A/N: This is an piece written for the NaNoWriMo Challenge Nov'15. Feedback or suggestions/ideas are always welcomed, be it story line, character development or comments.

Disclaimer: i do not own any parts of Jurassic Park/World.

The alarm on the nightstand buzzed annoyingly, its digits flashing 5:00. The sun is barely up, but Owen Grady already is. Lately he has been having trouble sleeping, and images of raptors, rexes, birds with big teeth filled his dreams. It has been 2 years since the Park closed, but not a day went by without him questioning how would his life turn out if he had never been on the island. And whatever happen to Blue.

Silencing the alarm, Owen got up and entered the shower, where he stood still under the stream of cold water, fighting back the shivering as he gathered his thoughts. The vague images of the dream last night started to piece together in his mind like a jigsaw. He was back on the island, in the dense forest, running away from something. Blue was there too, running ahead as fast as she could and ever so often, look back at something behind them. She had an odd expression on her face, one that he had never ever seen since the time she was born. Someone else was with them too, a woman. Was it Claire?

Nah it couldn't be, he thought. Claire is long gone.

There was a brief moment when he thought it could work out between the two of them. He was sure she thought so too. But it soon became clear that their differences was on a more fundamental level, and before things got really ugly, they shook hands and parted as friends. The last he heard, she had settled down in D.C. with her fiancé and her new job at the Smithsonian. He was genuinely happy for her, for he thought that is where she belongs; keeping large scale operations in pristine order, but preferably non-living assets.

That is where they differ so greatly. She likes things neat, organized, and under control with minimal unpredictable variables.

Owen, on the other hand, likes change and variety, with the excitement of not knowing what to expect next.

He turned off the shower and glanced back at the clock. The digits fixed at 5.30 am. Time for work.

The street lamps outside were still lit and not a single soul could be seen. Owen preferred it this way. Humans complicate things, he always believed. There was once a time he thought he had changed his mind, but that didn't last long. His car hummed into life as he stuck his keys in the ignition, biting into an apple as the morning chill swept through the windows. His cheek was instantly chilled. He welcomed the cold, just like the cold morning shower. Something about heat just doesn't sit well with him anymore. Not since Central America, Isla Nublar.

Owen drove on the empty streets, just like his mind was. It was unlike him to dwell on something for long. That was not what he was taught growing up, not trained in the Navy, not even on Nublar. Each time, he had a job, a mission, and his duty was to find a way to complete his task. He was a soldier, his mission was to serve his country. He was then a trainer, his job was to keep everyone safe and bond with what he was employed to train.

Now, he has no idea who he is, or where he is bound next. The sudden loss of a sense of direction was new to him, and every day is a constant struggle with his identity, a phase he thought he had long outgrown.

The sun was starting to shine above the buildings, lighting the sky with a soft glow, as he drove along a familiar road. His mind started to ease, knowing what's ahead of him. He cruised along until he reached a small security guard check point with an old guard in there enjoying his morning coffee and watching something on his phone. He didn't even look up and waved Owen along. Smiling a little, the veteran stepped on the gas and continued on towards the parking lots. He liked that guard; doesn't ask too many questions, but doesn't give a damn for nonsense.

He eased into his usual parking space and sat in the car for a moment after killing the engine.

Another day.

Another day exactly the same as before. At the very least, it's the closest to what he used to have, and he's in his element.

Owen stepped out of his car and entered the building next to the parking lots. 6 am. The human crowd is not here yet, gates are still closed, but the folks here are waking up. He opened the door at the far end of the corridor into an empty locker room. It seemed like he was the earliest today again. Perhaps unconsciously, he tends to spend a lot of time here; arriving earlier than others, and leaving here later than everybody. It made him feel good just being here, a safe haven, somewhere he could be himself and do something he truly enjoys. Feeling much better, he shed his jacket and put on the vest hanging in his locker. He takes the utility belt hanging next to it and straps it on lazily. Owen caught his reflection on the mirror on the far end of the locker room as he was leaving.

He had certainly come a long way from where he used to be, but at the very least, he's happy.

San Diego Zoo opens at 9am, but zoo keepers here start at 6.40. Animals wake up early, and they wake up hungry. Owen's morning mostly consist of feeding the animals, checking to make sure they are in good condition to be in their enclosures when the public arrive. Between now till the gates burst open with squealing kids and tired adults, it is the only time Owen feels most at peace.

