𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟳: 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁

-PROOFREAD-

A thunderous voice echoed through the abandoned park, its urgency cutting through the eerie silence. "Attention. All park-goers must report to the South Ferry Dock for immediate evacuation."

"Guys!" Darius called out, his voice tinged with a mixture of hope and anxiety. Vera, startled from her moment of vulnerability, hastily wiped her eyes and jogged towards the group, her footsteps echoing in the empty stadium.

Ben's perceptive gaze caught Vera's slightly disheveled appearance, concern etching his features. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft with worry.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Vera replied, her tone clipped as she brushed off his concern, desperate to maintain her composure.

Brooklynn's frustration bubbled to the surface, her voice sharp with annoyance. "That's it? No explanations? That's all we get?"

Darius, ever the leader, cut through the tension with decisive words. "We have to move. The only way we're gonna make it is if we run."

Sammy's voice held a note of hesitation as she questioned, "Uhm...Are we sure that's the best way to get there?" Her eyes flicked meaningfully towards Yasmina's injured state.

"I'm fine," Yasmina argued, her voice tight with determination. "I've competed with a torn ACL. You should be way more worried about the two people with the dinosaur pets." She jabbed a finger towards Vera and Ben, who had just approached the group, their dinosaur companions in tow.

Ben, slightly out of breath, interjected with his usual pragmatism. "What we should all be worried about is catching a boat out of here and, naturally, we have a problem." He pulled a map of the island from his pocket, his finger landing on their current location. "We're here. The docks are on the other side of the island. Even if we ran at peak Yaz speed, there's no way we'd make the last boat in time."

"You don't know that," Sammy protested, a flicker of hope in her voice.

"Yes I do," Ben replied matter-of-factly. "I memorized the evacuation plan on the ferry ride over." The group's collective groan of frustration echoed in the cavernous space.

Darius, his mind racing for solutions, began to brainstorm aloud. "Okay, so we need another way. Um.. Can we use those somehow?" He gestured towards the kayaks. "Or tell the ferry people to wait? Or..."

Brooklynn's sarcasm cut through his musings. "Or make a few jetpacks real quick? Oh! We should befriend a unicorn! Face it. It's hopeless."

As if in answer to their desperation, another announcement crackled through the air. "We will be arriving at Main Street."

Brooklynn's eyes widened in recognition. "Is that..?" She trailed off, her gaze fixed on the approaching monorail.

"Monorail, What-what!" Kenji rejoiced, his enthusiasm infectious.

Brooklynn's lips quirked into a small smile. "Mm, nicely played, Universe."

Vera, ever practical, cut through the moment of celebration. "I'm just as excited as the next guy but we should get to the station before it pulls off." Her words spurred the group into action, their feet pounding against the stairs as they raced towards their potential salvation.

Ben and Vera found themselves at the back of the group, coaxing their reluctant dinosaur companions up the stairs. Ben's voice, tinged with wry amusement, broke the tension. "It's nice havin' some other company back here for once. No offense Vera."

"I'm fine," Yasmina insisted, her voice strained as she limped ahead of the pair, her determination palpable.

As they caught up with the others, they were met with tense whispers about a dinosaur lurking near the stairs. Darius, his movements cautious, peered around the corner, waiting for the right moment before crossing. He motioned for the others, but they only made it a short distance before being forced to retreat. The dinosaur's attention was momentarily drawn by nearby commotion, allowing the group to cross. Their progress up the stairs was painstakingly slow, each step taken with utmost care to minimize noise. However, their efforts were thwarted when the PA system inside the monorail chirped to life, drawing the creature's attention once more.

With a heart-stopping roar, the dinosaur charged up the stairs, hot on the heels of Ben and Yasmina. "Ben! Yasmina!" Vera and Darius cried out in unison, their feet already moving as they raced down the stairs to help. With a collective effort, they hauled Ben and Yasmina to safety, their lungs burning as they sprinted into the waiting monorail.

As they collapsed inside, a collective sigh of relief filled the air. The tension began to ebb, replaced by a tentative sense of security.

Kenji, however, remained on edge, refusing to sit. "No way. Something bad always happens when we think we're safe," he stated, his eyes darting nervously. "Watch. The doors are gonna open." Sammy scoffed at his paranoia before walking off. "Then, the train's gonna stop because that's how this works."

Brooklynn's voice was soothing as she tried to reassure him. "I'm pretty sure we're safe now."

"Well, we were until you said that," Kenji argued, his anxiety evident.

