jdavid.footprintsofthunder-第34章

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king　its　tongue　in　blood。　Then　it　slurped　in　its　tongue　and　smacked　its　jaws　loud　enough　to　echo　through　the　forest。　When　Cubby　whispered　〃God　protect　us；〃　the　dinosaur's　head　snapped　around　and　it　stared　at　their　hideaway；　as　if　it　heard。
　〃Don't　move；〃　Cubby　whispered。
　John　wanted　to　shout　at　Cubby　to　shut　up　but　instead　he　froze。　After　a　long　hard　stare　the　tyrannosaur　turned　back　to　its　meal。　John　slipped　silently　to　the　floor；　Cubby　next　to　him。　John　watched　his　hand　shake；　thinking　he　couldn't　get　any　more　afraid。　Then　the　sounds　of　eating　echoed　through　their　hiding　place。　The　tyrannosaur　made　great　smacking　and　slobbering　sounds；　but　the　worst　sounds　of　all　were　of　flesh　ripping　and　bones　crushed　in　massive　jaws。
　
　30。　　DEBRIS
　
　Towns　will　be　turned　upside　down　and　the　below　ground　will　bee　the　above　ground。
　…Zorastrus；　Prophet　of　Babylon
　
　Off　Naples；　Florida
　POSTQUILT：　MONDAY；　10：15　A。M。　EST
　
　　Saltwater；　thick　with　sticks　and　leaves；　washed　over　the　family；　shocking　them　awake。　It　was　late　morning　but　the　dense　cloud　cover　and　fog　made　it　as　dark　as　night。
　〃Put　down　the　sides　to　keep　the　waves　out；〃　Carmen　said。　〃Rosa？　Can　you　sit　up？〃
　Ron　looked　at　Chris。　His　eyes　were　open；　but　he　looked　groggy。　The　gash　on　his　forehead　was　surrounded　by　a　large　swelling。　〃Chris；　are　you　okay？　Can　you　move　down；　opposite　Rosa？〃
　Chris　didn't　speak；　but　he　nodded　and　scooted。　Ron　worked　opposite　Carmen　to　drop　the　sides　of　the　raft；　which　were　tied　up　at　the　top　of　the　canopy。　It　wouldn't　keep　out　an　entire　wave；　but　it　would　cut　down　on　the　sea　spray。　When　Ron　stretched　up　to　unite　the　top　he　spotted　another　large　wave　ing　toward　them。
　〃Everyone　hang　on！〃　he　yelled。
　They　all　grabbed　for　the　cords　strung　around　the　inside　of　the　rait。　Carmen　wrapped　an　arm　around　Chris　and　Ron　hooked　Rosa's　arm　with　his。　They　all　hunkered　down；　and　the　wave　broke　over　them…another　muddy　one；　and　full　of　debris。　Leaves　and　twigs　slapped　them　on　their　heads　and　arms。　The　raft　tossed　and　rocked　violently。　After　the　wave　had　passed；　Ron　broke　out　a　bailing　cup　and　went　to　work　while　Carmen　and　the　others　lifted　out　the　branches　and　the　other　debris。
　Rosa　was　having　trouble　lifting　her　left　arm　over　her　head；　and　finally　gave　up　and　used　only　her　right　one。　Ron　suspected　cracked　or　broken　ribs。　Chris　was　helping　too；　scooping　up　handfuls　of　leaves　and　twigs　and　dropping　them　over　the　side；　when　he　stopped；　staring　into　the　gloom。
　〃Hey；　there's　a　lot　of　smoke　out　there。〃
　Ron　turned　to　see　a　cloud　bank　broiling　toward　them。　〃Everyone　hang　on　again。〃
　The　family　ducked　down　as　the　raft　rocked　violently；　hot　moist　steam　enveloping　them。　The　steam　was　sulfurous　and　they　coughed；　their　noses　and　throats　　burning。　The　pitching　slowed　and　the　air　cleared　slightly。　Ron　looked　over　the　side　but　could　see　nothing　in　the　dense　fog。
　〃It's　just　steam；〃　he　said　reassuringly。　〃Nothing　to　worry　about。〃　He　didn't　add　that　they　had　enough　to　worry　about　already；
　Ron　helped　clear　debris　and　bail　out　the　raft。　Then　he　checked　the　supplies。　There　were　cans　of　water；　food；　a　pocket　knife；　four　flares；　fishing　tackle；　and　a　paddle。　He　was　repacking　the　supplies　when　something　rammed　the　raft。
　〃It's　a　log；〃　Carmen　yelled。　〃Help　me　push　it　away。〃
　Ron　used　the　paddle。　The　branches　were　thick　and　Ron　had　trouble　getting　a　solid　push。　Finally；　the　raft　drifted　off　only　to　spin　around　and　butt　up　against　the　bare　trunk。　Ron　wedged　the　paddle　again　and　pushed。　Suddenly；　something　came　running　the　length　of　the　trunk。　Green；　lithe；　and　frantic；　it　was　a　foot…tall　lizard。　Ron　instinctively　swung　with　the　paddle；　knocking　it　off　its　feet。　The　lizard　hung　over　the　side　of　the　log　briefly；　its　tail　in　the　water；　then　it　launched　itself　again。　Ron　was　ready　and　hit　it　with　a　full　swing；　knocking　it　into　the　water。　The　lizard　churned　the　water；　trying　to　reach　safety。　Ron　pushed　off　from　the　log；　and　then　paddled　furiously；　leaving　the　log　in　the　haze。
