Inevitable // Zach Mitchell // [2]

Chapter One

Three years. That's 1095 days since myself and my brother Owen were forced to leave our home on the outskirts of Jurassic World on Isla Nublar.

It's not Jurassic World anymore. It's just a failed theme park with the body count to prove it. Now the dinosaurs just wander freely within the park and across the whole island.

The fact that they can do that now makes me both happy and sad. It's good because they are somewhat free and have no boundaries. However, it's bad because the once dormant volcano on the island has become active again and it's only a matter of time before it erupts.

I think about that way too often. Owen thinks about it hardly ever. Leaving Blue on the island broke his heart. He'd never admit it but I can tell. I can read him like a book.

"Why do you feel the need to ignore the fact that our favorite place is going to be destroyed?" I lament while staring out the window of my brothers truck as he drives down the highway.

"It's not my favorite place Dani, it's yours." My brother Owen replies sternly.

"What are you talking about?! The bungalow was the only place you were ever truly happy! It was our home!" I shout while turning to face him.

Owen exhales loudly through his nostrils and pulls the truck over. "Where we live does not define our home okay? We are lucky to still be alive, to still have each other! You're the only family I got kid so my apologies for being glad that you are safe."

I didn't respond so he just continued to drive.

Owen and I have been having the same argument on and off for like a year and a half now. After he and Claire broke up he became almost insufferable because all of his attention could be back on me.

I've been at college for almost a year now studying archaeology. It's weird being back in a structured learning environment after being homeschooled for so long.

A downside of college is that I have to see Zach almost everyday. Oh Zach Mitchell. What a whirlwind. We dated steadily for almost two years after meeting and literally falling for each other at Jurassic World.

However once Zach and I got to college, he got so swept up and obsessed with his computer science buddies that he hardly paid any attention to me. I tried to brush it off so I wouldn't be labeled as one of those girls who turns into a psycho when their boyfriend doesn't spend any time with them, but then one day when I went to surprise him after his study group I walked in on him and a girl from one of his classes making out while drunk in the library.

He broke my heart. It was a big deal for me to let him in and show him every side of me. I have a hard time opening up to people so for him to just destroy our entire relationship like that was the worst. I felt so used, like all those nights we stayed up talking about everything and anything meant nothing; like me saying "I love you" for the first time meant nothing to him, despite the fact he said it back and it made me feel like the happiest girl in the world and that nothing bad could ever happen. I guess I was wrong.

When Owen found out what happened between us he wanted to go into 'ultra protective big brother mode' and beat him up but I assured him that it wasn't worth it. Although Owen still swears that if he ever sees Zach again, he'll have to "take action", whatever that means.

This semester I've been studying from home because I've been interning with Claire Dearing. I'm literally working as an intern for my brothers ex-girlfriend, who is also my ex-boyfriends aunt; such fun.

Claire is advocating that the dinosaurs who are still stranded on Isla Nublar have rights and should be helped in any way possible; Considering the volcano could literally erupt any day now. I completely agree with what Claire is doing so when I asked if I could help out she was delighted.

That's actually where Owen is driving me now. I spend almost 9 hours a day in Claire's office working my ass off to make sure that those dinosaurs don't become extinct again.

I clamber out of the truck and mutter somewhat of a "bye" to my brother.

He chuckles, not wanting to hold onto our argument from earlier. "I'll see you later kid, okay?"

I nod in response.

"Love ya?" He says with eyebrows raised like he's asking me a question.

My poker face finally breaks and I smile "Love you too". I laugh "Even though you're a loser".

He places his hand on his heart and drives away while I walk into the office building.

Bring on another day of trying to stop the dinosaurs from being destroyed.

•

When I walk into the office I am met with absolute chaos. My friend Zia is screaming down the phone to what must be a male politician because she is rolling her eyes constantly; and my friend Franklin has his head buried in his computer, as usual.

I consider both Zia and Franklin to be my best friends. They are literally like my support system. They know all my deepest darkest secrets and I know theirs. We have even referred to ourselves as the 'dino trio' on occasion. It's cringe but we don't really care.

"Sup guys" I shout over the noise.

Franklin just groans and Zia mimes stabbing herself in the eye with a pen.

"One of those days huh?" I laugh while glancing around the rest of the office. "Hey where's Claire? She's usually the first one here in the mornings."

Franklin lifts his head up from his computer keyboard, "She got called to a meeting on the Lockwood estate."

My eyes widen "As in Benjamin Lockwood? The best friend of 'daddy of all dinosaurs' John Hammond?!"

"The very same" Zia replies after slamming the phone down on her desk.

I'm both in shock and excited at the same time "That's insane! I wonder what he wants?"

As if on cue, Claire bursts into the office, "We are going to save the dinosaurs! For real this time! Benjamin Lockwood is planning a rescue mission to save them and transport them to their own safe island where they can finally be happy and free!"

Everyone jumps up and starts hugging each other. This is the best news we have heard in months!

I run over to Claire, "This is amazing! I can't believe he would do that for them!"

She pulls me into a hug. "It's great isn't it! However there is one thing... we need you and your brother to come with us."

I'm stunned. I've always wanted to go back but I never believed it would actually happen, and now I'm not sure if I want to go back.

"It's just that Owen and you practically raised Blue, and you know the island better than anyone else thanks to your constant wandering and snooping around as a kid." Claire says while smiling sincerely.

"You're gonna have to be the one to talk to Owen though, he won't hear it from me." I say seriously.

Claire hesitates but then nods "Fine. But can I at least count on you Dani? My favorite Grady?"

I bite my lip "I guess I'll tag along."

Claire throws her hands in the air with joy and even starts to do some sort of happy dance.

I throw my head back in laughter but my joy is cut short when I hear a familiar voice.

"Can I tag along too?"

There he is standing in the doorway.

Zach freaking Mitchell.