Survivor [Zach Mitchell]

Prologue

Hazel eyes lazily flickered towards the ceiling, his head beginning to throb from all the research he had to do.

His aunt wasn't helping either. All the orders that came out from her mouth were innumerable. God bless Owen for more patience if he was to put up with her for the rest of his life.

She seemed bothered though. Her eyes were clouded, eyebrows furrowed and her ginger hair a complete mess. Her hand always seemed to be clutching her phone as if anticipating a phone call every second of the day. It bothered him to see her that way.

But worrying about her wasn't going to make his head ache disappear.

Ed Sheeran's voice began to blast through his phone worsening the head ache that was already so painful. Zach groaned, squeezing his eyes shut in an attempt to sleep and block out the pain and the phone call from his annoyingly attached girlfriend. It had probably been the 20th one he ignored today. The first few he had answered were filled with her cries, begging him to take her back and ask him what she did wrong. God, didn't she know when to stop? Their break-up was 2 weeks ago! Or at least, that's what he thinks. In all honesty, he could care less. Their relationship was an additional problem to the life he had chosen when he told his aunt he wanted to aid her in the study of dinosaurs.

A soft sigh escaped his lips as Ed's voice suddenly stopped, relief washing over him. Hopefully she got the message this time. He had no more time for her or anyone else. Not now or not in a long time.

His eyes grow heavier with each thought, his body slowly losing consciousness as his phone rings again. This time, he doesn't ignore it on purpose. The sound doesn't reach his ears as sleep begins to take over him.

*~*

Goodbyes were always the hardest; especially the ones that makes promises of returning.

His mother kept looking him, his filled with tears as his father kept his hand on her waist, both of them creepily watching him maneuver around the kitchen for his last snack in a long while.

Karen sniffled, her husband's hand rubbing up and down her back again for the enth time today. "He'll be fine."He whispered to her causing a choked sob to escape the woman's lips. She shook her head slightly, covering her nose with the back of her hand, looking down at the floor.

Zach groaned, internally cursing his mother for the teary goodbye she always gave. He stretched his lips into a forced smile, not daring to go as far as show his teeth as he turned to face his parents.

"Mom," He said softly, opening his arms in effort to comfort his already crying mother. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down as his mother gave him a soft smile, rushing to hug him and hold him close. The teenager chuckled at his mother's affection, patting her on the back to return the gesture.

"Promise me that you'll call whenever you can."She began, burying his face on the shoulder of her son, squeezing him tight and holding him close to her. "You probably won't have much signal but I expect an update every once in awhile. Actually, I don't expect updates but I want to know if you're still alive."She continues, pulling away to look at her son before smiling at him again, nervousness clear in her features.

"Remember, don't separate yourself from your Aunt Claire or Owen. Always rely on them. Don't trust anyone else except them."She rambles, refusing to tear herself away from him, her husband slowly making his way towards her and placing his hand on her waist once more causing her to glance at him, stepping back from Zach. "And always remember that when something chases you-"

"Run." He cuts her off, offering her a small smile before she comes up to hug him again.

"I love you Zach."She whispered, earning a playful grunt from the teenager who hugged her back this time, closing his eyes and relishing the feeling of having her hug him. Who knows when that would be the last?

"I love you too Mom."He replied, breaking free from the hug before patting his father's back and heading out towards the front door where his Aunt and her boyfriend would be waiting.

"You're leaving? Really leaving?"

Zach stopped in his tracks, turning around to face the holder of the voice. Grey stood behind him, a sad look etched all over his features. Anyone who knew Zach, knew that he had one extremely soft spot. And that was reserved for his brother even if he wouldn't admit it.

The older male grimaced, not bothering to hide the hesitance as he walked towards his brother, knowing that this goodbye will be harder than the last.

"I'll be back."He said, eyeing his younger brother with that secret love he held for him. Gray frowned, darkness swirling behind those gray eyes, fear evident in them. "I'll come back." Zach repeated, his voice louder and more assuring. Yet, it felt as if he was assuring himself.

A gentle knock began to sound from the doorway, revealing Owen in khaki shorts and a blue polo shirt. He smiled softly at the two before beckoning for the older one to start wrapping up. "See you soon, Gray."He waves, nodding at the kid with a soft smile before turning around and walking away.

"I really like him."Gray remarked, watching as their aunt's boyfriend disappeared through the door. His older brother chuckled, nodding his head in agreement before turning his head back towards his brother.

"I'll miss you kiddo."He whispered softly, kneeling down to his height before wrapping his arms around him, pulling him close for a hug. "I'll miss you too, Zach."He whispered back, pulling away first. The raven haired male stood, offering the other another soft smile before turning his back on him and walking through the doorway.

The sunlight hits his eyes causing him to squint as a soft laugh reaches his ears.

"Thought you'd never come out."Claire chuckled, leaning against the car that was going to take them to the docks. Owen was seated in the driver's seat, his lips curled into a smirk as his hand tapped the horn, careful not to make a sound.

Zach rolled his eyes, making his way towards his aunt and pressing a soft kiss on her cheek before climbing into the vehicle, followed by Claire who rode in shotgun.

"I still can't believe that they found an island where dinos exist! Not genetically mutated or whatever. Real actual dinosaurs!" The woman explained earning a laugh from her companions, both amused at her eagerness. Owen grinned at her, shaking his head before starting the car, starting the journey to another Jurassic world.