Chapter Eighteen

The door of the tavern swung open and knocked against the row of coat pegs on the wall, knocking rainwater from some of the closer hanging coats and adding to the considerable puddle already on the floor. The hunched figure in the doorway shook off her own coat and hung it up, ringing out her hair for good measure. Outside, the curtains of rain were illuminated by the lights of the Operations building and the scaffolding lamps around the nearer board-houses, a glittering cascade of yellow and orange drops, splashing into the dark ground and adding to the mud before the door closed and shut the stormy night out again.

Sidney checked his watch and smiled, watching Grace scan the room for him. He couldn't stop the chuckle as she locked eyes with him, that incredulous face she wore so well telling him he was in for a scolding for dragging her way out here during the wettest night of the year so far. Another giggle bubbled out of him as she traipsed across the room, weaving between the tightly packed tables and flicking water heedlessly across a game of cards that four of the feeders were bent over. They grumbled in some husky Spanish accents as Grace threaded her way through.

"Oh, you've really surpassed yourself this time Sidney Wallace." She perched on the stool next to Sidney at the bar and shook her shirt sleeve, flicking yet more water across the counter. "I am drenched! That's the last time I agree to come to your favourite haunt. Oh no. Next time, you can hoof it out to The Burroughs, and we can drink there. I mean, there's not even a pool table here!'' Sidney laughed again as he slid her scotch across to her, watching the amber liquid slosh gently in the tumbler. He swallowed the spit that flooded his mouth and held onto his lemonade a shade tighter.

"We've got a dart board?'' he offered with a sly smile.

"Darts? I can think of somewhere better to throw a pointy thing at you know!'' She couldn't hide the smirk or keep up the act of being annoyed either. "It's good to see you and your smug face Sid. Been too long.''

"It's been a few weeks Grace. Not that long.''

"Trust me,'' she said, taking a sip and smacking her lips. "When you are shut away in the labs with boring men and puppy dog interns, a few weeks is a lifetime.''

"Can't be too bad then, 'hoofing' it all the way out here?'' said Sidney, smiling widely.

"Can't be too bad? Do you know I risked life and limb driving out here? You know I hate the roads on this island, goddam obstacle course if you ask me. And I'm holding you personally responsible for the only Wrangler left on a Friday night being the one that has a big ass leak.'' She squeezed a bit more moisture from her hair again, emphasising her point. "Still, thanks for the scotch.'' She nudged him with an elbow and took another pull, clearing her throat and pouting her lips as she savoured the drink. Sidney had managed the impossible by being able to be around someone who had a proper drink, but even so, he watched her neck muscles as she swallowed the liquid, that deep yearning and relentless need still inside him somewhere. Locked away, but still there. He shifted his weight on the stool and leant an arm on the bar.

"So, what's new? I hear the labs are a buzzing with excitement following Hammonds visit with Dr. Wu last week?'' He nipped at his lemonade, feeling the liquid fizz down his throat.

"I wouldn't say buzzing, per say,'' said Grace. "I'd call it a series of pandering morons falling over themselves to show Hammond and Wu just how well they can kiss ass.''

"Ah yes. The flavour of ambition is usually someone's arse cheeks,'' said Sidney.

"Mmmm, so it seems in this place," sniffed Grace.

"So it is in most places,'' mused Sidney, running a finger around the rim of his glass.

"Had much experience in kissing ass then have you, Sidney Wallace?'' she teased. Sidney laughed, feeling himself relax just that bit more. He could go weeks without seeing her, and they would pick up right where they left off whenever they next saw each other.

"Piss off,'' he shot back, grinning even wider. "Anyway, a little bird tells me that someone got noticed without having to seek out anyone's arse.'' He cocked an eyebrow over the top of his glass. The corner of her mouth twitched.

"Nothing much stays secret on this island, huh?'' she said.

"Well we're all under that NDA, we've got to gossip amongst ourselves I suppose.''

"Huh,'' sniffed Grace, knocking back the rest of her scotch in one go. Sidney watched it disappear, feeling a pang of jealousy. "Well then. Won't be much more to tell will there if you already know.'' He smiled.