Driving his buggy around the zoo, watching the animals undisturbed in the morning somehow reminds him of the good memories of Isla Nublar. He would walk around the park and watch the animals yawning or stretching, eating feed, mothers nursing their young, siblings wrestling each other…

Masrani was right. The purpose of the park is to remind the world how small they are, and that we part of a bigger world. Be it a world separated by time or distance, but still a world we all live in together.

Owen checked the time again before picking up feed for the big cats with his buggy from the preparation site. Somehow his affinity with carnivores never waned, and he loved them the most. It was not so much the danger that they pose, but rather the reason why they are dangerous in the first place that drew Owen to them. They can't be contained, or enclosed. They will try to live with their primal instincts at every chance they get. That's what he has in common with them.

That, and the fact that they all have issues with authority.

Owen parked the buggy just behind the tiger enclosure and opened the door to a raised platform for zoo personnel. Lugging the bucket of feed he looked down into the enclosure and see a familiar face waiting for him.

"Morning Delta."

After he started working at the zoo and upon learning her name, Owen took a liking to her almost immediately. She had the same tenacity as the other Delta he knew, and seeing her everyday reminded him that life is indeed good. For some reason they bonded quickly, as opposed to other tigers and animals. Owen was sure he knew why. It was much easier to work with her, and is a constant reinforcement that he's back in the real world, real time. Everything here is real.

The tigress paced around the perimeter of the platform, as the boys laid around lazily on the other side of the enclosure.

Owen placed the bucket on the ground and held up his hand. Delta stopped pacing and eyed him cautiously. He moved to the left, she followed. Then he paced to the right, she stopped. She was reluctant to follow so easily, but eventually did after making Owen walk back and walk to the right again. She growled softly and bared her sharp teeth, but Owen knows she likes him. He gets to play with her, but at the same time he knew, she plays with him too in her own way.

He reached for the bucket and pull out a piece of meat.

"Delta," He said softly and held it up for her to see. "This one is for you."

She looked at it with widened eyes and snarled. Owen extended his hand to toss it to the left and Delta followed it with her gaze, getting up. But she quickly snapped back sharply and snarled louder.

She knew. Owen chuckled and opened his hand to show he still has the piece of meat. "You are a smart girl."

He lobbed it down in her direction, this time the meat leaving his hand. As if entertaining him, Delta extended her neck and caught the piece easily, almost too easy. She chowed down the piece of meat and watched Owen closely, pausing every few bites to growl. Owen smiled softly and sat down above to watch her eat, tossing down a few more pieces.

Owen always enjoyed bonding with animals. While they can't communicate verbally with common language, there's just this affinity he has with animals, a mutual trust that he could build with them that allowed him to connect with them on a deeper level than most people. He knew that since he was a young boy, with smaller animals like dogs or cats. The animals' behavior towards him always seem to baffle others around him, but he didn't mind. He much prefer it that way, because humans always complicate things.

His quiet time with his special lady was interrupted as the boys stirred and came forward. He got along well with them too, but not as well as Delta. They kept close to Delta and ate quietly, growling ever so often to get more. Siblings, they learn social skills indeed.

"How do you do that?"

Owen recognize that voice without turning. A younger boy came up behind him. Almost immediately the tigers tensed up and growled loudly. The boy was startled and took a step back.

"I told you, it's all about trust." Owen toss the rest of the feed into the enclosure and wiped his hands. He turned around to face Benjamin, the new zookeeper fresh out from school. "You respect them, and they'll return the favor."

"Wow I wish someday I'll be like you Mr. Grady." the boy chirped and reached to take the bucket from him, but Owen retracted it first.

"Owen."

"Right, Owen." the boy laughed sheepishly and followed him back to the buggy. There goes his peaceful morning, Owen thought. Benjamin loves to talk. He's young, with a genuine passion for animals. What he lack, Owen often told him, is confidence when facing an animal.

They can sense fear, Owen often cautioned. They are just like us, they have feelings, emotions and needs. You have to first understand that.

The morning was spent feeding the rest of the animals he was put in charged of, with Benjamin droning on about a new study he read about on animal behavior from researchers, but Owen wasn't listening anymore. He heard the gates open from a distance and beckon Benjamin to get on the buggy to clear out of the way. Zookeepers have other duties, like cleaning and checking on animals that are not on display, which is good for Owen, because he doesn't like facing the crowds. Tours, and live shows, not a chance. Maybe Benjamin would like that, but not Owen. He knew his place was amongst the animals. Not people.

