jdavid.footprintsofthunder-第61章

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　〃Don't　be　sorry。　Petra；　everything　I've　done；　I've　done　for　you。　Dr。　Piltcher　is　right　。　。　。　was　right。　I'm　not　that　smart；　not　like　you。　I　didn't　really　belong　in　the　group。　I　was　only　there　for　you。　Now　all　I　want　is　to　get　you　out　of　here。〃
　〃Get　us　out　of　here；〃　Petra　corrected。　〃Let's　get　out　of　here　and　see　if　my　dorm　room　is　still　there。〃
　Pushing　herself　out　of　the　water　as　she　spoke；　she　stood　in　her　soaking　bra　and　panties；　holding　out　her　arms。　Colter；　nearly　naked　himself　and　covered　with　wounds；　stepped　into　her　arms。　They　hugged；　enjoying　the　warmth　of　each　other's　bodies；　and　rocked　gently　against　each　other；　their　eyes　closed；　lest　something　distract　them　from　their　internal　sensations。　The　released　libido　warmed　them　slightly；　giving　them　fort　and　pleasure。
　Then　Petra　pushed　her　hips　against　Colter　and　leaned　her　head　back。　Colter　bent　his　head　to　kiss　her；　but　never　got　the　chance。　When　Colter　moved　to　kiss　Petra　he　saw　something　ing　out　of　the　water　behind　her。　It　was　the　fish。
　This　was　like　no　fish　he　had　ever　seen。　It　had　a　fish　shape；　but　it　was　armored　from　head　to　tail；　with　four　flippers　it　used　like　legs　to　run　along　the　lake　bottom。　Colter　started　to　push　Petra　aside；　but　it　was　too　late。　The　fish　hit　her　from　behind；　clamping　its　jaws　down　on　her　left　leg。　The　blow　knocked　Petra　into　Colter　and　he　stumbled　back；　falling　into　the　shallows。　Screaming　from　the　shock　and　the　pain；　Petra's　leg　was　jerked　out　from　under　her　as　the　killer　fish　pulled　her　toward　the　depths。　In　vain；　Colter　charged　after　them。
　〃Kick　at　it；　Petra；〃　he　shouted　in　desperation。
　Petra　mouthed　something　Colter　never　heard　and　then　her　head　was　pulled　beneath　the　surface。　Diving　into　the　water；　Colter　saw　Petra　pulled　deeper　into　the　laket　her　arms　outstretched；　reaching　for　him。　He　stroked　and　kicked　after　her；　reaching　out　to　grab　her　retreating　hands；　but　it　was　no　use。　He　watched　her　pleading　eyes　and　reaching　hands　fade　into　the　murky　depths；　until　she　was　gone。
　
　50。　　　RESCUE
　
　You　have　confessed　your　prognostications　of　doom。　Have　you　forgotten　I　am　a　god？　Would　not　I　know　the　future　if　it　was　to　be　known？
　…King　of　Babylon　to　Zorastrus
　
　Forest；　former　site　of　Portland；　Oregon
　POSTQUILT：　TUESDAY；　5：20　P。M。　PST
　
　　They　were　running　through　the　trees　away　from　the　camp。　Ripman　led　the　way；　moving　through　the　forest　with　a　familiarity　that　was　natural；　not　acquired；　and　Ellen　and　Angie　struggled　to　keep　up。　Both　women　still　had　on　their　shoes　and　pants；　but　Angie's　blouse　was　pletely　gone　and　Ellen's　had　no　buttons。　Branches　and　tall　grasses　scratched　tender　skin　unaccustomed　to　exposure。
　When　they　first　followed　Ripman　into　the　forest；　Carl　and　the　guys　fired　recklessly。　Ripman　had　darted　from　one　giant　tree　to　the　next；　Angie　and　Ellen　mimicking　his　moves。　The　crack　of　gunshots　and　the　whine　of　bullets…sometimes　slamming　into　nearby　trees…covered　the　sounds　of　their　movements。　Ripman　angled　them　up　the　hill　and　away　from　the　guys；　and　soon　the　gunfire　became　distant　thunder。
　He　kept　the　pace　long　after　the　gunfire　ended。　Ellen's　fear　was　diminishing　as　was　her　adrenalin…fed　strength。　Exhaustion　filled　her　body。　The　sun　was　gone　now　and　the　forest　had　bee　one　unending　shadow。　Their　eyes　adapted　to　the　dark　but　Ripman's　pace　meant　stumbles　and　falls。　Ellen　was　about　to　ask　him　for　a　rest　when　his　hand　came　up；　signaling　for　them　to　stop。
　They　were　near　the　crest　of　the　hill　by　a　rocky　outcrop。　A　huge　fallen　tree　lay　there　and　disappeared　into　the　forest　in　a　tangle　of　broken　limbs。　Ripman　circled　the　tree；　climbing　toward　the　massive　exposed　roots。　When　he　disappeared　over　the　rocks；　suddenly　Ellen's　fear　returned。　Ripman　had　been　their　savior　and　protector。　Though　no　older　than　her　son；　John；　his　petence　was　evident　in　every　move　he　made。
