𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝘄𝗼;
𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The salt-laden breeze carried the distant cry of seabirds as the group, now clad in borrowed bathing suits from the Main Street shop, approached the gently bobbing boat. Their footsteps echoed hollow against the wooden planks of the dock, each step measured and cautious.

"Stay sharp." Darius's warning cut through the maritime silence. "For all we know, Tiff is still in there."

They boarded with practiced stealth, muscles tense as they swept every shadowed corner. Ben's shoulders relaxed slightly as he completed his inspection. "No sign of anyone."

"Or anything." Vera's voice carried a note of concern as she gestured toward deep gouges marring the deck. "Looks like Tiff had some unwanted visitors though."

Sunlight glinted off the scratched surface as Ben and Vera descended from the upper deck, their feet creating soft thuds as they joined Darius and Sammy below.

"The control panel's busted up." Darius's frustration was evident in his tight expression.

"And so is the radio." Sammy lifted the damaged equipment, turning it over in her hands.

Darius leaned over the instrument panel, squinting at the gauge. "And it's almost out of gas."

"Are you sure?" Sammy moved beside him, her hand reaching for the gauge. "Did you tap it? They always tap it." The hollow sound of her knuckles against the metal confirmed their fears. "Huh? Well, now we're really sure."

"So, we've got a boat. We just can't use the boat." Ben's dry observation hung in the air.

"Okay, the northwest dock is just around that bend." Darius's voice carried forced optimism. "If we can somehow make it there, maybe we can find more gas and whatever else we need to get us off the island."

The metallic rattle of the doorknob drew their attention like a magnet. "Boo!" Kenji burst from behind it, his sudden appearance sending Brooklynn, Darius, and Vera stumbling backward. "Gotcha!" His laughter echoed across the water as he pointed at their startled faces.

"Kenji! Not funny, dude! You scared..." Darius's reprimand was cut short.

"I know. It was awesome. You should've seen your faces! Priceless!" Kenji collapsed in theatrical mirth, his body shaking with laughter.

"The height of comedy." Ben's voice dripped with sarcasm as he helped Vera regain her footing. "We're gonna head back to shore. We'll meet you at the dock." He guided Vera away, noting the storm brewing in her expression.

As they made their way along the shoreline, feet sinking into the damp sand, Ben glanced at Vera's tense profile. "Hey, you okay?"

"I can't believe him!" Vera finally exploded, her voice sharp enough to startle a nearby flock of birds into flight. "It's like he doesn't even care anymore! That this isn't some stupid game!" She spun to face Ben, her hands clenched into fists.

"Want to talk about it?" Ben asked gently, noting how Rocky pressed closer to Vera's leg.

Vera's anger seemed to crack, revealing something more vulnerable underneath. "He wasn't always like this. We used to be inseparable. Video game marathons, sneaking into board meetings to make fun of the stuffy executives, planning elaborate pranks that we'd never actually do..." A ghost of a smile crossed her face before fading. "His jokes used to be different. They used to be... I don't know, warmer? Like he was trying to make people laugh with him, not at someone."

"What changed?" Ben settled onto a piece of driftwood, making room for her to join him.

She sat down heavily, automatically reaching to stroke Rocky's scales as the dinosaur nuzzled her hand. "That's the thing - I don't know. About two years ago, he just... started acting different. More entitled, more distant. Started hanging out with this whole new crowd, constantly shadowing his dad. Suddenly everything was about showing off, about proving he was better than everyone else." She looked out over the water. "My best friend just... disappeared behind this wall of stupid jokes and fake confidence."

"Have you ever asked him about it?"

"Tried. Multiple times. He just deflects with another joke or makes some comment about how I'm being too serious." She glanced at Ben. "You know what's really ironic? He used to be the one I could be serious with. When my dad died three years ago, he was there every single day. He'd just sit with me, sometimes not saying anything at all. That Kenji... I miss that Kenji."

Ben's hand found hers, squeezing gently. "Maybe he's still in there somewhere."

"Maybe," Vera sighed. "But right now we could literally die on this island, and he's still acting like it's all just one big joke. Like nothing matters except getting a laugh, even if it means scaring the people who..." She trailed off, then added quietly, "...the people who care about him."

The moment stretched between them like honey, sweet and heavy. A lock of hair had fallen across Vera's face, and Ben's hand twitched with the urge to brush it away. Their eyes met, suddenly they both became very aware of their joined hands, and twin blushes bloomed across their cheeks. The crash of a nearby wave broke the spell, and they stepped apart, both clearing their throats.

"We should, uh..." Ben gestured vaguely toward the camp.

"Yeah, supplies," Vera agreed quickly, tucking that wayward strand of hair behind her ear herself.

They gathered their gear from camp efficiently, with Rocky and Bumpy trailing behind them like faithful shadows. The walk back to the dock was filled with comfortable silence, punctuated by the dinosaurs' cheerful sounds and the occasional brush of hands as they carried their supplies, each accidental touch now carrying a spark of something new and unexplored.

"Hey, friends!" Sammy's cheerful Texas drawl carried across the dock. "How was your walk?"

Ben shifted the supplies in his arms, unconsciously positioning himself slightly between Vera and the others. "Great. Zero dinos. And even better, the dock's surrounded by a fence. I locked up after Vera and I came through."

