Chapter 10: Connect

Chapter 10: Connect is the tenth chapter of Dinosaur Creek Part 1 and the overall tenth chapter of Dinosaur Creek. It was released on August 1st, 2021.

## Plot Summary

At night in Hell Creek, Emily shows Tex around downtown, which has many restaurants, shops, and parks for him to check out (Brand New Life). As the two explore, the dinosaurs spy on them from the van thanks to security monitors set inside. While reading a book regarding relationships between people, Caren expresses worry about Tex and Emily spending lots of time together but Morgan tries to say otherwise and claims Emily is just helping Tex get readjusted since he’s been through a lot (embracing the modern world for the first time, losing Kireina). However, Caren claims it’s not Tex’s adjusting she’s worried about. But more about the idea that Tex may like Emily romantically, which makes her irritated since she doesn’t want them to risk crossing any dinosaur/human boundaries. Though the team is questionable about her assumptions, they continue to watch the two through the cameras.

Eventually, Tex and Emily stop by a restaurant to eat dinner. Emily orders them both chicken soup so that Tex can eat a meat-related meal. Although he struggles with ordering food and eating it at first because he is unfamiliar with how a menu works or using utensils, Emily helps him guide him through using the spoon to eat his soup, which he gleefully gets. He then admits how he’s never eaten like this due to having been raised hunting animals and just eating them raw without too much technique. He even describes a hunting strategy to her involving hunting and killing triceratops.

The two talk about how Tex always relied on Kireina to ensure the hunting, stability of their relationship, and survival of their species, but he also explains how female rexes are more stronger and aggressive than males. Though Tex believed it was helpful for their kind, Emily senses Kireina had more control of their relationship and Tex wasn’t as powerful as her. This reveals he could have been subjected to an abusive relationship. Tex also explains how he grew up alone after his mother’s death as a hatchling and how he hadn’t trusted any other rexes for his whole life until Kireina showed up. But just as Emily also asks if he’s found any hobbies like the rest of the team had, Tex explains how even though he is smarter, more mature, free of Kireina’s control, and capable of starting over, his many years of no skill make him realize he doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life.

Emily feels sympathy for him as she sees he’s never been on his own before in a new world. She moves over to sit next to him in the booth and tries to cheer him up by reminding him what he can do. Sensing he enjoys food, she gives him an idea that involves cooking and preparing food, like a cook or a chief, stating “*It’s a start.*” He thanks her and, seeing her take his spoon and fill it with soup, he moves over to take a sip, to her surprise. But he pulls back after feeling awkward and embarrassed, with her feeling the same way. The two are suddenly interrupted by the arrival of Violet Spencers, a perky young adult activist and also Owen’s younger sister. Violet makes small talk with Emily about Tex being her date, though she explains how Tex is a friend of hers who just moved to the city. During the conversation though, Violet explains how her brother, Owen, told her about her case she rose up and wants her not to put him through any reckless trouble like she always does. Emily reassures her she’ll keep him safe before Violet leaves. Violet leaves them, but not before making an off-comment to Tex about using his muscles to protect Emily from crooks in the city. This makes him feel offended, but eventually turns worried when he sees Emily feeling down.

After dinner, the two prepare to walk to the parking garage and head home. Seeing Emily is down after what Violet said, Tex cheers her up by explaining how the way she tackles crime is so she can protect others. While she still finds a way to have fun and adventure she always puts the needs of others before herself. This makes her feel much better and expresses glee to be Tex and the team’s friend. However, Tex picks up the smell of blood, with Emily unable to since his sense of smell is stronger. Following the scent into an alleyway, they find a homeless person murdered, having been eaten. Scaring Emily but leaving Tex remorseful, the two are suddenly ambushed by Kireina, with her mouth covered in blood.

## Characters

* Tex
* Emily Tops
* Caren
* Shane
* Blaster
* Morgan
* Rover
* Revit
* Violet Spencers
* Kireina
* Restaurant Waitress

## Trivia

* This chapter marks the first appearance of Violet Spencers.
* Much of Tex's background is revealed in this chapter.