Vera flopped into a seat at the back of the monorail, her body sagging with exhaustion. Rocky, sensing her fatigue, jumped into the seat beside her, offering silent companionship. Darius's voice, filled with joy and relief, rang out. "Guys, we did it. We're going home."

The monorail car erupted into cheers and laughter, the sound a cathartic release after their harrowing ordeal. "This calls for a celebration!" Brooklynn exclaimed, her eyes bright with excitement.

"I might be able to help with that," Ben responded, rummaging through his fanny pack. He produced a stash of candy bars, eliciting excited whoops from the group as they eagerly grabbed the treats. However, their enthusiasm quickly turned to disgust as they bit into the bars, spitting them out almost immediately. Everyone, that is, except Ben and Vera.

Brooklynn's face scrunched up in confusion as she turned to Vera. "Vera, you seriously like these?"

Vera nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, mom used to always pack these for me. Didn't like them at first but they grew on me." Her words were tinged with a bittersweet nostalgia.

Sammy, her voice filled with mock concern, addressed Ben. "Ben, someone stole your candy bars and put dirt in 'em."

Ben began to explain, his enthusiasm undimmed. "They're carob bars. They pair perfectly with—"

"Carob juice," Darius chimed in with faux excitement.

Ben continued, undeterred. "Carob is nature's chocolate. Just as delicious, with none of the sugar or caffeine."

Brooklynn's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "What's wrong with sugar and caffeine? First thing I'm gonna do when I get home is hug my espresso machine. I may never let go."

Kenji, seizing the opportunity, attempted to flirt. "You know... I've often described myself as a tall, hot drink." His words were met with a chorus of groans and noises of disgust.

Brooklynn's retort was swift and merciless. "You could never be coffee."

"I could be coffee," Kenji scoffed, his pride slightly wounded.

Yasmina's voice was filled with anticipation as she shared her plans. "I cannot wait to be home. Once my ankle's better, it's back to training. And I guess finding a new corporate sponsor, since mine was Jurassic World. But you know..."

As the conversation flowed around her, Vera found herself drawn to the window, her gaze fixed on the passing landscape. Her mind wandered, painting vivid pictures of her homecoming. She imagined rushing into her mother's arms, enveloping herself in that familiar warmth she'd been craving. The scent of her mom's perfume, the feeling of safety that came with her embrace - it all seemed so tantalizingly close now.

The day's near-death experiences had shifted something fundamental within Vera. She saw life through a new lens, acutely aware of its fragility and preciousness. Every mundane moment, every shared laugh, every quiet evening at home - they all took on a new significance. She vowed to herself that she would never take these simple joys for granted again.

A pang of regret pierced through her as she remembered the last words she'd exchanged with her mother. They had parted on less than ideal terms, a petty argument that now seemed so trivial in the face of all they'd endured. Vera's heart ached with the desire to make things right, to tell her mom how much she loved her, how sorry she was for any pain she'd caused.

She imagined their reunion in vivid detail - the surprised look on her mother's face as Vera hugged her fiercely, refusing to let go. She could almost hear herself pouring out everything that had happened, her voice trembling with emotion as she recounted their harrowing adventure. And through it all, her mother would listen, her presence a balm to Vera's battered spirit.

"Vera?" A voice cut through her reverie, pulling her back to the present.

"Huh? Yea?" She replied, reluctantly tearing her gaze from the window.

Darius repeated his question, curiosity in his voice. "I said, What do you plan to do when you get out of here?"

Vera hesitated, suddenly feeling exposed. "Uhm... I dunno, hug my mom? I haven't seen her in a while. Do some more exploring." Her reply was tentative, barely scratching the surface of the emotions swirling within her.

Sensing Vera's discomfort, Brooklynn smoothly changed the subject. "I still can't believe how much went wrong," she commented. "Like that time we almost got eaten?"

As the conversation shifted, Vera found herself grateful for the reprieve. She leaned back in her seat, allowing the chatter of her friends to wash over her.

"Let all raise our carob juice." Darius said, raising his box in the air. "A toast! To not getting eaten!" The group followed in suit, taking a sip before spitting it out again.

"To no more running away!" Brooklynn cheered. The group hesitated to drink the juice, ultimately deciding not to take a sip.

"To the return of a low-level gnawing dread rather than an all-encompassing impending doom!" Ben shouted.

"Why not! To what Ben said!" Darius exclaimed.

