jdavid.footprintsofthunder-第50章

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　〃People；　Cubby。　Listen；　I　can　hear　people。〃
　〃You're　right。　Maybe　we're　near　the　edge　of　the　city。〃　They　listened；　trying　to　locate　the　sounds；　which　suddenly　died。　Cubby　pointed　in　their　direction　and　led　off　through　the　trees　at　a　quick　pace。
　
　They　stopped　in　the　creek　bed　while　Bobby　climbed　the　bank　again。　The　rough　terrain　had　made　Ellen's　sore　bottom　burn　with　pain；　and　she　was　glad　Carl　finally　stopped。　Bobby　had　just　disappeared　when　they　heard　a　shout。
　〃I'll　be　damned。　You've　got　to　see　this。　e　on　up　here。〃　Following　Bobby's　track　up　the　bank；　they　found　themselves　in　a　large　clearing。　There；　shimmering　faintly　in　the　background；　was　the　Portland　skyline。　Ellen　felt　hope　flood　her　body。　She　had　been　slowly　reconciling　herself　to　the　loss　of　her　son…but　maybe；　just　maybe；　there　was　hope。
　
　Now　John　felt　better。　If　they　were　near　the　edge　of　the　city　he　could　catch　a　ride　to　his　house　and　spend　the　night　there。　John　and　Cubby　found　themselves　climbing　yet　another　hill；　a　gradual　one　so　the　climbing　was　easy。　On　the　other　side；　the　trees　thinned；　and　they　found　themselves　staring　into　a　large　clearing。
　Near　the　far　edge　were　parked　several　motorcycles。　Eight　people　stood　near　the　bikes；　and　even　from　this　distance；　John　could　tell　two　were　women；　and　one　seemed　familiar。　When　she　moved　he　knew　it　was　his　mother。
　〃It's　my　mom；〃　he　said；　starting　past　Cubby　into　the　clearing。　Cubby's　hand　on　his　arm　stopped　him。
　〃Wait；　John；　something's　not　right。〃
　Maybe　it　was　the　motorcycles…John　and　Cubby　had　seen　many　biker　movies…or　maybe　they'd　developed　natural　caution　in　the　forest。　But　John　and　Cubby　just　stood　and　watched。
　
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　Ellen　and　Angie　were　excited　by　the　presence　of　the　city；　but　the　guys　seems　disappointed；　and　even　angry。
　〃Thought　you　were　going　to　find　us　a　mama　dinosaur；　Coop；〃　Carl　said　in　a　threatening　tone。
　〃Yeah；〃　Kishton　added　menacingly。　Ellen　could　see　that　some　of　the　razor　grass　cuts　were　still　bleeding。　〃I　missed　out　on　the　first　hunt；　and　I　came　out　here　looking　for　some　excitement。〃
　He　was　off　his　bike　and　approaching　Coop；　who　urged　Angie　off；　then　confronted　Kishton。
　〃I　found　you　one　dinosaur；　I　didn't　say　I　could　find　you　two。〃
　〃Well　that's　not　good　enough；　Coop。　If　you　can't　find　dinosaurs　for　us；　just　what　the　hell　are　you　good　for？〃
　〃Coop　didn't　let　us　down；　Kishton；〃　Carl　said；　walking　up　in　front　of　Coop。　〃He　found　us　a　dinosaur。　And　not　only　that　but　he　brought　us　some　more　fun。〃　Then　he　chuckled。
　Coop's　face　was　drawn；　his　lips　tight；　his　eyes　fearful。
　〃Good　buddy　Deputy　Dawg　brought　us　Ellen　and　Angie。　Two　of　the　hottest　babes　in　the　county。〃
　〃At　least　Angie　is；〃　Kishton　said；　walking　up　behind　her。
　〃Hey；　Kishton；　you　and　the　others　can　have　her。　Ellen　straightens　out　my　pecker。〃
　〃Knock　off　that　kind　of　talk；　Carl；〃　Coop　said；　his　voice　trembling。　〃They　might　think　you're　serious。〃
　Carl　grabbed　his　crotch　and　gave　it　a　shake。　〃Don't　I　look　serious；　Coop？〃　The　others　laughed。
　〃Don't　touch　them；　Carl。〃　Coop　dropped　his　hand　to　the　butt　of　his　gun。
　〃You　gonna　stop　me；　Deputy　Dawg？〃
　〃I'm　the　law…〃
　〃Coop；　you　weren't　much　law　back　in　Carlton　and　you　sure　ain't　the　law　out　here。　I'm　the　law　here。〃
　Then；　without　any　warning；　Carl　dropped　his　hand　to　his　gun；　pulled　it　and　fired　it　into　Coop's　chest。　Coop　dropped　to　the　ground；　twisting　left　and　falling　into　the　deep　grass。　Ellen　knew　he　would　never　move　again。
