Sanctuary

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The emergency call that was important enough to end the Thanksgiving dinner was being handled by the two responsible paleontologists. They drove their truck to the given location and skidded on the muddy lane. The rain started to thicken its drops and the stormy breeze only complicated everything. Everett and Natalie picked up their raincoats and flashlights as they headed into the private property that wasn't car accessible. Though it was strange to see such an emergency in such a remote and far away place from civilization, the road was not even concrete just dirt, and nature was taking over everything in the surroundings.

The thicket of the taiga was dark enough to fool whoever dared to enter such an enclosed area, the brave scientists traveled through the dirt road that could hardly be considered a path anymore considering the number of weeds and roots taking over it, though it could be noted that many vehicles had made their way to that very same location as the thick tires partially damaged the plants from such vehicles.

Everett bowed down as he lit a light on the markings left by the trucks, "Livestock most likely."

"That explains the emergency." Natalie responded with assurance as she continued to follow the path.

They had finally made their way to what seemed to be a large open area in the shape of a deformed circle. There were headlights and very little illumination nearby, the livestock truck was opened and no creature of any sort was inside. The humans present exchanged their payments to each other in a very anonymous and secretive way, the paleontologists observed utilizing their espionage abilities from past experiences.

"You let the dinosaurs escape?" One of the masked men asked as he held his weapon close to his chest while munching on gum, "That's really why you want to engage in business with us?"

The other man supposedly in a Woodward outfit replied with fear in his voice, "I swear there were four specimens, three herbivores, and one carnivore."

"Things will not end great for you if we don't find these animals." The other anonymous person pointed the gun at the ranger's forehead.

Everett then took notice of something as he observed the scenario, "Wait a second, this is the back of the state park."

"So if that guy is really a ward." Natalie began to theorize, "That means he's been getting his hands dirty behind the authorities' back."

Unexpectedly three terrified Hadrosauruses rushed out of the foliage in absolute terror after getting startled by a bolt of loud lightning. The creatures ran in circles around the area scattering sand and dust all over the place. The anonymous buyers attempted to take the creatures down by shooting after their bellows of fright. As for the game warden,  he joined in but with a real rifle this time. Natalie and Everett both came to an agreement and went into separate ways.

The largest Hadrosaur screeched as it stomped one of the buyers to their death then scurried off to the woods. Everett manages to reach the game warden first, he comes from behind and brings him out of the fight. The guard lunges at Everett attempting to punch but failing miserably, Everett then in natural instinct smacked him in the head with a rock, he wasn't a trained fighter after all. Meanwhile, Natalie found herself up in front of an injured Hadrosaur that had been shot by the buyers, she strokes the animal before digging her entire arm into the wound and pulling the bullet out, "I'm sorry baby, now off you go."

The second Hadrosaur escapes into the jungle, but unfortunately, the third one had been caught by the anonymous dealers. The creature was stuck to the ground by a net,  Everett had managed to tie the game warden to a tree as he reunited with Natalie. They give each other strange looks as they were both considerably dirty and wet for such a small occasion.

"Great." The third anonymous criminal spoke, "Now we have three assets on the run."

"One of them is supposed to be out there."  The second responded with annoyance, "That was the deal, even if it is a considerably expensive creation."

Another one looked back at them as it began to sedate the captured animal, "Is it true that it follows human command?"

"Based on the leaked research by Mantah Corp, yes." The second one responded yet again.

Natalie and Everett then popped out of the bushes aiming the ranger's gun at the criminals, "This ends now." Natalie spoke, "Set the animal free and we leave as if nothing ever happened."

The first dealer ironized their situation supposedly calling them stupid, "You're so naive to think things would actually go your way."

Everett then gave them a reasonable response, "They're going exactly as we expected so far."

"Not really." The second one began, "You two actually fell for this just as we expected."

Suddenly the paleontologists were grabbed from behind and they were knocked unconscious by a piece of fabric. Whatever happens to them is a mystery, but what could truly concern them is the fact that this is a coordinated plan. The truck takes off with the dinosaur and the captive humans to who knows where.


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