Location: 6°06'29.60"S. 81°03'03.46"W.

Time: 2 weeks 3 days

Before we get in, I'd like to say sorry for not including the time in chapters 8&9, both being a time of 2 weeks since their home was destroyed. Anyways where was I? Oh right.

Buck had already awoken after what seemed like weeks, and with not many choices left simply watched the sea, somewhat lost in the rhythmic motion of waves and sand, swaying back and fourth with the violent sounds of crashing waves, attacking the sand as if they were sworn enemies. No sun was visible, and it was not clear what time of day it was. Morning, afternoon, evening or night, they all had the same light now; desaturated and low. From behind, the slow angle of the beach lead to minor hills of sand, emitting fine grains as the wind brushed by.

A small groan, somewhat in pain and somewhat in confusion, sounded from the right of the lone Apatosaur. Being so used to the sounds before, it startled him back into reality. His sight locked in onto another apatosaur, much larger than him. Whoever this was was resting on his right side, in a position that one could tell meant they had tried to get up before. Surprised that he didn't hear the other Apatosaur fall in the first place, Buck went over to help.

"You alright there sir?" Almost instantly the apatosaur turned to him, and in a course-but-weak tone, uttered "I'm on my side from just recently falling over on my injured side, and you're telling me if I'm 'alright'? Back off will you?" Knowing the current mood of this one, Buck did as he was told, but there was something about this Apatosaur that seemed familiar, a mostly cubic snout matched with deep brown irises. This couldn't be, but the tone and wording this apatosaur wasn't unlike who Buck was thinking of.

"Poppa?" Once again, the apatosaur glared at him, more with confusion that with annoyance. "I'm not your 'Poappa', whoever you are, and you're not my son either, never had any." As the apatosaur tried once again to stand, Buck was there to assist him, as to make sure he wouldn't fall. Upon this, Buck ovserved all the scars and wounds on the Apatosaur, both old and new. Whoever this guy was went through a lot both before and after the event that claimed Buck's home.

Though hopeful that his assistance would gain some trust, it proved to be futile. "While I appreciate your help, I don't plan on getting back with company. Okay?"

"And where is this place, may I ask." Buck insisted, perhaps they lived close. "None of your business, kid." The apatosaur huffed, before walking away from Buck. There was no point in getting him back, so in responce, Buck said one final thing before leaving. "Fine then, I'll find my own way to Clawtooth Mountain then, if you're gonna be like that." Although slightly intimidated by ealier events, he knew he'd have to stand up for himself eventually.

While the hill looked easy enough for Buck to go over, there was something about it that looked like something bad was on the other side. By instinct, Buck went around the small hill, only to see that there was indeed a small v-shaped valley in the middle, which would've been too steep for him to go down- yet alone climb back up. Upon reaching the other side of the hill, a deep thumping sound could be felt through the ground. Rotating his whole body, Buck raced to the apatosaur, who for some reason had now started to follow him.

"You know where Clawtooth Mountain is?" The apatosaur asked, still containing a faded voice. "Of course not, however it's worth trying right?"

"Well, in that case, you don't mind if I tag along do you?" As the apatosaur got back up again, something felt odd to Buck that this apatosaur, once weary upon him, now seemed to bow down to him. It didn't feel right.

"Sure, if we actually introduce ourselves for once." Trust was going to be a minor concern on this journey, there was no doubt about it. Their walking sped up as they talked back and fourth. "Oh right, well, my name is Russel Apaton. You?" Russel progressed the conversation, "Well, it's Buck." It seemed to Buck as if Russel was waiting for him to say something else. "You don't have a last name?", "Not one Poppa told us of, or any I know."

"How... odd, usually within the northern lands everyone has a name and surname. It seems your family might be the only exception. Has your mother said anything about a surname?"

"We never actually bring the topic up, just seemed normal at the time that it was pointless having surnames when there's just five of us." Russel stopped, making sure he wouldn't fall to his injuries a third time. "You used to live in a homestead I'm guessing, out next to the Clawtooth Mountains with no one to bother you except the occasional critter or two. Seems like a calm life at first, but once you're into the common territories well- you better be prepared."

Some of the language, and words, Russel used were unfamilar to Buck. Might be better knowing those terms for future use. "May I ask what you mean by 'Northern Lands' and 'Common Territories' ?" They continued to walk once more across the beige sand, minding all the shrubery that were in random places. "Did your parents not even tell you that?! Fine then, I guess I'm the first to tell you then. 'Northern Lands' refers to the land masses that are on the northern part of the known world, which is why there's also the 'Southern Lands' as well. Onto 'Common Territories', that means land that isn't a wildlife reserve or an exclusion zone. And believe me when I say this, there's a massive wildlife reserve plus exclusion zose around Clawtooth."

It seemed to raise more questions than answers, the known world? How large was that? What about the wildlife reserves, if an entire life is spent in one, then what does that mean about the outside? Why is there an exclusion zone around Clawtooth in the first place? "Don't worry kid, if you have any further questions, I'm here to answer them."

About 5 hours later...

After long passing river mouth, having to wade through it, and having a quick drink at a medium sized lake, Buck was still asking questions. All this new information about whole communities of dinosaurs living and co-operating together as one, about lands so far away they could be told as legend, about places where fountains of water and rock amaze thousands, all of it was so new to Buck that his imagination ran wild. They had come to a point where the mountains to their right felt close, but also far too. A small river, about 120 feet (37 meters) wide, had now blocked their path.

"I think it's time to get time shut eye, been talking all day y'know. We have a big day ahead of ourselves."

"How can you tell that it's night time?"

"The birds, they're quiet. It's getting cold too. Here, just lay by me. It's better to huddle in the cold than to sit alone." Things felt, comfortable, and not just literally comfortable. For Buck, Russel seemed more like his father than he knew before. "You promise to stay with me?" Buck asked. "I see what you mean, sure. Make that an Apaton Promise. Now, it's time for you to rest." Buck let out a pleasing smile, "Good night Russel." Buck said, yawning straight after. Chuckling slightly, Russel replied back. "Good night, Buck." Before lowering his head to the ground for some rest.

Audio Message #3: Subject Member #5: Member #5, also known as Buck, has made a peculiar, and powerful ally along his 96 Mile (155 Km) journey for now. I would advise my associate to take notes on this Russel guy. In the meantime, likelyhood of making it back to Clawtooth Mountain are now highly likely until further notice. End of Message.

A/N: Hey guys, sorry for posting this late, although not as late as the last chapter. To make up for it though I plan to release another chapter before the weekend (just to keep the chapter number even by the end of the week). In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and the story so far. I'll see you in the next chapter.

Next chapter: You see foe, I see friend

Fun Facts: N/A