Chapter 25

A Hunting Trip

Shira looked at James, it had been quite a success, and she knew it The Arkolympics as she called it were still being talked about. Two weeks ago, and people were still raving about it, even suggesting holding the sports again next year. Shira enjoyed being the one that suggested the games, and it had indeed been a great idea. "Still gloating about your idea?" asked James, teasing Shira. "Yes." she replied, because that was exactly what she was doing. James enjoyed his life now more than ever. Shira was a wonderful friend and wife, and James was proud to have her. She in turn shared the same feelings, and had an unpredictable streak that James enjoyed seeing, even if she could be a little stubborn about certain things. Lately she had been exploring around the island with James, who thoroughly enjoyed exploring with her. Still, the distant recollection of the Dino Raiders gave James nightmares, and he would wake up with a cold sweat, dreaming that Shira was being taken prisoner by Apollo, and James could only watch in horror, not being able to move a muscle. It was terrifying, and James would often yell out, one night even swiping his fists. Shira knew what he was dreaming of, even though he rarely discussed it. James didn't want anybody fretting about his dreams. Besides, he doubted Apollo would even be back. Why would he? What did he want, and what could he want? Unless he was an absolute maniac, he couldn't attack Ark Village. They had utterly defeated Apollo, and from the looks of it had pretty much sent him into hiding. Anyway, it would be stupid for them to seek out the Dino Raiders. After Shira had been beaten, he had made a point to say that the Dino Raiders would shoot first. He wouldn't look for trouble if there wasn't any. And anyway, he had serves justice. Hijikata had been beaten to a pulp, and Apollo would have a scar on his arm to add to his collection. He sighed and looked at the ground. Shira was looking out of the window and then started laughing hysterically. James looked up, Shira pointed, and motioned for James to come. He came, and started busting out laughing too. There in the court was Tom, and behind him was over 20 Dilophosaurus all in formation. Tom then stopped, and all his Dilophos stopped. He turned sharply, military style, and then started walking again. They followed him. It was the most ridiculous thing James had ever seen. Then they marched like a bunch of sergeants in a parade, off into the distance. James rolled his eyes and shook his head. "A Dilophosaurus troupe. That's new." Shira continued her mad laughter.

He heard a scream. What? Where was that coming from? It sounded like it was coming from...He looked and saw Shira. She was standing in the middle of a foggy clearing in the forest. It was her scream he heard, but now she was standing there, with a cold look on her face. He walked over and tried to reach her. She stepped back, and spoke. James was startled so violently his heart skipped a beat. It was Apollo's voice! She suddenly whipped out a knife and-James sat up straight in bed. These dreams were becoming more and scarier. More and more real. He breathed heavily, covered his face in his hands, and sighed deeply. He got up and looked out of the window. Shira was there. Sleeping as peaceful as a lamb. It almost pained him to see after the dream he had. Her black hair draped over her pillow, she made no sound. You could barely hear her breathing. A tear formed in James' eye. This was madness! He pulled himself together and got back in bed, but not before praying about it. If anybody could help it was God, and he was the only one that could help him now. Before falling asleep, the last thing he saw was Shira's peaceful face, glowing slightly in the moonlight, her closed eyes haunting James' deepest fears.

James was ready for something different. He was done with village matters for a while. He wanted to do something else. Just he and Shira. Some of his fondest memories on the island was going on solitary hunting trips in the deep wilderness. He had wanted to go towards the North near where Pink Guy was at. He wouldn't go that far up however, since there was no other game asides from the Kairuku. Instead, he would venture just below the icy part, and enter the deciduous forest. Since he was hunting alone, the risk of meeting some giant dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus or Spinosaurus or even a renegade pack of Raptors would be minimized. Instead, the biggest threat would be a hungry Dire Wolf or Smilodon. James didn't know for certain, but their might even be some sort of Cave Bear up near there. Well, he would find out soon.