"All I know is that you made an impression on Hammond,'' said Sidney, giving her a warm smile of admiration. The hubbub of the tavern dwindled for a moment, allowing the pulsing beat of the bad music coming from the Operations building to thrum through the room. He raised his eyebrows at her, inviting her to say more.

"The Old Man wants me to move my work to Nublar. Said the breakthroughs I'm making would be best served at the Showroom." Grace tapped her fingers on the bar top, signalling to the barman for another round for the pair of them. "I'm on the boat over next Wednesday.''

"Congratulations, then,'' said Sidney. "Sorna won't be the same without you. Can't say I envy you though. Nublar is far too…well, far too much of a Showroom.''

"And you just love your dirty cabin too much don't you, Sidney Wallace.'' There was a playful tone to her voice. "Jesus, what is that God awful music and what's happening at Operations?'' He looked to one of the front windows, seeing the rain cascade down the glass and the light from the neighbouring buildings outside.

"Some sort of party I think,'' said Sidney, sticking out his bottom lip. "One of the Geneticists. Dr. Waller I think? Might be a birthday.''

"Oh right! Shit, yeah it was his fiftieth. I didn't get him anything. The guys an insufferable letch.'' Sidney chuckled, reaching for the fresh lemonade that was put in front of him.

"Probably best avoid that party then eh? Wouldn't want him leering over you, now would we?''

"Fortunately, the man is married. And even more fortunately, I am too old to make a blip on his radar." She ran a hand through her ginger hair, holding the eye of a Costa Rican the other end of the bar and giving him a sly smile before looking back at Sidney. "You can bet your ass that our latest batch of interns are there though. You sure you don't want to go take a look? An attractive and impressionable young intern would be putty in the hands of our rugged Warden.'' She looked at the Costa Rican again.

"I am quite happy just here thank you,'' said Sidney. "The company is worlds better in here.'' He looked around the room, feeling the warmth and familiar comfort of the tavern and the regulars that frequented it. The feeling of belonging was enough to drown out the cry of temptation in here. There was a humble and rustic quality to it, and one that fit Sidney's taste's well.

"The company? Well, isn't that nice of you. Always the charmer. You prefer it here then? With the handlers? The feeders? Any of the veterinarians in here…?'' Sidney could tell she let that last one hang in the air, and he couldn't stop the smirk from spreading on his face as he watched her try to hide her own behind her tumbler.

"Who told you?'' he asked, not bothering to play the denial game. Grace would only tease him more for hiding it.

"Oh, you know…we're all under that NDA. We have to gossip amongst ourselves." She looked at him sideways, that smirk splitting into a grin. "So, come on. Tell me all about her…''

Must have been a couple of hours later when Sidney helped Grace stagger out of the tavern. The party at Operations was still going strong, and the rain had finally let off. They squelched through the mud to where Grace had parked her Wrangler, Sidney propping up Grace as she wobbled along. She was far too gone to drive, and Sidney carefully bundled her into the passenger seat of the Jeep, taking the keys from her coat pocket. He hopped into the driver seat and started the engine.

"Come on then Anderson, let's get you back home to bed.'' Her head lolled sideways, and she looked at him with heavy eyes, her speech slightly slurred and her breath holding the delicious note of consumed alcohol.

"You're a good man, Sidney Wallace. No matter what they…you're a good…a good man…''

Sidney looked down the barrel of his shotgun, the sight trained on the new-comers head. His finger itched and flexed, grazing the trigger, ready to blow the man's head off if he came one step closer with that axe. Sidneys eyes darted between the bright blade of the axe, dashed with blood, to the bright wild eyes of the man. Everybody seemed to have frozen after he'd appeared. Everyone except Sidney. He stuck his tongue into a tooth as he watched the man, waiting for some kind of movement. Waiting for the excuse. The forest was still around them, the noise of the river flowing nearby and gentle patter of the rain the only thing that seemed to exist between them and this man. The wild eyes of the man blinked a few times, and then he put a hand up defensively, showing his palm.

"Holy shit man, go easy huh?" American then, with a voice strangely younger than the face it went with. Sidney didn't lower his weapon just yet though. Not until he was sure that axe wasn't coming closer.

