jdavid.footprintsofthunder-第44章

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　the　building。　At　the　corner；　with　part　of　the　bag　still　left；　Luis　sat　down　to　wait。
　
　Mariel　rocked　in　her　chair；　occasionally　sipping　her　tea。　The　meadow　was　still；　and　she　made　good　progress　on　her　crocheting；　quickly　finishing　one　square　and　starting　another。　Time　passed　pleasantly　and　soon　a　familiar　figure　appeared　in　the　distance。
　The　iguanodon　was　ing　straight　toward　her　window；　and　it　was　time　to　get　his　treat　ready。　Mariel　walked　to　the　kitchen　and　measured　out　two　sacks　of　sugar；　reminding　herself　to　search　the　rest　of　the　apartments　for　more。　Still；　she　had　quite　a　supply　now；　brown　sugar；　powdered　sugar；　Karo　syrup；　and　molasses；　anything　she　thought　might　please　a　dinosaur's　sweet　tooth。
　Mariel　took　her　bags　back　to　the　window　to　wait　for　the　dinosaur's　〃aaah〃　sound。　She　hadn't　been　able　to　break　him　of　the　noise　and　had　finally　given　up。　It　had　been　irritating　at　first；　but　now　she　thought　it　kind　of　cute…a　big　monster　like　the　iguanodon　singing　for　his　supper。　Mariel　thought　about　that　late…night　show　where　people　brought　their　dogs　on　TV　to　do　stupid　tricks。　What　would　they　think　of　the　iguanodon　and　his　〃aaahing〃？　She　chuckled　to　herself　while　she　pictured　the　look　on　the　host's　face　when　the　iguanodon　walked　out　onstage　and　chuckled　again　as　she　watched　the　dinosaur　striding　through　the　meadow。　He　would　scare　any　audience　to　death。　They　wouldn't　know　he　was　a　gentle　giant。
　Mariel　watched　the　iguanodon　approach　in　his　usual　way　until　he　neared　the　edge　of　the　meadow。　Suddenly　he　stopped　and　bent　to　sniff　the　meadow　grasses^　Then　he　backed　up　and　began　eating　something。　It　wasn't　grass；　because　when　he　ate　grass　he　ripped　it　up　and　then　stood　to　chew　it；　looking　around。　Then　he　did　something　strange　again。　The　iguanodon　sniffed　the　air　and　then　turned　away　from　Mariel's　window；　stopping　to　eat　something　off　the　asphalt；　Mariel　leaned　out　the　window　and　spotted　Luis　standing　by　the　corner　of　the　building。　What　was　Luis　doing　here？　Mariel　wondered。　Why　wasn't　he　home　with　his　family？　She　pulled　her　head　in；　picked　up　her　bags　of　sugar；　and　left　the　apartment。
　
　Luis　stood　with　his　back　to　the　wall；　watching　the　dinosaur　walk　to　the　next　sugar　pile；　which　it　devoured　eagerly。　From　the　window；　Luis　had　been　afraid　of　the　dinosaur；　but　up　close　it　was　terrifying。　Its　head　was　massive；　bigger　than　an　ele…phant's；　and　covered　with　thick　leathery　skin。　Its　mouth　contained　rows　of　huge　teeth；　its　back　legs　were　gigantic　and　its　front　legs　thick　and　powerful。　Worst　of　all　its　forelegs　carried　thumb　spikes　large　enough　to　skewer　a　human　being。　Luis　gained　a　new　respect　for　Mrs。　Weatherby。
　When　it　finished　the　sugar　it　stared　quizzically　at　Luis；　who　poured　another　pile　by　the　corner　of　the　building。　When　the　dinosaur　moved　toward　the　new　pile　Luis　ducked　around　the　corner　and　walked　toward　the　cars。
　
　Mariel　stepped　out　of　the　building　by　her　garden　just　in　time　to　see　Luis　disappear　around　the　end　of　the　building；　the　iguan…odon　following　him　toward　the　corner。　He　shouldn't　be　there；　Mariel　knew。　That's　where　all　the　horn　blowing　and　some　of　the　shooting　came　from。　She　hurried　down　the　side　of　the　building　toward　the　iguanodon；　who　was　busy　eating　something　off　of　the　ground　at　the　corner。　When　he　finished　he　lifted　his　head　and　sniffed　the　air。　Mariel　was　afraid　he　was　going　to　step　into　the　alley；　so　she　shouted　to　him。
　〃Wait；　wait！〃
　The　dinosaur　turned　its　head　and　looked　her　over。　Then　he　walked　toward　her；　his　head　lowered。　When　he　reached　her　his　mouth　opened　and　the　〃aahing〃　sound　began。　Mariel　poured　the　first　bag　of　sugar　into　his　mouth　and　then　waited　while　he　went　through　his　slurping　and　lip…licking　routine。　After　the　second　bag；　Mariel　pushed　on　his　jaw；　told　him　to　go　back　to　the　meadow；　then　left　him　and　walked　to　the　corner　to　find　Luis。
