Escaped Hunters

Prologue

"Hey, Lain. Are you done with the pictures?" Shane, Lainey's father walk to his only daughter who's eyes glued to the computer. "Almost. I just need to print it." Lainey looks up to her father from the computer. Shane place a kiss on top her head as Lainey press the print button and the pictures start coming out from the printer.

Shane grabs the first picture and observe it intensively. Few minutes later, he smile triumphantly at the picture and his daughter. He ruffles Lainey's hair on purpose. Lainey stop typing at the computer. "Dad! Why'd you do that?!" Lainey whines then giggles.

"Because, one, the pictures come out pretty good and two, can't I mess around with my own daughter?" Shane said, Lainey fix her hair and type on the computer again.

"Dr.Blake! We found something!" Will, one of the diggers walks in the tent. "Alright thanks Will. Be there in a flash." Shane reply and Will left the tent.

Shane and Lainey leave the tent and walk together where Will are. "We found a fossil, sir." Lainey kneel down and brush the sands away with a toothbrush and blow the sands away. She lightly touch the fossil. "More bones, sweet!" Shane kneel down next to Lainey. "Is this what I think it is? A full fossil of a troodon?" Shane look at the whole fossil.

"Well based on your research and my rough observation, I think it is." Lainey start snapping pictures from her camera that is slung around her neck. "Impressive." Shane smile but then sigh. "I hope we'll get more money for this."
Lainey stop taking pictures.

"Dad." Lainey starts. "I know we're running low on budget but I gain money from working at the zoo. And the budget will likely to last for maybe 4 months. We'll find a way to earn more money." Lainey hold her father's hand.

Shane looks straight to Lainey's blue eyes. "Lainey, you should have fun like those other teens. You shouldn't work at the zoo as a trainer for this stuff and you just turn 15 yesterday and so young. I should be the one who's looking money for our daily needs not you." Lainey smile at Shane. "Its okay Dad really I mean it. Someday I'll be working too so why not start now to gather experience. Besides working with the animals are kinda fun and we're in this together and I don't like the idea leaving you alone forever, Dad. Following you at the dig sites is our father-daughter bonding time."

Shane chuckles. "You really remind me of your Mum, Lainey." He look at his daughter who resembles a bit from his late wife, Leanne who died 10 years ago in Afghanistan.

10 years ago...
Shane impatiently tap his foot on the floor and start pacing back and forth while holding his phone tightly, waiting for Leanne to call. Leanne promised to Shane. Leanne and the U.S Army fly to Afghanistan 6 months ago leaving Shane and Lainey, their 5 year old daughter behind.

Since then, they used most of their past times, contacting each other from miles away that are filled with Lainey's giggling and laughing during their video call or Shane and Lainey's whining when will Leanne will go back home to their arms as a family on the phone and Leanne will said 'I'll be back home,just wait Mummy.'

Sometimes, Shane and Leanne will talk alone on the phone when Lainey is asleep or occupied with the tv. Shane will tell Leanne about his job and their little Lainey and Leanne laugh at her husband's excitement on the phone. Leanne made Shane promised to her to wait her call and forced him not to call her first and Shane gave in.

But this time, Leanne didn't call Shane today.In fact,its been yesterday since they talk. Shaking off the bad feeling about Leanne, Shane quietly walk to Lainey's bedroom.

Shane peek through the door and let out a relief sigh at the sight of Lainey already asleep on the bed with an opened book on her face. Shane lift the book from her face and Lainey sleepily open her eyes. "Daddy?" She whisper. Shane sat on the edge of her bed as he ran his hand through her brown hair. "Hi, baby, sorry if Daddy wake you. What are you reading?" Lainey lay her head on Shane's lap. "I'm reading a book Mummy gave me. She told me to read when I get older. I only read the words I understand." Shane grab the book. He flip to the first page filled with Leanne's writing.
I love you forever my baby Lainey and be a wonderful woman one day.
With love,
Your Mummy,
Leanne Blake.
Shane kept reading the part over and over again. "Daddy, when will Mummy come home?" Lainey suddenly ask. "In few days,Lain." Shane said. "What did Mummy do?" Lainey stare at the ceiling. "Well Mummy save people's lives." Shane answer. "I wanna be like Mummy." Shane frown. "Don't you want to be like Daddy digging bones?" Lainey scratch her neck. "I don't know Daddy but I like your jobs. "Shane smile at her. "I'm just joking, you'll know what you want one day. "Suddenly, Shane's phone start ringing. "Daddy has to take this, I'll be back, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy."

Shane close the door and quickly answer the phone call. "Hello?"
"Is this Shane Blake, husband of Leanne Blake?"

"Yes, its him, is there something wrong with Leanne?"

"I sorry to say this, but Leanne Blake died due to extreme blood loss."

"Are you lying to me?"

"No, I'm not sir. You see the bomb hit where Leanne and the other paramedics give medical treatments to the injured soldiers. Leanne protect her patient and died while the paramedics tried to keep her alive. I'm sorry for your loss."

Shane fight the tears threatens to fall from his eyes as he took a deep breath.

"Can you fly out her body here?"

"Already with it sir. Would you like us to bring her personal belongings as well?"

"Yes, please."

"She will be remembered by the country and the U.S Army for an outstanding service. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you. Have a pleasant night." Shane hangs up.

"Daddy?"

Shane turn around and saw his daughter looking at him. "Why are your eyes are red and watery?" Shane kneel to her height and hug Lainey as he finally let tears out. "Mummy went to a different place." Shane tried his best to explain his daughter about Leanne.

"Where?"

"Heaven."

"You mean Mummy pass away?" Lainey's lips start quivering. "Yes baby ,but now she is up there on the clouds watching us." Shane wipes Lainey's cheeks. Lainey nod and wrap her arms around Shane's neck as more tears falling on her cheeks.

That day, Shane promised to himself he'll protect Lainey no matter how dangerous it can be. "Promise to me, Honey that you'll take care of her and I love you both to the moon and back." Leanne's last word before she left to Afghanistan kept ringing on his mind.

His promises are:
1)be a famous paleontologist
2)be there for Lainey forever

"Dad? Dad!! You okay?" Lainey snap her finger in front of Shane's face. Shane blinks a few times before pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yeah I'm fine, just thinking about your Mum."

"I miss her too, Dad."

"I know Lain, now what were you saying just now?"

"Do you want to continue digging the troodon fossil?"

"Yeah, we're in this together Lainey." Shane said.

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So what da ya think? Read more and I hope you enjoy reading my story.

P.S,
In my story of the first incident happen in 2001(supposed to be the third one) because the real one there this wayyyyy big gap so I make it short a bit.

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1st-2001
2nd-2008
3rd-2015