jdavid.footprintsofthunder-第83章

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gh　to　let　her　run　if　she　had　to；　she　crept　back　toward　the　carcass。
　Petra　approached　from　the　back　side　again。　It　had　been　the　least　popular　side。
　She　was　shocked　when　she　saw　the　carcass。　It　had　been　hollowed　out　and　stripped　of　most　skin　and　flesh；　leaving　bare　bones。　A　huge　bloody　pool　lay　around　the　bone　pile　and　a　dozen　dinosaurs　of　different　sizes　surrounded　the　remains；　gnawing　on　bones　and　digging　pieces　of　bloody　flesh　from　inside　the　carcass。　One　small　dinosaur　was　peeling　skin　away　from　the　head。
　Petra　worried　she　had　waited　too　long。　They　were　digging　deep　into　the　carcass；　and　from　the　look　of　it　they　had　emptied　the　chest　cavity　of　every　bit　of　soft　tissue。　Had　they　eaten　clean　through　to　Colter？　Was　he　still　alive　under　that　bloody　mess　somewhere？
　Petra　approached　slowly；　gun　ready；　walking　out　between　the　trees　until　the　dinosaurs　spotted　her　and　froze。　None　of　them　was　bigger　than　about　ten　feet。　Apparently　the　giant　dinosaurs　had　eaten　their　fill　and　moved　off；　still　the　ten…footers　were　terrifying。　Sucking　up　her　courage；　she　ran　forward　screaming　at　the　top　of　her　lungs。　The　sound　was　pitiful　pared　to　those　of　the　giant　lizards；　but　it　got　their　attention。　She　charged　and　just　before　she　reached　the　nearest　one　fired　a　round　into　the　air；　the　noise　scattering　the　feeders。　After　Petra　fired　another　round；　they　moved　off　a　safe　distance。　Now　to　find　Colter。
　〃Colter？　Colter？〃　she　called。　〃Colter；　are　you　still　here　somewhere？〃
　Petra　listened　for　a　reply　but　heard　none。　She　walked　to　the　carcass；　her　feet　squishing　in　the　blood…soaked　grass；　and　then　reached　out　gingerly　with　one　hand　and　pushed　on　one　of　the　still　standing　ribs。　It　didn't　budge。　Petra　put　her　bare　shoulder　against　it　and　pushed　with　all　her　strength。　It　still　didn't　budge。　The　ribs　were　still　attached　to　the　backbone　and　weighed　tons。　She　had　no　hope　of　moving　it　off　Colter。　There　were　only　two　choices　now。　Go　back　to　digging；　or　climb　inside　and　try　to　get　through　past　the　backbone。　Petra　peered　into　the　carcass。　Something　was　moving。
　She　backed　up；　raising　the　rifle。　The　carcass　began　to　rock　ever　so　slightly；　the　still…hanging　skin　flapped　with　the　movement。　Then　something　rose　out　of　the　carcass；　covered　with　blood　and　reddish　mud。　The　figure　rose；　then　slipped　back　only　to　rise　again；　grabbing　on　to　the　hanging　skin　and　flopping　over　the　side　and　out。　Like　some　bizarre　cesarean…born　baby；　Colter　had　emerged　from　the　dinosaur。
　Hysterical；　overwhelmed　with　joy；　Petra　ran　to　him　and　cradled　his　head　in　her　lap。　She　wiped　the　blood　from　his　face　to　see　he　was　crying；　then　rocked　him　in　her　lap　and　cried　with　him。　She　continued　to　clean　his　face　and　head；　but　had　nowhere　to　wipe　the　blood　because　it　had　soaked　the　ground　too。　Petra　opened　Colter's　torn　shirt　gently　and　realized　some　of　the　blood　was　his。　There　was　a　gash　from　above　his　left　nipple　running　all　the　way　to　the　right　side。　She　looked　closer　to　find　perforations　in　his　shirt　along　his　left　arm。　A　splinter　was　sticking　out　of　one　of　the　holes。　Petra　reached　down　and　yanked　the　splinter　out。　That　sharp　jab；　of　pain　made　Colter　stop　sobbing　and　he　plained　instead。　〃Ouch。　That　hurts；　Petra！〃
　Petra　laughed　at　him　sadly。　〃Colter；　you've　got　a　gash　across　your　chest。　You've　been　buried　alive　under　a　dinosaur；　and　you're　plaining　about　a　little　splinter？〃
　〃Lots　of　splinters；〃　he　replied。　〃I　pulled　out　as　many　as　I　could　reach。〃
　〃How　did　you　survive　down　there？〃
　〃I　nearly　didn't。〃　Colter　paused；　but　he　fought　back　his　tears。　〃I　got　down　flat　when　it　started　to　fall。　It　had　dug　out　enough　of　a　space　for　me；　I　guess。　It　jammed　that　limb　down　on　me　though。　I　think　it　broke　a　rib　or　two。　That's　when　I　got　the　splinters。〃
