Jurassic World Chaos Theory: "Prehistoric Paradox"

S2E3: C13v3rGr186

Brooklynn POV:

Waking with a gasp, I choked back coughs, my body flaring with pain as I tried to make sense of my surroundings. My left arm throbbed unbearably, and when I touched it, I froze. Rough, scratchy bandages met my fingers. My hand was gone.

Breathing became more difficult, ragged gasps escaping me as the memory of last night clawed its way back into my mind. How could I have been so reckless? "Y/N..." The name escaped my lips, a reminder of what I'd lost.

I felt a twinge in my stomach and pressed a hand to it instinctively, the fear blooming that I might have risked more than just my arm. Before the panic could settle, soft footsteps broke the silence.

I turned toward the sound, catching sight of a woman in the kitchen, her hands in the sink. I pushed myself off the couch and approached her, feeling unsteady. "Who are you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

She turned, startled, and I flinched back. Holding up her hands, she spoke gently, "Sorry, I didn't mean to surprise you. I didn't think you'd be up so soon." Her tone was calm, almost soothing. "We met yesterday, do you remember?"

My arm pulsed with a sharp pain, and I grimaced, clutching it tightly. She sighed, her posture softening. "Memory loss can happen after trauma like this. Do you remember anything?"

My hand found the fridge, and I leaned against it, trying to piece it all together. "I was... in the woods. It was dark..." But the memories blurred and tangled, overwhelming me until my knees gave out.

She caught me as I stumbled, steadying me while I tried to shake off the dizziness. "Easy there. You lost a lot of blood," she murmured, guiding me back to the couch and tucking a pillow under my head.

"Where... where am I?" I asked, looking up at her, hoping for any grounding sense of place.

She perched on the edge of the coffee table, her expression thoughtful. "I didn't want to risk running into whoever hurt you on the way back, so I brought you here and did what I could to patch you up."

A wave of phantom pain shot up my missing arm, wrenching a whimper from my throat. The woman shifted uncomfortably, scratching her arm. "Your wound's healing well, though. You're actually the second amputation I've dealt with this week. Got a Compy out back missing a foot after a tussle," she added, trying for a light-hearted tone.

I couldn't muster a smile. My throat felt tight as I braced myself for the question I dreaded. "Did they... did they find a man? He would have had Allosaurus wounds..."

The woman straightened, her face unreadable. "They found someone covered under leaves, barely alive. I saw him loaded into an ambulance, but... I don't know if he made it."

Her gaze softened as she looked at me, sympathy shining through. "I'm sorry about your arm, and... about your husband." She paused, her voice gentler. "Try to rest."

As her words settled over me, my eyes stung, and silent tears slipped down my cheeks. I clutched my bandaged arm, my breaths shallow as exhaustion washed over me. With each blink, I drifted further into sleep, replaying everything that had led me to this moment, wondering if there was any way back.

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Flashback: Weeks Earlier

The wind whipped through my hair as I sped down the highway on my motorbike, relishing the rush of freedom. I was heading back from visiting Sammy in Texas, enjoying the open road. Stopping at a red light, I couldn't help but laugh when I saw a herd of Ankylosaurs leisurely making their way down the street, bringing traffic to a complete halt.