　He　soon　reappeared　at　the　top　of　the　outcrop；　motioned　them　up　and　then　signaled　for　quiet。　Angie　and　Ellen　pushed　and　pulled　each　other　up　the　rocks。　Around　the　exposed　root　of　the　tree；　they　could　see　fresh　dirt；　as　if　the　tree　had　fallen　that　morning。　Ripman　led　them　down　and　under　the　overhanging　roots；　into　a　hollow。
　Ellen　and　Angie　collapsed　against　the　dirt　walls；　enjoying　the　womblike　security。　Temporarily　safe；　Ellen　began　to　think　about　what　had　happened　to　Angie　and　was　plagued　by　doubt　and　guilt。　Angie's　friendship；　which　had　made　it　possible　to　look　for　John；　had　resulted　in　disaster。　She　had　no　idea　how　far　the　rape　had　gone　before　Ripman　interrupted　it。　She　also　knew　she　would　never　ask　and　doubted　whether　Angie　would　ever　say。
　Now　Ellen　and　Angie　were　hiding　in　a　hole；　in　a　forest　that　couldn't　possibly　exist；　and　being　hunted。　Ellen　thought　about　the　forest　around　her　and　hoped　she　had　been　wrong　about　the　possibility　of　other　dinosaurs。　But　why　would　two　dinosaurs　be　more　impossible　than　one？
　Perhaps　if　they　had　found　John　their　situation　would　be　easier　to　accept；　but　it　was　hopeless。　Portland　was　gone。　Their　home　was　gone；　and　her　son。　With　that　admission　Ellen　began　her　grieving。　She　cried　softly　in　the　darkness；　muffling　the　sounds　with　her　hands。　After　a　few　minutes　she　felt　Angie's　arm　around　her　shoulders。　Then　she　remembered　that　John's　friend　Ripman　was　sitting　in　the　hole　with　them。　〃Ripman！　You're　here！　Is　John　here？　Is　he　alive？〃　Moonlight　filtered　into　the　hole；　and　Ellen　could　see　Rip…man's　face。　He　looked　unfortable　and　turned　away；　visibly　ashamed。
　〃I　don't　know。　Last　time　I　saw　him　he　was　alive。〃
　〃When　was　that？　Why　didn't　you　stick　together？〃
　〃We　did　stick　together　at　first。　We　were　out　in　Newberg　when　it　happened。　John　and　Cubby　wanted　to　find　their　moms　and　dads　。　　。　　。　you　。　。　。　so　we　headed　into　the　forest　to　look。〃　Ripman　paused　and　looked　down　again。　〃I　couldn't　believe　those　two　。　。　。　plete　assholes。　They　were　clueless　about　what　to　do。　Made　every　mistake　possible。　They　talked；　stumbled；　wandered　off　the　trail。　Didn't　know　when　to　be　quiet　and　when　not。　If　it　hadn't　been　for　me　they　would　have　been　dead　a　hundred　yards　in。〃　Ripman　brought　his　eyes　up　to　meet　Ellen's。　〃Finally　I　had　to　ditch　them。　They　were　stumbling　along　be…hind　me　making　a　racket　I　couldn't　believe。　Some　dinosaurs　heard　it　and　came　after　us。　We　took　off　running。　I　was　leading；　but　when　I　looked　back　they　were　running　off　on　their　own　with　the　dinosaurs　right　behind　them。　I　couldn't　do　nothing　so　I　just　kept　running。〃
　〃Oh　no！〃　Ellen　gasped。　Angie　pulled　her　closer。
　〃Those　dinosaurs　didn't　get　them。　I　heard　them　calling　my　name　later。　Walking　through　the　forest　yelling　my　name。　So　stupid。　I　knew　they　would　only　get　me　killed　so　I　just　let　them　keep　looking。　They're　still　looking　as　far　as　I　know。〃
　〃You　should　have　stuck　together。〃
　〃What　for？　They　almost　got　me　killed。　If　I　stuck　with　them　I'd　be　dead　now。　It's　every　man　for　himself　in　here。　They　needed　me。　I　didn't　need　them；　I　can　take　care　of　myself。　I　don't　need　anybody。〃
　Angie；　whose　arm　was　still　around　Ellen's　shoulder；　had　been　listening　to　the　conversation；　watching　Ripman's　eyes。
　〃So　why　did　you　help　us？〃　Angie　asked。
　〃For　the　fun　of　it。　I　didn't　like　what　they　did　to　that　dinosaur。　They　didn't　kill　it　for　food；　they　did　it　for　fun。　I　decided　to　have　the　same　kind　of　fun。〃
　〃You　could've　left　us。〃
　〃I　may　still。〃
　〃And　you　don't　need　anybody？〃
　〃Nobody。〃
　〃Then　why　do　you　keep　looking　at　my　breasts？〃　Angie　challenged　him。