James and Shira had set out. James was on his Smilodon and Shira was on her Kaprosuchus. Strangely, it seemed that since Kaprosuchus had a higher metabolism than most crocodilians, it could stay more active in temperatures much lower than most other crocs could. In fact, only when ice was on the ground is when the Kaprosuchus' cold blood started to really get cold. They traveled the entire day, and then camped for the night. James rolled out Shira's blanket on the forest floor, and posted torches around the perimeter. He then rolled out his own blanket and grunted as his stiffened body crashed down on the leaf litter, prompting James to let out a big, satisfying sigh as he laid down. Shira looked up at him and smiled. "We haven't really been able to be alone together until now." James nodded. "I know. I'm sorry." Shira raised her body up a bit and rolled over on her side to face James. "It's not your fault, you've just become so much more worried than you once were. You seem to be carrying more weight." James closed his eyes and looked into his wife's concerned face. He needed to answer her questions. He needed to get some things off his chest or it would drive him mad. "Shira, it's just that I'm more worried about a lot of things now. Ever since you were drug off by Apollo I've just been thinking of the worst. I can't lose you." Shira smiled and put her hand on James's head reassuringly. "I won't leave you. I don't want you to worry. Everything is in God's hands." James knew what Shira was saying was true. "I know. There's just so much more now. Even Rhino and Shadow are more distant now. I know that we each have our own crosses to bear and people to tend to, but I just miss the early days. When it was just me and the jungle and freedom! When the Dino Raiders were unknown and feared not." Shira sighed. She could sense the pain in James' voice. James sighed and said, "I don't want to burden you with my troubles Shira. I want to be strong for you. Let's just forget everything now. We're alone and the stars are out." Shira smiled and nodded. They each rolled over and stared up into the clear night sky, the stars shining quietly like fragile diamonds glistening in the inky darkness.

When they woke up, James had cooked up some of the meat they had brought for breakfast. Then, they both entered the forest. James had his bow and arrows. He had considered taking the gun, but why? He felt truly free when a bowstring was tight between his fingers, his ears pricked for signs of life. James was the better hunter, but Shira was a better cook, and a surprisingly good tracker. She could also serve as another set of eyes, which is all too important during a hunt. Shira forked some of the sausage into her mouth. She closed her eyes and looked at James, "Did you make these sausages?" asked Shira, "Yes I did," replied James. "It's so good!" she said. James was surprised. He had no idea she was a sausage fan. Come to think of it, he did have access to the only smokehouse in Ark Village, near the dodo farm. "Uh...Well thanks." he said. Shira looked up, "When you were younger did you go on any hunts?" James thought about it and replied, "A few times. It wasn't a huge hobby of mine but I did it when the opportunity arose. How about you?" Shira shook her head, "I never did. This is a first time for me." James chuckled, "Enjoying it?" Shira nodded vigorously "I'm in the beautiful forest with my husband eating delicious food and camping under the stars. If this isn't what heaven is like I'm going to be disappointed." James was doubly surprised. "I'll take that as a yes." he said. She smiled and James smiled back before looking up at the sky. "Well it's cloudy, that's good. No shadows. Any animals won't be able to see us as easily. Whenever you're ready we can go." Shira swallowed the last bite of her sausage and waved, "Ready now." she said with her mouth half full. James chuckled and shook his head, and Shira came up beside him. Shira and James looked into the forest. It was about 60 degrees and quite dry, not humid like it was back in Ark Village. It was a welcome relief to the two, who sometimes grew extremely tired of the enveloping humidity. They had tied up their mounts back at camp, which was in a protected cove. They didn't worry about any Dino Raiders this far North, and felt more at ease. They carefully treaded over hills, keeping quiet. After another hour they sat down and waited for the prey to come to them. James sat down, keeping an arrow ready in the bow. Shira sat next to him and they scanned the horizon for signs of life.

After an hour something stirred. James carefully got up, told Shira to wait, and stalked over. There was a cliff right ahead about 30 feet high. The creature that had created the noise was a wild boar. James knew that other creatures lived on the island that also lived back at home, like the Coelacanth, and the wild boar must be one of them. He carefully drew the bow. He aimed, but the boar had its back to him. He quietly muttered to himself, "Come on...turn a bit more...Come on..." The boar fortunately turned broadside to him. He loosed, and hit the boar in the head. It went down, and James went over towards it. He yelled over, "Hey Shira, I'm over here! I got a wild boar!" After a minute or two she arrived, and smiled at it. "More fresh sausage tonight!" she said excitedly. James laughed, "You start to get sick of it here soon." Shira scoffed and said, "Never!" They started cleaning it when they heard something rustling in the leaf litter. James got out his bow and arrows. Then something large and grey emerged from the leaf litter, quietly, but with a distinct feel of danger. James saw it coming and then it burst over growling and snarling. It was a Dire Wolf. "Get behind me!" James yelled to Shira. James knew that to defend himself from a wolf, you must make yourself look as intimidating and loud as possible. James got out his knife and waited for a charge. The huge wolf growled, and James yelled intimidatingly. The wolf barked viciously and charged right for James. James saw the wolf jump, and at just the right moment, took his knife, held it in front of him and stabbed the wolf through the heart. Shira yelped in terror and desperately shoved the wolf off of James, who got up and hugged Shira. He skinned the wolf, and harvested the boar's meat. They went back to camp and cooked dinner.

