jdavid.footprintsofthunder-第42章

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　take　maybe　two　days　to　get　to　the　coast。　Otherwise；　Ron　and　his　family　had　no　chance　of　swimming　to　shore；　and　no　boat　or　raft　to　take　shelter　in。　He　agreed　they　had　to　get　off；　but　thought　maybe　they　should　wait　for　a　good…size　log　or　some　other　wreckage　to　e　by　before　abandoning　their　ride。
　〃Carmen；〃　he　whispered。　〃I　don't　know　。　。　。　maybe　we　should　stay。　It's　going　in　the　right　direction。〃
　〃Are　you　kidding？〃　she　whispered　back。　〃Do　you　know　what　this　is？　It's　a　brontosaurus。〃
　Ron　had　been　shocked　too　many　times　in　the　last　few　hours　to　be　surprised　now。　All　he　could　do　was　mutter　numbly；　〃A　brontosaurus？　You　mean　a　dinosaur　brontosaurus？〃
　〃It's　not　called　a　brontosaurus　anymore；〃　Rosa　whispered。　〃It's　an　apatosaurus。〃
　〃Yeah；〃　Chris　said　in　a　normal　voice；　〃it's　a　potosaurus。〃　Carmen　visibly　cringed　at　the　volume　of　Chris's　voice　and　hushed　him。　Ron　found　the　strength　of　Chris's　voice　not　frightening；　but　reassuring；　confirming　that　Chris　was　alert　and　strong。
　〃I　don't　care　what　it　is；　I　want　off；〃　Carmen　whispered　harshly。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
　〃Mom；　they　were　herbivores；　they　only　eat　grass　and　leaves；〃　Rosa　said。
　Rosa　said　it　as　if　she　were　an　authority；　and　Carmen　seemed　to　listen。　Ron　had　to　admit　that　it　looked　like　a　dinosaur；　but　he　also　knew　such　a　thing　couldn't　exist。　Dinosaurs　were　long　extinct。　But　there　shouldn't　have　been　an　island　at　that　longitude　and　latitude　either。　It　seemed　likely　this　animal　and　the　other　lizard　things　had　e　from　the　island；　but　he　couldn't　make　the　jump　to　calling　them　dinosaurs。　There　had　always　been　stories　of　large　animals　in　the　ocean；　even　in　lochs。　Of　course　this　one　didn't　seem　to　be　a　sea　mammal。　It　showed　no　intention　of　diving　below　the　surface；　and　had　no　blow　hole。　It　might　be　a　relative　of　dinosaurs；　Ron　rationalized；　but　dinosaurs　were　extinct。　They　could　call　it　a　brontosaurus　or　apatosaurus　if　they　wanted　to；　but　Ron　suspected　any　big　animal　would　be　an　apatosaurus　to　the　children。
　〃Besides；〃　Rosa　continued；　〃I　don't　think　I　could　take　that　water　much　longer。〃
　〃Hey　look；〃　Chris　said；　in　an　even　louder　voice。　〃There's　another　one。〃
　Ron　looked　to　their　left　to　see　a　smaller　shape　in　the　water；　a　miniature　version　of　the　one　they　were　sitting　on。　It　was　swimming　just　off　the　shoulder　of　the　big　one。
　〃It's　got　a　baby；〃　Rosa　whispered。
　〃Yeah；〃　Chris　said　in　a　normal　voice。　Then　after　a　shush　from　Carmen　he　continued　softly；　〃It's　got　a　baby。〃
　Ron　estimated　the　baby　was　bigger　than　a　full…grown　elephant。　Its　neck　was　proportionally　much　shorter　than　the　mother's；　but　even　then　it　cleared　the　water　by　six　feet。　The　baby　didn't　seem　to　be　having　much　trouble　keeping　up；　but　Ron　suspected　the　mother　was　holding　back　considerably。　It　made　him　wonder　about　the　bone　structure　and　anatomy　of　these　animals。　They　seemed　to　be　using　all　their　energy　to　move　through　the　water　and　little　or　none　to　stay　on　top。　If　the　bone　structure　was　light　enough；　the　fat　content　high　enough；　and　there　was　enough　lung　capacity；　they　could　float。　Ron　suspected　that　was　the　case；　and　it　was　another　reason　to　stay　onboard。　They　wouldn't；　find　a　better　raft；　or　one　easier　to　spot　from　the　air。
　〃Carmen；〃　Ron　whispered；　〃maybe　we　should　stay　here　for　a　while。　There　might　be　more　in　the　water；　or　those　other　things…at　least　until　we　find　a　log　or　something。〃
　Carmen　looked　around　fearfully。　Ron　knew　she　was　thinking　of　the　lizards　they　had　fought　in　their　raft。　After　thoroughly　scanning　the　surrounding　ocean；　Carmen　whispered　back；　〃All　right；　but　only　for　a　little　while。〃