"Who the fuck are you?'' Sidney growled. His finger twitched again.

"Could ask you the same thing pal,'' said Wild Eyes, not quite backing down, but not coming any closer. "But ok, ok. Seeing as you've got the gun. Names Todd, Todd Harris.'' Sidney frowned, why was that name familiar? The tip of the barrel dropped slightly. Then Grace's hand suddenly appeared on it, gently pushing it further down and to the side.

"It's ok Sid, take a breath huh. He's one of Williams's crew. Remember? Jesus Sid, you nearly shot him.''

"Williams crew?'' said Sidney, letting Grace push the gun down. His whole body felt rigid. He let go the breath he'd been holding, feeling it rush out of his mouth, cooling him. He took another breath, a deep one. Then he felt the nausea in his guts and his throat. He really had nearly shot this man. And for what reason? "I'm sorry. Fuck. Sorry." Sidney turned away and perched on a tree stump, letting the shotgun slide between his hands to sink into the dirt between his boots. He became very aware of just how wet he was right then. Water was puddling around him, dripping from his trousers and running down from his hair and under his shirt. The worst bit was the socks. Soggy and squelching inside his boots, he could feel the water between his toes. He really hated wet socks.

He could feel his body relaxing, just about. Might have been a slight wobble to his hands, a wobble he had to make a fist to get rid of. He felt a knuckle crack as he clenched. The sharp pain was oddly satisfying. He propped the shotgun against the stump and stood up, sighing and running a hand through his wet hair.

"You're a good man…''

He strode over to Harris, the man watching him warily. He extended a hand, trying to remove the hard lines from his face.

"Sidney Wallace. I'm sorry I very nearly shot you. It's been a bit of a day you see.'' Harris took his hand and squeezed it, a solid shake following. Those wild eyes didn't look quite so wild anymore. Harris looked at each person in turn.

"Hey its ok. I was ready to start swinging this thing until I saw none of you had tails or huge teeth. What the hell is up with this place? He let the axe slide down to the ground and squat down on the ground. "Seriously, why are there freakin dinosaurs here? And is that guy ok?"

"You didn't know?'' asked Sidney.

"I thought it was just a rumour amongst Williams crew. Something to keep BB entertained or something. I didn't think it was actually true.'' Sidney could have laughed, the absurdity of it at odds with what they'd been through the last few days. At odds with what his life had been the last few years. Grace knelt by Anna, who was still trying to bring the semi-conscious Andrea round. The Costa Rican offered up the occasional groan or murmur.

"Long story, Mr Harris. Long story,'' she said. "How the hell did you get here though? Everyone thought you were dead."

"Nearly was. Several times." Harris traced a dirty finger in the soil, frowning. "I made it to the docks, just about. All I found were empty buildings, wreckage and no sign of a boat or anything. Tried calling for help, but nobody picks up on this island. Was going to make my way back to the beach but…I ran into these things… seriously, where is everyone?" Harris looked between Grace and Sidney, that wild, fever bright look to his eyes returning, almost a pleading look. The look of a man who had spent a great deal of time scared and desperate. "What happened here?'' Sidney rubbed at his face, the thought of describing the nightmare already exhausting. Grace spoke first.

"InGen evacuated,'' said Grace. "The hurricane did what hurricanes do best, and they left. Whilst we were sat on that beach waiting for them, they were leaving." Grace's voiced cracked for moment, the truth of the nightmare as hard for her as it was for Sidney. "And clearly, some of our animals are loose."

"Are you hurt?'' asked Sidney, nodding at Harris. The man shook his head.

"God knows I should be,'' he said. "But I'm ok. Lucky, I swiped this thing from the dock house. Saved my ass a few times." He patted the axe. "Just hungry, tired and in desperate need to get the hell out of here. Can we get out of here? Hell, by the looks of you guys I am not sure I want to know the answer to that.'' He hung his head, his matted dreadlocks falling over his face and hiding his face. "I don't suppose you guys have any food, do you?''

"Sorry, but no,'' said Grace. "We just almost were food.''

