IX

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Even from farther distance, hot breath reached Jane's bare back and woke goosebumps on her whole body, because these heavy footsteps behind her scream danger.

As slow and quick as possible, Jane turned them around and with Danny backed to her group between Owen and Alan, feeling her heart race fastening.

"Don't move." Three voices mixed into one short sentence, Jane's best friend and uncle saying in unison with her while all of them kept their eyes trained on the approaching large carnivore. You gotta be kidding me!

"What's that?"

"Giganotosaurus." Alan gave answer to Ellie and others that didn't recognize this specie.

"Biggest asshole carnivore the world has ever seen." Jane add information, Inza flashing through her mind and mix of species she was created of. The cause of her large form was this motherfucker's DNA.

She can feel Danny's grip on her arm turning deadly, fear hugging the boy like cold blanket about to suffocate him. Whatever is about to happen, there won't be a scratch on him and Jane's gonna make sure of that, beginning with pushing him behind her, away from Giganotosaurus' sight.

"Why it seems he's glaring at Auntie Jane?" A question drop, all of them trying to pin point at who exactly is the dinosaur staring with such intenze glare it makes you shiver in fear.

"I did not need to know that, Maisie." If she could, Jane'd give her adopted niece unamused look, instead she never slipped her gaze anywhere else than the large creature. She hates this eye contact, unlike with other dinosaurs. It seems this one doesn't like her scent very much. What's his problem?!

Growl vibrates from his throat before a weaker roar follow. He moves forward, causing the group of people run behind the flipped car and use it as cover, not like it's much helpful.

That bastard slowly circle after them, stressing Jane. Due to her being at the very end, closest to him, she pushes Danny into Owen's hold, farther from carnivore's reach. His and others' safety is her first priority.

"Go, go." Ian whisper-yelled to those at the front, rushing them to move so him and Jane can as well. Even after they did, the two knew Giganotosaurus is too close for them to run and they climbed through windows into the car, barely avoiding the dinosaur's giant foot.

Others ran for the ladder, finding the tower as their only shelter that can help them at the moment.

Danny feel the absence of certain person and looked back in search for her, if it wasn't for Ellie pulling him away from danger lurking behind them, causing him to whine in protest.

"Come on!" Kayla, who already got at the top, yelled, arm outstreched down in attempt to grab climbing Maisie and help her up.

Giganotosaurus lunged at Maisie, startling the frightened girl by enclosing his massive jaw around cage — Maise's only protection from getting eaten straight away. Her scream put her parents and others in state of panic and worry.

"Hustle!" Kayla called for Maisie to continue climbing, but Maisie is too scared to do anything else than stay frozen and let the tears stream down her face.

"Climb, kid! Climb!" Owen encouraged his daughter, holding onto his trashing worried sick wife. They finally got her back, they can't lose her again!

"I'm gonna die!"

"You're not! You're not! You're okay!" Kayla continued trying to reassure the poor girl, even though she's failing miserably.

Giganotosaurus suddenly tore the cage off and Maisie forced herself to snap out of her fright trance, quickly climbing up and grabbing Kayla's outstreched hand.

By the time Giganotosaurus unstuck the metal from his jaw, everyone managed to climb up, however, can only stay on the catwalk until they break the glass and get inside.

But the prick got in their way again, his snout dangerously too close to Claire, Maisie, Danny and Ellie. Claire ignored the gag that wanted out at the smell of his breath, wrapping her arms around her daughter while Ellie covered the boy's head, letting him burry his face in her side.

"Hey, you colossal fossil!" A famous female voice break through air filled with smoke caused by fire, grabbing Giganotosaurus' and others' attention.

"Yeah, that's right. Come on." Ian muttered to no one in particular, one of the burning bugs held pierced by branch in his hands.

The dinosaur glared at the woman standing next to Ian, her powerful scent irking his nostrils and once again wake jealousness in him. He's the biggest and mighest, a pathetic human like her can't be better than him!

He opened his jaw for roar, not expecting to have Ian throw his makeshift weapon into his mouth. Nonetheless, it distracted him long enough, giving the two time to dart for ladder and climb up after others.

Out of fear Jane didn't dare slow down, resembling in her foot slipping and almost fall, has it not been for hand grabbing hers in time.

"Got ya!" Small smile broke into her lips, grateful her uncle has such good reflexes, otherwise she'd be back down and easy victim. After helping her up, they ran after others that are already inside.