　
　Luis　poured　another　pile　of　sugar　halfway　down　the　street　and　then　walked　up　to　the　car　barrier。　The　men　behind　the　barrier…one　wearing　a　red　coat…were　staring　at　him。　Two　of　the　men　held　pistols。　One　man　spat　something　over　the　car　he　was　leaning　on　and　yelled　at　Luis。
　〃Whatcha　doin；　asshole？〃
　He　wasn't　wearing　a　red　jacket。　Luis；　while　relieved；　still　ignored　him　and　poured　more　sugar。
　〃I'm　talking　to　you；　asshole！〃
　Luis　looked　up　slowly　and　feigned　ignorance。　〃You　talking　to　me？　Oh；　I'm　feeding　my　pet　dinosaur。〃
　The　man　came　around　the　car　and　walked　toward　Luis；　who　could　see　a　pistol　in　his　belt。　He　leaned　near　Luis　with　an　icy　stare；　and　reached　up；　revealing　a　tattoo　on　the　back　of　his　hand…a　shrunken　head；　the　symbol　of　the　Zombies。　His　voice　was　as　cold　as　his　stare。
　〃I　don't　like　smart　ass　assholes。〃
　Luis　stepped　forward　holding　out　his　bag　of　sugar。
　〃Really；　I'm　feeding　my　pet　dinosaur。　It's　sugar；　see。〃
　He　poured　the　sugar　at　the　man's　feet；　careful　not　to　get　it　on　the　man's　shoes。
　One　of　the　Zombie's　friends　suddenly　yelled；　〃Hey；　Barton。　Ain't　ya　gonna　charge　him　the　toll？〃
　Barton　never　took　his　eyes　off　of　Luis。　He　merely　rubbed　his　tattooed　hand　across　his　stomach　just　above　the　butt　of　his　gun。
　〃Give　me　your　wallet；〃　Barton　ordered。
　〃I　haven't　got　one。　Really；　I　was　mugged　yesterday。〃
　〃You　better　have　something；　man；　if　you　want　to　get　out　of　here　alive。〃　The　Zombie　pulled　his　gun；　pointing　it　at　Luis's　stomach　and　stepped　closer。
　〃I'm　telling　you　the　truth；　I　haven't　got　anything　but　this　sugar。〃
　〃Yeah；　you　told　us。　Your　pet　dinosaur　and　all　that　shit。〃　In　a　flash　of　lights　and　pain；　the　gun　slammed　into　the　lump　on　Luis's　head　and　he　collapsed　to　the　street。　Even　after　his　pain　was　gone；　Luis　continued　to　writhe；　trying　to　convince　Barton　he　couldn't　respond　to　threats。　Then；　someone　behind　the　car　hollered　to　Barton　that　something　was　ing　down　the　alley。
　
　When　Mariel　turned　the　corner　she　saw　Luis　at　the　end　of　the　street；　talking　to　some　men　by　the　cars。　They　looked　dangerous；　not　like　the　kind　of　men　Luis　should　be　associating　with。　Mariel　walked　down　the　street；　intending　to　get　Luis　back　to　his　family　where　he　belonged。　She　also　wanted　to　ask　him　why　he　was　feeding　her　iguanodon。　Suddenly　the　man　closest　to　Luis　hit　him；　knocking　him　to　the　ground。　Luis　held　the　left　side　of　his　head；　the　same　place　he　had　been　bit　before。　Mariel　was　angry　now；　angry　and　reckless。　She　strode　down　the　street　to　help　Luis　and　tell　those　men　what　she　thought　of　them；　with　words　she　seldom　used。
　The　men　behind　the　cars　saw　her　and　shouted　to　the　man　leaning　over　Luis。　The　man　who'd　hit　Luis　looked　up　and　stared　blankly　at　Mariel；　irritating　her。　She　wanted　him　to　be　afraid　or　ashamed；　and　she　certainly　didn't　want　to　be　treated　as　if　she　weren't　even　there。　Her　face　flushed；　and　she　set　her　jaw。　This　man　needed　a　slap。　Suddenly　the　man's　eyes　went　wide。　Now　he　was　afraid　and　Mariel　felt　satisfaction；　until　she　saw　he　was　looking　past　her。　Then　he　turned　and　ran　around　behind　the　cars　to　where　his　friends　were　hiding。　Mariel　was　puzzled。　Now　they　were　all　pointing　down　the　street　and　jabbering。　Mariel　turned　to　see　what　all　the　excitement　was　about　and　saw　the　iguanodon　ing　between　the　buildings；　walking　upright；　taking　long　powerful　strides。
　Mariel　remembered　the　men　had　guns　and　she　turned　to　warn　them　not　to　fire。
　〃He　won't　hurt　you。　I'll　take　care　of　him。　Let　me　send　him　back　to　his　meadow。〃　Her　words　fell　on　deaf　ears。　The　men　were　so　terrified　by　the　size　and　fearsome　appearance　of　the　iguanodon；　they　weren't　listening。　Still；　they　held　their　fire。