　It　was　too　dark　to　make　out　colors；　but　Ellen　was　sure　Ripman's　face　reddened。　He　turned　away　and　didn't　say　anything。　。　Angie　obviously　knew　what　men　needed…especially　teenage　men。　Suddenly　self…conscious；　Ellen　pulled　her　blouse　together　in　front。　The　absurdity　of　her　sudden　modesty　struck　her：　one　minute　running　through　the　forest　dodging　bullets；　and　the　next　minute　embarrassed　that　a　teenager　was　peeking　at　her　bosom。
　Then　she　realized　Angle　was　naked　from　the　waist　up。
　〃Ripman；　give　Angie　your　coat；'〃　Ellen　told　him　crisply。
　Ripman　turned　back　defiantly。　He　sat　tight…lipped；　making　no　move；　facing　the　same　crisis　he'd　faced　with　John　and　Cubby。　He　didn't　want　anyone　to　bee　dependent　on　him。　Finally　Angie　spoke　up。
　〃If　you're　cold；　go　ahead　and　keep　it；　I'm　fine。〃
　Ripman　snorted　softly　and　mumbled；　〃I　don't　get　cold；〃　then　removed　his　coat　and　tossed　it　to　Angie。
　〃Get　some　sleep；〃　he　ordered。　〃I'll　keep　watch。〃
　When　he　left　he　took　his　backpack　and　canteen　with　him。　Ellen　wasn't　sure　they　would　see　him　again。　Eventually　Angie　slept　fitfully；　but　Ellen　spent　the　night　worrying　about　John　and　damning　her　husband　for　leaving　her。
　
　They　were　drunk；　but　the　party　atmosphere　was　gone；　replaced　by　fear　and　anger。　John　was　glad　that　one　of　the　men　was　dead；　one　of　those　who　attacked　his　mother。　Another　one　was　hurt；　but　not　hurt　bad　enough　to　suit　John。　It　must　have　been　Ripman；　John　thought；　who　put　those　arrows　into　the　men　and　helped　John's　mother　escape。
　Cubby　and　John　had　watched　as　the　men　fired　after　his　mom　and　the　other　woman。　It　was　a　long　time　before　the　bikers　gave　up　searching。
　Then　the　men　built　a　fire　away　from　the　body　of　their　friend　and　passed　bottles　around。　Cubby　and　John　crept　through　the　forest　until　they　could　hear　the　men　talk　of　their　fear　and　plans。　The　injured　man；　Carl；　listened　for　a　while　before　cussing　their　stupidity　and　throwing　the　fiberglass　arrow　from　his　leg　in　their　faces。　After　that　he　led　the　discussion。
　〃We　can't　let　those　women　get　away；〃　he　argued。　〃They　saw　Deputy　Dawg　get　it。〃　No　one　dared　point　out　that　Carl　had　done　the　killing。　〃What　about　what　we　did　to　the　women？　Hey；　Miller；　what's　your　wife's　old　man　gonna　say　about　that？　Think　you'll　still　be　workin'　at　his　mill　after　that？　Butler；　Chief　Peters　hates　your　guts　already。　He's　been　looking　for　some　reason　to　get　your　parole　pulled。　He　finds　out　about　this　and　your　ass　is　back　in　the　can。　He　didn't　like　Deputy　Dawg　better'n　anyone　else；　but　what's　he　s'posed　to　do　when　one　of　his　deputies　gets　killed？　He'll　pin　it　on　all　of　us；　not　just　me。　And　what　about　Bobby？　Kishton；　you　were　a　better　friend　a　his　than　the　rest。　You　gonna　just　let　someone　murder　him　like　that？　Shot　him　in　the　back　。。。　in　the　fuckin'　back！　It　ain't　right。〃
　Carl　wheedled　and　worked　on　all　of　them　till　they　agreed。　They　couldn't　let　the　women　get　away；　and　whoever　killed　Bobby　was　going　to　pay　for　it。
　Cubby　and　John　slipped　away　after　that　for　their　own　discussion。
　〃We　gotta　help　them；　Cubby。　Ripman　helped　my　mom。　You　know　he'd　help　us　if　we　were　in　a　jam。〃
　Cubby　agreed　and　so　they　decided　to　disable　the　motorcycles；　giving　Ripman　and　the　women　a　chance　to　get　away。　It　also　gave　Cubby　and　John　a　better　chance　if　they　came　after　them。　They　then　worked　their　way　through　the　forest　to　a　spot　well　away　from　the　camp。　It　wasn't　close　to　the　bikes；　but　a　shorter　crawl　wasn't　worth　the　risk。
　John　had　listened　to　the　men　long　enough　to　pick　out　their　voices。　There　was　Carl　of　course。　One　of　the　others　was　Miller；　one　Kishton；　and　Butler；　who　seldom　spokethat　worried　John。　As　John　crawled　he　listened；　checking　the　voices　against　his　list。　They　were　around　that　fire…except　Butler；　who　could　be　anywhere。
　John　had　been　inching　through　the　grass　on　his　stomach　for　what　seemed　like　hours　and　was　almost　to　the　motorcycl