Hike

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Everett remains outdoors as he loads off firewood from the trunk of their jeep, he places them by the porch meanwhile Alice and their pet dog Rooster walk toward him. Everett and Alice had always been closer forming a stronger bond, Everett was the father figure she never had, but the one she mostly desired, someone that was into dead plants and animals that lived 65 million years ago like she is. As for Everett, he never imagined there would be such a big responsibility under his hands, but his big heart would never allow him to do otherwise. Taking in Alice and her sister was a great challenge for him and Natalie, considering none of them really knew the aspect of the family until a few years prior.

Alice then kneeled to Everetts's level while he was sorting the chunks of wood by type, she was rather lively than curious like she usually is, "So you up to something?" She asked seemingly trying to persuade Everett into doing something.

He responds with unsureness, "I don't know, why do you ask?" Trying to persuade her instead.

Without hesitation, she spills it out, "Can we please go on a hike?"

"Why was it so difficult for you to ask?" Everett steps up picking up his rifle, "Of course."

Her smile perked up she soon followed his steps by whistling to the dog, "Come on Rooster, come on."

The two head into the trail previously overtaken by nature as it wasn't used in a while or so. The woods are open with the trees being thin barely covering any shade, and the shrubs and bushes display many berries with a very little amount of edible ones, as for the animals surrounding the log cabin, there were squirrels, raccoons, and woodpeckers. As for prehistoric animals,  incursions are mostly rare since they choose not to come near civilization or fire.

The mouth of a river glissaded nearby the track, Everett and Alice stopped by it while Rooster took a sip from the water. Alice looked at Everett with a begging face, "Can we please follow the creek?"

"No." Everett responded with cattiness, "That's off tracks Alice I already told you that."

"But there's this single Elk that I saw a few days ago and I really wanted to catch a glimpse." Alice once again implored for his permission, "Please."

He took a deep inhale considering her request, saying, "Fine, but if we find the elk we have to stay far in order not to startle it, okay?"

"I know it's not like I've survived like five dinosaur encounters before." Alice sassed a bit as she purposely walked in front of Everett leaving him speechless.

Birds of unknown species soared above them landing on their respective homes the creek was soon developing into a much larger water current, there were fish swimming against the flow and chipmunks feeding on hazelnuts. Until there was a larger movement coming from closed shrubbery, Everett positions his arms in front of Alice, and they both stand down while observing the movement, Alice picks up the sheepdog covering his snout.

The supposed creature was snorting a lot of air, the leaves were moving in a frequent way. For their concern the animal appeared to be much larger than a common elk it was thick and its heavy breathing only led to them think it was a bear. Until a long-lasting neck sprouted out of the shrubs toward the river, single Magyasaurus chewing on berries and looked directly into their eyes, not even bothered by the presence of humans.

The humans were shocked but not scared as it was a herbivore they took a few steps back allowing the sauropod to fully bathe in the waters of the river. The Magyosaurus bellowed calling for its herd, another fully grown specimen, and a juvenile marched into the shores with the adult feeding on a branch full of healthy leaves.

Everett drops the rifle as he picks up a twig from a shrub he slowly approaches the juvenile. He is visibly unharmed, the young sauropod spots the berries Everett is holding walking toward him. As he holds the branch he pulls Alice closer allowing her to pat the animal. The juvenile is delighted by the fresh berries while the teenager is emotional for being able to come this close to a peaceful species.

The juvenile empties up the branch returning to his mother's protection. The Magyasaurus family returns back into the other side of the river being unbothered by the humans and not even slightly annoyed. Everett and Alice simply observe the beauty of the animals while playing with their dog.

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