3

He stands up slowly, not taking his eyes off me. I start shivering as he begins to walk toward me, but I'm not sure if it's from anticipation or my currently cold, wet clothes.

I don't move as I watch him. I have so many emotions going through me: confusion, excitement, worry.

When he reaches me, he places both of his hands on my arms, gripping them tightly. "What the fuck are you doing?" He's calm, but most definitely angry.

"Wh-what?" Now I'm just confused. Why would being in the rain be such a big deal?

"What is this?" He snaps, motioning his hand up and down my body. "Some seduction attempt? You come in here looking hot and thought...what? That'd I'd start being 'nice'?"

Oh. My. God. I think I'm going to be sick, but I quickly shake it off. "Seriously, Zach?!?" I yell. "Believe it or not, none of this was about you! In fact, it was my attempt to forget about you and how shitty you have made me feel!"

He drops his arms and steps back. If I didn't know him, I would think he looked embarrassed. But since I do know him, I know he's probably just pissed.

I continue yelling, "And since we're on the subject, why don't we start setting some ground rules, hmm?How about if you see me around, you go hide in your bedroom? And I'll do the same? We just have to get through five more months together, and I think the best way would be for you to stay the fuck away from me!"

He doesn't speak, so I storm out of the room, slamming my bedroom door behind me. I feel like a sulking teenager, but I don't care. It felt good to get all of that off my chest.

I'm surprised when I hear a soft knock on my door a few minutes later. "Ivy?" I hear Zach but don't open the door. "I know you don't want to see me, but just listen. I'm sorry, Okay? I shouldn't have thought— I shouldn't have assumed— I'm just sorry. And don't worry, I'll leave you alone from now on."

I can hear his footsteps walking away before his bedroom door shuts. Wow. I can't believe he actually apologized. Maybe he isn't as bad as he wants everyone to think.

Zach kept his word. The only time I have seen him in the last few days was scurrying away when he saw me. I honestly don't know which was worse, his constant sighs and insults or complete avoidance. Of course, I can't say anything. This is what I asked for—demanded, actually.

I finish my meal—alone— and head outside to the medical trailer. I have some research books out there I would like to study. I can't believe how unbelievably slow my work has been here. Besides the laboring triceratops, I haven't needed my skills for anything. I spend my days maintaining the camp and reading through the large library that has been set up.

I'm halfway across the yard when something catches my eye by the fence. I turn and see a Compsognathus standing on the other side, staring. It is about the size of a turkey, which is large for it's species. I can't imagine what it is doing here.

This is the first time I've ever seen a dinosaur anywhere near the camp, and it's especially odd for a carnivore—they tend to stay toward the center of the island. I know the  Compsognathus' usual diet consists of lizards and other small prey, and we don't have any of that around here.

It begins chewing on the chain-link, and my heart stops. Why isn't the fence electrocuting it? I was told the fence was electrified. I doubt this dinosaur would actually be able to kill me, but I don't want to see it try.

Luckily, the fence is strong and the dinosaur's attempt appears to only be half-hearted. After a few seconds, it gives up and turns away. I see now that it's injured, with a huge slash across it's back leg. It's limping. Maybe it needs my help.

Without thinking, I sprint into my trailer and grab the tranquilizer dart. I run outside and to the fence, aiming for the creature as quickly as possible--before it disappears into the trees. I hit it on it's back end, just seconds before it goes out of sight.

"Zach!" I yell, "I'm going to need the gate opened!"

I stitch the dinosaur up relatively quickly, with Zach by my side. We briefly discussed bringing the small creature into the medical trailer, but decided it would be better that, if it accidentally woke up, it would be out here.

As I'm returning all my supplies to my bag, I look at Zach, "Should we just leave it here?"

He shakes his head. "I'm worried it would be too confused from the tranquilizer to find it's way home. I still can't figure out what it's doing over here in the first place." He thinks in silence for a moment. "I know where a Compsognathus nest is within five miles of here. I bet that's where this guy lives. I'll bring him there."

He leaves and returns with a small trailer that attaches to the motorcycle--and his fanny pack, of course. We work together to lift the sleeping animal onto the platform before Zach climbs on the bike. I attempt to get on behind him. "You can stay here," he says, avoiding eye contact. I wonder if he still feels bad about the other day.

"Zach, you told me yourself my first day, you can't go out there alone. You could literally die," I say while throwing my leg across the back of the bike and wrapping my arms around him. He doesn't agree but doesn't argue either, so we are off.

We double check the tablet that the coast is clear from other dinosaurs before we gingerly lay my patient back in it's own bed. We work quickly. This part of the island is very popular among the carnivores.

I check my handiwork to make sure that the dissolvable stitches are still intact, and, by the time I turn around, Zach is already on the bike, impatiently waiting.

He doesn't saying anything to me, though. It seems like he's really trying to be nicer. I smile at him before climbing on.

We are only driving for a minute before our watches start flashing rapidly, indicating that a dinosaur is not only close, but approaching quickly. Zach speeds up. Although we don't know how much danger we are in, it's not safe to take chances. I hold on tight and tuck my head behind Zach's back.

I hear him shout, "Oh, shit!" a half-second before I feel myself being catapulted up and back. I attempt to grab onto something rope-like but feel it break loose.

I land on my back with the wind knocked out of me. I close my eyes while I try to will my lungs to begin working again. I can hear footsteps approaching and am relieved when I open my eyes and see Zach bending over me.

"Are you alright?" I can see that he is shouting, yet his voice sounds like it's coming from far away, like an echo.

I do a mental check of my body and determine that I can move. I motion for Zach to help me up, and he gently, but swiftly, does. He surprises me by actually picking me up with one arm under my knees and the other behind my back, like we're crossing the threshold on our honeymoon.

"Will you be able to hold on?" He asks—referring to the motorcycle. His voice still sounds foggy in my brain, but I nod. On the way back to camp, I notice he is not driving as fast as usual and seems to be being extra cautious. I guess he doesn't want me to die a miserable death on the forest floor after all.

Who knew?

When we finally reach camp, I crawl off and start walking. I am already soar from the fall and can't wait to lie down. I hear Zach behind me. "Oh no, oh no, oh no. Shit, shit, shit." He is pacing in circles and running his hands through his hair over and over.

"Zach, what is it?" He doesn't answer but motions his hands down the front of his body. I see what's missing: his fanny pack. I recall trying to grab a rope of some sort to keep myself from falling off the motorcycle. It must have been the strap.

I walk over to him and pat his back, "You know...maybe this is a good thing. Fanny packs are not exactly the coolest thing on the planet." I might have actually done him a favor.

"You don't understand!" He snaps. "That is my brother's. He told me to take it with me every time I left camp. I promised him I would take care of it!"

If I can understand anything, it is brothers. I sigh, "Okay. Let's go back."