　The　other　guys　stood　still；　shocked；　Ellen　imagined　they　would　have　willingly　beat　up　Coop；　de…pantsed　him；　tarred　and　feathered　him；　or　even　tied　him　to　a　tree　naked　and　left　him。　But　she　believed　only　Carl　would　have　killed　Coop　in　cold　blood。　Carl's　ruthlessness　was　probably　what　made　him　their　leader。　But　now　that　he'd　murdered　Coop；　how　much　further　were　they　willing　to　go？　Kishton　answered　the　question　by　grabbing　Angle's　arms；　and　pulling　them　behind　her　back。
　〃Give　me　a　hand　here；　will　you；　Butler？〃
　Butler　hesitated。　Then　a　big　smile　crossed　his　face；　and　he　stepped　forward　and　grabbed　Angie's　breasts。
　〃Oh　mama；〃　he　said；　〃we're　going　to　have　some　fun。〃
　With　that　Butler　tore　Angie's　blouse　open。　She　didn't　scream　or　cry　out；　but　she　began　to　struggle　and　kick。　Butler　jammed　himself　up　close　to　Angie；　so　she　couldn't　kick　him　between　the　legs；　and　tore　her　blouse　down　to　her　waist。
　Ellen；　frozen　in　disbelief；　now　saw　Carl's　face　turn　toward　her　and　took　off　running。　Heavy　footsteps　behind　her　urged　her　to　run　faster。　She　headed　for　the　treeline；　hoping　to　lose　herself　in　the　underbrush。　In　the　twilight　she　might　be　able　to　hide　herself。
　Halfway　to　the　trees　Carl　tackled　her。　She　went　down　hard　on　her　stomach；　her　chin　striking　the　ground；　her　teeth　aching　from　the　impact。　Still；　she　kicked　and　pushed　to　keep　Carl　from　getting　a　solid　grip　on　her。　He　laughed；　enjoying　her　struggle。　When　Bobby　arrived；　the　two　men　flipped　her　onto　her　back。　Carl　sat　on　her；　pinning　her　solidly　to　the　ground；　and　then　timed　his　grabs　to　seize　her　flailing　arms。　Then　Bobby　pulled　them　above　her　head。　Carl　leaned　back；　putting　more　weight　on　her　stomach；　staring　at　her　breasts；　smiling　in　anticipation。　Thinking　quickly；　she　relaxed　a　little；　encouraging　Carl　to　lean　back　some　more；　then　she　jerked　her　knee　sharply　upward；　cracking　Carl　in　the　back。　Carl　yelped　with　the　pain。　His　eyes　flashed　and　he　slapped　Ellen　hard　across　the　face；　twice。　Suddenly　she　felt　Carl's　hands　on　her　chest；　tearing；　her　blouse　open。
　〃Hot　damn！〃　Carl　said。　He　looked　up　at　Bobby。　〃I　think　we　made　the　right　choice。　Besides；　we　can　always　have　a　go　at　Angie　later。〃
　Carl　reached　down；　trying　to　pull　off　Ellen's　bra。　The　straps　held；　cutting　into　Ellen's　back。　Finally；　the　clasp　gave；　and　she　felt　Carl's　rough　hands　on　her　breasts。　Bobby　was　giggling　uncontrollably　by　now；　and　Carl　rocked　back　and　forth；　inching　his　way　down　so　he　could　get　at　Ellen's　pants。
　Then　Bobby　screamed。
　He　reached　around　to　his　back　and　stood；　almost　falling　into　Ellen　and　Carl；　his　mouth　opening　and　closing。　But　the　screaming　had　stopped；　replaced　by　short　gurgling　breaths。　He　collapsed　to　his　knees；　then　fell　sideways　onto　his　face。　Ellen　could　see　an　arrow　sticking　out　of　his　back。　Carl　leapt　to　his　feet；　pulling　his　gun。　He　was　looking　past　Ellen　into　the　trees　when　another　arrow　flew　over　Ellen's　head　and　buried　itself　into　his　calf。　Now　he　too　fell　to　the　ground　with　a　scream；　dropping　the　gun　and　grabbing　at　his　leg。
　Ellen　rolled　to　her　stomach　and　then　came　up　onto　her　feet　running。　She　bolted　toward　the　darkness　of　the　treeline；　listening　for　pursuit　but　heard　only　her　own　blood　pulsing　through　her　system。　She　made　the　trees　and　ran　wildly；　not　looking　where　she　was　going。　Bushes　and　branches　swiped　at　her　face　as　she　ran。　When　she　stumbled　to　her　knees；　gasping　for　breath；　she　looked　behind　her。　Someone　was　crashing　through　the　trees；　a　strange　half…naked　figure。　Ellen　realized　it　was　Angie。
　〃Thank　God；〃　Ellen　sobbed。　〃I'm　sorry；　Angie；　I'm　sorry　I　left　you。〃　Ellen　felt　guilty　for　getting　Angie　into　this　mess　in　the　first　place；　and　for　thinking　only　of　herself　when　a　chance　to　escape　had　e。
　〃Nonsense；〃　Angie　said　briskly；　〃you　did　what　I　would　have　done。　Now　let's　get　out　of　here。〃
　They　were　about　to　head　off　again　when　they　heard　a　voice。
　〃This　way；　Mrs。　Roberts。〃
