jdavid.footprintsofthunder-第43章

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e　crowd　still　here？　Why　weren't　they　where　the　pickings　were　better？　What　kept　them　here？　The　dinosaurs　surely　kept　them　penned　in　on　one　side；　but　what　about　the　other　sides？　Luis　wondered　if　the　police　weren't　slowly　taking　back　the　streets。
　Luis　started　out　cautiously。　When　he　first　heard　the　feint　popping　sound　in　the　distance　he　instantly　knew　it　was　gunfire。　The　sounds　came　closer；　more　furious。　He　looked。left　and　right；　but　the　firing　was　ing　down　from　the　street；　so　he　melted　into　a　doorway　and　waited；　peeking　out　occasionally。　Men　were　running　down　the　street　toward　him；　and　Luis　recognized　the　red　jackets　of　the　Zombies。　They　slowed　and　then　spread　out；　hiding　behind　cars　and　in　doorways。　A　minute　later　they　began　firing　down　the　street　at　something　Luis　couldn't　see。　Then　they　began　running　toward　him　again。　It　was　time　for　Luis　to　hide。
　Luis　looked　around　and　found　he　was　in　front　of　Mr。　Choi's　grocery　store；　he　shopped　there　occasionally　and　he　knew　the　old　man　who　owned　it。　Mr。　Choi　and　his　wife　lived　above　the　market。　When　Luis　first　moved　to　the　neighborhood　Mr。　Choi　had　two　sons　who　worked　in　the　store　with　him。　They　were　gone　to　college　now　and　Mr。　Choi　used　neighborhood　kids　in　the　store。　He　was　a　gruff　old　man；　but　his　wife　was　as　sweet　as　Mrs。　Weatherby。
　The　store's　windows　were　gone　like　every　other　window　nearby。　Because　the　glass　doors　were　smashed；　Luis　stepped　through　the　frame。　The　store　shelves　were　empty　and　many　overturned。　Luis　walked　toward　the　back；　looking　for　a　good　place　to　hide。　Only　a　few　cans　of　beets　were　scattered　on　the　floor…and　Luis　kicked　at　them；　realizing　there　were　some　things　not　even　looters　would　steal。
　Gunfire　sounded　outside；　closer　now；　and　Luis　hurried　toward　the　back　of　the　store。　As　he　passed　the　last　of　the　overturned　shelves　he　saw　a　foot　sticking　out　from　under　the　case。　He　kicked　it　but　got　no　reaction。　It　was　a　brown　work　shoe　like　so　many　others；　except　that　it　was　small。　Luis　lifted　the　fallen　shelf　until　be　could　see　the　face　of　the　man　underneath。　It　was　Mr。　Choi。　He　was　on　his　back；　his　eyes　wide　open　in　a　dead　man's　stare。　A　pool　of　blood　made　a　red　halo　around　his　head。　Luis　set　the　shelf　back　down　gently。　Mr；　Choi　had　died　trying　to　defend　his　store。　Luis　knew　it　was　all　Mr。　Choi　had…　his　livelihood；　providing　for　his　family　and　his　children's　college　education；　Luis　guessed　if　he　were　Mr。　Choi　he　would　have　died　trying　to　save　it　too。　Then　Luis　remembered　Mrs。　Choi。
　Luis　forgot　about　the　gunfire　and　found　a　stairway　in　the　storeroom　to　the　apartment　above；　which　looked　untouched。　The　television　and　VCR　were　still　there；　as　were　the　Oriental　trinkets　and　paintings　that　decorated　the　apartment。　Luis　searched　quickly；　afraid　of　what　he　would　find　in　each　room；　but　it　was　empty。　Filled　with　relief；　he　sighed。　Mrs。　Choi　could　still　be　downstairs　somewhere　under　one　of　the　overturned　shelves；　but　he　didn't　have　the　heart　to　look　for　her。
　More　gunfire　sounded；　this　time　much　closer。　Luis　dropped　to　the　floor　and　kept　his　head　down　until　he　was　sure　he　wasn't　the　target。　He　crawled　to　the　windowsill　in　the　living　room　and　stood　slowly　with　his　back　firm　against　the　wall　and　peeked　out　into　the　street。　At　first　he　saw　nothing。　Then　he　heard　the　pop　pop　pop　of　a　handgun。　Someone　ran　by　below；　him　on　the　sidewalk　wearing　a　red　jacket。　More　firing　sounded。　This　time　Luis　was　sure　it　was　rifle　fire。　Two　more　Zombies　ran　by　and　then　men　not　wearing　colors…the　street　was　silent　for　a　minute　and　then　another　figure；　wearing　a　uniform　arid　carrying　a　rifle；　ran　up　the　sidewalk　and　crouched　behind　a　car。　He　stood；　leaning　the　rifle　on　the　roof　of　the　car；　and　fired　up　the　street。　From　the　distance　Luis　heard　the　pop　of　small　arms　fire。　The　soldier　fired　twice　more　and　then　another　soldier　ran　past　the　first　and　up　the　street。
