He did. From Blue. She tried to eat me."

Gray's eyes widened. "She did?"

Blue let out a loud snort as she peeked out from behind the truck, where she'd been hiding. She shook her head and stepped forward, moving slowly. When no one moved to stop her, she continued and walked towards the brothers. She snorted and shook her head again.

Zach shrugged. "Well you did!"

Claire turned around and her eyes widened. "Gray! Zach! Get away from her!"

Zach turned towards Claire. He lifted his hand to stop her and shook his head. "It's okay, Aunt Claire."

"It's not okay!" She snapped.

Zach glanced over his shoulder at Blue. He still wasn't completely sure where he stood with her. But he thought she liked him. Maybe. Well... she understood Owen liked him. And Owen was pretty high up on Blue's list. He held out his arm to her and took a step back. She stepped forward, bumping her head against his hand. He smiled.

And then suddenly, Echo was there. She raced towards them and practically ran into Zach. He stumbled back. Blue let out a growl and snapped at her sister. And Claire looked like she was going to pass out. But Gray was laughing as Zach threw an arm around Echo.

"Echo, easy!" Owen said with a sigh.

Echo pulled away with an apologetic squeak. Then she glanced at Gray and then back at Zach. She tilted her head to the side and let out a soft chirp.

Zach smiled at Gray. "She wants to hug you."

Gray tilted his head at her. "She does?"

Echo nodded her head.

Gray smiled and nodded. "Okay."

Echo stepped forward, more slowly this time. She touched her head to Gray's chest gently.

"That's enough!" Claire stepped forward. She grabbed Gray's arm and pulled him back.

Owen smiled. "They're fine."

"They are not fine!" Claire snapped. "They are dangerous!"

Owen rolled his eyes and let out a sigh. "Fine. Girls, back."

Blue nodded and stepped away, moving back towards the truck. Echo, on the other hand, let out a whine and moved closer to Zach.

"Hey!" Owen snapped. "Echo!" He started towards her. Echo threw her head back and darted away. "Get over here! Echo!" Owen and Blue proceeded to chase the youngest raptor around.

Zara joined the group right after and a few minutes later, Simon pulled up in the ACU van. Owen and the girls stopped their wrestling to check on Charlie and she was still out. Claire then briefed them on her call with Lowery.

"Okay everyone." Owen called loudly, clapping his hands together. "We need to get back to the resort. We want to be there when the ferry gets fixed. So let's pack it up. You all should ride together in the ACU truck." Claire had argued with that. But Owen assured her Charlie was still heavily sedated. She relented and Owen tried to hide his smile. "Follow me and the raptors."

Zach immediately stepped closer to Owen when Claire and Gray followed Simon. Owen cleared his throat and bent over his motorcycle like he was checking something. "I think you should ride in the truck with your aunt and brother." He whispered.

"Oh..." Zach turned slightly. Claire was helping Gray into the back of the truck. She turned and waved at Zach. He breathed out and nodded. "Yeah."

Owen smiled to himself and straightened up. "Go, before she has a panic attack." He swung his leg over his motorcycle.

Zach smiled. "Gray said she already did."

Owen let out a laugh as he started the motorcycle.

"Zach!" Claire screamed.

"Yeah, yeah."

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

They made it to the central plaza of the resort without any further interference. But the second they stopped, Echo shot off like a bullet. Owen glanced at Blue and she looked just as confused and startled. "Ida?" He asked and she shook her head. Owen breathed out loudly and looked back where Echo had vanished. "Go." Blue nodded and followed after her.

The truck pulled up behind him and everyone started piling out. Simon stepped towards him, confusion on his face as they watched Blue vanish was sight. "What's going on?" He asked.

Owen shrugged. "Echo took off. Blue went to find her."

Zach and Gray walked over to join them. Zara and Claire lagged behind, both with their phones out. "Ida?" Gray asked, standing on his toes, trying to see more.

"I don't think so." Owen shook his head. "Maybe just excitement. She's never been here before."

Zach smiled as he stepped closer to Owen. "That the truth?" He whispered.