"Hi, Bumpy! Hey, girls. Hey... Oh, okay." Sammy's enthusiasm deflated slightly as both dinosaurs brushed past her outstretched hand, making a beeline for Yasmina. They nudged against Yaz with clear affection, nearly knocking her off balance. Sammy turned to Ben and Vera with an exaggerated pout, earning synchronized shrugs.

Darius surveyed their group, his expression carrying the weight of leadership. "It's getting late. We might as well rest up here. We can scavenge for supplies in the morning."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, pump the brakes, bro!" Kenji's voice cut through the peaceful moment like a foghorn. He spread his arms wide, gesturing at their surroundings with the grandiose air of a game show host. The borrowed bathing suit only seemed to amplify his showman's attitude. "Look around! We've got swimsuits, a few hours of sun, and a whole boat at our disposal! If that doesn't scream 'yacht party,' I don't know what does."

Golden afternoon light danced across the water as laughter echoed from the boat. The top deck had become an impromptu diving platform, where Vera, Yaz, and Ben stood silhouetted against the brilliant sky. Rocky and Bumpy watched from the dock below, their heads tilting curiously at their human friends' antics.

"Here is what eight years of diving lessons looks like." Yaz announced with professional poise, her athletic form executing a perfect dive that barely disturbed the water's surface.

"And here's what nine looks like!" Vera's competitive spirit sparked in her eyes as she launched herself forward, her body twisting into a precise pike position before slicing through the water with practiced grace.

"Not bad, Vee." Yasmina's approval came with a playful nudge once Vera surfaced, sending ripples across the water.

"Here's what running from an Allosaurus, then tripping and falling off a waterfall looks like!" Ben's voice rang out from above, filled with mock bravado. His run turned into an exaggerated flail as he leaped, creating a spectacular splash that had both girls shrieking and laughing.

The trio's water games filled the air with joyful shouts and splashing, their troubles momentarily forgotten in the simple pleasure of play. Eventually, Vera pushed her wet hair back from her face, catching her breath. "Time out. I'm gonna go get a snack." She pulled herself onto the deck, water streaming from her borrowed swimsuit.

"I'm gonna go check on Bumpy." Ben followed, trying not to notice how the setting sun caught the water droplets in Vera's hair like tiny crystals.

They found Sammy sitting with the dinosaurs, though both Rocky and Bumpy seemed more interested in watching the water than engaging with her. Ben approached, his feet leaving wet prints on the deck. "Ladies. Having fun?"

"Us? Fun? Oh, yeah! Bumpy and I are having all the fun!" Sammy's enthusiasm couldn't quite mask her disappointment as both dinosaurs immediately stood and wandered over to where Yaz and Vera were. "Okay, sorry, but, Ben, you know how big animals are kind of my thing? Well, you ever think that Bumpy and Rocky just aren't that into me?"

Ben's expression softened with sympathy. "Ankylosauruses are complicated women. Who knows what's going on inside that beautiful dino brain of theirs? I wouldn't worry about it." He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder before a mischievous grin spread across his face. "'Course, you might just be losing your touch. Bye!" He darted away from Sammy's mock-indignant swat.

"Don't pay attention to him Sammy. I'm sure it's just them being moody." Vera offered kindly before walking away, her feet leaving damp footprints behind her.

As twilight painted the sky in deepening shades of purple and orange, Vera found a quiet moment to herself, perched on the edge of the boat with her feet trailing in the cool water. The gentle lapping of waves against the hull created a peaceful rhythm.

"Come join us in the water!" Ben's call broke through her reverie.

"No, you guys are cheaters at water polo." Vera affected an exaggerated pout, though her eyes sparkled with amusement.

Ben swam closer, his arms moving lazily through the water as he approached where she sat. "If I let you win will you come join us." His cheesy smile drew an involuntary flutter in her chest, and that now-familiar warmth crept across her cheeks. The moment stretched between them like honey, sweet and full of possibility.

Then the boat lurched.

The violent movement sent everyone scrambling, water sloshing over the sides as they regained their balance. Minutes later, the group clustered around the hull, staring at a jagged hole that definitely hadn't been there before. Rocky and Bumpy crowded closer, sensing their friends' distress.

"We couldn't have hit something." Yasmina's voice carried an edge of worry as she examined the damage.

"Oh, no!" Sammy's gasp echoed everyone's thoughts.

"This won't wait 'til tomorrow. We gotta patch this tonight before..." Vera began, her mind already racing through potential solutions.

"The boat sinks." Kenji finished, adjusting his hat with forced casualness.

"Thanks for the clarification." Vera's eye roll carried years of exasperation.

"There's gotta be tools or boating supplies we can scavenge." Brooklynn's practical suggestion cut through the tension.

"Let's hurry." Darius took charge, eyeing the fog that had begun rolling in like ghostly fingers across the water. "It's getting dark and the fog's rolling in. We should split up so we can cover more ground."

"Then let's go!" Yasmina's determination galvanized the group into action.

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𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘳𝘪 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴！
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Please ignore the tiny plot hole at the beginning bc I accidentally wrote chapter one with them entering the boat and technically they haven't yet. (Which is no longer there bc I got rid of it LOL)

Also I am going to start shortening these chapters because I find my books only having 9-10 chapters and I feel like its a little small. Ill probably split up each episode into 2 chapters. BUT to make up for it I will double upload so you guys get full episode just a bit more spaced out. Part 2 to this ep will be posted later on tonight.

One last thing I am starting a JWCC discord soon for anyone interested! Okay thats all. Love you all!!

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©-CRETACEOUS , 2024