　Ellen　looked　to　see　a　man…no；　a　boy…emerge　from　behind　a　bush。　He　was　wearing　a　camouflage　jacket。　A　bow　with　three　strings　was　in　his　hand；　and　a　pack　and　a　quiver　of　arrows　was　on　his　back。　Ellen　searched　her　memory。　The　face　was　familiar；　it　was　Robert；　John's　friend。　Except；　she　remembered；　he　liked　to　be　called　by　his　last　name；　Ripman。
　
　41。　　　PURSUIT
　
　The　careful　arrangement　of　eggs　in　a　nest；　and　the　close　proximity　of　adult　fossils　and　that　of　their　young；　suggest　dinosaurs　may　have　had　a　maternal　instinct　similar　to　mammals。
　…Gregory　Hale；　Dinosaur　Dreams
　
　North　of　Bend；　Oregon
　POSTQUILT：　TUESDAY；　7：13　A。M。　PST
　
　　They　spent　the　night　huddled　in　the　RV；　afraid　to　move　or　even　make　a　sound。　Occasionally　the　dinosaur　could　be　heard　moving　around　outside；　and　twice　it　sounded　farther　in　the　distance。　Both　times　the　creature　returned　within　an　hour；　snuffling　around　the　outside　of　the　RV。　As　morning　broke　the　dinosaur　could　be　heard　moving　off　into　the　distance　again。　After　twenty　minutes；　Colter　stood　to　peer　out。
　〃It's　gone；〃　he　whispered。　He　walked　through　the　RV　checking　the　other　side　and　the　front　and　back。　〃Yeah；　it's　gone　for　sure。〃
　The　others　stood　slowly；　each　checking　separately　that　the　dinosaur　was　gone。　Only　when　they　were　all　sure　did　they　speak；　and　then　only　in　hushed　tones。　Incredibly；　Dr。　Coombs　and　Dr。　Piltcher　immediately　fell　into　another　debate。
　〃Are　you　sure　it's　not　triceratops？〃　Dr。　Coombs　asked。
　〃Certainly　a　ceratopsian；　but　the　horns　are　wrong　for　triceratops。　More　likely　monoclonius；〃　Dr。　Piltcher　countered。
　〃I　can't　agree；〃　Dr。　Coombs　argued。　〃The　curved　nasal　horn　would　be　typical　of　monoclonius；　but　the　frill　horns　seem　exaggerated　for　this　particular　species。　Mono　means　one　after　all。　Perhaps　it　is　an　intermediate　form…〃
　〃What　difference　does　it　make？〃　Petra　shouted。　〃Triceratops！　Monoclonius！　What　matters　is　whether　it　is　ing　back　or　not！〃
　Dr。　Coombs　and　Dr。　Piltcher　looked　sheepish。
　She　found　Colter　outside　looking　at　the　RV。　Its　entire　length　was　crumpled　or　dented。　He　tried　to　pull　a　crushed　fender　away　far　enough　to　free　one　tire；　but　failed。
　〃Help　me；　Petra；〃　he　urged；　straining。
　Petra　reached　in　next　to　him　and　grabbed　the　edge　of　the　wheel　well　just　below　his　hand。　Bracing　one　leg　against　the　side　of　the　RV；　the　two　of　them　pulled　on　the　metal。　It　barely　budged。　More　hands　reached　in；　Dr。　Piltcher　and　Dr。　Coombs　jockeyed　for　position。　Moose　appeared　in　the　broken　window　above　them；　startling　the　group；　he　was　balanced　on　the　edge　and　staring　down。　His　mouth　moved　open　and　closed；　but　no　sound　came　out。　When　he　made　no　move　to　jump　down　and　run　away；　the　others　went　back　to　their　task。　When　they　all　had　a　firm　grasp　they　pulled　and　the　metal　began　to　move。　Suddenly　Moose　screeched；　then　spun　and　dropped　back　in　the　RV。　Then　something　bellowed　behind　them。
　They　turned　to　see　the　dinosaur　charging　down　on　them。　Scrambling　to　get　in　the　door　they　automatically　paused　to　let　Petra　go　in　first。　She　dove　into　the　RV　as　the　others　realized　there　wouldn't　be　enough　time　to　get　in　before　the　dinosaur　rammed　it　again。　Hesitating；　not　willing　to　be　either　first　or　last　into　the　opening；　the　three　men　stood　in　the　doorway　paralyzed　with　indecision　while　behind　them　loomed　the　onrushing　dinosaur。
　〃Move！〃　Petra　screamed。
　Colter　was　the　first　to　break　and　ran　to　his　right；　the　dinosaur's　head　jerking　in　his　direction。　Dr。　Coombs　broke　next；　running　left　and　pulling　the　dinosaur's　attention　back　from　Colter。　Left　alone　in　front　of　the　door；　Dr。　Piltcher　struggled　to　climb　in　before　the　dinosaur　crushed　him　in　the　opening。
　When　Dr。　Piltcher　disappeared　inside；　the　dinosaur　turned　toward　the　escaping　Dr。　Coombs。　But　it　turned　too　late；　crashing　into　the　wall　of　the　RV。　Instead　of　pushing　the　RV　back　with　the　blow；　the　dinosaur's　snout　horn　penetrated；　peeli