As they were eating, Shira looked at James and said, "What will you use the wolf skin for?" James chuckled and said, "Make a chieftain's headdress out of it?" Shira laughed and said, "Or I could use it as a warning to all other wolves in the area." James nodded. "Not a bad idea." In the middle of their meal, they heard a wolf howling alarmingly close to their camp. Shira's eyes were wide, and James quickly grabbed a torch and looked out. The torchlight illuminated four giant Dire Wolves snarling near the edge of the cliff. James yelled and boldly rushed at them flailing the firy torch. The wolves all shied away from the flames and whined. One of the wolves tried to bite James but he landed the torch on its snout. It yelped and pawed its snout before running off into the forest. It must've been the pack leader since the rest of them followed suit. He kept watch for a while before returning to the camp. Shira was wide awake, scanning the horizon and clutching a knife. James said, "It's alright. You can relax now I scared them off." Shira asked, "What was it out there?" James replied, "Four Dire Wolves. The fire scared them all off." James lit several more torches around the perimeter and built up the fire a bit more before going back to bed. Shivering, he quickly got underneath the thick blanket. Shira and James were in the same bedroll to heat each other up. Last night hadn't been very cold, but tonight it was below freezing. James couldn't sleep, and was awake for a while. Later, he heard Shira's teeth chattering. He took off the coat he had on and draped it over Shira. She looked at James, and tried to give it back but James, but he put it back on Shira and smiled. She smiled back and closed her eyes. James felt good, the cold couldn't do anything to him now.

James was up, thankfully it was much warmer now, in the high 50's. It was a welcome relief to James and Shira, who had both spent a miserable night shivering in a bedroll on the forest floor. Shira was building the fire up a bit more and getting the cooking pan out of the knapsack. She then got out some of the sausage from the hog James had killed, and cooked up a delicious breakfast. James smiled at Shira. She looked up, "What is it James?" James chuckled and said, "You're enjoying yourself aren't you?" Shira laughed and said, "What gave it away?" "You were smiling to yourself and humming. You're happy." Shira laughed some more. The sausage was cooked and they sat down to eat. James said, "This was a great idea. I'm really enjoying this." Shira nodded. "Should we maybe visit Pink Guy?" James chuckled remembering the eccentric, but friendly "pengalan" farmer. But he knew they couldn't, since he was too far up, and they didn't have sufficient clothing. They were probably too far up as they were. He told Shira as much. "Oh well. I would like to visit him sometime soon though..." James replied, "No reason not to." They continued eating and Shira got up and sat back down closer to James. He smiled, and continued eating his breakfast.

He had shot a deer, and a wild goat. It seemed that while the Southern area of the island was almost entirely composed of extinct creatures, the Northern areas had some creatures that were common back home like the wild boar, the deer and wild goats. That evening he was stalking around the woods and Shira was back at the camp. He spotted a deer and he crept ever closer to it. It was late in the evening and almost all the light was gone, but there was just enough to let him make a clean shot. He aimed, and got a lung-shot. The deer leapt into the air and James followed. After tracking it by torchlight, he found it in the weeds, and harvested it. After gathering the meat, he realized that the fastest route back to camp was through a deep marshy area. He climbed into the water when suddenly something grabbed his pack blindingly fast. He instinctively grabbed his knife and stabbed the creature repeatedly. When the thing went belly-up, he saw it was a young Sarcosuchus. He swum violently over to the other side of the marsh and breathing heavily, rushed away from the marsh. James knew it was a young Sarcosuchus, but why was it way up here? He didn't know, and right now he didn't care.

After returning to the camp, he saw Shira jump up and tear towards James. James suddenly got worried and said, "Shira what's wrong?!" Shira stared into the distance west of them and said, "There's an outpost out there. It's...It's...A Dino Raiders base!"