"I got one!" Sammy exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. However, her enthusiasm was quickly overshadowed by a loud boom that reverberated through the monorail. "What was that?" she asked, her voice now tinged with wariness.

Yasmina's response was swift and matter-of-fact. "It sounded like an explosion."

Brooklynn's groan of frustration echoed through the car. "Ugh! Not again!"

The group collectively turned their attention to the windows, eyes scanning the landscape for any signs of danger. Kenji's voice cut through the tense silence. "I don't see anything."

Darius, ever the voice of reason, attempted to calm the group. "I don't think it was near us. We're okay. We're still okay." His words hung in the air as the group hesitantly relaxed, their bodies still tense and alert.

Sammy, determined to lift the mood, began speaking with forced cheerfulness. "I know camp wasn't what we thought it was gonna be. But after everything we went through, at least we're leavin' this place with five new friends! To the six of us being best friends for life!" She raised her box in the air, her optimism palpable.

The group exchanged awkward glances, the silence growing heavy. Darius, attempting to break the tension, mumbled, "'No added sugars,' wow."

Sammy's cheerful demeanor began to falter. "Guys? Hello? Wait, do you guys not see us as friends?"

Brooklynn's sigh was heavy with resignation. "I mean... Doesn't it usually take more than a few days to be friends with someone?"

Yasmina's blunt response cut through the air. "We were thrown together at random. We have nothing in common."

Sammy's voice rose in protest. "That's not true! We've been through more together than most friends have in a lifetime."

Ben's question hung in the air, laden with practicality. "And now that it's over, what are the odds that we'll ever see each other again?"

Sammy, desperate for support, turned to Vera. "We could always plan something! You know, monthly hangouts. C'mon, Vera?"

Vera felt a pang of guilt as she looked away, unable to meet Sammy's hopeful gaze. "I- I'm sorry Sammy." The words felt hollow in her mouth, but they were honest.

As Sammy sighed in defeat and slumped into her seat, Vera's mind began to race. She felt a complex mixture of emotions swirling within her. On one hand, she understood the logic behind the others' reluctance. Their shared experience at camp, as intense as it had been, was still just a fleeting moment in time. The bonds forged in crisis didn't always translate to lasting friendships in the real world.

Yet, a part of her ached for the connection Sammy so earnestly sought. Vera's life had been a series of temporary stops, never staying in one place long enough to form deep friendships. The idea of having a group of people who understood what she'd been through, who had faced the same terrors and triumphs, was undeniably appealing.

But old habits die hard, and Vera found herself retreating into her familiar shell of detachment. It was safer this way, she reasoned. No attachments meant no painful goodbyes when it was time to move on again. Still, as she glanced around at the faces of her fellow survivors, she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to truly belong somewhere, to someone.

Her introspection was interrupted by Brooklynn's soft laugh. "What does that even mean?" she asked, referring to the PA system's announcement.

Darius's response was tinged with nostalgia. "I thought I knew. My whole life, I had this idea of Jurassic World. My dad used to say this place was, 'All-osaurus and a bag of chips.' He was so corny."

Ben's voice was gentle as he asked, "Um, was? So, your dad is..."

Sammy's apology tumbled out, followed quickly by self-recrimination. "I'm sorry, Darius. Ugh! 'Sorry.' Nice one, Sammy, ya ding-dong! Like 'sorry' could begin to—"

"It's okay," Darius replied, his voice steady.

Kenji's attempt at lightening the mood fell flat. "Hey, at least your dad never saw what a dumpster fire this place turned out to be, huh?" Yasmina's shove was swift and unapologetic. "Ow! What? I meant it's cool that Darius and his dad were so close. I could count on one hand the number of times me and my dad have done... anything."

Sammy's voice was filled with sympathy. "Kenji, that's just real sad."

Kenji's response was typically flippant. "Yea. Did I mention I have a bowling alley?"

Vera felt a surge of empathy for Kenji. His words about his father struck a chord within her, reminding her of her own complicated family dynamics. While she loved her mother deeply, the constant demands of the park had created a growing distance between them. Vera couldn't help but wonder if her mother even noticed her absence, or if she was too engrossed in her work to realize how much time had passed.

Brooklynn's sudden exclamation jolted Vera from her thoughts. "Aha! That's where I know you from! Your mom is Maria Alvarez, one of the park's lead scientists and researchers."