"That thing was after you guys? Shit, I thought it was after me. Thought it saw me by the river, earlier. Never run so fast in my life." Sidney looked at Harris slowly, looking at his long hair, his lean figure. He closed his eyes, feeling the air deflate out of him along with any last hopes he was holding as he realised what it meant. He'd been so sure he'd find her.

"You were by the river?''

"Yeah,'' sniffed Harris, looking up. "Needed to drink so bad that I risked going out in the open. Wasn't until I looked up and saw it moving into some trees up on that ridge that I even knew it was there.'' Sidney made that fist again, the nasty sting of realization pricking at him. She was gone. Truly gone. He stood up suddenly, needing to move. Needing to forget her. Now that he knew.

"We need to get moving,'' he said, his voice sounding more irritated than he meant. "Dr. Michaels, is he coming round?" Sidney nodded at Andrea whilst picking up his shotgun and couching it in his arm. Anna shook her head.

"Not really."

"Then we need to move him. We need to find somewhere more sheltered. That Rex might decide to cross the river eventually.''

"Rex? You mean…as in T-Rex?" Harris was looking over towards the river. "That was an actual T-Rex? Like I used to read about as a kid?" Sidney nodded, getting ready to pick Andrea up under the arms.

"Yes. So unless you want to see it again, help me with him would you?'' Harris suddenly looked skittish, as if he thought the Rex would come crashing through the trees at any moment. He helped get Andrea up though, and they took an arm each around their shoulders, dragging the man between them. Anna and Grace silently fell in step behind them.

"So, what next?" groaned Harris, hefting Andrea awkwardly.

"If the others got away then they will have made it to the village,'' said Sidney, shifting Andrea's arm to a slightly less uncomfortable position. The man's feet half dragged half stepped as he mumbled whilst they carried him. "That's where we need to make for. We follow the river and it should get us close to the village. Hopefully they will have got on the radio to Nublar by now. Who knows, maybe help is already on the way.''

"So some more of guys left the beach?" said Harris. "Shit, is the Captain ok? What about BB?''

"Williams was fine, last I saw. Bertram too. Probably a bit shaken after the monorail got attacked.''

"The monorail? Shit what have I missed?'' Harris sniffed as he negotiated a wet root.

"Didn't you see the Rex attack us in it?'' asked Sidney, stepping over the same wet root.

"Nah man, when I saw that thing I took off. Big sucker looked mean as shit." Harris shook his head, half a smile creeping across his face. "Good to know BB is ok though. I bet Max has had a hell of a time keeping him cooperative." That hole in Sidneys stomach opened up again. Took a lot to keep it closed these days, to ignore the failure that was his and not see the faces of those he'd failed. He'd known the boy for a day, but he saw Max's face clear as day in his mind. He remembered that look he'd worn as he was dragged away squealing. Harris must have noticed Sidney's silence, or his hard frown, or maybe he could hear the screaming accusations in Sidneys head. Hear the harsh memories that plagued him.

"You're a good man…"

"What is it? Max is ok right?'' Harris's eyes seemed to brighten with that wild light again. He wore a look that said he wanted to know at the same time as not wanting an answer. Sidney opened his mouth, trying to form the words. They wouldn't come. Or maybe he just couldn't bring himself to say them. All he managed was a grimace and half-arsed shake of the head, holding Harris's eye for half a second as they carried Andrea through the forest. Harris's dirty face seemed to fall into his chest.

"He's gone? How?" Sidney swallowed the jagged lump in his throat. It was bad enough living with his memories, even worse to have to recall them by request.

"Look, we've lost a few people over the last few days. Good people. Max lost his life doing something incredibly brave. Let that be your memory of him." Harris look confused, hurt even.

"I just…he was a good kid. A good friend. Damn." Harris cleared his throat and wrinkled his nose. "The other people you lost. I'm sorry to hear about that." Sidney just nodded.

They struggled through the forest for a good half hour, following the course of the river and pushing their way through low hanging branches and wet ferns. They followed Sidney's silent lead, trusting in his choice of direction without question. Behind them, Anna and Grace followed quietly, ever watchful of the forest around them. Once or twice, the harrowing sound of roaring drifting through the trees set their nerves on edge, all them twitchy.

