jdavid.footprintsofthunder-第69章

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　〃This　is　just　too　weird；　Ellen。〃
　〃What　is；　Angie？〃
　〃Standing　here　in　this　。　。　。　this　impossible　forest；　with　dinosaurs　running　around；　following　some　teenage　Jungle　Jim；　and　having　jets　fly　overhead。〃
　Ellen　was　going　to　respond　but　then　noticed　Ripman's　head　was　still　cocked。　She　listened　too　and　picked　up　a　low　rumble；　a　sound　that　was　not　the　jet。　He　motioned　them　to　stand　still　and　be　quiet　and　then　padded　softly　up　the　hill。　As　he　approached　the　crest　he　slowed；　bending　into　a　crawl。　He　lay　still　for　a　minute　and　then　signaled　Angie　and　Ellen　forward。　They　mimicked　his　movements；　crawling　the　last　few　feet　to　his　side；　hearing　a　crunching　and　thumping　as　they　approached　the　crest。　Ellen　peered　fearfully　through　the　ferns　at　the　crest　and　over　the　top　but　saw　only　trees。　She　was　about　to　ask　Ripman　what　he　was　looking　at　when　Angie's　finger　shot　out；　pointing　to　movement　in　the　distance…　The　trees　were　dense；　but　here　and　there　through　the　gaps　they　could　see　dinosaurs。　As　she　watched；　she　realized　there　were　more　than　just　a　few。　There　was　a　herd。
　These　dinosaurs　were　not　like　the　trophy　Carl　and　the　guys　had　killed。　These　were　bigger；　and　deep　green。　They　were　angling　up　the　side　of　the　hill　but　away　from　them。　Ellen　could　see　the　animals　were　traveling　on　all　fours；　measuring　ten　to　fifteen　feet　at　the　shoulders。　Three　horns　protruded　from　each　forehead　and　an　armored　collar　was　around　each　neck。　Their　long　tails　were　tipped　with　three　spikes。　Ellen　leaned　into　Rip…man　and　whispered　in　his　ear。
　〃Shouldn't　we…get　out　of　here？〃
　〃Relax；　they're　just　big　cows。　They　don't　eat　people。　Probably　never　seen　a　person　before。　There's　a　meadow　over　that　way。　That's　where　they　used　to　be。　For　some　reason　they　seem　to　be　on　the　move。　Let　'em　pass。〃
　They　lay　in　the　grass　as　the　dinosaurs　came　closer；　their　noise　now　a　cacophony。　Despite　Ripman's　reassurance　Ellen's　apprehension　remained　until　the　last　one　disappeared　into　the　trees。　Ellen　started　to　rise；　but　Ripman　held　her　arm　pulling　her　back　down。
　〃We've　got　a　problem。　If　we　move　straight　ahead　we　cut　across　the　path　of　those　dinosaurs。〃
　Ellen　and　Angie　looked　at　each　other；　neither　seeing　the　problem。
　〃Those　dinosaurs　are　on　the　move　for　some　reason。　They　were　happily　stuffing　themselves　with　grass　and　ferns　yesterday。〃
　〃You　know　what　they　say　about　greener　pastures；〃　Angie　offered。
　〃Maybe。　Maybe　they're　moving　because　they　don't　want　to　be　somebody's　lunch。〃
　Ellen　blanched　at　the　thought　of　whatever　might　eat　one　of　those　dinosaurs　for　lunch。
　〃Well　then；　let's　head　back　the　other　way　and　find　another　way　around。〃　Angie　looked　to　Ellen　for　support。
　〃If　we　go　that　way　we　head　back　toward　Carl　and　the　guys；〃　Ellen　reasoned。　〃If　we　go　in　the　direction　the　dinosaurs　came　from　we　could　be　heading　right　toward　whatever　was　hunting　them。　But　if　we　cut　across　。　。　。〃
　〃I　see；〃　Angie　said；　her　mind　weighing　the　risks。　〃If　we　cut　across　we　better　move　fast；　since　we　don't　know　if　something　is　following　the　herd；　and　how　far　back　it　might　be。〃
　Ripman　seemed　impressed　and　sat　quietly；　letting　them　analyze　the　options。　Angie　decided　first。
　〃I'd　rather　be　eaten　by　a　dinosaur　than　raped　by　a　bunch　of　assholes。　I　say　our　best　bet　is　to　cut　straight　across　as　fast　as　we　can　and　get　the　hell　out　of　this　place。　Remember　Coop！〃　Angie；　spoke　the　name　sadly。　Ellen　realized　Angie　was　depressed　over　more　than　a　senseless　death。　She　had　cared　for　Coop。　Seeing　how　Angie　used　her　sexuality　to　manipulate　men；　it　had　never　occurred　to　Ellen　that　Angie　might　have　feelings　for　those　men。　Because　Ellen　had　loved　only　one　man；　she　assumed　Angie　was　the　same。
　〃Let's　go　for　it；〃　Ellen　said　to　Ripman。