He dropped Benjamin off at the visitor center where the boy is scheduled to lead the first tour of the morning, and he went off to the infirmary just beyond a closed-off road, where he had expect to spend the next few hours with his new little princess.

The infirmary is a small white building beyond the trees that was planted specifically to separate the crowd from the animals that needed some quiet. Owen scanned his ID on the reader at the entrance and the door buzzed open. The vets on duty were busy checking on the rest of the animals so Owen did not stop to say hi. He went straight for the last room where the little princess is about to wake up.

The room was quiet, as Owen pushed open the glass door carefully. He could see the little white tiger in her small enclosure, stirring and yawning. Owen smiled at how cute it is. Yes his princess is now awake, and is very hungry.

Blanca is a small exotic white tiger, recently rescued from a private zoo. The little one is barely a year old, and is still getting learning about who and where she is. It is a good time to build trust and relationship, for Owen knew he had already missed the chance to imprint.

He went to the counter near her enclosure, making sure she can see him clearly. He has always insisted on preparing his own formula. It was part of getting to know the little ones, and every effort counts in building a relationship.

The baby tiger looked around anxiously, occasionally giving a cry, as if asking for him.

"Yes Blanca, I'm here." Owen lowered his voice in a soothing manner. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

Blanca looked up and gave an assuring cry and settled down in her small enclosure, waiting patiently, looking out eagerly. Owen walked softly and slowly towards her and sat down gently so as not to startle her. He opened the door quietly and started coaxing her out.

"Hungry aren't you? Your breakfast is here, Blanca." he spoke softly and slowly. The baby raised herself and took tiny steps forward, staggering a little, but Owen made no sudden movements to help her. Her little paws were virtually soundless as they touched the floor, closer and closer each time to Owen. "Yes Blanca, that's very good. Just a few more steps, you can do it."

The baby tiger cried softly and looked up, and Owen thought his heart was literately going to melt. Those small innocent eyes staring up at him, it was hard to imagine that in a short few months time it'll be replaced with eyes of mischief. Soon that will also be gone and she will be hundreds of pounds of raw power.

Owen smiled to himself as he extended his hand to the baby, who sniffed it, inspected it for a while before nuzzling it with her head. He gently picked her up and cradled her before holding out the bottle of formula for her. The baby pawed at it, as though trying to hold it for herself. He chuckled and dodged her tiny powerless paws and gently nudged her mouth open. It wasn't long before the little white bundle eased into his arms and started sucking on the bottle.

Owen felt this wave of joy engulf him as he watch the little life form of this world, innocent to all the misdeeds of mankind, nursing a bottle peacefully. Sure, he had come a long way from where he was, but this, right here, is what he wouldn't trade anything to be anywhere else.

The baby tiger nursed her bottle halfway and started pushing it away. She's getting fussy, Owen thought. She turned in his arm and started nudging him with her tiny head.

"Oh you want to play, don't you Blanca?" Owen said softly and playfully. He set the bottle down on the counter above him and pulled a play rug over which Blanca clamped on with her mouth immediately. Owen held onto one end of the rug as the little tiger tried to tug it away. Every now and then she would slip and fall on her stomach, but without help, she'll get up the next moment and continue to pull.

In the quiet room all Owen could hear was the tiny noises this baby is making, and he found himself laughing. The outside world didn't seem to matter, that is until he heard a faint radio static. He turned his head towards the sound and found it came from the intercom in the next room. His momentary distraction caused him his game with the baby tiger, as Blanca successfully tugged the rug away from his fingers.

"… peat, co…"

Owen strained his ears to hear what it was.

"…nimal cont… code…"

The baby is nibbling on the rug and pawing it with all her might. She paused and looked up as she felt the human next to her move. He was now towering over her as he stood on his two legs, looking away. It didn't seem to be of interest to her as she went back nibbling on the rug.

Owen walked closer to the door and briefly checked on the baby tiger. She's still engrossed in the rug. He opened the door and felt a chill.

"Code Red. All response teams to Tiger Trail. I repeat, Code Red. All emergency response teams to Tiger Trail."

Behind him, the baby tiger gave a cry. Owen turned back just in time to hear a tiny rip from the rug.