And, just like before, the prick slowed them down again, his teeth breaking the catwalk under the two best friends' feet. Owen grunted, having to hold up his own and Jane's weight with only one arm, the other keeping her from falling straight on Giganotosaurus.

"Why you gotta be so heavy?!" He groaned through grit teeth, muscles screaming for break as he pulls them both up.

"Excuse me?!" There's no room for response but their only chance to jump inside, the two landing on each other. Finally.

"I am not heavy." Jane hissed at the guy spread across her, panting for air. She don't remember doing this much action in one day. At Isla Nublar sure, but that's been years.

"Sorry, Sweetcheeks." With roll of eyes she pushed him off her and looked up at their group. She visibly relaxed, seeing Danny is nothing but traumatized, but at least no injury and that put her at ease, flashing him assuring smile.

Danny isn't yet capable to give one back, unable to snap from the shock Giganotosaurus' attack left him in. Noticing something behind Jane, his eyes widen.

"Watch out!" But Claire's warning call reached their ears too late, the dinosaur's head already breaking the windows and attempt eat atleast one of them.

Owen was lucky enough to scramble out of way in time, however, his best friend unfortunately wasn't. Giganotosaurus' razors grabbed the back of Jane's tank top, snatching her back.

"No!" Calls from her friends and family did no help, shock, worry and fear keeping them glued in their spot and only watch as Jane is trashed around, slammed against everything that comes in contact.

Grabbing a gun, Kayla fired sleeping darts at the dinosaur, but what got him to finally release the poor woman was electric in his eye, Claire electrifying him while making sure he won't catch her anyhow. Jane's numb body collapsed on the floor.

"MAMA!" Everyone are in too much shock, too much adrenaline to realize what Danny said, him also being the first one to drop by her limp figure. Tears stream down his face faster than waterfall, hopelessly shaking with Jane yet getting no response.

Why isn't she waking up?! Please, wake up!, Danny thought.

But once Alan dropped on his knees by them and turned his niece face up, they see her face scrunching in pain from getting slammed into everything. For sure bruises will stain her skin later on.

"Ow. That hurt like hell." Jane complained, leaning into her uncle. All of them sigh out breath of relief, glad serious damage wasn't done to her. It's the latest they need in this situation which is far from end.

"Jesus Christ, you scared me." Alan cradled his niece, hand caressing her hair. He'd never forgive himself if something heppend to her. Finally they're back together and he just saw her near death, no way he wanna know how many times she appeared in similar situation of his absence.

Jane groan at another body colliding with her but wrapped her arms back around Danny's thinnier form, hugging the scared boy close to her. The blame she feel for taking him off Malta and have him experience a danger she already got used to years ago weights her, but then again, Malta isn't any much safer, especially when he has no parent to keep him safe.

Wait. Parent. Didn't he just call her 'Mama'?

Her ears are either playing tricks on her or in real he called her like that. How come so?

"Hey, hey, it's okay. I'm alright. I'm not going anywhere." Gentle voice whispered into Danny's ear, comforting the boy. Either way he didn't let go, only tighten his grip around the woman that's been taking care of him since morning.

Others shared smile among themself from the sight in front of them: Uncle that's more of like dad, niece more of like daughter and almost her child, all huddled to each other. Grants were never cuter than now.

"As much as heart-touching this is, I suggest we move on before anything else comes in." Just like before, Ian cut into their short-lived moment. Nonetheless he's right, there's much more out there lurking in darkness and can bother them like Giganotosaurus did.

"You suggest right, Ian." Alan helped his niece back onto her feet with Danny no longer hugging her but instead holding onto her hand, just for some comfort contact.

The cloth covering her top part of body suddenly feel loose on her and her eyes widen in realization. The fabric is too thin to survive Giganotosaurus' teeth, ending up tored and revealing her bare back, coldness sending chills down her spine. Unfortunately, her stupid ass refused to put on bra and now her only cover is this useless cloth. Great.

"Hey! Eyes off!" Danny yelled at Ian and Kayla staring at Jane's covered private area, waving his arms and standing in their view. The two raised their hands in defense, cracking amused smile on Grant's face.

Jane looked for something, anything she can use for exchange of her destroyed tank top or at least tie it in the back. This place is full of things yet nothing she can use, dammit!

"Here, put it on." Kayla approached with her jacket held out for Jane to take, but she only shook her head.

