Tooth and Claw

Chapter Five

"So what has been the best part about working at Jurassic World apart from the dinosaurs?" Lia asks, notepad in hand as my cat, Star lays in her lap, desperate for attention. I have to pause and think a moment before the answer comes to me.

"I'd say it's the opportunity to see and be a part of the joy that the park brings to its visitors."

"Wow." Lia whispers, smiling to herself as she records what I've said.

After about twenty minutes of asking and answering questions Lia packs away her notepad. We quickly grab something to eat from my cramped kitchen in the apartment before heading back outside in search of other employees to interview.

"Can we go talk to Alycia? Doesn't she announce the T Rex show?" Lia asks.

"Sure. Yeah, she helps out in the Aviary sometimes too. She's pretty cool, huh?" I smile.

"I guess." Lia shrugs, trying to hide a smile. "I didn't want to be left behind with her but she was actually really fun."

"Alright then, let's go talk to her." I shake my head and smiling down at my stubborn little sister.

We choose to walk down to the T-Rex show instead of drive and I buy us each a cupcake from a cart to eat on the way. Upon arriving we decide to watch the show first as we'd have to wait for the show to be over to talk to Alycia anyway. Rexy does a few small tricks in exchange for food and Alycia's voice lists off a number of facts about the creature while it wanders around it's enclosure, clawing at rocks and minding it's own business. When the show is over I take Lia back into the employee lounge and she gets her interview with Alycia, who is happy to talk to her about her many odd jobs around the park.

"well, Lia, it's been nice talking with you again but we've got another show to get ready for back her so I'd probably get back to work." Alycia smiles gently, patting Lia on the shoulder as she begins to pack away her notebook and pencils.

"Thank you for your time." Lia nods understandingly.

We leave the T-Rex exhibit just as the next show begins and walk back to main street together. Lia interviews willing employees and visitors as we walk around, riding an occasional ride and talking. By the end of the day, Lia has more than enough interviews finished for her project but she doesn't seem to intend to stop there.

"Do you think that I'll be able to interview lots more people with Connor tomorrow?" Lia asks excitedly as I close my apartment door behind her.

"I mean, it's not like you really need them any more, but yeah. It's likely." I shrug, changing out of my clothes and into a pair of soft pajamas.

"Yeah but it's fun. Plus I may get extra credit." She chirps back happily in reply.

"Whatever floats your boat." I shrug. "It's time for bed now,  though. The faster you get to sleep the faster you can get more interviews done tomorrow."

"You're right!" Lia grins excitedly, brushing her teeth with new excitement.

We finish getting ready for bed and she cuddles up on the couch while I crawl onto my small twin mattress and pull the blankets over me. I'd share the bed but there's hardly room for me in it, let alone another person. I turn out the lamp beside my bed and fall asleep quickly as I rest my head against the pillow.

*

"Alright, have you got your bag?" I ask, pulling the corners of of my comforter back up to the top of my bed and pulling a fresh leather vest on over my shirt for work.

"Yep." Lia nods, turning to show me the bag hanging off of her shoulder.

"Ok, Connor just texted me and he's down in the lobby." I say, lifting my own bag over my shoulder.

"What are we waiting for then? Let's get out the door!" Lia instructs enthusiastically.

"Yes, ma'am." I salute playfully, and with that we march out the door to the elevator and down to the lobby where Connor is waiting. I  pat my brother on the back as he begins to leave with Lia. "Take good care of her."

"Don't worry, I will." Connor crosses his heart with one finger and rolls his eyes when he thinks I'm not looking.

"Have fun you two, don't get into too much trouble." I call after the pair before walking out of the apartment building and climbing into my company car.

I drive in silence to the aviary and wave to Jax as I head down to rein in the animals before the show. I strap a small saddle onto Ari's back and slip on the hard lining beneath my vest that will protect me when Ari bites down on me in the air. I arrange the other Pterasaurs and strategically place a few packets of fake blood in my vest and belt. I can hear Jax starting the show, announcing the animals as the large door slowly opens in front of us. I hurry to jump onto Ari's back and put on my best smile as I give the ok for the creatures to take off into the sky.

*

"I'm going to make a run down to Starbucks, anybody want anything?" I ask as I walk into the employee lounge in the back of the aviary. There's about fifteen minutes left until our next show starts and I am dying for an iced coffee.

"I'll take a tall vanilla bean frappuccino!" Jax calls out, holding a ten dollar bill in the air for me to take.

"Got it." I nod, taking the money. "Anything else?"

"I'm good." Madi, our manager shrugs.

"Alright, I'll be right back." I call over my shoulder before taking the elevator down to the ground floor and walking back to main street. I wait in line for a few minutes before finally reaching the counter. "Hi, I'll take a medium vanilla bean fra-"

I bite my tongue as I look up and realize it's Lia who's running the counter. I glance around for a moment, looking for any sign of Connor but he's nowhere to be seen.

"What are you doing working here? Where's Connor?" I ask, still staring at her in shock.

"Uh... he got called back to work with the velocirapters because of an escaped pig, so he said I could stay and work here for a while. The barista said it was ok, she needed the help anyway." Lia explains hurriedly, raising her hands in the air innocently.

"He left you for a pig?" I ask incredulously.

"He left me a walkie-talkie, just in case." she says, lifing the object to show me.

"Listen. I have to get back to work so I can't deal with this right now but when Connor gets back tell him he's dead." I sigh. "Now... I need a tall vanilla bean frappuccino and a grande iced coffee with a splash of milk."