The dinosaur's claws dug into the earth as he pivoted sharply, his massive frame turning toward the source of the sound. His heart pounded—not from exertion, but from the unfamiliar thrill of curiosity. The rumble grew louder as he approached, a deep, rhythmic vibration that made the ground tremble beneath his feet.

He moved cautiously, his senses heightened. The sound led him to the edge of a vast canyon, its walls striated with layers of ancient rock. Peering over the edge, his eyes widened. Below, a river—not a mirage, but real, glinting water—carved its way through the canyon floor. The rumble was the sound of its current, strong and relentless, echoing off the stone walls.

His throat constricted at the sight. Water. Fresh, flowing water. He hadn't seen anything like it in decades. But as he stared, something else caught his attention: a flicker of movement on the opposite bank. A small, furred creature—a mammal—scurried along the rocks, pausing to drink. The dinosaur's breath hitched. Life. Actual life.

The mammal froze, its beady eyes locking onto his. For a moment, they simply stared at one another, predator and prey separated by the river's width. Then, with a chirp, the creature darted into a crevice and vanished. The dinosaur remained still, his mind racing. He wasn't alone after all.