The sky splits open with wings.

Screaming — people, animals, metal — it all blends together as the pterodactyls dive, slicing through the air like knives.

You trip, landing hard on the cracked pavement outside the visitor center, and you don’t even get the chance to move before he’s there — Zach — throwing himself over you without hesitation.

“Don’t move,” he breathes, his arm curled around your head, shielding you. His body is a wall against the wind, against the panic, against everything.

A shadow passes over. One of them swoops so low you feel the gust of its wings slam into your lungs.

You gasp.

He tightens his hold, tucking your head into his chest. “You’re okay,” he murmurs. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you. I swear.”

All around you, the world is breaking — glass shattering, people running, sirens wailing.

But all you feel is the weight of him, the heat of his body, the rasp of his breath as he tries to keep both of you from falling apart.

And when the screaming shifts direction, when the creatures fly past and the worst of it is momentarily gone, he doesn’t pull away.

He just looks down at you, eyes wide and scared and real.

“Are you hurt?”

You shake your head. Barely.

He lets out a breath that sounds like it’s been held since the sky turned black.

“Good,” he whispers, still holding you. “Now c’mon- quick” He grabs your hand and you run towards Owen and Claire