Vera nodded, feeling a mix of pride and unease at being recognized. "Yeah, my mom worked close with Mr. Masrani, Ms. Dearing, and Dr. Wu. Ms. Dearing and my mom collaborated on many projects and she extended the invitation to camp to me. It was supposed to be a 'once-in-a-lifetime experience', but when you spend so much time in the labs, nothing becomes new."

As she spoke, Vera realized how jaded she sounded. The wonders of Jurassic World, which left others in awe, had become commonplace to her. She felt a twinge of guilt for her lack of enthusiasm, wondering if she'd taken for granted the incredible opportunities her mother's work had afforded her.

Sammy's question brought Vera's attention back to the conversation. "You spend all day in the labs? I could never. What about school? All your friends?"

Vera's response was tinged with a hint of sadness she couldn't quite hide. "I'm homeschooled. I have been for about six months. And I don't know anyone else. We move too often for me to establish friends."

As the words left her mouth, Vera felt a wave of loneliness wash over her. She'd never verbalized her isolation so plainly before, and hearing it out loud made it seem all the more real. She wondered if the others could sense the depth of her solitude, the yearning for connection that she usually kept buried deep inside.

The conversation shifted as Ben's frustrated exclamation drew everyone's attention. "Dang it! Come on, it's gotta be here somewhere. Oh!" He emptied his bag onto the seat, triumphantly holding up a bottle of liquid. "Bumpy stepped in something icky and I'm low on sanitizer. It's fine. I can make more."

The atmosphere in the monorail car shifted as Kenji's question hung in the air, his curiosity tinged with a hint of challenge. "Ben, why are you here?"

Darius, ever the diplomat, quickly jumped in to soften the inquiry. His voice was a mix of genuine curiosity and gentle prodding as he elaborated, "What he means is— Eh, well, you're scared of dinosaurs, and the outdoors, and sometimes the indoors, and germs."

Sammy, her eyes twinkling with amusement, couldn't resist adding to the list. "Whipped cream for some reason?"

Ben's entire body visibly tensed at the mention of whipped cream, a shudder running through him as he muttered, "The way it moves." His face contorted in a mix of disgust and fear, as if he could see the offending substance right before his eyes.

Kenji, his patience wearing thin, cut to the chase. His voice carried a note of exasperation as he pressed, "Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. What's the deal?"

Ben's shoulders slumped slightly as he began to explain, his words tumbling out in a rush. "My mom works for Mr. Masrani. She got me into camp. Said it would be a great way for me to 'face my fears.'" His fingers carved air quotes around the phrase, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

As he continued, the facade of humor fell away, revealing the raw vulnerability beneath. "It's been a nightmare! I'm sick of being scared all the time. And of running, and of almost getting eaten, and... and of holding everyone back." His voice cracked on the last words, the emotion behind them palpable in the confined space of the monorail car.

Ben's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he confessed, "I just can't do... this." The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, a testament to the toll their ordeal had taken on him.

As if sensing his distress, Bumpy let out a soft groan, gently resting her head on Ben's lap. The simple gesture of comfort seemed to anchor him, and he took a deep breath before continuing.

"But it's not all bad. If I hadn't come, I— I never would've met—"

Suddenly, a deafening crash rocked the monorail, cutting off Ben's words. The entire car shook violently, sending the occupants lurching in their seats. The moment of vulnerability was shattered, replaced by a fresh wave of fear and uncertainty.

The group rushed to the back of the monorail, hearts pounding as they sought the source of the commotion. Darius' urgent voice cut through the tension, "Guys, we gotta turn off the lights!" Without hesitation, he snatched the flashlight from Kenji's grip, his knuckles white as he swung it forcefully against the ceiling lights. The shattering of glass punctuated each impact.

As the lights flickered and died, darkness engulfed them. The sudden absence of glare revealed a terrifying sight through the windows - a massive flock of pteranodons, their leathery wings beating furiously as they hurtled towards the train. Darius' voice trembled with a mix of fear and awe as he explained, "Flying reptiles are basically seabirds. They're attracted to shiny, moving objects, and with all these lights on—"

Sammy's voice cracked with realization, "We're a shiny, moving object!" Panic set in as they scrambled to grab flashlights, the sound of breaking glass and metal echoing through the car as they desperately tried to extinguish every light.

Ben's eyes darted around frantically, his hands empty. "What should I do?" he cried out, his voice barely audible over the chaos.

"Just keep out of the way!" Brooklynn shouted, her feet pounding against the floor as she raced towards the other cars. The air filled with screeches as pteranodons charged from all sides, their powerful bodies slamming against the monorail. The impacts reverberated through the structure, each hit threatening to shatter the glass that stood between them and certain doom.

