𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟴: 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲

-PROOFREAD-

Darius and Vera strained against gravity, muscles burning as they fought to pull Ben back into the train. The boy's eyes welled with tears, his grip weakening with each passing second. Just as his hand slipped, Darius lunged forward, catching him in a desperate grasp. Vera managed to grab Ben's other hand, and for a moment, hope flickered in their eyes.

Slowly, agonizingly, they began to pull him up. But fate had other plans. A pteranodon, its massive wings cutting through the air, slammed into the train car with bone-jarring force. The impact sent shockwaves through the vehicle, causing one of Ben's hands to slip free and Vera to lose her footing, crashing to the floor.

Time seemed to slow as Ben's fingers slid through Darius' grasp. A look of sheer terror crossed the boy's face as he plummeted into the dark undergrowth below. Darius and Vera's screams of horror pierced the night, mingling with the shrieks of pteranodons that dove after the falling figure.

A deathly silence fell over the monorail as the reality of what had just happened sank in. Vera collapsed to the floor, her body wracked with sobs. Between gasps for air, she choked out, "I had my— he- I" Her chest heaved as she struggled to breathe, the onset of a panic attack gripping her.

Yasmina's voice, barely above a whisper, broke the silence. "He's gone. He's... gone."

Sammy's anguished cry rang out as she rushed towards the gaping hole in the side of the train. "I won't believe it!" Yasmina grabbed her, pulling her back from the edge with trembling hands.

Vera stared at her hands, the ghost of Ben's touch still lingering on her skin. The weight of guilt crashed down upon her. If only she had held on tighter, been stronger. Ben was dead, and in her mind, it was all her fault.

Darius' shout shattered the gloomy atmosphere. "The monorail's going back!" The train lurched around a sharp corner, sending everyone stumbling.

Brooklynn's voice was tinged with confusion and fear. "What do you mean, 'going back'?"

Darius' explanation came rapid-fire as he rushed to the control panel. "When we switched tracks, we ended up on the one headed north. We're not going to the south docks, we're headed away from them!" His fingers flew over the buttons, each press met with frustrating inaction. "Doesn't anything here work?" he grunted, slamming his fists into the unresponsive panel. "We gotta get off this monorail now!"

Brooklynn's eyes widened as she peered out the window. "Oh! The track dips down up ahead! We can jump there!"

Yasmina's protest was immediate. "We can't! It's too far to jump!"

"It's the only way!" Darius shouted. The group huddled near the broken section of the train, tension palpable in the air. "One..." Vera's heart raced as she mentally prepared herself for the leap, praying she'd survive. "Two... Three! Now!"

Clutching Rocky tightly, Vera launched herself out of the window. The world spun around her as she tumbled down the hill, a mix of dirt, leaves, and branches whipping past her. With a sickening crunch, she landed hard on her wrist. A cry of pain escaped her lips as she examined the injury. Though her wrist was still in place, the stabbing pain suggested not all was well beneath the surface.

Darius' voice called out through the darkness. "Is everyone all right?"

As Vera slowly approached the group, Kenji's panicked voice rose above the others. "Bumpy. Where's Bumpy? I lost her when I hit the ground. She's gotta be here. Bumpy? Bumpy!"

Brooklynn tried to shush him, her voice urgent. "There are still dinosaurs out here, including Toro and—"

But Kenji ignored her, continuing to shout. "Bumpy!"

Sammy's voice cracked with emotion. "We gotta look for her, don't we? And Ben! He might still be—"

Yasmina cut her off sharply. "How? We don't even know where they are!" She collapsed to the ground, the weight of their situation bearing down on her.

The forest fell silent for a moment before an automated announcement echoed through the trees. "Attention. All park-goers must report to the south ferry dock for immediate evacuation. Last ferry departs in 60 minutes."

Yasmina's voice was filled with despair. "No chance we could get there in an hour! It's way too far!"

Brooklynn's retort was quick and determined. "Not if we leave right now!"

Sammy began to protest, her voice thick with worry. "But Bumpy, and Ben..."

"We can't go back for Ben!" Brooklynn shouted, her words hanging heavy in the air. "Ben's... gone."

"No!" Vera insisted. "If we were able to survive that jump then so was Ben. I'll go find him and Bumpy."

Darius started to speak, concern evident in his voice. "Vera, your hand—"

"It's fine," Vera stated sharply, cutting him off. "I'm fine. Go to the ferry. I'll find Ben and meet you there. Don't wait for me."

Sammy's plea was heartfelt. "It's not safe. We're better in numbers."

Despite protests from the others, Vera stood firm. " I can handle myself and I have Rocky. You all deserve a chance to get off this island."

Darius' voice was filled with reluctance. "We can make it to the ferry. Only if we go now."

The automated message repeated, a stark reminder of their dwindling time. "Last ferry departs in 60 minutes."

Vera's words were tinged with a mix of determination and uncertainty. "I'll see you guys in an hour. Hopefully." Darius gave her an approving nod, and with that, she plunged into the dense jungle, Rocky trotting faithfully at her side.

The jungle closed in around Vera as she pushed deeper into its depths. The air was thick and humid, clinging to her skin like a damp blanket. Shadows danced at the edge of her vision, every rustle of leaves setting her nerves on edge. Her injured wrist throbbed relentlessly, each pulse sending waves of nausea through her body.

Time seemed to blur as she stumbled through the undergrowth, the scenery repeating itself in a dizzying loop. Vera couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking in circles, each tree and fern looking hauntingly familiar.

