Alive ? Zach Mitchell

II

"Sure thing," Adelaide chuckled. "The park opens at eight, but I want to show you something."

Gray's eyes widened at the sound of a surprise and he jumped off his chair, not waiting for Zach to tag along.

"We can get there by car this time," Adelaide said. 

"You have a car?" Zach asked, sounding quite impressed, as she locked the front door. "What kind?"

"A Jeep," she answered with a grin. "Wrangler."

Zach's expression, though clearly one of approval, hinted at jealousy, and made Adelaide crack a smile. She'd gotten her driver's license upon being hired, learning to drive on the island. The three went around the house, and, in the backyard, there waited a black vehicle, fit for Claire's assistant.

"Shotgun," Gray shouted, sprinting towards the car, whilst his brother let out a disappointed groan.

Adelaide unlocked the doors and teased, "Don't worry, the back seats are just as comfortable."

"Where are we going?" Gray inquired as soon as the engine started with a purr, but Adelaide simply shook her head, mimicking sealing her lips shut.

It didn't take long to arrive at the Aviary, which Gray, unsurprisingly, already knew by name. "Why are we here?" the young boy asked, barely containing himself.

"Some patience would be nice," Adelaide said, pretending to be exasperated as she ruffled his hair.

Using her copy of the universal key every employee owned, she pressed the handle on one of the glass doors and entered the Aviary, which was full with the type of dinosaurs that required a dome over their heads to stay contained. The Mitchells were gawking at her, waiting in silence, when Adelaide let out a high-pitched whistle. Besides being Claire's assistant, Adelaide took a liking to the Pterodactyls, and, with Owen's help, she'd managed to form a bond with one she named Ro, a beautiful specimen with large red wings and black lines across her body.

"What are you doing?" Gray whispered, eyes blown wide, as Adelaide scouted the trees, attempting to find Ro through the thick foliage.

Before long, the same shriek as Adelaide's echoed through the Aviary, followed by a large Pterodactyl soaring into the air. It---she---came down like a bullet, yet managed to land gently on the teenage girl's shoulder.

"Hi, darling," Adelaide cooed, caressing the long beak of the reptile who let out a happy squeak.

"Wow," Gray gaped. "Can I . . . can I pet her?"

Adelaide bent down, bringing Ro closer to him. Carefully, the boy ran his hand up and down the Pterodactyl's body while the girl grinned.

"Zach, do you want to join?" Adelaide hesitantly asked.

The older boy slowly approached the large creature that was now nudging Adelaide, probably trying to remind her of her breakfast. Adelaide pulled out a piece of meat from her pocket while the boys petted the gentle animal. She allowed Ro to eat from her palm, knowing she wouldn't hurt her.

"When did you start training her?" Gray posed his thousandth question, noticing that Adelaide was glad to fulfil his many curiosities.