　Ripman　was　nodding　his　head　in　appreciation　for　their　clear　thinking。　〃El…ah…mental；〃　he　cheered。
　He　led　off　through　the　trees　at　his　usual　pace；　but　this　time　with　occasional　pauses　to　listen。　Ellen　and　Angie　listened　too；　but　depended　more　on　their　eyesight。　The　trees　were　far　enough　apart　to　see　quite　a　distance。　But　Ripman　was　right；　you'd　hear　a　dinosaur　before　you'd　see　one　in　this　forest。
　They　were　nearly　across　the　track　of　the　herd　when　Ripman　slowed　to　a　walk；　then　stopped；　dropping　to　his　knees；　his　eyes　riveted　on　the　ground。　Ellen　and　Angie　approached　slowly；　still　watching　for　dinosaurs。　Even　before　they　reached　him　they　could　see　a　large　pool　of　blood。　Ellen　immediately　thought　of　John；　but　realized　it　was　too　much　blood　for　him。　It　formed　part　of　a　trail　that　angled　off　through　the　trees；　one　corresponding　to　the　dinosaurs'　path。　Suddenly　Ripman's　head　snapped　up　and　his　face　went　pale。
　〃e　on。　Run。〃
　Ellen　and　Angie　followed　Ripman；　running　and　struggling　to　keep　him　in　sight。　They　trusted　his　instincts。　As　they　ran；　they　heard　something　ing…something　big。
　
　
　Cubby　and　John　were　awakened　by　the　roar　of　a　motorcycle　engine。　John　felt　his　insecurity　e　back。　He　immediately　assumed　he　cut　the　wrong　wire　or　tube；　and　Cubby　obviously　agreed。　Ripman　would　have　blamed　John　too。　When　Cubby　shot　John　an　accusing　look；　he　protested；　〃Hey；　it　could　have　been　you；　Cubby。〃
　The　engine　was　being　revved；　and　every　time　it　slowed　it　sputtered。　Finally　it　sputtered　once　more　and　died。　Cubby　and　John　left　their　hiding　place　to　get　closer　to　the　clearing；　John　crossing　his　fingers　and　hoping　it　wasn't　one　of　the　bikes　he　had　disabled。　The　engine　roared　to　life　again　but　died　almost　instantly。
　When　the　boys　got　closer　they　saw　the　bikes　had　been　moved；　they　were　now　parked　around　the　still…smoldering　fire。　To　John's　relief　he　couldn't　tell　which　bikes　he　had　worked　on。　He　could　recognize　only　the　deputy's　gaudy　blue　one；　the　rest　were　mostly　chrome　and　engine。
　All　four　of　the　men　were　crowded　around　one　bike。　After　a　few　minutes　one　of　them　climbed　on　and　jumped　down　on　the　starter。　After　three　kicks　the　engine　roared。　The　rider　revved　it　to　keep　it　going　while　another　one　did　something　on　the　engine。　It　died　again。　The　rider　climbed　off　angrily　and　began　yelling　at　the　one　working　on　the　engine。　They　traded　places　and　tried　it　again。　It　took　eight　kicks　to　start　and　died　almost　immediately。　It　didn't　start　again　after　that。
　Carl；　his　leg　bandaged　with　a　folded　shirt；　shouted　the　guys　down　and　then　took　control。　After　they　argued　for　a　while；　Carl　and　two　others　picked　up　their　rifles　and　headed　into　the　forest。　The　third　man　picked　up　his　rifle　and　watched　the　others　go；　then　he　went　back　to　the　bike　and　kicked　it　three　times　till　it　rocked　over　onto　its　side。
　Cubby　pulled　on　John's　sleeve；　and　they　slipped　deeper　into　the　forest。
　〃Do　you　want　to　take　him？〃　Cubby　asked。
　〃How？　He's　watching　now；　and　he's　got　a　rifle。　We　couldn't　get　far　enough　across　that　meadow　to　hit　him　with　that　pistol　before　he'd　plug　us　both。　Besides；　I've　never　shot　a　pistol　before；　have　you？〃
　〃Once；　except　it　wasn't　like　this　one　exactly。〃　Cubby　doubtfully　looked　over　the　gun。　〃I　think　this　is　the　safety；〃　he　said　weakly。　〃Okay。　Let's　follow　the　others　then。　Once　we're　sure　Ripman　got　your　mom　and　her　friend　away　safe；　we'll　head　for　my　house。〃
　They　detoured　wide　around　the　end　of　the　clearing　and　headed　in　the　direction　they　had　seen　Carl　lead　the　other　men。　With　Cubby　in　the　lead；　they　moved　quickly；　nearly　jogging　so　they　could　catch　up。　Soon　they　spotted　one　man　in　the　distance；　carrying　his　rifle　behind　his　neck　with　his　arms　looped　over　the　stock　on　one　side　and　the　barrel　on　the　other。　He　looked　lackadaisical；　as　if　he　didn't　give　a　damn。