The burning in Sidneys arms and shoulders was unbearable, the effort of carrying Andrea becoming an agonising trial. But it was preferable to his thoughts. Aching muscles would fade. Thoughts were constant. Sidney looked ahead, the forest never ending. He flicked a glance over his shoulders and saw the weary set to Grace and Anna's pace. Harris was tiring too, his breath coming hard. So far he'd not found anywhere suitable to rest up, but it was apparent now they needed to stop. The last hour had been a hard one. And he knew he needed the rest as much as they did.

They crossed through a small clearing, the rain coming down harder with no forest above them for cover. As they neared the far edge of the open space, Sidney spotted a tree trunk, an old redwood, just inside the edge of the forest. The tree had at some point died, collapsing under its own weight and shearing off towards its base. The huge roots that splayed out had managed to keep the lower half of the trunk grounded, the remains of the giant laying just beyond it. Between two of the roots a hollow had opened up in the tree, the rotting wood falling away to make a small space that they might shelter in. Not big, but big enough to use. Wasn't much else on offer anyway. Large fungi grew from the trunk, offering a small bit of cover from the dripping rain.

"Here, set him down in there,'' said Sidney, indicating the tree with a nod of his head. Harris didn't need to be told twice, groaning as they dragged the Costa Rican into the hollow and setting him down as gently as they could. Anna eyed the tree with hesitation.

"You want us to sit down in there?'' She made a face as if Sidney had asked her to crawl into a pile of shit. "Look at the size of the woodlice!" Sidney brushed a few of the bugs away from one of the roots.

"I'm sure they won't hurt you, Dr. Michaels." The young woman quietly groaned and shuffled in after Grace, squatting down and gingerly finding a place inside the trunk. Andrea was sat propped next to her, his head lolled on one side and his murmuring still sporadic. Harris slumped down on Andreas other side., titling his head back and closing his eyes, his axe resting across his knees. Sidney sat down just outside of the hollow under a big fungus, Grace was opposite him. She looked exhausted, and pale. Her white skin a stark contrast to the mud, grime and dried blood. Sidney touched his head, feeling the lump where he'd struck his head in the monorail. His scalp still stung from the injury on the ship, and his left arm was a constant painful companion. He flexed the fingers of his left hand, feeling the burn as the tendons moved the damaged muscle. They still worked though, for now.

"You think we're far? From the village?" asked Grace, shifting her arse in the damp soil opposite him and trying to wedge herself into the gaps beneath the roots, avoiding the rain.

"Difficult to know. Maybe another hour, two possibly,'' said Sidney. He wondered if she believed him. The way she looked at him, he knew she didn't.

"Fancy a drink at the tavern?" she asked, a sad smile on her face. "My treat."

"Sure, why not." Sidney managed a smile back at her, wishing they were arranging the drink like they used to before any of this. They sat in silence, lost in their own thoughts. Grace wrinkled her nose after a while, looking pained.

"Sid,'' she said quietly. "You find it strange that the Rex was out?" Sidney stared out through the trees towards the river, listening to the swollen waters churning past. He nodded slowly. "Do you think there are more out? More Rexes?" He nodded again. "Shit,'' Grace breathed.

The thought was not new to him. Neither was the fear in his guts because of it. He had been a good Warden, before, when the animals were all behind fences. When they were all under control. Now, there was no control. His island was theirs now. And Sidney, and everyone else, were just prey to them. He was failing the test.

"Sid?'' Grace again, her voice even softer this time. "I just want you to know…I heard about what happened to you. After the transfer went wrong. Whatever happened that night, I don't care. Everything you've done for us so far…look. When we get back, and I know you will get us back. I'm going to go straight to Hammond and Muldoon. I'm going to put them right about you. You don't deserve what you got."

"You knew?'' said Sidney, unable to keep the frown from his face. He wasn't angry. But the shame of anyone knowing was difficult to bear. "Why didn't you say anything?''

"I knew you wouldn't want to talk about it. Anyway, been bigger fish to fry at the moment hasn't there?" She smiled, that genuine smile he'd always loved. He found himself smiling back, just about.