Rocky's chirp broke through her haze of pain and exhaustion. The small dinosaur flopped to the ground, its tiny legs splayed out in protest. "Ugh, come on Rocky!" Vera grunted, pushing against the stubborn creature. But Rocky wouldn't budge, as immovable as the ancient trees surrounding them. "Come on! We need to find your sister!" she pleaded, her voice cracking with desperation.

Finally admitting defeat, Vera sank to the forest floor. The ground was damp beneath her, the earthy scent of decaying leaves filling her nostrils. "I'm really not getting off this island," she whispered to herself, the reality of her situation crashing down upon her.

The vastness of the jungle pressed in on her, emphasizing how truly alone she was. The chances of finding Ben or making it to the ferry in time seemed to shrink with each passing second. Fear, exhaustion, and pain swirled together in a potent cocktail of emotions.

Vera pulled her knees to her chest, ignoring the protestations of her injured wrist. Hot tears began to stream down her face, carving paths through the dirt and sweat that caked her cheeks. The sounds of the jungle faded away, replaced by the sound of her own ragged breathing as she gave in to the overwhelming tide of emotions.

In that moment, surrounded by the indifferent wilderness of Isla Nublar, Vera had never felt more alone, more scared, or more lost.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

She awoke to something licking at her face. The girl swatted at the unknown creature. As her eyes opened she realized it was Rocky hovering over her. She groaned, adjusting her eyes to the sunlight.

The small creature galloped into a nearby bush. She began to get up, accidentally putting pressure on her injured arm. She hissed at the stinging sensation shooting through her body. Vera got up walking over to Rocky. Pushing through the brush she saw the small creature snacking on berries.

Vera picked one, tasting it. The berry was pleasant, similar to a raspberry. She began to pick more, gulfing them down. After satisfying her hunger, she continued to explore. She walked along the path, Rocky in tow.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the jungle floor, Vera finally stumbled out of the dense foliage onto the ferry dock. Her heart sank as she surveyed the deserted area, the silence broken only by the gentle lapping of waves against the weathered wood. The realization that she had missed the ferry - and her chance at rescue - hit her like a physical blow.

Exhausted and disheartened, Vera retraced her steps back to the small clearing she had passed earlier. The fading light lent an eerie quality to the familiar surroundings, transforming friendly flora into looming, shadowy figures. With a deep breath, she steeled herself for the task ahead - creating a shelter for the night.

Her eyes scanned the area, finally settling on a pile of thick bark nearby. Moving with purpose despite her aching muscles and throbbing wrist, Vera began to gather the pieces. She arranged them carefully, fitting them together like a puzzle to form the walls of a small hut. The work was slow and painstaking, but it gave her mind something to focus on besides her dire situation.

Next, she turned her attention to gathering vines. Her fingers, sore and scraped from her earlier fall, worked nimbly to weave the pliable strands into a crude but serviceable blanket. The repetitive motion was almost meditative, allowing her a brief respite from the constant worry that had plagued her since Ben's fall.

With the first blanket complete, Vera set about creating a second one. This one would serve as the roof of her makeshift shelter. She draped it carefully over the frame of bark, adjusting it until it sat just right. Not satisfied with just the vine roof, she gathered armfuls of large, waxy leaves from the surrounding plants. These she layered atop the vine blanket, creating a waterproof barrier against any potential rainfall.

As she worked, the jungle around her came alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures. Insects chirped and buzzed, while in the distance, the low rumble of larger, unseen animals sent shivers down her spine. Each unexpected noise made her jump, a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in the darkness beyond her little haven.

Finally, as the last vestiges of daylight faded from the sky, Vera stepped back to survey her handiwork. The shelter was small and crude, but it represented safety in this hostile environment. A small smile of pride tugged at her lips despite her exhaustion.

Vera crawled into the hut, her body protesting every movement. The ground was hard beneath her, but after the day's events, it felt like the most comfortable bed in the world. Rocky, her faithful dinosaur companion, curled up beside her, its small body providing a comforting warmth in the cooling night air.

As she lay there, Vera tried to quiet her racing thoughts. She focused on memories of home, of her mother's smile and the comforting scent of her perfume. She imagined her mom's arms around her, keeping her safe from the terrors of the island. It was a bittersweet comfort, the familiar images only serving to highlight how far from home she truly was.

Despite her best efforts to relax, Vera's mind kept drifting back to Ben. In the darkness of the hut, she replayed the moment of his fall over and over, each time imagining a different outcome where she managed to hold on just a little longer. The guilt weighed heavily on her, threatening to crush her beneath its burden.

But as exhaustion finally began to overtake her, a spark of hope flickered in her chest. Tomorrow was a new day. She would resume her search for Ben at first light, combing every inch of the jungle if she had to. The thought of finding him alive gave her the strength to finally close her eyes.

As she drifted off to sleep, lulled by Rocky's gentle breathing beside her, Vera's last conscious thought was a promise to herself and to Ben. She would find him, no matter what it took. And somehow, someway, they would both make it off this island alive.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘳𝘪 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴！
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This is the final chapter for book one. This moment feels so bittersweet☹️ I am excited to announce that I will be continuing this series and the first chapter of book 2, 'Viability' will be posted on Sunday, July 21st at 3pm EST! Thank you guys sosososo much for all the praise and love this book has received. I'm so happy all of you love it and hopefully you guys will like the next one! Anyway, sure to vote this chapter, leave comments and come chat with me on my conversation board! I love you all and see you in book 2!!!

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©-CRETACEOUS , 2024