The screams and gunfire caused the perfect distraction. The men guarding us were too preoccupied with what was happening to their teammates to focus on us. Loni, LB, and I charged the men and knocked them to the ground, Just because we couldn't use our hands didn't mean we couldn't kick their asses. Using our legs and feet we beat the men unconscious. The great thing about handcuffs no matter the kind they all used the same generic key.

We uncuffed ourselves and grabbed the radio from one of the guards. I quickly changed the frequency to call the Challenger. "Challenger this is Rescue one we have a situation on our hands here!"

"What kind of situation? Over."

"An infestation. Dinosaur with toxic venom. They're loose and they're a level 1 threat to public health and safety. We're sending you the survivors via chopper. Once they've been secured I want full mobilization. We're burning those places to the ground!"

"Copy that Rescue one."

We uncuffed the researchers and loaded them into the chopper. Loni had some flying experience so she piloted them out while we stayed behind. The screams and gunfire had silenced. We took out our remaining flares and set up a perimeter. We'd hold them off till help came then we'd exterminate them. Some things should remain extinct.

After an hour of waiting, we heard the tell-tale trilling that accompanied the Troodons. We saw shadows moving just beyond the light. When the rode flares went out we searched the boxes the INGEN men brought with them. Inside were portable battery-powered lanterns used in construction. We turned them on to make a perimeter. But we didn't know how long the batteries would last.

Just beyond the reach of the lights, I could see the glowing eyes of the Troodons. They had surrounded us. LB and I stood back to back. We stood like that for another thirty minutes watching and waiting when I noticed the bulb on one lantern start to flicker. "Shit I think we're going to lose one. "

"Same on this side," LB said in his stoic manner.

I fired at the eyes in the dark hoping to hit just one before the lights gave out and they swarmed us.

"Be calm JJ. Our story doesn't end here."

"I wish I had your certainty."

In the next moment, I was blinded by the bright beam of a searchlight. It illuminated the immediate area around us. Flares flew from overhead, sending the Troodons scattering.

"Sorry, we're late." Boomed Hector's voice above us. I moved out of the way so he could land. The side door flew open and my men hurried out, firing off flares.

One of them handed me a new headset, and I gratefully took it. "Alright, all teams, this is a search and destroy mission now. Hector level the research building. Teams one and two herd the Troodons to the center of the island. Teams three and four do the same from the west side."

The next few hours were the longest of my life. The island was lit with flares and set ablaze. We eventually had them cornered in a low valley. We opened fire on them and, just to be safe; I burned the bodies. The research building was a pile of rubble. I stood, satisfied that the threat was over.

"Alright people, let's pack it up." I ordered.

I was so ready to get out of this place. Back on the Challenger, I indulged in a hot shower and hot food. But my sleep wasn't as peaceful as my shower. The entire night I kept waiting up to the sound of trilling. Large glowing orbs haunted my dreams. The memory of sickle claws and serrated teeth kept my rest at bay.

I laid back in my bunk and tried to get some sleep when a trilling echoed down the corridor. Grabbing my gun and lights, I exited the bunk. The corridor was dark with the lights off. They should always be on. The ship must have lost power. The trilling came again and I could feel my heart racing.

Slowly, I moved down the corridor, sweeping the beam of the light back and forth. A scream in the distance had me running. I ran down the corridor and rounded the corner to find Hector, his throat gouged out, lifeless eyes staring at me in reproach. I raced down the corridor to check on Loni, only to find her room empty and her bunk drenched in blood.

"No, no, no," I said in horror and ran to check on LB. I found him in his bunk. His chest was ripped open and nestled in the open cavity were a dozen small eggs. The trilling came again. Sharp teeth sank into my ankle and I was yanked off my feet. I hit the ground hard, the air whooshing out of my lungs.

I cried out as another set of teeth clamped around my other ankle. Then I was being dragged away. I clawed and tried to grab onto anything I could, but they were too strong. I fought and kicked, but more teeth latched onto my arms and legs immobilizing me. I was dragged away into the dark, still screaming, begging for anyone to help me.

With a cry, I fell out of bed and cast about looking eyes, wild heart pounding. I looked out into the corridor. The lights were on I could hear the faint rumble of the engine. I walked to the intercom and called Loni and LB. They both answered, asking in sleep-laden voices what was wrong. I said. "Nothing." Each time and wished them a good night. I sat heavily on my bunk and covered my face with my hands. I took several shuddering breaths. I held my gun and sat against the wall facing the door. Resigned that I would get no sleep, I sat and watched the cold iron of my Glock a comfort as I waited for the dawn to break. For light to return and then maybe then I'd be able to close my eyes and not worry about glowing eyes and serrated teeth.