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`·.. Chapter Six


Abby resented the idea of killing the animals for food; she loved reptiles, and once had stood against Sir William's sword to save a dracorex. But she knew they had to if they were to survive, so she resigned to nagging Connor to make it as painless as possible.

Connor didn't have the first clue when it came to hunting. Like always, his genius presented dozens of schemes that could have them feasting by nightfall. The problem was the lack of tools and resources – they had no net or gun or anything else that could be used without proximity.

"We have at least another week before we die of hunger," Connor said optimistically, "so we're bound to have worked summin' out by then."

Despite the generous timeframe, they were both starving and likely to do something stupid if they didn't eat soon. Even if they weren't at death's door yet, the famine still affected them; they were slower and weaker, had difficulty concentrating, and had shorter tempers.

There was adhesive tape in the medical kit, so Connor used that to attach the penknife to the end of a sturdy, elongated stick. The spear looked pitiful, but it was the best he could do; the blade would inflict heavier wounds than a sharpened point could and theoretically be more efficient at bringing down animals.

"Abby, I have an idea," Connor put forward. "Promise me you won't get angry."

Abby raised an eyebrow apprehensively.

"Well… if a predator thought I was injured it would come over and try to eat me. Close enough to stab."

Her eyes widened irately. "You're gonna smorgasbord yourself? Are you daft?"

"A bit, yeah," he quipped. "Well how else we gonna do it, eh? It's a lot easier than stalking or ambushing. I reckon them raptors that chased you yesterday would still be close by. Might get a bit of karma over 'em, yeah?" He was grinning, reassuring himself that acting as bait would pay off.

Abby exhaled through her teeth, peering up at Connor through her lashes as though he'd grown an extra head. He was unbelievably clever when he wanted to be, and she could see the determination on his face and in the contusions enveloping his body. He wasn't an idiot. He had his dumb moments (like accidentally shooting her with a tranquiliser) but Abby knew she could trust him. He was right – stalking for extended periods of time made them vulnerable to larger predators and fatigue, as well as bidding a low success rate. And ambushing wasn't exactly feasible. The herbivores were too large and dangerous to go after, and the little mammals were agile and difficult to outmanoeuvre. Hunting small predators seemed a logical choice, as they were easily lured - provided they were careful.

"And how would this idea work, exactly?"

"I'll wander around, yelling out like I'm in pain. When I see them, I'll roll around a bit and look hurt, so they come over. When they're close enough, bam, I spear one of 'em. It won't know what's hit it."

Abby considered the proposal. It would be risky. "What about the other raptor?" she asked.

"Improvisation."

"Improvisation? Connor, if you think I'm going to agree to you going down there and getting cornered by at least two hungry raptors when you don't even know what you're doing, you're an idiot."

"You stay up here and watch; I don't fancy a T-Rex taking the bait. Call out if you see unwanted attention," he continued, ignoring her barbs. He walked over to the edge of the cave and scanned the landscape below, searching for a potential target. He spotted the two velociraptors; they were squabbling at an outcrop adjacent to the stream, which had retreated into a tiny trickle. He noted the tyrannosaur in the distance, crouching near the river, but couldn't see any immediate threats.

He made to exit the cave, but Abby grabbed his arm. He turned around, expecting a heated argument, but was shocked to see her just standing there, staring up at him with uncensored panic in her eyes. "If you're going, so am I," she demanded. "I'm not letting you risk your life alone."

Connor gritted his teeth. "It's too dangerous, Abby."

"Exactly," she hissed. Her eyes shone with a fortitude he hadn't seen before.

Abby was putting her foot down. She'd lived and worked with Connor for three years, and he was always endangering himself for her. She'd lost count of how many times he'd saved her life; cheating death seemed to be a regular pastime for both of them.

"We do this together," she upheld.

Connor sought words that could convince her otherwise, but the resolution in her stance and the impetus in her gaze stopped him.

He nodded.

Reiterating the scan to make sure the only carnivores in the area were the raptors, Connor and Abby descended the precipice and made their way to the stream. They paused at the edge of the trees, cautiously watching the raptors. They'd stopped quarrelling and were moving around inside the den-like groove underneath the outcrop.

"I think we might scare them away if we both go out there," Connor whispered. "You can be the back-up, yeah?"

Abby rolled her eyes. "Fine. And I'll save your butt if I have to."

Connor's lips twitched as he repressed a grin. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled, building up the confidence to take on the theropods. He burst out from behind the tree, hitting the ground and waving his right arm about dramatically.

"Oh, my arm!" he yelled. "Ow, my arm, I think it's broken! I hope there's no raptors around!"

As expected, the raptors exploded from the den, their heads gesticulating angrily. They were around the height of a child, and sported brilliantly coloured feathers from their head and along the length of their forelimbs. They gnashed their teeth and flexed their dew claws, clearly offended by the intrusion. Connor gripped the spear tightly, his knuckles turning white. The raptors advanced, closing the gap between them.

Suddenly the raptors flicked their heads up, sensing something they deemed more interesting. Connor's heart sank; they'd smelt Abby. He spun around to meet her alarmed expression as they veered away and launched at her. He scrambled to his feet, bellowing at the animals in an attempt to get their attention.

Abby smacked one of the raptors in the throat with the end of her boot. It fell back, recoiling in pain and cawed miserably. Abby swallowed back her empathy; she didn't want to hurt them, but she had no choice. If they were to live primeval, they had to suck it up and do the dirty work. The other raptor, livid now, sprung forward to avenge its mate's suffering. Abby didn't have the time to aim another kick, and braced herself for the onslaught.

Connor reached them and drove the spear forward, impaling the raptor through the chest. The stick snapped, embedding the knife inside. The raptor emitted a bloodcurdling scream; a mixture of horror and agony and rage and defiance. It collapsed, its dead eyes staring up at Connor in defeat.

"Piece a cake, eh?" he said.

Abby dropped to her knees, the tears shuddering behind her eyelids. She gaped at the raptor's body, then at her hands – her blood splattered hands. "We killed it, Connor!" she cried, pointing furiously at the offending spear. "What the hell are we doing killing the animals we're supposed to protect!" She jumped up, about to continue her seethe, when a strangled hiss interrupted her.

Connor and Abby turned to see the surviving raptor stalk toward them. Its eyes glittered angrily; it wanted revenge for its dead mate.


All the Cretaceous stories I've read make Connor brilliant at survival 101, and I always wonder if this is the same Connor who was complaining to Stephen in S1E1 about his hatred of the outdoors and his 'allergies'? So here's nerdy Connor being hopeless at anything non-nerdy. :D And the dracorex episode makes clear how much Abby cares about reptiles - I cannot imagine Abby being indifferent to killing them! So here's some rather pointless drama and some Abby breakdown.

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