Author's Note: So, I'm trying my hand at writing a multi-chap fic. I apologize for any weirdness that may ensue. Please, enjoy!
The news of Jurassic World's re-opening did not come as a surprise; it had been an eventuality, and it had not gone by unnoticed. Just as it was before the incident in December of 2015, Jurassic World ruled social media. There were thousands of news and media articles dedicated to some claim about the park; some were attacking, stating that dinosaurs and man could never coexist, and some were defending on the idea that what we have learned from these animals has been worth more than the consequences. This time around however, those who opposed the very existence of the park were becoming far outnumbered by people who thought that the park was necessary and one set back should not have it closed permanently.
Some thought the terrible accident that killed Simon Masrani was just a tragic part of the larger devastation that has come to be known as the Triassic Tragedy. The poor man lost control of his helicopter and crashed into the worst place possible. He gave his life for his mistake. For others, it was seen as unforgivable. The amount of injuries, both mental and physical, that came from the incident could not be ignored; and as low as the death toll was, the reputation of the park was significantly less stable.
As seemingly knowledgeable as the public was on the incident on Isla Nublar, there was one aspect that only those who had witnessed it knew. No one had asked why the long-promised new attraction known as the Indominus Rex was scrapped without explanation. As far as they knew, the incident with the pteranodons and dimorphodons was caused by a horrific helicopter crash; there was no hybrid monster wreaking havoc on the island. No one had known the horrors that the were caused by a mad scientist's blind ambition. Those who did know, and had experienced the malevolence of the Indominus close hand, were few and far between. Absurdly large sums of money were given to witnesses, both in compensation for the cost of their experience, and as a way to keep the information from getting out.
What prevented any leakage of information wasn't the hush money, or even the possible outcome of the public finally learning the terrifying truth, but the fact that none of those who had experienced it actually wanted to talk about it. They were all exceedingly thankful to not be asked what happened, even the few of them who wished nothing more than to expose Jurassic World and it's horrible creation. The mental, and in some tragic cases physical, wounds caused by the terror of the Indominus Rex were much too fresh. For them, the pain was still too near.
Now, almost two years following the incident, and with the public knowing only a minuscule fraction of what happened on Isla Nublar, and with the promise that the scientists at the Hammond Creation Lab would no longer create an asset capable of flying, Jurassic World was set to reopen in approximately one month. Dr. Henry Wu had also made a return, but was only offered the job after a contract stating the blatant creation of new species would not be taking place and that only historically correct assets would be created. No abominations would be hatched in the minds of the scientists.
The containment and care of the dinosaurs was the top priority. Merely days after the Triassic Tragedy, all animals were contained and accounted for. Enclosures were fixed, buildings were rebuilt, and of course, more assets were hatched to repopulate the park. Precautions were to be made before any dinosaurs were engineered; any ideas involving new assets were to be inspected and processed before any hatching would take place.
They would not be making the same mistakes again.
With everything ready, the only obstacle left was for the public's acceptance. It had taken over a year before the Masrani Global Corporation got the green-light on allowing people back on the island.
Owen Grady had first heard the news while being interviewed by TIME magazine.
"And how do you feel about the reopening of Jurassic World? Is it a good idea?" The reporter had asked, eagerly watching and waiting for an answer.
Owen of course had nothing to say at the time, given that the shock of the news was too jarring after an extended period of silence regarding the park. He had returned to his apartment that night, both slightly confused and irritated. On one hand, this was a terrible idea. He was surprised that anyone would even agree to return to that god forsaken island in the first place. On the other hand, the only mistake that had been made was creating that monster, or rather the method used in raising said monster, but one would think that a disaster such as the Indominus Rex would be a big enough sign to stop this altogether. However, there were times where Owen reflected on whether or not he would return to Isla Nublar. He remembered how Masrani Global Corp. had asked if he would accompany the handlers on an expedition to recapture the escaped animals, but he had promptly turned that offer down. That had been not even a day following the incident.
There were only a two reasons he could find for returning to Isla Nublar. Blue, and how she was surviving without a pack. It had been a constant worry in his mind ever since leaving her there. She had no one now.
It was odd, really, that two years ago, the thought of going back would cause Owen to grow sick; but now, he found within himself a pang of adventure still lurking. It was a small feeling at first, but he knew that in time it would only grow. The other reason was Claire. She was a creature of habit; she would return to where she was most comfortable.