　Petra　was　going　to　ask　about　the　stash　across　his　chest；　but　Colter　looked　like　he　was　trying　not　to　remember　some　things；　so　she　let　him　tell　it　his　way。
　〃I　heard　you　outside　and　I　tried　digging　out；　but　it　was　no　use。　I　could　hardly　move。　Then　I　heard　the　feeding　start。　You　can't　believe　how　horrible　it　sounds　from　underneath。　It　was　ing　toward　me。〃
　Colter　was　getting　louder　and　losing　control　over　his　emotions。
　Petra　tried　to　calm　him。　〃It's　okay　now；　Colter。　You're　out。〃
　〃Then　the　blood　started。　It　was　just　a　wetness　at　first。　I　didn't　know　what　it　was。　It　had　a　salty　smell　to　it。　It　just　kept　ing；　filling　the　hole　I　was　in。　Other　body　fluids　too。〃
　〃Don't　think　about　it；　Colter。〃
　〃I　nearly　drowned　in　it。〃
　〃Time　to　go；　Colter。〃
　〃Oh　God；　it　was　horrible。〃
　〃The　dinosaurs　might　e　back；　Colter。〃
　〃I　want　to　go。　I　want　to　go　out　of　here。〃
　〃Yes；　Colter。　Me　too。〃
　They　stood；　helping　each　other　to　their　feet　and　then　with　Petra　holding　the　rifle；　they　stumbled　through　the　trees　and　back　toward　the　RV。　They　leaned　on　each　other；　more　for　emotional　support　than　physical。
　Monoclonius　stood　in　the　clearing；　but　they　ignored　the　humans；　allowing　them　to　cross　the　clearing　without　incident；　and　then　they　were　into　the　tall　brush　on　the　other　side。　Petra　hated　the　brush。　There　was　no　visibility　and　they　had　too　little　energy　to　walk　stealthily；　so　they　crashed　through　it。　Petra　slowed　when　she　saw　the　RV；　Near　it　were　two　piles　of　bones。　Then　Petra　urged　Colter　to　go　faster。　As　they　walked；　Petra　scanned　the　clearing　nervously　for　predators。
　The　RV　was　close　now。　So　close　she　began　to　feel　its　safety。　It　could　take　them　away；　and　she　wanted　that　badly；　and　the　more　she　wanted　it　the　more　she　feared　something　would　snatch　it　away　again。　At　the　door　of　the　RV　Petra　pushed　Colter　up　and　inside。　Then　with　a　last　nervous　look　around　she　climbed　in；　vowing　not　to　leave　the　vehicle　until　she　was　safe　with　other　people。
　Colter　handed　her　a　quart　of　orange　juice　and　raised　a　second　quart　to　his　lips；　drinking　down　huge　gulps。　Petra　drank　half　of　her　juice　without　pause。　After　a　couple　more　swallows；　Colter　walked　into　the　back　of　the　RV　and　collapsed　on　the　bed。　Petra　started　back　to　join　him　but　jumped　back　in　fear　as　something　came　out　from　under　a　pile　of　blankets…Sarah。　Petra　had　forgotten　about　the　little　dinosaur。　It　stared　at　her；　but　unlike　earlier；　she　didn't　seem　panicked　by　Petra's　presence。　Then　to　Petra's　surprise　Sarah　waddled　over　and　banged　into　Colter's　dangling　legs。
　〃Petra；〃　Colter　moaned。　〃Feed　them　will　ya？〃
　Opening　the　fridge；　Petra　pulled　out　an　apple　and　rolled　it　to　Sarah。　Then　Moose　launched　himself　from　the　top　of　the　cabinet；　landed　next　to　Colter；　and　then　jumped　down　to　the　floor。　Petra　sliced　up　another　apple；　and　he　quickly　carried　a　piece　to　his　place　on　top　of　the　cabinets。　Petra　was　amazed　by　the　little　dinosaur's　new　confidence。　They　had　lost　all　fear　of　people。
　She　flopped　down　next　to　Colter；　lying　on　her　back　with　one　arm　over　her　face；　and　both　were　soon　asleep。　When　Petra　awoke　she　found　Moose　sleeping　next　to　Colter　on　the　other　side；　but　when　she　stirred　the　little　animal　scrambled　up　the　wall　and　to　his　hiding　place。
　Petra　propped　herself　up　with　one　elbow　and　looked　down　at　Colter。　His　face　was　caked　with　blood　and　red　mud；　so　she　got　up；　soaked　a　towel　with　water　and　began　to　clean　his　face。　He　woke　and　stared　at　her　blankly。
　〃Colter；　you're　coated　with　。　。　。　well；　why　don't　you　take　your　clothes　off？　You're　a　mess。〃
　Colter　nodded　and　sat　up；　unbuttoning　his　shirt。　Now　Petra　could　see　the　wound　on　his　chest　more　clearly。　It　was　deep；　crusted　with　dried　blood；　and　should　have　been　stitched。　But　at　least　it　didn't　seem　to　be　oozing；　so　Petra　decided　it　would　heal。　Colter　slipped　out　of　his　bloody　pants　and　shorts　and　put　on　a　clean　pair　of　pants　and　a　T…shirt　that　he　dug　out　of　a　cupboard。
