It was only noontime at the amusement park, and already Richard Hunt was wishing that he could go home. He had the kids for the weekend, or so he was supposed to, but his ex-wife had insisted on accompanying them on this little excursion. Yes, her and her new boor of a boyfriend, whom he didn't really care for, had to keep up appearances at any rate given the fact he really did not want to give Rachel any more ammunition against him than she already did.
His daughter was taking the lead, as he followed her, the two other adults seeming to tag along behind them. They seemed disinterested already, and that was completely understandable, neither of them really did seem like the sort of person who would enjoy spending any time at all in a place like this. Looking up, he could see that she was leading him towards the ferris wheel.
Of course as they approached, the sign said boasted 'You must be this Tall to ride!" and for a moment, it appeared as if he was going to have to weather another temper tantrum. Especially with Rachel and Dan right there… Richard turned to the ride attendant. "Are you her dad?" He asked, as Rick smiled slightly, nodding and raising his hand before Dan had a chance to say anything. Yes, it was very petty, but he was enjoying it, as the man let him on.
Of course, Rachel had to have the last word as they got on. "I think it would be better if we went on the Carosoul. You know a ride that we can go together-" Rick rolled his eyes, as he sighed. Of course she would insist on that, but he had the upper hand here, and he knew it, as he turned to Ashley.
Leaning down, he smiled and asked her. "Sweet pumpkin, would you want to go on the ferris wheel first or the merry-go round?" He watched both of their faces as he'd get his answer. Knowing that it would be before she even opened her mouth. Kids…they were so predictable, but this time it worked in his favor. Ashley would jump up and down, pointing repeatedly towards the ride. "See? I guess we can go on the Merry-go-round next…" He smiled, as he got up before his ex could protest.
Quite possibly he was going to pay for that…but not now at any rate, as he'd get strapped into his seat by the attendant, and than they both would start the ride. Holding on tight to his daughter's hand, he watched as the people below started to progressively become smaller and smaller. The ferris wheel gondola stopped at the top, as he knew it would, and he got a chance to look around.
The park was as full as it was ever going to be, and that was likely the last ride today they were going to get to just walk on. He guessed he could consider himself lucky. Getting to spend time with his daughter like this, as he looked down at her and smiled, even if for a brief second, she smiled back. But hopefully Jessica wasn't spewing poison in her ear, because wasn't that the briefest bit of hesitation he saw in her glance-
Suddenly, he realized that there seemed to be a dead silence over the park. Odd, he thought, as he heard phones going off around him on the gondola, and then more ringtones, and yet more…until it seemed as if they were surrounded by them. However, he'd left his phone in his pocket, and to reach it… just then, he heard his daughter tugging at his sleeve, and he followed where she was pointing to.
There seemed to be suddenly mass exodus of people around the base of the Ferris Wheel. Shit…. What the fuck was going on? Rick didn't want to worry the girl next to him, as he carefully reached for his phone, trying to get it out without it falling. As he wriggled it loose, he flipped it open finally, and saw the message. He'd almost wished he hadn't, as the text said simply. "Evacuation Order in place, get to shelter."
Of course, they were stuck up here, he thought, as he frantically would text his ex. Didn't know where they were but they were stuck on the top of this goddamn ride… But as he did so, he heard a crash, opposite side. Too far to see, but…there it was. There it was….
The animal burst through the side of the popcorn stand like it was made of paper mache. Well, for all it mattered, it could have been, as the domed head of the creature that reared up could easily break through most barriers. The Pacycephalosaurus screamed in panick, as it started to surge through the rapidly dispersing crowd. Most people were already smart enough to be running out of the way.
Most people that was…but Rachel, as she looked up from the text that Richard had just sent her. She'd been annoyed with her ex, this whole trip was supposed to have been drama free, or so she'd been promised. But apparently not, as they were already using the kid as a weapon against each other.
