The Raptor in Frame Eleven
One frozen frame reveals a creature no schedule listed, staring out as if aware of the viewer.
The tape loaded with a sharp flicker, glitching once before settling into a dim security feed of Lab Wing C. The timestamp blinked:
00:23:11
“Look at the quality,” Indy said. “This camera was barely functioning.”
Lara narrowed her eyes. “Frame rate is unstable. Something interfered with it.”
Two researchers appeared in view, standing beside a table stacked with still photographs. Their badges read:
DR. EMMA SHAW
DR. RICHARD VALE
They looked tense, whispering urgently.
Shaw held a photo printout with trembling fingers. “Richard… frame eleven. Look at frame eleven again.”
Vale rubbed his eyes. “Emma, it’s an artifact. Motion blur.”
“No blur creates a silhouette,” she hissed. “And not one shaped like that.”
She slid the photo under the lab’s overhead light. Even through the grain, a shape stood clear: a raptor-like figure mid-stride, caught in a single frozen frame of a corridor that had been empty during the sweep.
Indy leaned closer. “Lara… that’s a raptor. No doubt.”
Lara’s expression darkened. “And look at the height. That’s a male. Full-grown.”
On the tape, Vale whispered, “If this is real, why didn’t the sensors pick it up?”
Shaw shook her head. “Richard, the sensors are twenty years outdated. They can barely detect interns.”
Vale exhaled shakily. “If there’s a raptor loose in this wing, we need to lock it down now.”
They stepped into the hallway, armed with nothing but flashlights and fear. Their boots echoed off the tile floors. Lights flickered above them.
“Camera eleven was this way,” Shaw whispered.
The lab corridor branched left. The camera angle caught their silhouettes stalking forward cautiously. Ruined signs, overturned carts, old equipment littered the way.
A soft tapping echoed behind them.
Vale spun. “Did you hear that?”
Shaw nodded slowly. “Claws.”
Another tap. Closer.
They moved faster.
Camera Eleven came into view, its red REC light blinking erratically. Beneath it, deep gashes ripped across the plaster. Three-toed scratches. Fresh.
Vale whispered, “This wasn’t here earlier.”
Shaw raised her flashlight. “Richard… the camera caught it because it knew the camera was there.”
The floor vibrated with a low growl.
The view shook as Vale stepped back. “Emma… we need to leave. Now.”
A shadow streaked behind them. Fast. Silent.
Shaw gasped. “It’s circling.”
“RUN!” Vale shouted.
They sprinted back down the hall. The camera captured the blur of movement behind them, a raptor bounding on powerful limbs, claws skittering across tile.
Shaw reached the entrance first. She slammed her keycard against the reader.
Red light.
“No, no, no,” she cried. “Come on!”
Vale shoved her aside and tried his. The light flashed—
Red again.
The raptor lunged.
It collided with Vale, knocking him to the ground. Its claws pinned his chest as it tore into him. His screams ripped through the lab, echoed, then cut sickeningly short.
Shaw screamed, stumbling backwards.
Vale’s body fell limp. Blood spread across the floor.
The raptor raised its head slowly, turning toward Shaw, jaws dripping.
Her trembling voice cracked. “Stay back… please…”
It crouched.
Sprang.
Shaw’s scream vanished under its attack. The camera caught her body thrown against the wall, then dragged out of frame.
The hallway fell silent.
The raptor stepped back into view, staring directly into the lens, yellow eyes unblinking. It tilted its head, as if studying whoever might be watching.
Indy muttered, “It… noticed the camera.”
Lara nodded grimly. “It wanted to be seen. Frame Eleven was a message.”
The raptor leaned forward and struck the camera.
Static filled the screen.
Tape over.
Lara whispered, “This one… this one hunted like it was intelligent.”
Indy swallowed. “Or worse. Like it remembered us.”