Amaris' POV
Beneath the sheltering boughs of an old tree, I let out a deep, measured sigh. The shade above painted dappled light across the grass around me, and the warm breeze stirred the loose strands of hair that escaped my braid. I tilted my head back, eyes half-lidded as I stared through the branches.
'Finally,' I thought with a sense of weary triumph, 'the last batch of students is finally here.'
It had been a long day. Ever since my meeting with Mr. Jones, I had been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the fossil preservation and land ethics seminar. He had handed me the task with a calm nod and a glint of confidence in his eyes, one that silently said, "I trust you, Miss Shin."
I had, of course, done my utmost to meet his expectations. I curated a curriculum, arranged interactive digging zones, and coordinated with field supervisors. The first group had been surprisingly well-behaved. So had the second. By the third batch, I dared to believe that all of them would be like this—courteous, curious, and cooperative.
But now, as the final group spilled into the site with wide eyes and louder voices, I recognized several familiar faces.
'This batch…'
The ones I had hoped would come last. The ones I knew from the show. The ones destined for trouble.
'This is where the chaos begins."
I didn't mean it with malice. I had no resentment for them, not even for Conner's impulsiveness, Ethan's ego, or even the strange fate that hovered over Kira. If anything, I pitied them. They had no idea what awaited them in the coming minutes.
I pulled my knees up and rested my arms on them. My eyes scanned the landscape. Students were digging, laughing, and occasionally shrieking in joy at some half-uncovered imprint. It was peaceful, for now.
And so, I let myself rest, watching the ebb and flow of young energy ripple through the dig site. I didn't want to stand out. Not yet. I was content to be in the background, just another helpful face. No one needed to know that I could slow time or that I had a crystal-powered dinosaur gauntlet tucked safely away.
Then, a gentle touch landed on my shoulder.
I turned, blinking once before recognition dawned. "Miss Ford," I said softly, offering her a small, genuine smile.
"Hey," she greeted, casual as ever, yet there was a warmth in her tone that hadn't been there a month ago.
"Is something the matter?" I asked.
Kira shook her head. "Not really. Just wanted to say, you did a great job putting this whole thing together."
My lips curved faintly upward. Praise never did sit well with me, but from her, it was… different. "I am honored. Are you perhaps taking a break?"
Kira crossed her arms loosely and tilted her head. "Nah. Just wanted to sit with you."
Her words, so simple and direct, caught me off guard in the same way they always did. She didn't tiptoe around her feelings the way I did. She just was. Honest. Open. Steady.
"Then, if you would," I said, patting the patch of grass beside me, "please feel free to rest here."
She plopped down beside me without hesitation. We sat shoulder to shoulder, though not touching and looked out at the dusty field in comfortable silence. Our closeness had grown gradually, the way vines entwine around a tree given time. I'd begun to attend her performances more often, even those outside of Hayley's Cyberspace. And she, in turn, always found a way to include me in things, like this.
Then, without warning, I yawned.
I instantly clapped a hand to my mouth, eyes wide in embarrassment.
"My apologies, that was most improper—" I muttered, flushing.
Kira laughed gently. "It's fine. You've been working all day."
She paused, then said, "If you're tired, you can lean on me."
I froze, feeling heat creep up my neck. Lean on her? 'No–no, that would be too much.' I couldn't possibly allow myself that. The Tyrannodrones would be arriving soon. I had to be ready. I couldn't grow comfortable, not now.
"Thank you for the offer, Miss Ford," I said with practiced calm, "but I am alright."
She didn't look convinced. "You're allowed to rest, y'know."
"I'm not sleepy," I said quickly, standing up to change the subject. I offered her my hand. "Come now, Miss Ford. Let us search for fossils instead."
Kira blinked, surprised, then laughed. "You'd rather tire yourself out than lean on me?"
She took it with a smile, I held her hand in silence. I could not explain myself—not yet, and we left the quiet shade behind.
=====================================
To my growing confusion, Kira led me directly toward Ethan and Conner. Judging by the oddly familiar rock formations and their overly excited expressions, I had a sinking suspicion I knew where we were.
'Oh no. No, no, no.'
This was the spot. Where they would find the Dino Egg. Sweat gathered at the back of my neck. Why was I here? More importantly, why had Conner and Ethan suddenly decided to compete for who could find the most fossils?
"Mine's clearly bigger!" Conner proclaimed, holding up a vaguely fossil-shaped rock.
"That's a piece of concrete," Ethan shot back.
I sighed and focused on the dirt. If I just stayed quiet, maybe I could still redirect this…
But then—
"Hey, you guys! Over here!" Ethan called.
I stood up and walked toward his voice.
There, half-buried in the earth, was an unmistakable object: an egg. Large, rugged, and shimmering oddly in the sun.
'The Dino Egg,' I noted silently. 'So it begins.'
"What an odd egg," I said aloud, feigning curiosity.
Ethan, Conner, and Kira all tensed up when they realized I was behind them.
"Uh—it's probably just a weird…rock," Ethan stammered.
"Or a super old fossilized…thing," Conner added, helpfully vague.
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop a laugh from escaping. They were trying so hard to act normal. It was endearing, in a way.
I smiled internally. They have no idea that I already know what this is. Or what it means.
"Shall I call Professor Oliver?" I suggested. "He may have insight."
They all nodded quickly, and Conner gave me a double thumbs-up. "Yeah! We'll uh…stand guard."
I excused myself and headed toward the field's edge. Professor Oliver was there—being cornered by none other than Principal Randall.
She was speaking animatedly, clearly trying to charm him. I suppressed a chuckle. Knowing what I knew, her intentions were transparent, but still… it was a humorous sight.
Clearing my throat, I offered a small bow. "Greetings, Professor Oliver. Principal Randall."
They both turned toward me.
"Ethan has discovered an unusual fossil. He requests your expertise."
Professor Oliver straightened. "Alright. Show me."
As he followed me, Principal Randall trailed behind like a shadow.
I led him(them) back toward the dig site, watching the familiar sequence unfold. Every step felt surreal, like watching a scene from the show play out in real life. And I was in it—but not just as a bystander. I was rewriting it, subtly.
As soon as we arrived, I bowed again.
"Please excuse me. I hear some students calling for me."
A white lie. No students had called me.
But I could feel it now. That ripple in time—the energy shift that came with the Tyrannodrones' arrival. It was happening soon. I had to move.
Professor Oliver gave me a nod of understanding, and I turned to leave.
I hadn't taken ten steps before the ground trembled.
The Tyrannodrones were here.
They burst forth like shadows, their growls filling the air. Students screamed. Some froze. Others stumbled back in terror.
Without hesitation, I raised my voice, commanding in a tone that brokered no argument.
"Everyone! Please return to the bus immediately!"
No one moved.
"Please, I must insist—!" I shouted. "Board the bus at once!"
Finally, they reacted—dozens of students scrambling to safety.
But one girl tripped near the rocks—too close to the incoming Tyrannodrones.
I sprinted toward her.
In one fluid motion, I kicked one of the creatures aside, grabbed the student, and pulled her to her feet.
"If you would, kindly proceed to the bus." I said firmly.
She nodded, dazed but safe. "Thank you!"
I turned back toward the field. My heart was calm. My hands steady.
No more hiding.
For now, it was not about staying unnoticed.
It was about keeping them safe.