Safety Comes In Many Forms [Ageing Quest]

Dahlia had been stumbling out of her eggs only a few days prior, cold and alone and with no knowledge of the world. Her surroundings were dark walls of cement, a few blinking lights and the sound of water dripping from places in the roof. She had walked the hallways aimlessly, calling out for anyone, nibbing and biting at the smallest of pebbles in hopes to stop the pain in her stomach but without hope.

The water had been rising in the facility over the past few days and loud cracks had started to form on the walls and roof, she however with no knowledge – didn’t give them much attention.

This day was different though, she had heard footsteps up above, loud heavy ones and even some tumbling over. Seeking any form of life, hope for security and prayer for safety – she followed the noises but with the murky water making it hard to walk in, she wasn’t the fastest. “Hello?”

The room was dark, filled with shelves from floor to roof. Jars with a nasty green goo and murky water up to her neck, she waddled as carefully as her newborn legs could take her. “H-hello!” Her voice screeched at the sound of a big rumble and crash from within the facility and it was shortly followed by waves as a huge figure bolted out of a near by room towards a huge light in the opposite side of the room, leading up?

“W-Wait!” She shouted out while being tumbled over by the waves of the water but luckily her noise had been heard. As she was struggling to get back onto her feet and over the waters surface again, she felt something swoosh under her body and lift her up and out of the water in a swift easy motion.

“I got you, hold on! This thing will crumble!” His voice was deep but slightly shaken and out of breath given the moment – It didn’t take seconds for the Styraco starting his marsh through the water in a rush to make it to the opening he had gotten down into the facility through. It was too bright! She closed her eyes and held on as tight as she could while laying over the snout of the Styraco.

-

“You can open up now. It’s okay.” A soft voice spoke before she slowly felt herself being lowered to the ground again, it took her a moment to find her footing before she noticed the ground beneath her. It was... soft and... colorful. A short moment of unsure panic was creeping up on her before her gaze realized the huge figure standing next to her. “Who-“ She didn’t say much more before the Styraco gently introduced himself. “Ant, I’m Ant. Where- Where’s your parents?” His question seemed to linger in the air as she did not have any answers for him, not even her own name. Dahlia looked around unsure for a little moment before quietly just moving closer to Ants front leg, seeking shelter and safety beneath him.

He didn’t seem to mind nor question her much further before merely giving a small nod. “Okay then. Come on, let’s get some food in you, doubt there’s been much down there.” Ant spoke before slowly starting to move forward into the forest ahead of them. Dahlia watched as he walked for a bit before her legs sat into an unbalanced speed mode as she rushed after him, she did not wish to be alone again and he just saved her, so... he must be her family? She didn’t know but what she knew was that she wasn’t alone with him around.

-

Days went past and their ways didn’t split, he taught her where to find food, shelter and even how to evade dangers. Dahlia might not look like Ant and one day they might split up but to her, he would always have a special place and be a memory she would never let go of.

Dahlia never question their directions nor asked of his goals but before she knew it they had made it from thick forests to wide open plains of green lush grass for as far as her bright blue eyes could see but not only that, other dinosaurs!

“If your parents are out here somewhere, this will be the place we find them.” He spoke gently while he himself was scouting the plains ahead of them. “Come on now.” He started marching forward once more and Dahlia followed close behind.
She wasn’t exactly sure what to look for because for her, Ant had taken an important spot for her and she didn’t wish for him to leave just yet because where would she go without him?

“What if they’re not here?” She asked unsurely while trotting along beside Ant to keep up.

“Then I am here.” He gave her a short look and a small playful push, which was plenty to make her tumble onto her butt for a second. She let out a chuckle while getting back onto her feet and felt her steps was being taken more confident now. She wouldn’t be alone, never again.

After a few good hours of searching they had not found any luck, there were plenty of Styracos, Pachys and even some Iguanodons but not a single Their In sight. Dahlia crawled onto a smaller rock to get a better look around as she let out a soft sigh. “Here is no one..” Defeat had hit her voice. She had woken in a dark cold facility, dripping wet and starving with no one to keep her safe and here she stood, yet again alon- wait.. What was she thinking?!

She turned tail to face the other direction and as promised, Ant stood calmly watching her as she had been scouting on the stone. “I’m right here, don’t let your head mess with you. Now come on, we must find shelter, night is rolling in.” He slowly started to walk towards a small forested area and Dahlia did a little jump down from her rock and trotted right after. Why? Cause Herds stick together.