　Somehow　staying　on　the　monster　had　bee　the　safe　thing　to　do；　although　everyone　except　Chris　was　cautious　enough　to　sit　perfectly　still　until　their　bodies　ached。　When　the　pain　finally　forced　them　to　move；　Carmen　made　sure　they　moved　one　at　a　time；　and　very　slowly。　Ron　found　the　sun　on　his　bare　back　and　the　rhythm　of　the　animal　restful；　and　soon；　like　the　rest　of　his　family；　fell　asleep。
　
　38。　　FRIENDS
　
　We　often　refer　to　civilization　as　a　thin　veneer；　but　the　constant　violence　in　our　country　suggests　it　might　be　better　characterized　as　a　net；　with　great　gaping　holes　that　people　are　constantly　falling　through。　As　the　net　fills　with　population　growth；　the　net　stretches；　making　the　holes　bigger　and　more　people　slip　out　of　civilization's　control。　God　help　us　if　the　net　should　ever　tear　open。
　…Dr。　Chorlene　Hall；　The　Violent　Society
　
　New　York　City
　POSTQUILT：　TUESDAY；　7：30　A。M。　EST
　
　The　sounds　of　Mrs。　Weatherby　in　her　kitchen　brought　Luis　back　to　consciousness。　He　was　feeling　better。　The　headache　was　finally　gone。　The　lump　on　his　scalp　was　still　there；　but　the　swelling　in　his　lip　was　down　noticeably。　He　sniffed　the　aroma　from　the　kitchen　and　realized　with　a　start　he　had　slept　through　the　night。　Mrs。　Weatherby　was　fixing　breakfast。　Luis　could　pick　out　the　smells　of　coffee　and　frying　bacon；　they　reminded　him　of　his　family；　Melinda　must　be　out　of　her　mind　with　worry；　Luis　knew　he　had　to　go　and　he　wanted　Mrs。　Weatherby　to　e　with　him。
　Luis　sat　up　slowly。　When　he　was　sure　he　wasn't　going　to　faint　he　walked　to　the　kitchen　and　leaned　against　the　door　frame。　Mrs。　Weatherby；　wearing　a　red　and　white　checked　apron；　was　cooking　a　pan　of　eggs　and　bacon　over　a　propane　stove。　When　she　saw　him　she　flashed　him　a　grandmother's　smile　and　motioned　to　the　table。
　〃Sit　down；　Luis。　You're　just　in　time。　I'm　afraid　there's　no　　toast　this　morning。　The　toaster　is　out；　you　see。　I　do　hope　the　electricity　es　on　again　soon。　I　know；　I'll　toast　a　piece　of　bread　over　the　flames　of　the　stove。　That　just　might　work　you　know。〃
　〃No；　Mrs；　Weatherby。　This　is　fine。　More　than　I　ever　hoped　for。〃
　〃I'd　be　happy　to　try　toasting　the　bread。〃
　〃I'm　fine；　really。〃
　Luis　sat　down　at　the　table　and　ate　greedily。　When　he　was　about　halfway　through；　Mrs。　Weatherby　clucked　her　tongue　and　began　frying　the　last　two　eggs　in　the　carton。　He　felt　guilty。　〃Mrs。　Weatherby；　you're　feeding　me　the　last　of　your　eggs。　There　won't　be　anymore；　you　know。　At　least　not　for　a　while。　There's　no　law　out　there。　Take　a　look　at　my　face　if　you　don't　believe　me。　Let　me　take　you　to　Melinda's　brother's　place。　The　kids　are　there。　You　could　really　help　us　out。　You　know；　you　watch　the　kids　while　Melinda　and　I　look　for　a　new　place。　The　kids　would　love　it。　Especially　Katrina。　You　know　she　loves　you。〃
　〃Katrina　is　a　dear；　Luis；　and　you　give　her　a　hug　from　me。　But　this　is　my　home　and　I　see　no　reason　to　leave　it；　I　can　do　without　a　few　eggs。　As　for　food；　I　have　everything　I　need　to　last　me　a　month　right　here　in　this　apartment；　and　when　that　runs　out　I've　got　lots　of　neighbors　to　borrow　from。　I've　been　through　blackouts　before；　Luis；　and　they're　no　problem　if　you're　prepared。〃
　〃But；　Mrs。　Weatherby；　there's　a　dinosaur　out　there。〃
　〃Many　dinosaurs；　Luis。　It's　been　a　constant　parade。　Some　of　them　I　haven't　learned　the　names　for　yet；　but　I　know　I　saw　a　polacanthus　and　a　pachycephalosaurus　and　those　awful　deinonychus。　They're　terrible　killers！　And。of　course　there's　my　iguanodon　friend。　A　vegetarian；　you　know。　He　has　a　sweet　tooth。〃
　She　scooped　the　eggs　onto　Luis's　plate；　then　took　apple　juice　from　the　refrigerator　and　filled　a　glass　for　Luis。　〃I　don't　know　why　I　keep　the　apple　juice　in　the　refrigerator。　It　isn't　working；　of　course。　I　guess　it's　just　habit。〃
　Luis　sighed。　〃That　big　dinosaur；　he　doesn't　have　to　eat　you；　you　know。　Stepping　on　you　would　turn　you　into　a　pancake。〃
