20 years later...

In a quiet suburban neighborhood, the sun shone gently through the trees as the Mitchell family's two-story home stood still, almost waiting for the next chapter of their lives to begin. The driveway was cluttered with boxes, bags, and the hum of a minivan's engine ready for the road. Karen Mitchell, with a purposeful smile, slammed the trunk of the minivan shut and stood back, surveying her work. The van was loaded with everything they needed for a family getaway—a fresh start, a break from the norm. She turned toward the house, cupping her hands around her mouth.

"Boys, let's do this!" she called, her voice strong but laced with a touch of excitement.

Inside, her son Gray Mitchell sat on the floor of his room, his imagination wandering through prehistoric worlds. His hands flicked the lever of his old-school View Master toy, each slide a new adventure. A pair of Allosaurus fought a Triceratops in a prehistoric battle for supremacy. Then came the Ray Harryhausen-animated Ceratosaurs, clawing at each other in a stop-motion dance of ancient fury. The walls of Gray's room were covered in posters of dinosaurs, monster movies, and action figures from every corner of his interests. A world of imagination built around him.

A knock at the door disrupted the daydreaming. His mother entered the room, her voice cutting through the quiet.

"Gray, honey, we need to go now. I'm sorry, but it's time," she said gently, her words carrying the weight of a mother who knew how important this moment was but still needed to push things along. Gray gave her a nod, collecting his things in a quiet resignation before standing up.

"Alright, Mom," he said, his voice soft but steady. There was a moment of quiet understanding between them as they left the room together.

They walked out past the garage where Gray's robot dog stood by, its blinking eyes a silent companion. His girlfriend, ever supportive, was standing by the driveway, her soft smile hiding the bittersweet feeling of a temporary farewell.

"Call me every day. And text me pictures so I don't forget what you look like," she called to Gray, her voice mixed with playfulness and a touch of worry. He gave her a quick wave, and she waved back, lingering a little longer, reluctant to let go.

"I'll only be gone a short while, honey, don't worry," Gray's mom reassured him, her tone softening as she placed a kiss on his cheek.

His father, Scott Mitchell, emerged from the house, chuckling as he slapped Gray's shoulder. "Zach, you're not going off to war, here. Please. Come on."

Zach—Gray's older brother—rolled his eyes but didn't say a word. His girlfriend waved to him from the porch, and everyone except her piled into the minivan. Karen and Scott shared a quick glance, their eyes momentarily resting on their sons in the backseat, particularly Zach, who seemed less than thrilled about the entire trip.

"Are you going to be okay?" Karen asked, her voice carrying a note of concern as she turned to Zach, who was slouched against the window, his headphones securely in place. His response was the faintest of shrugs, eyes glazed over, not quite meeting her gaze.

"Yeah," Zach muttered, the words nearly lost in the buzz of his music. The atmosphere in the van felt heavy, the weight of unspoken thoughts lingering between them.

Gray, sitting beside Zach, let his knuckles curl around the edge of his seat, silently acknowledging the tension without drawing attention to it. The minivan's engine hummed, the family on the brink of departure. This was the start of something new for them all, but Gray knew better than to expect things to magically improve. Life was a series of changes, a trail of moments waiting to be collected, and somehow, he knew that today would be just one more page turned.

SCENEBREAK

After what felt like an eternity on the ship, the Mitchell brothers—Zach and Gray—finally found solid ground beneath their feet. The swell of the ocean had been replaced by the steady hum of life on Isla Nublar. The sun shone brightly overhead as they disembarked, taking in their surroundings. The tropical island had a certain allure, with the promise of adventure hanging thick in the air. They could feel the excitement, even if Zach wasn't showing it.

Around them, other passengers were exiting the ship, their voices blending with the clink of luggage being unloaded. But for Gray, his mind was already far ahead, imagining what Jurassic World had in store. Dinosaurs. Rides. Maybe even something... unexpected. He wasn't sure, but he could sense it—this place would be different.

A voice boomed overhead, cutting through his thoughts with the polished, warm tone of a trained announcer.

"Welcome to Isla Nublar, home of Jurassic World. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable stay with us."

The words hung in the air, repeating again in a different language, like a constant reminder of their new surroundings. Gray scanned the area, his heart racing as he caught a glimpse of the massive, gleaming structures in the distance. The iconic monorail system arced overhead, threading its way through the park, carrying guests from one attraction to the next.

But something else caught his attention—someone standing nearby, holding a sign with their names on it. A woman. Tall, stylish, and completely disinterested, she wore large sunglasses and looked utterly bored, despite the excitement buzzing around her. She looked like she belonged to a completely different world—a world of fast-paced schedules and corporate meetings rather than the adventures of the park.

Zach, who had been quiet the entire trip, shot Gray a sideways glance, but there was no warmth in his gaze. He was still sulking, headphones firmly in place, his usual aura of teenage indifference surrounding him like a shield. Gray felt the familiar pull to say something—to break the silence—but for now, he stayed quiet. He wasn't sure why Zach was so distant. Maybe it was just the transition, or maybe it was just the way Zach was, but either way, Gray knew there was no fixing it now.

"Where's Aunt Claire?" Gray asked the woman, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and expectation. He'd imagined meeting her at the ship's docks, but the person before them was clearly not her.

Zach didn't even look up, still lost in his own world of music, his fingers tapping absently on the strap of his bag.