And so, here he was, sitting in his small apartment, a laptop in front of him, searching for any bit of information he could find.
The news had spread like wildfire throughout the internet. Upon returning home, Owen had immediately began researching why anyone would try to reopen the park, though he felt he already knew why. It was no secret that the profits that came in from this glorified zoo was substantial. Any chance to continue that success would easily be taken.
The sheer number of articles was overwhelming.
The first link featured a BuzzFeed article.
'Top 10 Reasons Why Reopening Jurassic World is the Best Idea Ever,'
The comments on the list were no better.
"Omg! It's coming back! Can't wait!"
"I had a freind who new some1 who died in the first park and than my cousins bff died in the Tragdey teh dinosours should be all put down because there a danger to humens. humans should be at the top of the foodchain!"
"Jurassic World is so terrible. Why would they bring back dinosaurs more? Dinos had their chance, and God destroyed them. Ugh, disgusting."
"Thank God! I have always wanted to see a T-Rex. I heard they are going to start making Dinosaurs more accurate. I hope they have feathers."
"I hope they DON'T have feathers. Giant Chickens aren't scary."
"If God wanted Dinosaurs to live he would have let them on the ARK!"
"Dinos are so cool! I would totally be a t-rex."
Another article, on another, more reliable website, featured an interview with Jurassic World's new management team. After the death of Simon Masrani, the ownership of the park had gone to his second-in-command Sebastian Hale. His hope was to continue John Hammond's vision by in turn picking things up where Mr. Masrani left off. To Owen's incredulity, the elusive, and somewhat infamous, Henry Wu was once again part of the Jurassic World team. It came as a surprise seeing as that man was the creator of arguably the most dangerous creature to ever roam Isla Nublar.
Dr. Wu spoke of his past blunder, claiming that genetic modification was a mistake, but also a necessary one. "You need to know what the breaking point is," he had said. "Unfortunately, finding that specific point came at a cost, but that is how we as a species must learn."
He made no comment upon being questioned on his affiliation with InGen.
Owen skimmed through the rest of the names, and found himself searching for one name in particular. His heart skipped a beat upon finding it.
Claire Dearing was returning as the Senior Assets Manager. She was going back to that island. The sudden realization was startling, even with his previous speculation. It was his first time even seeing Claire in over a year, and it wasn't even in person; it was him finding out that she was once again in charge of an island full of prehistoric animals.
He found himself staring at, and dangerously close to admiring, the picture adjacent to the text. She seemed to have let her hair grow longer, the sharp angles of the symmetrical bob having been replaced by softer edges. The same sense of pride and dignity was ever present. All of this from a small picture on a news site.
A dull ache resonated throughout his chest, causing him to hastily close the laptop. He could look into the reopening later. Right now, he was too lost in thought to even begin to consider research. A distraction in nude high heeled shoes had taken over his thoughts.
The sudden feeling of both loneliness and reflection swept over him. A year without each other had already gone by, but the wounds felt as fresh as they had on day one. They had tried at maintaining some form of relationship after the incident, both agreeing that staying together was the best option, and in the first few months it was more than they had hoped for, but they had spoken too soon. All good things eventually must come to an end; or at least, that's what they had comforted themselves with. It wasn't a terribly messy break-up by any means. In fact, it had been mutual, which in a way, made the whole situation more painful.
Claire had been swamped with the PR nightmare aftermath, being bombarded with interview after interview, lawsuit after lawsuit, meeting after meeting. The very idea of a relationship soon became ludicrous, and beginning anything romantic with someone based off of a near-death experience was ill-advised.
And so they had both agreed that once the waters had settled, then maybe there would be a chance once again for them both.
A year had gone by, and no word from Claire. A year of being in dinosaur documentaries on the National Geographic channel called, "I Love the Jurassic!" A year of being a semi-celebrity for reasons that were arguably wrong. A year by himself. At first, Owen hadn't been too shaken at the fact that she hadn't called. After all, they had both been through so much, so obviously it would take some time for recovery. Now, however, seeing that she was back at her old job, back to her old self, Owen didn't know how to feel; there was a numbing ache that he couldn't quite place.
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud ringing in his pocket. He gave an annoyed sigh as he pulled the phone from his pocket. The name on the screen caused him to nearly drop the phone in surprise. He found himself staring, not out of contemplation, but of pure shock.
Claire.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading! Any feedback at all is more than welcome! :)