"Don't you dare protest. Put it on before you drive me crazy." Kayla pierced the woman with stern gaze and with reddened cheeks Jane took the jacket from her, slidding it onto her arms and zipping in front, what used to be tank top long gone in corner.

"Thank you." Is the only Jane can bring herself to say and Kayla smirk.

"Anyting for pretty lady like you, Treasure." After sending her a wink, Kayla walked off, leaving Jane to stand there blushing and her uncle looking between the two woman.

"You're a lesbian?" His finger pointed at her and the way Kayla disappeared, dumbfounded. Jane shrugged.

"Maybe?" She, too, walked off to sit somewhere, the bruises Giganotosaurus left her with beginning to form slowly and weaken her. So far her interest grew only in women, like Zia and newly Kayla. When it came to men, only long-haired ones ended up with honest word 'smash' from her, and like Owen always described, they looked like girls. Most of them.

While others looked around for supplies they can use, Jane leaned against boxes, taking a moment to rest. Fucking Giganotosaurus. Everything hurts. He smashed her into and against everything possible she can't even remember. Her mind, though, got occupied with Danny calling her 'Mama'. He knows her not even one full day and already used this word on her? What lead him to say that?

"Hey, you good?" A hand is placed on Jane's shoulder and she meet caring eyes of the woman she know her uncle loves.

"Yeah." Her head moves in nod. Danny comes running with grin plastered on his face, holding a bottle and crouch down next to Jane, handing it to her.

"Where did you get this?" She asked, gesturing to the bottle.

"Owen found it in the back." Just then Owen walked up to them, handing Ellie and Alan two more bottles. Oh.

"Oh, thanks."

"I'm Owen Grady. Big fan. I don't know if you remember me." Jane can't help but snort to herself, watching the interaction between her uncle and best friend.

They may have the closest and longest relationship, however, Owen didn't get to meet Alan as often as people think. They lived so far from each other, only hanging out together through school days when she was sleeping over at her grandparents' place, they are dead now btw, and had the luck to meet Alan only few times, though he was way younger and changed a lot since then.

"Owen Grady. Owen Grady. Yeah, I know who you are. Jay's best friend. Trainer of the raptors." Alan puzzled two and two together, young boy's face popping in his head.

"I tried to be. Yeah." Owen chuckled, replying years back with the girls and how it ended.

"Man, you've grown up. Age had a big impact on you." Smirking to herself, Jane stood up from her spot and dragged her feet around the table to stand next to Owen, arms crossed on her chest.

"As it had on you, Uncle." She winked over Alan's shoulder at Danny, who giggled at the meaning of her words. Her uncle shoot her offended look.

"Now, don't be rude." A giggle of her own comes out. Ellie point at Owen, looking between the two.

"You were at the Jurassic World with Jane."

"Jurassic World? Not a fan." Ian spoke up, crease between his eyebrows at the thought of Jurassic World, not to say Jurassic Park.

"You aren't fan of any Jurassic, Ian." Jane pep in, unfolding her arms and turning to him. The greyish man in black pointed at her.

"Correct, Mini Grant. And yet you tangled into both of them." The only she can reply with is shrug of shoulders with eye roll.

More than those, Lockwood Manor as well, but she didn't mention that one out loud. Instead, she joined others by looking around in search of maybe bullets to her gun or something. Or at least food. She didn't eat since yesterday evening.

"Jane! Jane! Look what I found!" Jane's heart skipped a beat when Danny came running with grenade in his hands, grinning teeth at her.

"Yeah. Good job, Danny. I will take that, thank you very much." Quickly she took it from him, making sure the safety ring won't be pulled and they blow up right on spot. Actually, when she think about it now, it can be useful for later, and so it went into her pocket. "Found something else?"

"Nope." The kid shook his head, popping out 'p'. Then he pointed at her gun strapped to her thigh.

"Will you ever teach me how to shoot?" It forced Jane to pause in her steps, not because what he wants from her but when. He hopes she will keep him with herself? Her mouth opened for words to come out, if it wasn't for Kayla dropping from ladder and asking everyone in the room.

"Okay. So, we good to find a way out of here?"

"Yup." She's answered by Owen passing her, gun thrown over his shoulder.

"Let's get it. There's helicopter out in the main complex. We turn the ADS back on, we go home." Kayla grabbed a flashlight, stopping next to Ian.

