𝗩𝗜𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 》𝘽𝙚𝙣 𝙋𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙪𝙨 ✓ [𝟐]

────── 𝟬𝟰

(ignore that theres no gif😭)

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿;
𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀

The first rays of dawn were just beginning to paint the sky when Ben stirred awake. True to his word, he was up early, ready to start their important day. As he emerged from the shelter, rubbing sleep from his eyes, he was surprised to see Vera already up and about. She sat by the river, her silhouette stark against the misty morning light.

"Morning," Ben called out, his voice still slightly rough from sleep as he approached her.

Vera didn't turn, her gaze fixed on the gently flowing water. "Hey," she replied, her tone subdued.

Ben settled beside her, noticing the distant look in her eyes. "Something on your mind?" he probed gently, concerned by her uncharacteristic quietness.

"Nothing, just observing the ambience," Vera deflected, her fingers absently tracing patterns in the damp earth. After a moment, she straightened up, wincing slightly as she put weight on her injured ankle. "We should get going."

Ben could sense something was off, but decided not to push. Instead, he insisted Vera ride on Rocky's back to spare her ankle. As they set off towards Main Street, the jungle slowly came alive around them. Birds called from the canopy, and unseen creatures rustled in the underbrush.

As they traveled, Vera's mind wandered. The rhythmic sway of Rocky's gait lulled her into a trance-like state, her thoughts drifting far from their current predicament.

"Vera, did you hear me?" Ben's voice cut through her reverie. She blinked, focusing on his concerned face. "I said Main Street is just up ahead."

"Sorry, yeah, I heard you," Vera replied, shaking off her distraction.

They continued along the overgrown trail, the remnants of the park's infrastructure becoming more frequent. Suddenly, a acrid scent caught Vera's attention. She looked up, spotting wisps of grey against the blue sky. "Is that-?"

"Smoke," Ben confirmed, his body tensing. "Stay low and stay quiet. We don't know who that is and whether they pose a threat."

As if on cue, Bumpy let out a low bellow, her head lowered to the ground. Ben approached cautiously, bending down to retrieve a glinting object - a butterknife, its metal dulled by exposure but still recognizable.

Before they could discuss this find, muffled whispers reached their ears. Ben and Vera exchanged a glance before creeping towards a dense patch of foliage. They crouched low, straining to hear the conversation beyond.

"It's not as dire as you think, babe," a male voice whispered, barely audible.

A female voice responded, tension evident in her tone. "Really? 'Cause I think it's super dire, Mitch!"

The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a third person. "Hap! Just the man we wanted to see," the man identified as Mitch called out. "Where are the kids?"

"Still in the bathroom yurt. The chatty Internet one is getting suspicious," Hap replied, his voice gruff.

"Hap, buddy, relax. We've got a plan and we'll fill you in later. Let's just go back before they realize we're gone," Mitch said. The sound of retreating footsteps followed.

Ben and Vera turned to each other, their eyes wide with the same realization - their friends were still here, and in danger. Without a word, they knew what they had to do.

"Let's go, Rocky," Vera said, clambering onto the Ankylosaurus's back. The odd group raced through the forest, dodging low-hanging branches and leaping over fallen logs. As they neared their destination, they slowed, hearing voices once again.

"I told you to stay put!" Hap's angry shout rang out. Peering through the foliage, they saw Brooklynn and Kenji cornered against a large boulder, Hap advancing on them with a weapon in hand. "You have no idea who you're dealing—"

"Now!" Ben whispered urgently. In a flash, they burst from their hiding spot. Ben and Vera tackled Hap, catching him completely off guard. The man went down hard, his weapon skittering across the ground. Bumpy and Rocky lumbered into view, their massive forms adding to the shock of their sudden appearance.

"Ben?" Kenji gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Vera?" Brooklynn echoed, equally stunned.

Ben couldn't resist a smirk. "What? You've never seen a ghost before?"

"Hi guys," Vera added with a sheepish wave, the gravity of the situation momentarily overshadowed by the joy of reunion.

As the shock began to wear off, the reality of their predicament set in. They had found their friends, but they were far from safe.

𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘳𝘪 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴！
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Hope you enjoyed!! Sorry this chapter wasn't the longest but these past few chapters has been my first time ever writing without dialogue to go after so it might be a bit wonky. Also I just realized but I've never clarified that Vera's hair is dyed. Its not fully dyed but she has peekaboos and they're a lavender color.

similar to this but in a shade like this

Anyways there's not much to say but be sure to vote please do it helps boost my story and also feel free to comment! (don't be a ghost reader)

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©-CRETACEOUS , 2024