• Night was falling fast.

The jungle had become even more dangerous in the dark.

Every rustle of leaves made someone jump. Every distant roar reminded everyone that they weren't at the top of the food chain.

After hours of hiking through mud, rain, and thick vegetation, Xavier suddenly pointed ahead.

XAVIER: "Uh... guys?"

A large opening sat between two rocky cliffs.

A cave.

Not exactly comfortable, but it was shelter.

DUNCAN: "That is the most beautiful thing I've seen all day."

TERESA: "You're calling a cave beautiful?"

DUNCAN: "Compared to being eaten? Absolutely."

The group carefully approached while Zora, you, and LeClerc checked the area first.

No tracks.

No nests.

No signs of anything living inside.

For now.

ZORA: "Looks clear."

A collective sigh of relief spread through the group as everyone shuffled inside.

The cave was surprisingly large, allowing everyone enough room to sit down and finally rest.

Henry leaned against a wall, exhausted.

HENRY: "I never thought I'd miss my office this much."

MARTIN: "If we get out of here, I'm never stepping foot near another dinosaur."

LECLERC: "That's a lie and you know it."

A few tired laughs broke through the tension.

For the first time since Bobby and Nina died, the group felt almost normal.

Almost.

You sat beside Zora near the cave entrance, both of you keeping watch over the dark jungle outside.

The moonlight barely pierced the trees.

YOU: "Think we'll make it out?"

For a moment she didn't answer.

Then she glanced at you.

ZORA: "I think we're stubborn enough to."

You couldn't help smiling.

Across the cave, Isabella had fallen asleep against Teresa's shoulder while Reuben quietly kept watch over his family. Duncan and Xavier were arguing about whose idea it had been to come near the island in the first place, while Henry tried—and failed—to get some sleep.

For the first time all day, nobody was running.

Nobody was screaming.

Nobody was dying.

Then—

A low, guttural growl echoed from somewhere outside the cave.

Everyone immediately sat upright.

Silence.

Another growl.

Closer.

Something was out there.

And it knew exactly where they were. *