The animal charged right at her, and she would've been hit too, she was frozen in shock, as she was tugged away at the last second, as it ran off. Shit…shit, she thought, as she ran towards the Ferris Wheel, not caring if Dan was following, as she saw that the ride attendant had already left. There was really no time to think, as she leaped up, climbing the stairs, and looked at the controls.
Thank god…the key had been left in the ignition so to speak, and so she would press the 'reverse' button, just as Dan caught up to her. "Rach, we've got to go-" he said, as he started to tug on her arm. She stared at him like he was from outer space, even as the people were screaming all around them, she had a moment of clarity.
"Give me five fucking minutes Dan- my daughter is-" She didn't finish, as she screamed again, as the animal crashed into the stands in front of her. Rachel could see the security trying their best, as they didn't have a clue what to do, thinking that this was something akin to a lost dog… The animal paced, growled, whined, as it was cornered like a rat in a trap, and it was clear something was going to happen, as it lowered it's head, preparing to charge.
Right at the only avenue of exit, the platform people got off the ferris wheel. Above them she could already hear people shouting louder, as the animal kicked its hoof again, starting to move, as it would continue its inexorable journey-
Then there was a snarl, and everyone's eyes turned ato the right. Right at the side, there was another dinosaur, it's teeth snarling, as the familiar shape came into light. A shape almost everyone on the planet knew by now, no thanks to the sensationalized reports of the Nublar Incident.
The Velociraptor snarled again, facing the Pachcephalosaur, as it approached, sickle claw clacking against the floor as it closed the distance. The humans around it nearby suddenly decided that they were best needed elsewhere, as they chose to flee, leaving only Rachel- as she realized that Dan was no where to be found. As the gondola would divest its passengers on seat at a time, the people would waste no time in leaving.
But Rachel could not leave. Richard and Ashley were still three seats left… as she would hide behind the stands, watching the two dinosaurs. The domed herbivore screeched again, as it paced, turning left and right, as it clearly was in some level of moderate distress facing this predator.
The velociraptor did not attack, not yet, and there seemed to be something on it's neck. A collar of some sort, right next to the blue stripe against it's neck… There was a whistle nearby, and as the turned her head, there was another dinosaur, another raptor. Different color from the first, same collar. It advanced on the Pachy as well, as the animal started backing up.
At the same time, Rachel kept checking the lifts. Two down… it seemed to take forever for it to change, as she felt her heart pounding. But there was nothing to do but watch what was happening in front, as somewhere, she could hear the sound of an engine revving.
Just then, a motorcycle would drive into view, the rider a man in his mid-thirties, with a rifle strapped over his back. Accompanying him, were 2 more raptors in tow, as she watched, he'd get out, stepping in, as he gave another whistle. To this whistle, the two other raptors would box the Pachy in, snarling and growling whenever it tried to step outside of the predetermined 'boundary'. It really was something to watch, even if she did wish that she could be anywhere but here.
But strangely, the man kept his cool, even in the presence of four velociraptors. One of them snarled, stepping forward, but he blew the whistle again. "Charlie, come on…don't give me that shit!" He called out, as the Raptor stepped back, still keeping an eye on the creature in the 'box'. He would press a button on his belt, a radio receiver of some sort- it was difficult to tell from Rachs position, as she was backing up, seeing that there was only one more lift until it was her family's turn.
The Pachy cried out again, very distressed, as the sound of running feet could be herd. Within view, there were what she recognized as animal handlers, but not any animal handlers that one might see at the zoo. They carried with them large restraining rods, as the men seemed visibly nervous at the sight of the raptors.
He seemed calm, as he stepped forward, directing the men on either side where to go with their containment efforts. They managed to get the loops through over the animals head, as it started to cry out. But it would not move, not so long as the raptors were right there. Indeed, she could barely feel it as a hand was on her arm, and she yelped. Turning, she could see Rick and her daughter right there, gesturing for her to go- it was long past time to go. As Rachel ran the opposite direction, through the safety of the crowd, she turned back one last second to see the man unslinging the rifle, and aiming calmly down his sights at the dinosaur.