　Petra　looked　at　her　own　body。　She　wasn't　as　severely　injured　as　Colter；　but　blood　and　dirt　were　all　over　her。　Petra　used　the　wet　towel　to　wipe　off　as　much　of　the　grime　as　she　could；　and　then　took　off　her　bra　and　bloody　panties　to　wipe　the　rest　of　herself。　Petra　felt　scabs　on　her　bottom。
　〃Here；　let　me；〃　Colter　said；　holding　out　his　hand　for　the　towel。
　Petra　was　momentarily　embarrassed。　He　was　fully　clothed　and　she　was　naked；　and　she　felt　helpless。　Still；　she　turned　and　let　him　help　her。
　〃It's　not　too　bad；〃　he　assured　her。
　〃Good。　Give　me　some　of　my　clothes　to　put　on。〃
　Petra　turned；　covering　her　small　breasts　with　her　arms　as　Colter　stared　at　her　with　a　strange　look　on　his　face。
　〃Well　。　。　。　I　。。。〃
　Colter　never　got　to　finish。　Something　rattled　behind　him。　He　turned　and　looked　for　what　was　making　the　noise　in　the　front　of　the　RV。　Petra　cringed　behind　Colter　as　they　walked　forward；　looking　for　the　sound。
　Colter　stooped；　reaching　down　to　a　cabinet　door　near　the　floor；　hesitated　and　then　yanked　it　open。　A　baby　dinosaur　rolled　out；　its　lower　half　still　in　the　eggshell。　About　a　foot　long；　its　skin　was　the　bright　green　of　spring　leaves。　The　wet　little　baby　had　a　small　flexible　neck　collar　and　a　short　stubby　tail；　its　snout　tipped　with　a　small　hooked　horn。　It　was　clearly　a　baby　monoclonius。
　Colter　reached　down　and　pulled　the　rest　of　the　eggshell　away　and　then　wiped　it　with　the　towel　he　had　been　using　on　Petra's　bottom。
　〃It's　cute；　isn't　it；　Colter？〃
　〃Cute　now；　sure。　It　won't　be　so　cute　when　it　weighs　a　few　tons。〃
　Colter　picked　it　up　and　handed　it　to　Petra。　It　was　heavier　than　it　looked　and　wriggled　in　her　grasp。
　〃What　do　we　feed　it？〃
　〃I　dunno。　Probably　some　mashed　fruit。　Maybe　some　milk。　Moose　and　Sarah　seem　to　eat　everything。〃
　〃We'll　figure　that　out　in　a　minute。〃　Petra　put　the　baby　down　on　Sarah's　blanket；　and　she　sniffed　at　the　baby；　but　wasn't　hostile。　Then　turning　to　Colter　Petra　said；　〃First；　where　are　my　clothes？〃
　〃Well　。　。　。　you　see　I　was　kind　of　upset　when　I　thought　you　were　dead。　I　mean；　I　didn't　know　you　were　alive。　How　did　you　get　away　from　that　fish　anyway？〃
　〃Don't　change　the　subject。　Where　are　my　clothes？〃
　〃I　kind　of　threw　them　away。〃
　〃Colter！　Why　would　you　do　that？〃
　Finally　he　got　the　courage　to　look　Petra　in　the　eyes　and　tell　her。
　〃Your　things　kept　reminding　me　of　you；　and　how　you　were　dead　and　stuff。　It　was　too　hard　for　me。　It　hurt　pretty　bad。〃
　Tears　welled　up　in　Petra's　eyes。　It　was　only　a　couple　of　sentences　but　Petra　knew　the　rest　of　what　he　could　never　say。　She　wrapped　her　arms　around　him　and　hugged　him；　and　then　pretended　to　be　mad　at　him。
　〃Oh　great。　Someone　dies　and　you　immediately　hold　a　garage　sale。　What　am　I　supposed　to　do　for　clothes？〃
　〃I　like　you　the　way　you　are。〃
　〃1　don't　like　being　the　only　one　naked。〃
　〃I　can　fix　that；〃　Colter　offered。
　〃Don't　bother。　Neither　of　us　is　in　any　shape　for　that。〃
　Petra　turned　and　opened　several　cabinets　until　she　found　one　of　Colter's　sweatshirts　and　pulled　it　over　her　head。　Though　it　hung　down　covering　her　bottom；　she　still　felt　exposed　and　she　never　wanted　to　feel　that　way　again。　Colter's　pants　were　way　too　big；　but　she　put　on　a　pair　of　his　boxer　shorts。　The　flap　gaped　open　when　she　tried　sitting　in　them；　so　she　found　a　safety　pin　and　pinned　it　closed。　It　would　have　to　do　until　she　could　get　to　a　town。
　Then　Petra　opened　a　can　of　peaches　and　mashed　them　up；　pushing　spoonfuls　into　the　baby　dinosaur's　mouth。　It　chewed　reflexively。　When　Petra　was　sure　it　had　swallowed　enough；　she　poured　in　some　of　the　juice　from　the　can。　Most　ran　down　its　neck　and　pooled　in　th