Owen glanced sideways. He shook his head and didn't comment as he pulled out his rifle. "No use just standing around. Guns up, eyes out, don't shoot my raptors." He said, very reminiscent of what he said several times over the last few hours. "Stay close."

They moved as a group as they headed towards the main building. Owen in the front with the ACU men at the back. Owen was aware of Zach right behind him, and Gray as well. The youngest kept asking his brother questions in hushed tones. Owen smiled as he listened to Zach trying to hush him.

"Echo!"

He'd been so engrossed in listening to the brothers, he almost missed the voice. Owen stopped abruptly, the brothers both bumping into him. Owen ignored them as he turned at the voice. He'd barely heard it, but he heard the man's voice.

"What?" Zach asked, turning to follow Owen's gaze.

"Echo found Barry." Owen said with a relieved smile. "I'm going to find them."

Claire glanced the way Owen had looked. She shook her head, not looking convinced. "Are you sure? I didn't hear anything."

Owen glanced over his shoulder at her. "Navajo Navy." He said, turning his head slightly to tap his ear.

Claire rolled her eyes. The others looked between then confused and she shook her head. "Don't ask." She turned back towards the building. "Fine. The rest of us are going to Control."

Owen nodded. "I'll save Barry from Echo and we'll be in." He turned and hurried off.

The adults filed into the door, the brothers forgotten as soon as they stepped inside. Zach smiled and grabbed the back of Gray's shirt, stopping him. Gray looked back at him. Zach nodded towards where Owen was walking off. "Come on." Gray smiled and nodded. They turned and hurried to catch up with Owen.

The raptor trainer didn't turn. He'd heard their voices and their steps. He simply smiled. "What do you call a dinosaur in a rodeo?"

"What?" Gray asked.

"A bronco-saurus." Owen answered. Zach rolled his eyes as Gray laughed.

They turned the corner and stopped in the parking lot just behind the main building. Barry was standing back a few feet from the three raptors, his hands up in the air. "Echo!" The man shouted. "Get off her!"

The largest - or rather fattest - of the raptors was sitting on Delta, effective pinning her down. Blue was off to the side, looking amused. And Delta was wiggling under the weight, clearly unable to throw her sister off.

"Barry." Owen called loudly as they walked closer.

Barry turned and sighed heavily in relief. "Owen! Please tell your youngest to move." He said in a distressed voice.

Echo looked over as Owen and the brothers approached. She snorted and shook her head. Because she was not moving!

Owen smiled as Zach and Gray both laughed. "In her defense..." Owen said, glancing back at Zach. "She's just doing what Trip told her to do."

Gray tilted his head. "Who's Trip?"

Zach looked at the ground. "Me." He mumbled. "Because I tripped."

Gray shook his head. "You were pushed."

"Tell them that!" Zach snapped, pointing at the raptors.

Owen laughed and stepped closer to the raptors. He bent down, close to the ground, and peered at Delta. He tilting his head. "Hey. You in there?"

Delta snorted and nodded her head.

"She is back to herself." Barry said. "Of that, I am certain."

Owen smiled down at her. He reached out and rubbed his fingers along her jaw. There was something dark in her eyes. She looked away and let out a whine. Owen glanced up at Echo. "Okay, get off."

Echo shook her head again and stuck out her tongue.

Owen frowned and stood up. He crossed his arms, trying to look intimidating. Echo quickly lowered a bit and looked away. "Echo." Owen said sternly. "Now!"

Zach smiled. "No, stay." He called over to her.

"Zach!" Owen snapped, looking back at him.

"Oh come on." The teen laughed. "It's funny."

Owen narrowed his eyes and looked back at Echo. Her tongue was hanging out again and her tail was wagging like a dog. Owen rolled his eyes and turned back to Zach. "No!" He snapped. "You cannot contradict me."

Zach smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "I think I just did."

Owen shook his head and looked back at Echo. "Echo! Off!" He snapped.

In the end, Owen had to practically wrestle Echo off of Delta himself. Blue refused to help. She remained off to the side, panting laughter in their odd way. Owen grumbled under his breath about being in charge and everyone needing to listen to him. And it made everyone laugh.