"Wait. What's an ADS?"

"Aerial Deterrent System." Seeing Ellie is still confused, the black-skinned woman explained further. "You know? For the pterodactyls and shit. Keeps them away from the helicopters."

"How do we turn it back on?" Maisie walked up to her parents checking the map of Biosyn, hoping for an answer they can go with.

"It looks like all the systems run through to the control room, which is on the third floor." Claire explained and Owen added.

"These outposts are all connected underground." Jane sighed from her spot, rubbing her dirty face tiredly. She need vacation.

Owen and Alan pushed open door leading downstairs into what they can only guess are underground tunnels. One by one they began climbing down the ladder, until was left only Jane and Owen.

"Ladies first." Her hand gestured down into the darkness others disappeared in, smiling innocently at her best friend, who rolled his eyes and pushed her to go first.

"Get down, woman." Soon they joined their group, few flashlights lit up and showing them a long straight tunnel.

"So, you figured yourself out?" Alan brought up, what he understand as a reason why Jane left for Isla Nublar. Yeah, that's what she said in their argument.

"You could say that." No way she's gonna say she's not sure. Even after years she can't really say what and who exactly she is, most of times she just goes without any idea what's about to happen.

"I will take that as yes." After some time of walking and dodging few corners they appear in what seems to be control room with long window, showing them the condition the forest is in. Fire. Everything is under fire.

"This is very bad."

"No shit, Sherlock." Without thinking Jane snapped at Ian, confusing him what got her so pissed. If only he knew how important dinosaurs are to her and knowing they are out there in the fire, Izy and Rexy maybe too, twist her stomach.

"What's this? What's 'Error 99'?" Claire, who fiddled with the computer in attempt of finding solution to their latest problem, asked. Just then an unfamiliar black-skinned man entered the room.

"Not enough power. In a breakdown, all available power is seized by the primary system to keep running. We need all that power to reactivate the ADS." He must've heard Claire mentioning what they need to turn back on.

"The system's safety feature is what's gonna kill us?" It's rhetorical question from Alan and the stranger walked up to Claire.

"How do we get more power?"

"We can't. But we can redistribute what we have. Just need to-"

"Shut down the primary system." Claire finished for him and stood up. "Where is it?"

"Uh, next floor up." While Claire and Ellie, who decided she's helping the red head, prepared, Jane switched through the cameras desperately, looking for cages or any clue that'd tell her where they keep Izy. She did find hall with cages, guessing that's where they keep all dinosaurs if not outside in the area, though is unable to see Izy in any of them.

"Auntie Jane, you coming with us to find Beta?" Maisie snapped Jane from deep thinking how to get to the cages and where else could Izy be if not there.

"Where's Izy? Where are you keeping him?" She's got different dinosaur to find and turned to face the man she doesn't know name of. His face twisted into confusion.

"Who's Izy?" Wasting time! The Grant woman stormed up to him, the man backing out of instincts.

"A hybrid. The Indoraptor. Where is he?!" She do realize this guy is far from enemy to her, she just can't help herself. All the way here and still her Izy is God knows where.

"O-Oh, yeah, that one. Second lower floor, -1. They locked him in a cage." A cage. Cage! One of the worst places they could put him in! Tortured and experimented on, he spent there his whole life, not counting those spent with them, and they throw him back. Are they out of minds?!

"How do I get there?" Voice firm, Jane's green eyes of her father pierce him in way it send chills down his spine. She can be scary when she wants to be.

"E-Elevator. Or stairs. But elevator is faster." Without another word the woman turned and grabbed from Owen one walkie-talkie. Then she turned to Danny, the boy following her around like lost puppy.

"Listen to me, Ian and this random are gonna watch over you until I return." Her hand rested on his shoulder and Owen with Claire shared a look, none of them remembering their friend being so caring and careful to a child.

"But, I wanna go with you." Danny protest, disliking the idea of being separated from her for some time. Jane shook her head.

"No, Danny. You're gonna stay here, with Ian and random, where it's safest, okay? I promise I will come back." Reassuring smile is given to the boy and as much as he wants to keep protesting, he knows he's no match against her and listening to her is what he must do at this moment.

"Pinky promise. You can't break that one." His pinky is held out for Jane to cross hers with and with sigh yet amusement dancing on her features, she lock their pinkies.

"Pinky promise." And just like she promised, she's gonna return to him, no matter what happens.