"How did you find out?'' he asked, scratching at his stubble and for a fleeting moment feeling like he was catching up with an old friend under normal circumstances.

"Come on Sid. You know how it goes." She offered a sly shrug; one he couldn't stop himself smiling at. Even now, it felt good to know he had her support. Even if it was just one person.

Then Andrea suddenly gasped and sat up, kicking his heels at the soil. The Costa Rican looked around; his eyes wide and chest heaving as his body dragged in air. He tried to push himself up but immediately groaned, holding his head. He sank bank into the hollow, screwing his eyes shut and breathing in ragged, deep breaths.

"Joder, la cabeza. Mierda. Mierda." He used his fingers to gently prod around his scalp and temples, grimacing as he felts the lumps. His head rolled to the side, and he looked at Harris with a frown. "¿Quien diablos eren tu?" Harris looked back at him blankly.

"Er, sorry man." Harris offered a shrug, and Andrea puffed out of his mouth.

"What happened?'' he said, rubbing at his face and massaging his temples. Anna shuffled to her knees and helped check Andrea's head for the hundredth time.

"The monorail got attacked,'' she said. "It…we got away. Mr Wallace got us out.'' Andreas eyes narrowed and slid over to Sidney, that borderline sneer creeping across the man's face.

"The asesino? Well, who'd have thought,'' said Andrea, that scorn slipping back into his voice with sickening ease. Anna frowned at his apparent rudeness.

"Mr Wallace sav…"

"Anna,'' cut in Sidney. "It's ok." Sidney looked at Andrea, meeting his eye and holding it. Andrea stared back, determined it seemed to not let Sidney forget. As if there was any danger of that anyway. "Rest up, eh? We need to get going soon." Sidney's face was utterly blank. Patiently waiting for Andrea to give him the excuse to make him unconscious again. He could use the relief.

"Si, asesino." Andrea sniffed and looked away finally, that sneer never falling from his face. Then a twig snapped, somewhere. Everyone stiffened, eyes wide in an instant. Harris's hands were white as he gripped his axe, and Sidney's own hands were slowly sliding along his shotgun, fingers curling around the grip and fore end. Grace looked like she was trying to inch back further into the hollow, squeezing up next to Harris. Anna has gone completely still.

Sidney could hear it, getting closer. It was near, maybe a few feet away from their tree, pawing at the earth and sniffing. Sidney could hear its breath, hear it snuffling. His hands tightened around his weapon, wishing he didn't have to make himself ready for this, again. He could feel the urge to just lay down and close his eyes, to ignore the world around him. He was so very tired. Another twig snapped and he took a sharp breath, ready in an instant. His weariness forgotten. Or maybe just put on hold.

The dinosaur appeared behind him suddenly, above the top of the tree root, and Grace flinched away from its sudden movement, the look of shock etched onto her face. Sidney ducked down on instinct, waiting for the claws or teeth. But then the dinosaur bleated, and Grace let out a small giggle, looking not quite sure whether to laugh or cry.

Sidney looked up and saw the hooves on the root, and then the goat bleated again and pranced away, trotting through the trees and out into the clearing towards the river. A small white one, with a few patches of brown on its coat, trotting through the trees as harmless as a rabbit. Sidney let out a sigh, almost of frustration. His body was becoming used to episodes of extreme stress and trauma, and it had begun to flood his bloodstream with the chemicals necessary to survive. Watching the goat saunter off, he was in half a mind to go and shoot the damn thing anyway. He tapped a few fingers on his shotgun, toying with the idea. Harris looked ready to go and hit it with his axe as well. Seemed a few days of extreme terror turned anyone into a hair-trigger.

"Why are there freakin goats here too…?" Harris muttered to himself.

Sidney sank back down into the dirt and tipped his head back, feeling the pulse in his throat steady and subside, the pounding in his ears fading. Eventually, the dull aches and pains of his body came back, reminding him that he couldn't keep up these episodes forever. The rain, sneaking down through the canopy, branches and partial cover of the fungi found a few places to drip onto his shoulders. He watched the drops, feeling the wetness on his skin. Somehow, he doubted he would ever be dry again now. He closed his eyes, listening to the hushed whispers of Anna and Harris.