　〃He's　really　quite　careful。〃　Then　Mrs。　Weatherby　looked　thoughtful。　〃Would　you　like　some　pancakes；　Luis？　I　could　whip　them　up　real　easy。　I've　got　lots　of　syrup。　I've　got　one　of　those　mixes　that　doesn't　use　any　eggs。　Of　course…〃
　〃No；　please　no。　This　is　fine。　I'm　already　full。　I　said　that　dinosaur　will　turn　you　into　a　pancake；　I　didn't　mean　I　wanted　any。　He's　not　smart　enough　to　be　careful。　He's　going　to　hurt　you。　He　won't　mean　it　but　it　will　happen。〃
　〃He　is　so　smart；〃　Mrs。　Weatherby　replied　defensively。　〃You　should　see　how　quickly　he　learned　that　sugar　trick。　Now　I'm　teaching　him　to　stay　away　from　my　garden。　Why　I　think　I　could…〃
　Mrs。　Weatherby　was　interrupted　by　the　now　familiar　〃aaaah〃　sound　drifting　in　from　the　living　room　window。　She　immediately　took　two　paper　bags　from　the　kitchen　counter　and　walked　through　the　door；　calling　back　over　her　shoulder　as　she　left；　〃Finish　your　eggs；　Luis。　I've　got　to　see　to　the　iguanodon's　sweet　tooth　or　he'll　never　leave　us　alone。〃
　When　she　walked　out　the　apartment　door；　he　realized　she　was　going　down　to　feed　her　dinosaur　by　hand。　She　was　impossible。　Luis　had　nearly　lost　his　life　trying　to　rescue　her　from　something　she　didn't　want　to　be　rescued　from。　He　couldn't　drag　her　all　the　way　back　to　Steve　and　Tanya's　apartment。　He　was　going　to　have　to　leave　her　here；　and　if　that　dinosaur　got　her　it　wouldn't　be　his　fault。　He　had　tried。
　When　he　looked　out　the　living　room　window；　the　dinosaur　was　there　with　Mrs。　Weatherby。　He　was　down　on　all　fours　getting　seconds；　his　massive　mouth　wide　open　as　little　Mrs；　Weatherby　poured　sugar　inside。　It　was　a　strange　and　wonderful　relationship；　but　Luis　knew　it　couldn't　last。　Mrs。　Weatherby　would　have　to　leave　eventually。　The　electricity　wasn't　ing　back　easily　this　time；　and　even　if　it　did　it　wouldn't　matter。　The　police　would　evacuate　these　buildings　when　the　looting　ended；　and　they　would　seal　off　the　dinosaur　meadow。
　Luis　finally　conceded　defeat。　He　had　to　leave。　He　had　a　family　worrying　about　him　and　he　should　have　been　home　long　ago。
　Mrs。　Weatherby　had　finished　feeding　her　dinosaur；　who　was　walking　off　into　the　meadow　chewing　a　mouthful　of　grass。
　Luis　called　out　the　window　to　her。　〃Mrs。　Weatherby；　I've　got　to　go　to　my　family。　Won't　you　e　with　me？〃
　She　smiled　up　at　him。　〃Go　take　care　of　your　babies；　Luis。　Stop　worrying　about　an　old　woman。　Please　don't　worry　about　me。　I　haven't　been　this　happy　in　years。〃
　Luis　nodded　and　waved　good…bye。　She　might　die；　he　thought；　but　she　would　die　happy。　Could　anyone　hope　for　more　than　a　long　life　and　to　die　happy？　Then　he　stepped　out　the　door。
　The　streets　were　worse　than　Luis　remembered。　He　figured　that　earlier　the　pain　in　his　head　helped　blank　out　his　memory。　The　area　near　the　dinosaur　field　was　nearly　a　total　loss。　They　hadn't　burned　the　buildings　yet；　but　every　window　was　broken；　and　anything　of　value　had　been　hauled　away。　The　leftovers　from　the　looting　filled　the　streets；　which　were　haunted　by　the　scavengers；　who　were　mostly　male。　The　families　were　long　gone　and　the　elderly　were　holed　up　like　Mrs。　Weatherby。
　Luis　stood　in　the　doorway　of　his　building　studying　the　passersby…young　and　male；　and　a　mixture　of　races。　The　whites　had　been　moving　out　of　Luis's　neighborhood　for　the　last　few　years；　but　it　wasn't　clear　yet　whether　the　neighborhood　would　go　Latino　or　black。　That　was　partly　why　the　gang　problems　were　worse　here。　The　white　gang　called　Zombies　was　losing　control　over　their　turf　and　being　increasingly　violent。　The　Zombies　were　on　their　way　out；　but　they　were　taking　some　of　the　Diablos　and　Kimbos　with　them。　Still；　Luis　couldn't　spot　any　gang　colors　among　the　crowd。　But　something　else　about　the　crowd　bothered　him。　Why　was　the　crowd　still　here？　Why　weren't　they　where　the　pickings　were　better？　What　kept　them　here？　The　dinosa