I'll look after you - Benrius

𝐓𝐎𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐓

(tw;anxiety,ptsd)

The sun hung low in the sky over Isla Nublar as the campers gathered around the makeshift table in their shared living space at camp. Darius, the leader of the group, had a map of the island spread out before them, outlining their plan to navigate the treacherous terrain and avoid the dinosaurs that roamed freely.

"Alright, guys," Darius began, his finger tracing the routes they would take. "Yaz, you and Sammy will take the perimeter and make sure we're not ambushed by any Raptors. Kenji, you're on your own, handling any ground-based threats. Brooklyn and I will deal with the traps, and Ben, you're with the Pteranod.."

The room fell silent for a moment as the weight of the assignments sunk in. Darius glanced at Ben, who sat across from him, his eyes wide. Darius hesitated for a moment, realizing the gravity of what he was about to say.

"Ben," Darius continued, his tone cautious, realizing his mistake and the fact he couldnt take it back now, "you'll be with the Pteranodons."

A heavy pause settled over the group. Darius could feel the collective tension in the room as the reality of the situation sank in. He exchanged a glance with the others, and a subtle unease permeated the air.

Ben looked up, meeting Darius's eyes, and something unspoken passed between them. It was as if the group collectively held their breath, waiting for Ben's response. The room, once buzzing with the excitement of planning their adventure, now carried a somber undertone.

"Uh, yeah, sure," Ben said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Wait Ben, are you sure you don't wanna switch?" Yaz offered. "No, it's fine, really guys, I can handle the Pteranodons."

The plan continued, each member assigned their tasks, but a lingering unease settled over the group. As the meeting concluded, the campers dispersed, each mentally preparing for their role in the upcoming mission.

The campers set out with a mix of determination and anticipation. Yaz and Sammy disappeared into the dense vegetation, Kenji ventured off on his own, and Darius joined forces with Brooklyn. Meanwhile, Ben found himself on the outskirts, the weight of his assignment settling heavily on his shoulders.

As Ben approached the designated area for the Pteranodon task, his steps became hesitant. He could feel the eyes of his friends on him, their unspoken worry hanging in the air. Darius shot him a reassuring look, a silent acknowledgment of the challenge ahead.

Ben took a deep breath, convincing himself that he could handle it. "It's fine," he muttered under his breath. "Totally over it."

The sound of wingbeats reached his ears, and Ben's heart rate quickened. He turned to face the approaching Pteranodons, his past trauma clawing at the edges of his consciousness.
As the massive creatures flew by, Ben felt an unsettling mix of fear and confusion. His chest tightened, and he struggled to shake off the disconcerting sensations.

"I'm okay," Ben repeated to himself, though the words felt hollow.

Meanwhile, Darius, engrossed in his own tasks with Brooklyn, couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Brooklyn, noticing Darius's distraction, nudged him gently.

"Darius, you seem.. distracted. Everything alright?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

Darius tore his gaze away from the flying dinosaurs, his mind racing. "Yeah, just... thinking about Ben.." Brooklyn nodded, understanding dawning in her eyes. "You want to check on him?"

Darius hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, thanks Brook. I'll be right back."
As Darius made his way towards Ben, he couldn't shake the gnawing worry in his gut. Little did he know, the situation was escalating faster than anyone anticipated.