The woman, Zara, didn't respond right away. She just lifted the sign a little higher, her face barely changing expression. "Follow me," she said, her tone flat and disinterested as she turned without another word, leading the way.

As they followed her, the sound of the monorail rushing overhead filled the air. The boys exchanged a look but said nothing more. This was it. They were finally here. Jurassic World. No turning back now.

Zach pulled his headphones off his ears, letting them hang around his neck. "So... this is it, huh?" His voice was dry, carrying the same tone of indifference that had followed him the entire trip.

Gray didn't respond right away. Instead, he took in the grandeur of the park, his thoughts swirling with excitement, the possibilities endless. This wasn't just a theme park—it was something bigger. Something ancient and wild. A place where dinosaurs roamed. A place he would never have thought possible, even after everything that had happened with Jurassic Park.

But the atmosphere was different now. There was an edge of modernity to it all—the gleaming signs, the tourists everywhere, the monorails whisking people from attraction to attraction. It didn't feel like the untamed wilderness he had imagined. It felt like a corporate paradise, albeit one with dinosaurs.

Still, a thrill coursed through him. He wasn't sure where this was going yet, but he knew one thing—he wasn't going to let anything ruin this trip. Not with dinosaurs so close.

Zara led them down a path, her steps measured and brisk. The boys followed, Zach's sullen demeanor unchanged but Gray's eyes wide, taking in every detail, every new sight that passed by.

SCENEBREAK

In the quiet elevator, the soft hum of the gears almost drowned out Claire's muttered words. She stood in front of the mirror on the inside wall, adjusting her white shirt, her long hair flowing neatly down her back, but her face betraying the stress she carried. Her mind raced as she mentally ran through the list of investors she was about to meet.

"Hal Osterly, vice president... Jim Drucker, bad hair... Erica Brand, deserves better... Hal, Jim, Erica. Hal, Jim, Erica..." She sighed under her breath, tapping her wristwatch in frustration. She'd lost track of time. "And I am Claire," she muttered to herself with a faint, tired smile.

The elevator jolted to a stop, the doors sliding open with a soft whir. Claire snapped back into focus, straightening herself with practiced ease. With a breath, she exited into the stark, sterile hallway, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

The three investors were already waiting for her in the lobby area, their stiff collars and carefully tailored suits looking out of place against the smooth white backdrop of Jurassic World's state-of-the-art headquarters. Claire greeted them with a friendly yet professional smile, beckoning them to follow.

"Welcome to Jurassic World," Claire said, her voice smooth but with the faintest edge of urgency. The investors exchanged quick glances, their eyes taking in the surroundings as they walked in line with her. The walls were pristine, glass windows revealing the busy, meticulous scientists hard at work within the research labs. Visitors stood outside the glass, their expressions a mix of fascination and awe as they observed the ongoing genetic work that was the backbone of this very park.

As they entered the lab, the hum of computers, the soft clink of instruments, and the fast-paced whispers of researchers filled the air. Claire didn't falter, continuing her explanation with the ease of someone who had given this spiel too many times.

"While year-over-year revenue continues to climb, operating costs are higher than ever. Our shareholders have been patient, but let's be honest, no one's impressed by a dinosaur anymore. Twenty years ago, de-extinction was right up there with magic. These days, kids look at a Stegosaurus like an elephant from the city zoo," Claire continued, her voice almost resigned, yet forceful. "That doesn't mean asset development has fallen behind. Our DNA excavators discover new species every year."

The group walked deeper into the lab, where the gleaming surfaces were lined with complex data streams and multi-dimensional DNA models floating above screens. Claire moved to a large, touch-sensitive interface, where strands of DNA spiraled like glowing threads across the screen, showcasing the cutting-edge technology that made Jurassic World what it was.

She paused, turning to the investors. Her gaze was calculating as she leaned forward. "But consumers want them bigger. Louder. More teeth," she added with a smile that was less reassuring than it seemed, the weight of the park's demands resting in her words.

The investors exchanged looks—those familiar expressions that were a mixture of doubt and intrigue. Claire's words hung in the air, like they were waiting for a confirmation of some kind. She could feel their skepticism, but she wasn't concerned. They were here for a reason, after all.

The walk continued through the lab until they reached a restricted area, a part of the facility closed off from the usual park visitors. Claire punched in a code on the door, the heavy metal entry sliding open to reveal a large, clinical space. It looked like something out of a high-tech laboratory scene from a movie, complete with glass observation windows and an assortment of advanced equipment humming steadily in the background.

Claire gave them a brief smile before her eyes flicked to the screen in front of them. A DNA double helix displayed on the screen twisted before their eyes—an intricate and beautiful design, the very fabric of life itself being shaped and created.

She turned to face the investors again, her voice growing serious. "This is where the magic happens," she said, her tone low, almost reverent. "Oh, Indominus wasn't bred. She was DESIGNED. She will be fifty feet long when fully grown. BIGGER than the T. rex," Claire's words were thick with both pride and warning.

The investors listened closely, the weight of what she was saying starting to land with them. The image of the monstrous, engineered creature began to settle in, the enormity of what Claire was revealing undeniable.

Claire exchanged a subtle glance with Dr. Wu, who stood by with a quiet smile, knowing exactly what was coming next. They both shared a knowing look—one that carried more weight than the investors realized.