Survivors

41

We were all up and getting breakfast from the food bar. I had a waffle with strawberries and bananas on it, as well as syrup and whipped cream.

"The sun is shining, no dinosaurs are chasing us, and most importantly, breakfast is served," Sammy said, sighing.

"Feels weird to have nothing to worry about for once," Yaz said.

"Yeah, definitely. I, myself, am very relaxed," Darius agreed.

"Oh, same. I'm like... chill," Brooklynn said.

Sammy and Yaz looked at us before they left to sit at a table.

"You're not though, right?" Darius asked. "I wanna trust Kenji's dad, I... I really do but..."

"He gives off total liar vibes?" Brooklynn finished, grabbing a donut.

"Something's definitely off. I've got a gut feeling about it," I said. Sunny yipped from my legs. I set down a tiny plate of scrambled eggs. She gobbled that up quickly.

"Yeah, but we can't turn Kenji's world upside down just because of a vibe," Darius said.

"No, but what if it turns out we're right?" Brook questioned.

We stared at each other before a sudden, loud, voice startled us.

"Why so doom and gloom in here, bros and girlf?" Kenji asked as he grabbed a donut.

"Kenji!" Darius smiled.

"Morning!" Brooklynn exclaimed.

"That's the spirit! Man, am I pumped today?" Kenji questioned. "Dad actually wants my help."

Kenji grinned before grabbing a plate of food and sitting down at a table. Brooklynn, Darius, and I glanced at each other before joining Kenji at his table. When we did, I noticed he didn't have his comm on. Why?

"I'm so happy for you Kenj. So, has he mentioned anything about when we get to call home or anything like that?" Brooklynn asked.

"Well, you heard him. He just needs a few days to arrange everything safely. Plus, he's super focused on the presentation right now. You get it," Kenji said before taking a sip of his drink.

"Right! So since you brought it up, now that dino fights are off the table... what exactly is he presenting?" Darius asked.

"I'm sure he's doing something super cool with Mae's communication," Kenji answered. "We really got through to him. In fact, he even asked me to prep for the investor cocktail party He said, and I quote, 'I'd rather have you than those stupid robots.'"

"Wow, Kenji. Nice. How about I help?" Brooklynn suggested.

"Oh, sorry, B. Dad's gotta get to know you before he'll trust you with an important assignment like this. It has taken me a long time," Kenji explained before placing a hand on Brooklynn's. "But after I'm done, maybe we could hang out. Just the two of us."

"Ooh, like a date?" Darius smirked while wiggling his eyebrows at Kenji.

"Yeah, our first real date," Kenji said, smiling.

"I'd love that," Brooklynn said.

"Oh la la," I said, playfully elbowing Brooklynn.

"Perfect. I'll see everything up for my dad, and then... meet you here at sundown," Kenji said before he ran off to get to work.

"Wow, you know Kenji's really happy when he's that excited to work," Darius said.

I spotted a familiar snout peek up and sniff Darius's breakfast. Sunny then grabbed a piece of bacon from his plate.