　Cubby　and　John　could　not　see　the　others；　but　when　they　heard　a　voice　to　their　right　they　dropped　back；　easily　keeping　out　of　sight。　Occasionally　they　caught　glimpses　of　the　other　men。　Carl　was　limping　along；　the　wound　in　his　leg　apparently　hurting　but　not　enough　to　suit　John。　He　hoped　Ripman　had　dipped　that　arrow　in　dinosaur　shit　before　he　stuck　him　with　it。　It　might　give　him　some　incurable　prehistoric　infection。
　The　sound　of　a　jet　engine　stopped　the　men　as　they　looked　up；　but　the　plane　passed　quickly　and　the　men　resumed　their　search。　The　boys　soon　realized　the　men　weren't　following　tracks；　and　they　became　confident　that　John's　mom　and　Ripman　would　get　away。
　When　they　heard　a　distant　animal　roar；　the　men　froze　and　checked　their　rifles。　Another　roar　sounded　closer　and　they　marked　the　direction　and　moved　toward　it。　Knotting　together　in　a　small　group；　they　followed　Carl；　who　limped　in　the　lead。
　The　next　roar　was　much　closer…the　dinosaur　was　ing　toward　them。　John　spurted　ahead　to　catch　Cubby　and　pulled　his　arm　to　stop　him。
　〃Let　'em　go。　I　hope　the　dino　eats　them。〃
　Cubby　looked　thoughtful　for　a　minute；　then　nodded。　〃Yeah。　Ripman's　long　gone　by　now。〃
　Then　they　heard　the　scream…a　woman's　scream。
　
　Ripman　pounded　uphill　and　down；　running　full　speed。　Angie　and　Ellen　soon　lost　him　in　the　forest　ahead。　But　they　kept　on　the　same　path；　following　blindly。　Ellen；　ahead；　quickly　saw　Angie　was　falling　behind。　Pounding　up　to　the　top　of　a　rise；　Ellen　intended　to　wait　for　her　friend。　A　downhill　start　would　get　her　to　top　speed　as　quickly　as　possible。　At　the　top　Ripman's　voice　came　out　of　the　tall　grass。
　〃Get　down！〃
　Ellen　dropped　down　next　to　Ripman；　disappearing　into　the　grass。　Angie　was　having　trouble　with　the　hill；　barely　trotting　by　the　time　she　reached　the　top。　Ellen　pulled　her　down。　Angie　wheezed　and　Ellen　gasped　nearly　as　hard。　Ripman　lay　quietly；　trying　to　listen；　shushing　them　over　and　over。　When　they　caught　their　breaths；　Ripman　turned　his　head　to　listen　to　the　forest。
　〃Won't　it　follow　the　blood？〃　Ellen　asked：　〃Why　would　it　e　after　us　when　there's　all　those　dinosaurs　to　eat？　We're　too　small；　aren't　we？〃
　Ripman；　irritated　by　the　noise　of　the　questions；　ignored　Ellen　for　a　full　minute。　Finally　he　answered；　〃If　it's　a　carnivore　it's　probably　following　the　herd　because　that's　its　food　supply；　but　if　ir　just　ate　one　of　those　suckers　it's　not　going　to　be　hungry。〃
　〃So　it's　not　dangerous？〃　Angie　suggested。
　〃It's　more　dangerous　to　us。　If　it　smells　us　it　might　get　curious。　It　can　always　pick　up　the　trail　of　that　herd。　A　full　belly　means　it　can　afford　to　explore；　look　for　new　food。　Easier　food。〃
　〃Us；〃　Ellen　concluded。
　〃Just　a　little　cheesecake　for　dessert；〃　Angie　added　with　a　false　laugh。
　〃Quiet；〃　Ripman　said　suddenly。
　Ellen　listened　hard　and　picked　out　the　distant　sounds　almost　as　soon　as　Ripman；　who　lay　still　waiting；
　The　density　of　the　forest　and　the　dinosaur's　deep　brownish　green　coloring　made　the　carnivore　difficult　to　see。　It　walked　on　two　powerful　back　legs；　leaning　forward　so　far　it　looked　as　if　it　would　fall。　Somewhere　behind　it　was　a　massive　counterbalancing　tail。　It　had　long　forelegs；　nine　or　ten　feet　in　length；　and　a　huge　head　that　was　mostly　jaws。　Deep　breathing　sounds　rumbled　past　bloodied　teeth；　and　it　swung　its　head　back　and　forth　as　it　walked。
　Ellen　started　to　get　up　to　run；　but　Ripman　grabbed　her　arm　and　kept　her　down。　Then　he　leaned　into　her　and　whispered；　〃Slowly　and　quietly。　If　you　can't　keep　up　this　time；　I'll　leave　you。　Tell　your　friend。〃
　Ellen　relayed　that　to　Angie　in　a　whisper；　and　Angie's　face　fell。　Ripman　inched　his　way　down　the　hill　away　from　the　dinosaur；　moving　as　little　grass　as　possible。　His　bow　was　still　slung　over　his　shoulder；　but　Ellen　realized　it