　Mariel　knew　the　iguanodon　was　in　danger；　and　she　pushed　out　her　arms　trying　to　send　him　back。　On　he　came；　however；　oblivious　of　the　danger。　As　he　approached　Mariel　he　began　to　bend；　ing　slowly　over　and　lowering　his　head　until　he　was　down　on　all　fours　just　behind　her。　Still　the　men　held　their　fire。　Mariel　stepped　forward　and　pushed　on　the　dinosaur's　jaw；　telling　him　to　go　away。　The　dinosaur　held　its　ground；　then　slowly　the　huge　jaws　opened　to　their　full　expanse。　Mariel　found　herself　staring　in　the　iguanodon's　cavernous　mouth　as　a　deep　rumbling　began　and　out　came　a　loud　〃aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh！〃　From　the　far　end　of　the　barrier　a　shot　rang　out。　A　hole　appeared　just　behind　the　dinosaur's　jaw。　His　mouth　snapped　shut　at　the　impact　and　he　stared　into　Mariel's　eyes　for　a　few　heartbeats。　Then　he　reared；　rising　to　his　full　height　and　screaming　at　the　same　time。　Every　pistol　behind　the　barrier　fired　and　Mariel　watched　bloody　holes　pepper　the　thick　skin　of　the　iguanodon's　neck。
　Mariel's　heart　ached　and　she　screamed　for　the　shooting　to　stop。　It　didn't。　More　holes　appeared　along　his　neck　and　chest。　Sobbing；　she　ran　toward　the　shooting　men　waving　her　arms。　Then　just　as　quickly　as　it　began　the　shooting　ended。　Mariel　turned　to　see　the　wounded　dinosaur　walking　down　the　street　toward　his　meadow。　He　was　walking　upright；　but　slowly；　his　head　hung　low。　A　low　rumbling　groan　came　from　his　throat　with　each　jarring　step。
　〃Oh；　no。　Don't　go！〃　Mariel　called　after　him。　〃Please　e　back。〃　But　he　didn't。　She　went　after　him；　hurrying　to　catch　up。　She　heard　Luis　shout　something　behind　her；　but　she　ignored　him。　All　she　could　see　and　hear　was　her　injured　iguanodon　friend。
　The　dinosaur　strode　out　into　the　meadow…　Mariel　chased　behind；　trying　to　catch　up；　but　even；　injured；　the　iguanodon's　giant　stride　kept　him　moving　ahead。
　At　the　meadow　she　found　a　new　horror　awaiting　her。　The　crushed　grass　that　marked　the　iguanodon's　trail　was　smeared　with　blood。　Her　tears　began　to　flow　again。　〃Oh　no；〃　she　whispered　over　and　over；　〃oh　no！〃　Then　Mariel　wiped　her　eyes　and　followed　the　bloody　trail。
　
　Groggy；　Luis　got　to　his　feet；　but　he　staggered　when　he　stepped　toward　his　building。　He　heard　laughter　behind　him。　Barton　and　the　others　were　bragging　about　how　many　bullets　they　put　into　the　dinosaur。
　〃Pow；　man；　right　in　the　jaw。　Did　you　see　my　shot；　man？〃
　〃Your　shot？　Sheee…it。　My　shot。　Believe　it。〃
　〃Believe　shit；　man。〃
　Inside；　Luis　sat　on　the　stairs　to　rest。　When　his　head　cleared　a　little　and　the　spinning　subsided；　he　climbed　the　stairs　slowly；　pausing　on　each　one。　He　made　the　third　floor　and　staggered　down　the　hall　into　Mrs。　Weatherby's　apartment…to　her　rocking　chair　by　the　window。　He　collapsed　and　rocked　gently。　When　his　head　stopped　throbbing　he　opened　his　eyes　and　looked　out　the　window　into　the　meadow。　The　last　thing　Luis　saw　before　sleep　took　him　was　the　iguanodon　walking　slowly　into　the　meadow　followed　by　a　small　figure。
　
　39。　　BLACK　RIPPLE
　
　The　weakest　force　in　nature　is　gravity。　It　takes　the　entire　mass　of　the　earth　just　to　make　a　leaf　fall　to　the　ground。　But　condense　the　mass　of　the　earth　to　the　size　of　a　marble；　and　you　have　a　black　hole；　where　the　laws　of　time　and　space；　as　we　know　them；　cease　to　exist。
　…Merlin　Constantine；　Of　Time　and　Space
　
　Washington；　D。C。
　POSTQUILT：　TUESDAY；　8：00　A。M。　EST
　
　The　President　was　more　than　tired。　He　was　afraid；　and　he　was　desperate。
　Nick　had　taken　the　President's　alien　theory　as　a　naive　attempt　to　cover　all　possibilities；　but　Nick　wasn't　as　sure　now。　He　saw　the　President　as　a　drowning　man；　grasping　at　straws。
　The　President　would　be　open　to　Nick's　new　theory…but　perhaps　too　open。　The　President　spoke　calmly　and　in　a　controlled　manner；　but　his　fingers　told　another　story　as　he　reflexively　twirl