"…you survive so long? I mean, it's been two days.'' Anna's voice held a note of disbelief.

"Had plenty of close calls,'' replied Harris. "Narrowly avoided those horned ones. Seriously, who the hell thought it would be a good idea to create a giant chameleon?"

"And that?" Anna pointed to the blood-stained axe head. "How did that happen." Harris hefted the axe and looked at the blade scratching at the dried blood with a fingernail. A glimmer of that crazed light glazed across his eyes again.

"You seen those little green ones? The little chicken shit ones?" Anna nodded. "Got set upon by a swarm of them earlier today. Little assholes just kept coming. So, I started swinging.'' Sidney curled his lip. Chances were that it wouldn't be much longer they could continue without drawing the attention of something. The mention of the compsognathus was a nasty reminder of that. They had a habit of sniffing out even the faintest whiff of blood, and when they got the scent, they were relentless. The thought made Sidney twitchy.

"Fifteen more minutes,'' he said suddenly to them all. "Then we go." The others looked uneasy at the thought of leaving the tree suddenly. Even Anna, who was no longer bothered about the trail of woodlice that crawled down her coat sleeve. Sidney didn't blame them. The high roots and shallow hollow felt as safe an emergency bunker at that moment, even with the odd visit from a goat. Getting up again meant going back out there. Not much choice though.

The fifteen minutes passed easily, drawing looks of apprehension from them when Sidney indicated it was time. He could feel it himself, but the apprehension of the day wearing on was greater. Mid-afternoon would soon give way to evening, and dusk was a dangerous time.

He led them on through the forest, much quicker now that Andrea could walk. The man was a bit unsteady, but Sidney drove them on. Might be that he got a bit of satisfaction from hearing the man groan from time to time.

He followed the river, knowing that it would bring them closer to the village. They would have to cross at some point, but not yet. Not still so close to what the Buck would consider his. Sidney was still straining every sense he had to feel or listen out for any sign of the animal following them. So far, so lucky.

The sounds of the forest began creep back into his senses, pushing away the constant tension. The smells of trees, and the bark, so strong during the rains. The soil, damp and rich, the scent of it familiar as an old shirt. The patter of the water on the leaves, on the ferns, as soothing as the wind at night. Even the cicadas, constant with their droning, made him feel one step closer to who he used to be. He closed his eyes and breathed deep, forgetting the fear, forgetting the pain. For a moment, a blissful moment, he fooled himself into believing he was walking his favourite trail, nothing more urgent than inspecting the fences or making sure the next supply drop was scheduled correctly. That breath exhaled, and back in rushed the pain of his body and the pain of his mind. He spat out some sour spit, irritated. So irritated he almost didn't see her.

He froze mid-step, throwing an arm back and spreading his palm, frantically waving for the others to stop, to stay back. He slowly sank into a crouch, half turning and making eye contact with the others. He pressed one finger to his lips, and then motioned for them all to stay exactly where they were. Their faces were all of worry, but they understood, following his lead and sinking to a crouch.

He turned back and slipped through some ferns, gently pushing the fronds away and taking his time. He reached the point where he dared go no further, and slowly pushed a low hanging branch aside, giving him a better view of her.

She was bent low, maybe fifty yards away, head hovering above the river and long tongue lapping up the water, great lashes of water falling from her open mouth. Sidney watched her, thanking anyone that could hear his whispers that she was the other side of the river. In the fading light and the earthy colours of the forest, she was almost invisible, her diamond markings merging her with the trees perfectly. Her clay red colour, when under the glare of the sun, was striking. Under the gloom of the forest, it was unnerving. It had only been the slight movement of her neck that had caused Sidney to see her, an action so familiar to him that he'd almost ignored it. The need to avoid being prey had stopped him first.

