The idea of dinosaurs had always fascinated Zara. The way nobody truly knows how such massive creatures blinked out of existence on a random Tuesday. She was quite the dinosaur enthusiast, with posters and multiple books about them. Watching the Jurassic movie series only piqued her interest in those animals and opened up a whole new idea on gene splicing for her. The prospect that one day, DNA alone could make these species roar their way out of extinction is what her interest was based on. The thought that one day, she could have her own 'mad scientist' moment is what crept up on her, particularly on a day like this, after losing her interest in dinosaurs those many years ago.
Back to today,
It was just another random Tuesday. Zara was awoken from her doze when the bell finally rang and the algebra lesson was over. Not that she could complain, she had succeeded at sleeping through the whole thing without being detected by Mrs Wilkins. She ran to catch up with her friends who were already waiting by the doorway for her. They had to go to the primary classes' exhibition, followed by the field trip to the exhibit on history and extinction. The whole group slowly made their way towards the exhibition, which was in the main courtyard by the front entryway and before the foyer. The walk was an eventful one, as Zara heard about the latest drama through her involved friends. As soon as the group stepped out into the grass, dozens of younger students ran toward them and started handing out dinosaur-shaped cookies and fried finger food. The excitement on their faces almost felt nostalgic, like how you would feel if you listened to your previous favourite songs. They slowly walked around the colourful, well-lit and hand-decorated tables that were cluttered with nick-nacks and endless bags of ready-to-eat cookies. Some of the tables on the other end of the grass had posters put up with the smallest handwriting on a large paper, this writing covered the whole page with information about the world's deadliest dinosaurs and the least deadly ones. Some of the posters weren't handmade and had been taken straight from the internet. Zara recognised these immediately, as she too had many of those when she was younger. Looking at the younger kids' interest in dinosaurs reignited a small part of the spark that once burned inside her too.
Later in the day, Zara handed the teacher collecting permission slips her slip for the museum exhibit. The only reason the entire class was going was because their history teacher said they would get 5 points extra credit if they came. Suddenly, the teacher who had just run out came back sprinting and panting, saying "T-The trip has been preponed!" Everyone looked visibly confused, some even looked like they thought it was a prank.
The school would need a massive amount of buses and support to take so many students on a trip like this one. They were just told to hurry up and gather all their things, as they had to leave for the Old City as soon as they could. And so the journey began. The bus ride was long itself, it took them nearly an hour to reach Blue Paisley Point, which was near the Old City. This museum is said to be the most prestigious, and one that many teenagers want to visit. The ride was a bumpy one, but fun nonetheless as they laughed, sang and ate throughout the whole thing. Finally, they arrived at their destination.
As the bus doors swung open, Zara and her classmates poured out onto the pavement, their excited chatter filling the air. The museum loomed before them, its modern glass and steel structure a stark contrast to the crumbling ruins of the Old City visible in the distance.
Their history teacher, Mr. Brennan, ushered them towards the entrance, his usual sternness softened by an undercurrent of excitement. "Remember," he called out, "this isn't just about the extra credit. This is about connecting with our past to understand our future."
As they stepped into the cavernous main hall, Zara felt a familiar tingle of anticipation. The space was dominated by the skeleton of a massive Tyrannosaurus Rex, its jaws frozen in an eternal roar. For a moment, she was transported back to her childhood, imagining the thunder of its footsteps and the raw power of its presence.
As the group moved through the exhibits, Zara found herself drifting away from her friends, drawn to displays that had once captivated her younger self. She paused in front of a holograph of the Cretaceous period, watching in awe as long-extinct plants and animals shimmered to life before her eyes.
"Impressive, isn't it?" a voice said beside her. Zara turned to see an elderly woman in a lab coat, her eyes twinkling with intelligence behind thick glasses.
"Dr. Eliza Sattler," the woman introduced herself, extending a hand. "I'm one of the resident paleogeneticists here."
Zara's eyes widened in awe. "You work on reviving extinct species?"
Dr. Sattler nodded, a wry smile on her face. "It's not quite as simple as the movies make it out to be."
As they walked and talked, Zara felt her old passion reigniting. Dr. Sattler explained the complexities of extracting viable DNA from fossils, the challenges of reconstructing missing genetic sequences, and the ethical considerations of bringing long-dead species back to life.
"The real question," Dr. Sattler mused, "is not whether we can do it, but whether we should. Every extinction event has shaped the course of evolution on this planet. Who are we to play god and reverse that process?"
Zara nodded thoughtfully, her mind racing with questions. As they rounded a corner, they came face to face with a striking mural depicting the impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. The contrast between the fiery apocalypse and the delicate balance of life on Earth sent a shiver down Zara's spine.
"But what if we could learn from them?" Zara found herself asking. "What if bringing back even one species could teach us how to prevent future extinctions?"
Dr. Sattler's eyes lit up. "Now that's the kind of thinking we need in this field. Have you ever considered a career in paleogenetics, young lady?"
Before Zara could respond, Mr. Brennan's voice echoed through the hall, calling the students to gather for their return journey. As she reluctantly said goodbye to Dr. Sattler, Zara felt as if the world had shifted on its axis.
On the bus ride home, while her classmates chattered about the coolest exhibits and complained about sore feet, Zara sat quietly, her mind ablaze with possibilities. She pulled out her phone and began researching university programs in genetics and paleontology, already mapping out the path to her newfound dream.
As the bus pulled up to the school, the sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Zara stepped off, feeling fundamentally changed.
She looked up at the darkening sky, imagining the impact that had once changed the course of life on Earth. With a small smile, she realized that sometimes, it didn't take an asteroid to cause an extinction-level event in one's life. Sometimes, all it took was just a hint of nostalgia.
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