Chapter 1
Arrival to Sorna
:
Josiah's POV-
"Excuse me, senor."
A man looked up and saw me approaching.
"What can I do for you, amigo?"
"Is this your boat?"
"Yes, senor. I'm the captain. Let me introduce myself. Enrique Pantaros.
We both shook hands. My palms were sweaty from tension that was building up in my stomach. I had journeyed to Costa Rica from Canada during my summer time in June. It had taken a lot of time and patients, but finally, I had enough money to go to Costa Rica. The reason? Isla Sorna. The island with the dinosaurs. I knew it was dangerous to go there but it was my dream to go to that island see real-life dinosaurs. Ever since the T-Rex attack in San Diego
four years ago, I was hooked into going to that island and seeing those dinosaurs for myself.
And now here I was in Costa Rica, with my survival pack, readying myself to go to the very island that was illegal to go to. But I was going to take that chance. The rush and excitement of going to that island with those dinosaurs was risk I was willing to take. Dinosaurs were my life as well as reading survival books and watching 'Survivor Man' every chance I got.
"Josiah Clover. Is this the underground Isla Sorna boat tours?"
"Si, senor. None of the Costa Rican government know about the tours expect for a few of us and myself. Ever since that Kirby kid got himself lost on the island four months ago, the island's restrictions have been doubled. Now, we can't even get so much as a small aeroplane or copter near the place. It's bullshit."
I nodded in agreement there. Ever since Eric Kirby had been rescued from the island four months ago, he was hailed as an Oklahoma celebrity. And for what? Just for surviving for eight weeks on an island full of dinosaurs? He was only 12 when he was on that island. I was 24. I could survive the island just like him, no problem. If he could survive it then so could I.
"I agree with you that it is bullshit, senor, but that's not why I came here."
I explained to Enrique that I planed to stay for nine weeks on the island. When he heard this he backed away from me like I had wort on my face.
"You can not be serious, senor?! Nine weeks on that hellhole? With those animals?"
"I'll be fine, Enrique. I can look after myself on that island, Okay?"
"But how will you get back to the mainland? How will you communicate in case you are in trouble? How..."
"Enrique, calm down! I have it all figured out, alright? I read Alan Grant's book and Eric Kirby's book about the island and know how to survive it and the dinosaurs. First, I read in Ian Malcolm's book, that the island has a facility that has geothermal power running. And since the power never needed replenishing, it still works to this day. When my nine weeks are up, I'll radio you on the mainland and you can come and get me, alright?"
Enrique still didn't look so sure.
"Look, senor, nobody who has been near or on the island has survived. Two boats last year had already vanished because some of my Amigos got careless and have not been seen since. But if you say you can do it, senor Clover, then hop in my boat and I will take you to island."
I smiled and picked up my pack.
"Thank you, senor."
It took a while to reach Isla Sorna by boat but Enrique said that it was the fastest way to get there. I sat down, having a good view of the ocean.
Some people would say that this was suicide while others would say that this was crazy. But I was confident. With my camcorder and journal I would write down what was happening to me on the island. John Hammond, the man who had created Jurassic Park, once said that the animals needed our absence, not protection. Bah! Tell that to the underground Dino-Sour Tour boats that took people to the island. That Kirby kid only got stranded on the island because he had gotten too close to the island and had gotten his friend killed. But would not be me.
"Amigo, we're there," called Enrique.
I looked up to see the island right in the distance.
"Wow,"
"now remember, senor," called Enrique. "you have nine weeks to radio me back on the mainland. If not, you'll have to call help same other way.'
I nodded. As we got closer to the island, Enrique went down to the cabin. A few minutes later, he came back up with several powerful-looking weapons.
He handed me a rifle with ten magazines and a pack of gas grenades.
"Here," he said, "the two cases of gas grenades should keep you safe. And you'll need a raft to get to shore. I can't get any closer, senor."
I nodded in understanding and got inside the raft. I gave Enrique one last wave goodbye and started the motor of the raft. This was it. I was doing it. I was going to be on Isla Sorna and for nine weeks.