The three doctors, Grant, Sattler, and Malcolm, were settled into a private, independent hotel. They each had single rooms overlooking the entire park, with staff on standby to drive them anywhere at a moment’s notice.

  The only downside? The bugs.

  "Well, it looks like this is home for the foreseeable future. Could be months, could be years. I just hope the walls hold; I’d hate for this room to turn into a dining hall."

  Dr. Ian Malcolm hadn’t stopped talking since they touched down on the island. He seemed intent on deconstructing everything about the place, fueled by a stance he had held firmly for decades.

  Ellie took her bags from the bellhop and turned to the men. "Gentlemen, I’m planning on taking a look around the park once I’ve unpacked. Anyone care to join?"

  Whether it was a sudden burst of professional curiosity or just a need to stretch her legs, Ellie seemed genuinely energized.

  "Are you serious?" Grant looked at her. "I was planning to inspect the security infrastructure. You know, just in case..."

  "I'll go with you," Grant interrupted himself, reconsidering. "But let’s get one thing straight: I am not going anywhere near the carnivore paddocks."

  A flicker of an old memory crossed his face as he added that last part.

  "Then we... meet in fifteen minutes?" Ellie checked her watch.

  "Fifteen minutes," Grant confirmed.

  "Then I wish you both a lovely holiday," Malcolm said with a grin as he headed toward his room, muttering to himself. "I need to chart my escape routes. And maybe book a spa treatment..."

  …

  "Uh... I have a transmission from the storm tracking station. It shows a cell passing over the north of the island. Should I trigger the shelter protocols?"

  Isla Nublar, situated in a tropical monsoon climate, was plagued by tropical cyclones from mid-May through mid-September. Consequently, Jurassic World took storm prevention very seriously.

  "How long will it stay?"

  Claire Dearing walked over, checking the data on the console.

  "A few hours, maybe? The eye isn't passing directly over us."

  "Fine. Close all northern attractions. Issue a Level 2 Weather Alert. Advise guests to move indoors immediately."

  "Right... away."

  Claire didn't wait for Lowery to finish. she turned to another technician, her voice rising: "Notify the ACU! Eyes on every asset! We cannot afford a slip-up right now!"

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "Copy that."

  A flash of lightning split the sky.

  …

  Carlo let out a series of low growls, staring up at the vault of heaven as it was swallowed by bruised, black clouds.

  Dinosaur enclosures weren't fully enclosed; except for the Aviary, they were open to the elements. Carlo watched the lightning arc across the sky, a trace of fear flickering in his eyes.

  It was biological instinct. Even if the memories in his head told him that humans used "handy little gadgets" like lightning rods to divert the strikes, he couldn't put his mind at ease.

  "ROAARR—"

  A resonant bellow echoed. With heavy, rhythmic footsteps, Caroline stepped forward and shielded Carlo beneath her massive frame.

  Unlike Carlo, she had survived several tropical storms. She didn't know what the bright things in the sky were; she only knew they brought the searing flames that consumed everything. She would not let them touch her child.

  Rumble—

  "ROAARR—"

  Lightning strode across the sky, followed instantly by a crack of thunder, but it was all drowned out by Debby’s defiant roar.

  No one challenged the majesty of an apex predator, not even the heavens.

  Debby turned and gave a low rumble toward Caroline and Carlo, signaling them to take cover. As the heavy rain began to fall, masking scent and sound, he began to prowl the perimeter of his territory. He had to ensure his family's safety.

  …

  Splaaash—

  Lightning illuminated the sky once more.

  "Aunnn-woo—"

  In the Gentle Giants Petting Zoo, a juvenile Triceratops wearing a saddle let out a plaintive cry. Fortunately, there was no child on its back.

  "Hey! Back off!"

  An ACU trooper flicked on his stun baton, the tip crackling with blue electricity.

  "Wait! Stop!"

  Dr. Grant was the first to charge in, stepping between the trooper and the dinosaur. He held up a single hand, signaling for the man to stand down.

  Dr. Sattler was right behind him. She placed her hands on the Triceratops’ brow and cheek, beginning to soothe the creature. "Easy, sweetheart... easy. I'm right here. Everything is going to be okay."

  The trooper opened his mouth to bark an order at the intruders, but then he saw the band on Grant’s wrist: a VVVVVIP bracelet. He’d only ever seen a "single-V" rank before. He promptly shut his mouth, deactivated the baton, and signaled that everything was under control.

  Grant exhaled in relief, turning to check on the Triceratops. But what caught his eye most was the saddle.

  "You’re using dinosaurs this small as pets for children?! You let kids ride them?!"

  Grant had assumed this was just a feeding interaction area. He hadn't realized the park went this far. While Grant was a magnet for kids, he didn't actually like them; he knew all too well how much damage a child without a moral compass could do. And they were loud.

  A staff member nearby, sensing the accusation in Grant's voice, retorted, "They’re just animals."

  "I know they're animals! Of course I know!" Grant’s voice rose. "And because they're animals, they get scared! They get angry! And right now, this one doesn't even have the right to hide behind its own mother!"

  Grant was genuinely angry. The Triceratops had been his favorite dinosaur since childhood, and the sight of its exploitation hit a nerve.

  The ACU trooper sighed internally. See? This is why scientists are the worst. Never argue with them unless you are one.

  "Alan."

  Ellie placed a hand on Grant’s shoulder, her touch grounding him.

  "Attention guests, a storm is approaching. Please proceed to the nearest indoor facility..."

  The PA system droned on with the weather warning. Grant’s expression soured. "You’ve got to be kidding me. Again?"

  "Doctors."

  An assistant appeared behind them. Once they turned to look at her, she continued, "Would you like me to take you back to the hotel?"

  "Yeah. Let’s go."

  Grant rubbed his forehead. He should have known. Every park placed humans above the animals; as long as it turned a profit, they’d make these creatures do anything.

  "Alan..."

  "I'm fine, Ellie."

  Grant took a deep breath, calming himself. At least this park was planning to build the Primeval Ecological Zone to give the animals some semblance of freedom.

  It was, in its own way, quite "dino-mane."

  Watching Grant walk away, the ACU trooper looked up at the gathering gloom and told the staff member, "Take care of these little ones."