Surviving the Waves

Chapter 17 & 18

Chapter 17: Yaz's POV

Yaz couldn't shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong. The silence from Darius was too loud, too deliberate.
They had been through too much together for him to just vanish without a word. It wasn't like him, and that's what worried her the most.

After texting Brooklyn and Kenji, she went through her old contacts, trying to think of anyone who might know where Darius was. She even considered calling his mom, but something held her back. If Darius wasn't talking to them, there was a reason.

Her instincts, honed from years in special forces, told her that he was hiding something—something big. And the more she thought about it, the more it felt like it had something to do with dinosaurs.

"Not again," she muttered to herself, pacing around her small apartment. She'd left that life behind. The danger, the constant adrenaline—it was a part of her now, but it didn't mean she wanted to go back. Especially not after everything they'd gone through on Isla Nublar.

But for Darius? She'd drop everything in a heartbeat.

Finally, she stopped pacing and grabbed her phone, scrolling down until she found the contact she needed. It was a long shot, but if anyone had any information, it would be Dr. Turner, the scientist who had helped them during their escape from Isla Nublar. She hadn't spoken to her in years, but there was no harm in trying.

The line rang for a moment before Dr. Turner's calm, professional voice answered. "This is Dr. Turner."

"Hey, it's Yaz," she said, trying to keep the urgency out of her voice. "I need a favor. It's about Darius. Have you heard anything about... dinosaurs recently?"

There was a pause on the other end, and Yaz's heart sank as she waited for the response.

"Yaz... you know I can't talk about anything classified, but... if Darius is involved in something with dinosaurs, you're right to be concerned. I'd suggest finding him as soon as you can."

Yaz closed her eyes, her suspicions confirmed. Darius was in trouble.

"Thanks, Dr. Turner. I'll take it from here."

Without wasting another second, Yaz sent a quick text to Brooklyn and Kenji.

I think I know what's going on. Darius is involved with dinosaurs again. I'm going to find him.

Chapter 18: Brooklyn's POV

The message from Yaz hit Brooklyn like a ton of bricks.
Dinosaurs? Again?

She stared at her phone, trying to process it all. After everything they'd been through, Darius had gone back to the one thing that had nearly killed them all. She couldn't believe it—but then again, this was Darius. He had always been obsessed with dinosaurs, even after the nightmares they had all lived through. But why would he do it without telling them?

Brooklyn rubbed her temples, pushing her laptop aside. Her work didn't matter right now. None of it did. If Darius was in trouble, she had to do something.

Without thinking, she called Kenji. It only rang once before he picked up.

"Brooklyn? What's going on? I got Yaz's message."

"Kenji, it's bad," Brooklyn said, her voice tight with worry. "Darius is involved with dinosaurs again. I don't know how or why, but we need to find him."

"Are you serious?" Kenji's voice wavered with disbelief. "I thought we were done with all that."

"Yeah, me too. But Yaz thinks she knows where to start looking. We need to act fast."

Kenji was silent for a moment, and Brooklyn could almost hear the wheels turning in his head. "Alright. I'll meet up with you guys. I'm not letting him do this alone."

Brooklyn let out a breath of relief. She had expected him to be hesitant, but Kenji had grown since their time on the island. He wasn't the same carefree, spoiled kid he used to be.

"Good. I'll text you the plan once Yaz gets us more info."

As soon as the call ended, Brooklyn grabbed her gear. It was just like old times, except this time, she wasn't sure what they were up against. She only hoped they weren't too late to help Darius.