　Luis　pulled　back　and　leaned　against　the　wall。　Elated　and　scared；　he　realized　it　had　to　be　the　National　Guard　taking　back　the　streets。　Soon　Luis　could　stop　worrying　about　Mrs。　Weatherby…the　Guard　would　make　her　move；　or　at　least　protect　her。　It　also　meant　Luis　would　make　it　home　to　Melinda　and　the　kids。
　
　Mariel　missed　Luis。　He　had　been　gone　only　a　short　time　and　already　she　missed　having　someone　to　care　for　and　someone　to　talk　with。　Luis　would　never　take　the　place　of　Gertie　or　any　of　her　friends　from　her　early　and　middle　years；　but　he　was　nice　and　so　polite；　not　like　most　young　men　today。　He　was　one　of　the　few　people　in　the　building　ever　to　visit　her；　and　the　only　one　to　check　in　on　her　to　see　if　she　needed　anything。　She　had　been　touched　by　his　concern　for　her　over　the　years；　and　now　ing　back　for　her　like　that　made　him　someone　special。　That　was　something　a　son　would　do　for　a　mother。　Yes；　Mariel　would　miss　Luis。
　The　gunfire　started　a　few　minutes　after　Luis　left。　Mariel　had　heard　it　before；　of　course；　but　not　this　close　and　not　this　loud。　She　wasn't　really　frightened　by　it；　really　just　annoyed。　All　that　racket　would　scare　away　the　dinosaurs。　Worse；　it　might　keep　the　iguanodon　from　ing　for　his　treat。
　Finally；　the　sounds　were　so　faint　Mariel　became　hopeful　that　the　meadow　dinosaurs　would　return。　But　although　she　watched　diligently；　she　could　only　spot　fleeting　movements　in　the　grass；　nothing　she　could　identify。　Then　it　happened　again。　Mariel　looked　down　at　her　crocheting　for　a　minute　to　check　a　stitch　and　then　out　the　window　to　see　the　city　was　back。　More　distant　this　time；　and　shimmery　and　pale　like　some　reflection　in　a　pond。　Leaning　out　her　window；　Mariel　looked　down。　She　could　see　the　neat　line　where　the　meadow　met　the　asphalt；　but　when　she　looked　into　the　distance　she　saw　the　shimmering　city。　Mariel　took　off　her　glasses　and　cleaned　them　on　her　apron。　When　she　put　them　back　on　the　city　was　gone。
　〃Well　I'll　be。　I　must　get　my　prescription　checked。〃　Mariel　looked　again　to　make　sure　and　then　decided　it　was　time　for　a　cup　of　the　orange　spice　tea　she'd　found　in　the　McGregors'　apartment　when　she　was　looking　for　sugar。
　Luis　listened　as　the　gunfire　slowly　moved　up　the　street　and　faded　into　the　distance。　He　stood　and　peered　out　at　the　empty　streets。　Then　gunfire　sounded　again　up　the　street　somewhere　near　his　building。　Luis　thought　again　of　Mrs。　Weatherby；　and　how　he'd　eaten　her　eggs；　and　felt　guilty。
　He　ducked　down　and　crawled　across　the　floor　to　the　Choi's　kitchen。　There　was　an　old…fashioned　white　refrigerator　against　the　wall；　with　rounded　edges　and　a　huge　handle。　He　opened　the　refrigerator　and　felt　a　soft　rush　of　cool　air…not　cold　air；　but　cooler　than　the　room　temperature。　The　light　was　out　of。　course；　but　on　a　middle　rack　Luis　found　two　cartons　of　eggs。　One　carton　was　full　and　one　half　full。　Luis　took　the　eggs　and　dug　deeper　into　the　shelves。　He　found　a　quart　of　orange　juice；　which　he　placed　with　the　eggs。　If　he'd　taken　anything　from　downstairs　he　would　have　felt　like　a　looter；　but　up　here　it　was　borrowing。　He　and　the　Chois　hadn't　exactly　been　friends；　but　they　were　at　least　acquaintances。
　In　the　cabinets　he　found　two　six…packs　of　juice　boxes　and　canned　fruit；　including　peaches　and　pineapple　tidbits。　In　the　last　one　he　found　an　unopened　ten…pound　bag　of　sugar。　He　was　loading　a　box　when　the　sound　of　the　shooting　changed。