With a final crackle, the lights died completely, plunging them into darkness. The loss of power was palpable, the usual hum of electricity replaced by an eerie silence. Darius grunted with effort as he manually forced the door open, ushering the group into the next car.

His voice rang out with authority, "Brooklynn, you're with Yaz. Sammy, Vera, help Ben, Rocky and Bumpy across!" The group scattered, following his instructions with desperate urgency.

Sammy's gasp cut through the tension as she pointed out a nearby window. Through the glass, they could see the mangled wreckage of another monorail, its twisted metal blocking their path like a malevolent sentinel.

"At least now we know what that boom was earlier," Sammy said, her voice tinged with grim realization.

Kenji began, "I told you—" but Brooklynn's sharp interruption silenced him.

Darius' warning sent a chill through the group, "If we don't switch tracks or stop this car right now, we're gonna hit that thing, full speed!"

Vera's suggestion came quickly, "Maybe someone can get to the control panel and switch tracks."

Darius threw himself against the door, muscles straining as he tried to force it open. "No, no, no!" he shouted, frustration and fear mixing in his voice. Suddenly, he sprinted to the other end of the car, his eyes locked on the emergency exit in the ceiling. "I'm gonna get to the control car through there," he announced, his voice filled with determination.

The group's protests were drowned out by another deafening impact, the car shaking violently and sending everyone stumbling. Darius' voice rose above the chaos, "We don't have a choice! Me and—" His eyes fell on Ben, huddled in a corner, terror etched on his face. "I'm the only one who can fit."

As another thunderous thud rocked the car, Darius shouted his plan, "Distract the flock while I crawl over the top to the control car. Use the flashlights, keep them away from—"

"Ben!" Vera's alarmed cry drew all eyes upward, where Ben was already squeezing through the exit, his face a mask of determination and fear.

"Come on! We have to keep them away from Ben!" The group sprang into action, flashlights blazing as they raced towards the back of the monorail. The beams cut through the darkness, drawing the attention of the pteranodons away from the vulnerable figure on the roof.

Time seemed to slow as the monorail hurtled towards the wreckage. At the last possible moment, the tracks switched with a deafening screech of metal on metal. Sparks flew as the cars grazed the other train, the impact sending a shudder through the entire structure. The group watched in awe as the derailed monorail tumbled down the embankment, erupting into a ball of fire that illuminated the night sky. The pteranodons, drawn by the sudden blaze, wheeled away from the train.

A collective sigh of relief swept through the group as they cheered Ben's name, rushing towards him with gratitude and admiration.

Darius' smile was wide as he praised, "You saved us, Ben. I didn't know you had it in you."

But their moment of triumph was brutally short-lived. In a heartbeat, the world exploded into chaos. A pteranodon, its massive form blocking out the starlight, crashed through the front car's windshield in a shower of glass and twisted metal. Its razor-sharp talons found purchase in Ben's clothing, yanking him off his feet with terrifying strength.

Darius lunged forward, his hand closing around Ben's wrist in a desperate grip. The pteranodon's powerful wings beat furiously, threatening to tear Ben away. For a moment, they were locked in a deadly tug-of-war, with Ben's life hanging in the balance.

With a final shriek, the pteranodon released its hold, but the sudden shift in weight sent Ben tumbling out of the car. Darius, still clinging to his friend's hand, found himself half-hanging out of the speeding train. The wind whipped around them as Ben dangled precariously over the dark forest below, his feet kicking helplessly in the air.

Vera sprang into action, wrapping her arms around Darius' waist and pulling with all her might. But Ben's grip was slipping, his sweaty palm sliding through Darius' fingers inch by agonizing inch.

Ben's terror-filled eyes locked onto Darius', his voice rising in panic as he felt himself falling. "Darius! Darius! Darius! No!" he screamed, his gaze darting between his friend's face and the shadowy undergrowth far below. The ground raced by beneath them, a dark void threatening to swallow Ben whole as his grip weakened with each passing second.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘳𝘪 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴！
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Hope you guys enjoyed this!! I thought the chapter title was kinda funny bc I named it this bc the monorail falls apart.
Also next chapter will be the final chapter for this book btw. I've already started on season 2 and I'm really excited for you guys to read it. Anyway, please vote on my chapters!!! It helps to boost and support my books. Also feel free to comment and come chat with me on my conversation board too! I love you all and thank you for reading!!

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©-CRETACEOUS , 2024