Tooth and Claw

Chapter Three

I change out of my work outfit as quickly as I can as there's not much time left before I'm supposed to meet my family for dinner. I slip on a white and navy dress, some white heels, and adjust my hair that I styled before my meeting with Claire. My mom has a thing about us looking our best when we go out to eat no matter where we decide to go. We could be going to Burger King and she'd still have us dress up relatively nicely.

I look in the mirror one last time and, after deciding that I look alright, I leave my apartment and pick up Connor - who's wearing the only suit he owns - at the Velociraptor unit before returning to the hotel to pick up our parents.

"So where are we going?" Dad asks as we leave the hotel lobby.

"Jurassic Sushi down the street." I answer. "It's one of the nicest restaurants on the island."

"I'm sure it's lovely." Mom assures me as I pull the keys out of my company car and lock it. 

I shrug in response and we walk down the street from the hotel, turning left onto the main street of the island before arriving at the restaurant. We hurry inside and I tell the hostess that we need a table for five. She leads us to a table in the back, handing us each a menu. She introduces us to our waitress and we order our drinks.

"So Connor, we've heard that you have a new job on the island. Is that true?" Mom asks as the waitress walks away.

"Yes." Connor mumbles in surprise eyes wide as he turns to shoot me a glare. I roll my eyes at him.

"Well, what is it then?" Lia asks curiously as her eyes scan over the menu in her hands. "Something exciting I hope."

"Well, I didn't think we'd get into it so early, but I'm working at the velociraptor cages." Connor explains nervously. My mother gasps and the menu slips out of my dad's hands as he turns to stare at the boy sitting across from him. "I know what you're thinking, but don't worry. I don't go anywhere near the raptors, I mainly just prepare their meals, and Owen - my boss - feeds them."

The table falls into silence for quite some time before the waitress returns with our drinks and asks if we're ready to order. My father nods and looks up at her, quietly telling her what he wants to eat. I do the same once he's finished, and when we've all ordered and the waitress leaves us once again my father speaks.

"What are you thinking; working with the Velociraptors? You know those things are vicious and your mother and I specifically told you when we allowed you to work here to stay clear of them." He says sternly.

"Dad I'm an adult now, and I don't claim to know everything but I know that I'm old enough to make my own decisions. And anyway, I really barely even see the velociraptors, I swear. I wanted to tell you earlier but I was afraid you'd react this way." Connor says slowly, gulping as my mother covers her face with her hands.

"We'll talk about this later." My father says as our food is placed on the table in front of us.

*

"If it makes you feel any better, I think your new job is kind of cool." My sister says quietly to Connor as we walk back to the hotel.

"Thanks, Lia." Connor replies, hugging her from the side as we enter the lobby.

Connor and I walk our parents and little sister back to their room and Lia enters without a second thought, but my parents linger outside the door for a moment, sharing a look before they turn to Connor.

"We're sorry that we reacted the way that we did, we realize that you are old enough to make your own decisions even if we aren't comfortable with them." Dad says quickly.

"That being said, we are alright with you working at the velociraptor cage as long as you promise that you don't go anywhere near the the velociraptors yourself." Mom finishes.

"I promise." Connor says quickly, straightening up with a smile.

"All right then, we'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight." Mom says and pulls Connor and I into a hug.

"Goodnight." Connor and I echo as our mother releases us.

Our parents follow Lia into their hotel room and Connor follows me out to my company car that we both climb into. I drive us back to the employee apartment buildings and and we stay silent as we each enter our separate apartments. I walk to my kitchenette and put my leftovers into the fridge before entering my room and changing out of my dress and into some pajamas.

*

"I can't believe you're going to be a senior next year!" Connor bellows, ruffling Lia's hair. She pushes him away from her.

"I can't believe you still think it's okay to do that." Lia rolls her eyes.

"You'll always be my baby sister." Connor shrugs, though he's smirking.

"Come on you two, stop it." I say, looking back at my siblings. "Now, where should we go first?"

"I vote that we go to the Mosasaurus show first." Lia pipes up.

"The Mosasaurus show it is." I nod before leading my parents and siblings down the path that leads to the Mosasaurus tank.

AN: Hello, I hope you all had a great Christmas and that you'll have a wonderful new year! Thanks for reading!!