　〃What　was　that？〃　Carmen　asked。
　〃I'd　never　seen　one　before。　Its　head　was　huge。〃　Ron　didn't　add　it　had　a　wicked　set　of　teeth。　〃It's　gone　now。　We're　fine。〃
　The　kids　settled　back　but　Carmen　and　Ron　exchanged　worried　looks。
　Exhausted　from　the　night　before；　the　family　rested　silently；　worrying　privately。　Chris　soon　leaned　over　the　edge；　watching　the　waves。
　〃He　looks　better；〃　Carmen　said。
　〃His　color's　good。　I　wish　we　could　get　him　to　a　doctor。〃
　Helpless；　the　parents　fretted。
　〃There's　another　lizard　out　there！〃　Chris　suddenly　shouted。
　Rosa　popped　up　next　to　him　and　confirmed　it。　〃It　looks　like　more　than　one。〃
　〃Switch　with　us；　kids；〃　Ron　ordered。　Quickly；　Ron　realized　the　creatures　were　ing　toward　the　raft。　〃Hand　me　the　paddle；　Rosa。〃
　Paddling　furiously；　Ron　futilely　tried　to　move　the　raft　away。　A　thick　soup　of　debris　made　paddling　difficult。　Looking　back；　Ron　could　see　the　bobbing　heads　gaining；　but　there　were　more　than　two。　Carmen　appeared　next　to　him　armed　with　the　knife。
　Paddling　only　slowed　the　inevitable。　The　bobbing　green　heads　were　mostly　jaw；　with　small　black　eyes…eyes　fixed　on　the　raft。　Finally；　Ron　raised　the　paddle　for　battle。
　〃Ron！　There's　a　dozen　of　them！〃
　Ron　drove　the　first　one　under　with　one　blow；　but　it　came　up　snarling。　Two　more　blows　sent　it　down　for　good；　but　others　were　taking　its　place。　Ron　struck　violently；　delivering　blow　after　blow。
　〃Over　here！〃　Carmen　screamed。
　Ron　spun；　batting　one　off　the　lip　of　the　raft。　As　it　fell　it　slashed　an　air　cell。　Chris's　scream　brought　him　around　to　see　the　other　side　of　the　raft　suddenly　dip。　A　head　appeared　and　Ron　fought　to　keep　his　balance；　swinging　with　all　his　might。　The　blow　stunned　the　beast；　but　its　claws　clung　to　the　side。　Turning　the　paddle　sideways；　Ron　cracked　its　skull　with　the　blade；　the　lifeless　form　slipping　into　the　water。
　Ron　knocked　two　more　off　from　behind　and　then　heard　Chris　scream　again。　Another　animal　was　crawling　up　his　side。　。　　　　　〃Duck；　Chris！〃
　Chris　flopped　into　the　bottom　of　the　raft　just　as　the　paddle　cleared　his　head；　catching　the　lizard　just　under　the　jaw；　snapping　the　neck。　Ron　swung　recklessly　now；　smacking　head　after　head；　driving　them　back　into　the　sea　and　away　from　the　raft。　The　assault　ended　when　another　log　floated　near；　and　the　remaining　lizards　scrambled　aboard。　Quickly　paddling　away；　they　soon　found　themselves　alone　in　the　fog　again。
　〃What　were　they；　Dad？〃
　Shaking　his　head；　Ron　said　〃I　don't　know。　They　came　from　the　island；　I　guess。〃
　Suddenly　a　clawed　arm　reached　over　the　side；　tangling　Rosa's　hair。
　〃It's　got　me！〃　she　screamed。
　Another　claw　appeared；　followed　by　a　head。　Rosa　sank　lower；　her　hair　still　tangled　in　the　claw。
　The　jaws　opened；　exposing　wicked　teeth。　Ron　struggled　to　his　feet；　the　soft　bottom　rocking　from　his　efforts。　Grabbing　the　paddle；　Ron　struck　just　as　a　leg　flopped　over　the　side；　splintering　the　paddle　on　its　skull。　Stunned；　the　animal　hung　briefly；　then　screamed　in　Ron's　face。　Instinctively；　Ron　brought　the　handle　up　and　jammed　it　down　its　throat。　The　jaws　snapped　shut　just　missing　his　fingers。　Its　forelegs　frantically　clawed　at　the　handle　embedded　in　its　throat；　as　it　tottered　on　the　side。　Then　Carmen　jammed　the　knife　in　its　neck。　Without　another　weapon　Ron　lunged；　shoving　with　all　his　might；　pushing　the　lizard　back　into　the　sea。　It　squawked　and　splashed　noisily　until　it　slipped　beneath　the　waves。