　Now　the　burping　of　automatic　weapons　met　his　ears。　Luis　crawled　to　the　window　and　inched　up；　peering　out。　The　street　was　empty；　but　the　sounds　of　battle　were　ing　closer　again。　He　watched　the　soldiers　appear。　They　were　retreating；　running　from　cover　to　cover；　spraying　the　streets　with　automatic　fire　from　their　M…16s。　Then　they　were　gone　and　the　street　was　empty　again。　Luis　waited；　knowing　what　was　to　e。　Soon　a　red…coated　Zombie　came　into　view；　carrying　a　weapon　whose　rapid　fire　told　Luis　it　was　a　machine　gun。　Another　Zombie　appeared；　firing　with　a　machine　pistol。　More　automatic　fire　sounded。　Still　another　Zombie　shot　up　the　far　side　of　the　street；　and　Luis　could　hear　weapon　fire　surrounding　the　Chois'　store。
　Luis　shrank　back；　despairing。　He　knew　the　soldiers　would　be　back　eventually；　armed　to　handle　the　Zombies；　but　it　could　take　days。
　As　the　gunfire　faded　into　the　distance　again；　Luis　realized　most　of　the　Zombies　and　their　allies　were　busy　driving　the　Guard　off　of　their　turf。　Figuring　the　odds；　he　decided　now　might　be　a　good　time　to　risk　it。　The　box　of　groceries　he　had　gathered　for　Mrs。　Weatherby　would　make　him　look　like　a　looter　scurrying　home　with　a　few　extra　spoils。　If　anyone　stopped　him　he　could　offer　the　food　to　buy　passage。
　The　streets　looked　empty；　but　Luis　could　feel　eyes　on　him。　He　didn't　mind　as　long　as　the　eyes　stayed　in　the　buildings。　Heading　away　from　the　gunfight；　he　kept　a　close　watch　on　the　barrier　of　cars　between　his　building　and　that　across　the　street。　He　couldn't　see　anyone　near　the　cars　now。　But　ing　down　the　street　was　a　small　group　with　two　men　wearing　red。　Luis　turned　to　go　the　other　way　but　spotted　men　in　doorways　a　half　a　block　off。　They　looked　at　him；　and　Luis　felt　panic。　He　had　only　one　choice…to　turn　and　walk　between　the　cars　and　down　the　street　to　dinosaur　land。
　When　the　street　ended　abruptly　and　the　meadow　began；　Luis　hesitated。　It　was　too　unnatural；　too　surreal。　The　sound　of　voices　behind　him　forced　him　forward。　He　carried　his　box　around　the　corner　of　the　building。　Afraid　to　step　on　the　meadow　grass；　he　set　the　box　down　and　peeked　back　around　the　corner。　Three　men　were　standing　by　the　cars　talking。　When　one　of　them　pointed　between　the　buildings　where　Luis　had　gone；　Luis　folded　back　around　the　corner；　pressing　his　back　against　the　wall。
　He　stood　staring　at　the　meadow　and　thought　of　the　dinosaurs　Mrs。　Weatherby　had　described；　How　many　were　there；　he　wondered？　What　had　she　called　the　ones？　Terrible　killers。
　He　stood　undecided。　He　had　killers　on　all　sides　of　him　and　wasn't　sure　which　were　the　most　dangerous。
　Now　he　peeked　back　around　the　corner。　Six　men　stood　by　the　cars　now；　seemingly　content　to　wait　Luis　out。　They're　afraid　of　the　meadow；　Luis　realized。　Afraid　of　the　dinosaurs；　just　like　me。
　Looking　back　across　the　meadow；　he　saw　something　moving　in　the　distance…something　big；　walking　on　all　fours　with　a　huge　frilly　spiked　collar；　moving　parallel　to　the　buildings。　Soon　it　disappeared　into　the　grass。
　Luis　quickly　scanned　the　meadow　looking　for　other　dinosaurs。　There　were　none；　but　in　the　distance　he　saw　the　faint；　image　of　buildings。　Hadn't　he　stood　in　Mrs。　Weatherby's　win…dow；　seeing　similar　buildings？　Then；　just　as　before；　the　shimmering　image　faded　away。　He　shook　his　head　in　confusion。　His　cracked　skull　must　have　scrambled　his　brains。　It　was　too　much　for　Luis。　He　wanted　out　of　there　and　could　think　of　only　one　way　to　do　it。
　Luis　dug　the　bag　of　sugar　out　of　his　box；　walked　to　Mrs。　Weatherby's　garden　and　then　into　the　meadow…Luis　walked　gingerly；　expecting　the　meadow　grass　to　disappear　like　a　mirage　at　any　second。　When　he　saw　movement　ahead　he　froze　in　his　tracks…the　tops　of　the　grass　were　moving。　Luis　watched　carefully；　and　when　he　was　sure　it　was　gone；　he　ripped　open　the　top　of　the　bag　and　poured　a　pile　of　sugar　in　the　grass。　Then　he　retreated　quickly　out　of　the　meadow；　poured　another　pile　by　Mrs。　Weatherby's　garden　and　three　more　piles　leading　to　the　corner　of　the　building。　At　the　corner；　with　part　of　the　bag　still　left；　Luis　sat　down　to　wait。
　
　Mariel