　Exhausted　from　fear；　the　family　flopped　in　the　bottom　of　the　raft；　Carmen　still　holding　the　bloody　knife。　Ron　stroked　Chris's　head　and　hoped　they　wouldn't　need　the　knife　again。　Soon　everyone　was　asleep。
　
　　〃Uh…oh！　Something's　ing　again；〃　Chris　shouted；　waking　the　others。
　Carmen　and　Rosa　instinctively　moved　to　see。
　〃Don't　move！〃　Ron　shouted。　〃We　don't　want　to　capsize。　Carmen；　you　look；　and　Rosa；　stay　where　you　are　for　now。〃
　Carmen　scooted　a　little　closer　to　Chris　to　see　what　he'd　seen。
　〃I　think　he's　right。　It's　splashing　through　the　water　a　couple　of　waves　away。〃
　〃Is　it　like　the　others？〃
　〃I　can't　tell；　but　it's　bigger。　Ron；　you　better　take　a　look　at　this。〃
　Ron　and　Chris　changed　places。　Ron　had　trouble　spotting　it　in　the　fog。　Like　the　others；　it　looked　monstrous；　with　a　human…sized　lizard　head；　and　a　partially　opened　mouth　lined　with　sharp　teeth。　It　was　having　trouble　in　the　water　as　it　splashed　inefficiently　with　small　legs。
　Ron　turned；　looking　for　another　weapon。　There　was；　nothing　but　the　knife；　a　pitiful　weapon。
　〃Ron；　it's　here！　Oh　it's　big。　Real　big！〃
　Ron　turned　to　see　Carmen　backing　up；　motioning　for　the　kids　to　move　to　the　other　end　of　the　raft。　Suddenly　the　raft　wall　was　pulled　down　violently；　and　the　massive　head　appeared。　Chris　screamed　and　stumbled　back　into　Ron。　The　lizard　was　snapping　its　jaws；　and　at　the　same　time　scrabbling　with　its　clawed　forearms　to　pull　itself　into　the　raft。　As　the　claws　shredded　the　raft；　the　air　emptied　from　cell　after　cell。　That　lowered　the　side　and　the　lizard　pulled　itself　forward。　The　raft　flooded；　but　the　lizard　continued　to　scramble。　Then　a　huge　rear　leg　appeared。
　〃We've　got　to　get　out；〃　Ron　said。　〃Over　the　side。〃
　But　Carmen　was　already　helping　Chris　into　the　water；　and　Rosa　rolled　off　backward　like　a　skin　diver。　Ron　looked　back　to　see　the　lizard　struggling　into　the　raft。　It　didn't　look　vicious；　it　looked　scared…just　trying　to　survive　like　Ron　and　his　family。
　Ron　was　about　to　jump　when　he　remembered　the　survival　supplies。　Quickly；　he　grabbed　a　net　bag　and　jammed　four　plastic　quart　bottles　of　water　in　it　and　jumped　over　the　side。　They　had　to　push　debris　out　of　their　way　as　they　swam。　When　they　were　far　enough　away　to　feel　safe；　they　turned　to　see　the　raft　had　collapsed；　the　lizard's　weight　pulling　the　sides　in　over　its　head。　As　they　watched；　the　lizard　continued　to　struggle　frantically；　succeeding　only　in　wrapping　itself　more　and　more　tightly　in　the　shredded　fabric。　Finally　it　sank　from　sight；　the　raft　as　its　shroud。
　The　family　bobbed　in　the　water　in　stunned　silence。　With　no　life　jackets　to　support　their　weight；　Carmen　and　Ron　soon　began　to　tire。　The　family　formed　itself　into　a　ring；　the　parents　using　the　children's　life　jackets　to　support　as　much　of　their　weight　as　possible。　It　was　at　best　a　temporary　solution。
　The　wind　was　still　strong；　but　the　sea　had　settled　some。　They　were　still　riding　a　roller…coaster　ocean；　but　the　dips　were　smaller。　The　sky　remained　black；　and　the　fog　thick　and　sulfurous。
　〃Hey；　Mom；〃　Rosa　said。　〃There's　something　over　there。〃
　Ron　looked　at　the　same　time　as　Carmen。　Something　dark　was　moving　slowly　through　the　water…shaped　like　the　inverted　hull　of　a　ship；　about　twice　the　size　of　the　Entrepreneur's。
　〃It　looks　like　another　capsized　boat；〃　Ron　volunteered。　〃Swim　for　it。〃
　They　angled　toward　the　moving　mound；　gently　brushing　up　against　it。　Carmen　tried　climbing　up　the　side　first；　but　the　movement　of　the　mound　made　it　difficult。
　〃Ron；　this　doesn't　feel　like　Fiberglas。〃
　〃Just　climb；　Carmen。　We've　got　to　get　out　of　the　water。〃
　Finally；　Carmen　lay　spread…eagled　on　the　side　of　the　mound　and　reached　down　and　managed　to　pull　Chris　up　next　to　her；　but　Rosa　and　Ron　found　themselves　falling　behind；　Ron　struggled　to　get　Rosa　up　on　the　side；　but　she　could　only　use　one　arm　effectively；　and　the　net　bag　with　t