He watched the Doe, holding his breath and waiting to see if she'd noticed them. She carried on drinking, oblivious to the world around her it seemed. Sidney couldn't quite believe it. Couldn't quite believe the luck. The way the day had gone so far, he expected her to suddenly come charging through the river at them. But she didn't. She just kept on lapping at the water, her huge body swaying gently. Sidney gently bit his lip, almost entranced by her. Only thing was, the Red Doe had a habit of being a prickly bitch. And he didn't need to give the excuse to a large female tyrannosaur.

He backed away from the cover of the branch and the ferns, feeling his way quietly until he was back with the others. Didn't take much to convince them they needed to skirt away from the river. He led them away, gesturing the way to go at the same time keeping one eye on the Doe across the river, making sure he could see her through the gaps in the trees. For a few heart-stopping moments he thought she had vanished, but the trick of the light on her skin kept her well-hidden. She was still there, drinking her fill.

Once they had got far enough from the river, he urged them on faster, taking the risk of making more noise for more speed. They darted through the trees, not a word spoken, and more than one head looking behind them. Sidney's most of all. Just the sight of the Doe had been enough to remind him of the lives he held in his hands. The memory of Carlos, crushed and ripped apart, was enough to keep his stomach from ever settling.

Maybe it was the anger he felt, maybe it was the fear, but he pushed them further on than he intended. The further they got from the Doe, the less he felt like he might lose one of them. The thought was a precious one, something he held onto.

He led them through the trees for nearly half an hour, keeping his bearing and only turning back towards the direction he wanted when he was sure they had stayed well clear of where the Rex was. The rain was still falling, and he was confident it would mask their scent enough to not arouse her. If they were luckier still, she would catch the Bucks scent first and be more intrigued by that.

The light was fading faster now as they walked, as well as their energy. Sidney knew they wouldn't make the village before sunset, and the others probably knew it too. It didn't need to be said though. Andrea would have something to say about it, he was sure. He just kept going, one foot in front of the other.

It took him by surprise when they pushed through shrubs to find a small clearing and a building in the centre of it. Raised up on flood supports, with a short staircase leading to the door, it took Sidney a few moments to recognise one of the handler board houses. There were a few like this, scattered throughout the forest south of the village, all built with a similar design of three floors and balcony at the top. More convenient for the handlers as they changed shifts or swapped herds during certain seasons than going all the way back to the village. This one he'd not been to in months, but he recognised the shed next to the house that stored everything the handlers needed for the gallimimus, whose paddock had been a short drive away. He remembered stopping by here, once before, when Hannah was using it to treat the animals for the flu that had struck one summer. He could hear the creak of her door as he'd slipped into her room, felt the thrill of being discovered. Dead memories now.

He looked at the house, and then the dimming sky above. Seemed luck had given them another go. The others had seen it now, and Anna gasped, clutching at Harris's arm in disbelief that they had stumbled on something so inviting as a building. After slogging through the wet forest, the prospect of a roof was enticing enough by itself. Grace appeared at his side, her eyes fixed on the house, eager. She glanced at him and smiled, squeezing his hand.

"Not quite the tavern, but I'll take it,'' she said. Sidney raised his shotgun, forever cautious, and nodded towards the house.

"Come on, let's get inside.'' The others fell in step next to him and they pushed away from the forest edge and made their way across the clearing, wet grass tickling at their shins. They approached it from the rear, seeing the bottom few steps of the entry staircase on the other side of the house. The tool shed, a low rectangular article, obscured their view of the right-hand corner of the house, and Sidney slowed their pace, not taking any chances. Out in the open, he felt acutely aware that the security the forest offered was gone.

They worked their way closer, the noise of the insects in the grass the only sound as they crept forwards. They rounded the corner of the shed, passing between its wide doors and the flood posts of the side of the house, everyone looking warily into the open doors of the shed and the dark space under the house, fearful for any hidden animals. They passed without incident, and soon they were by the bottom step, looking up towards the door and the sanctuary of a solid building.

"Sid,'' said Grace suddenly, her voice urgent. He whipped his head round to her, his pulse quickening. But then he saw what she was looking at. He gasped quietly. A Jeep Wrangler, one of the black ones, was sat by the edge of the trees on the dirt track that led away into the forest on the other side of the clearing. It could only have been thirty paces away. The sight of a vehicle, and the opportunity it offered, almost outweighed the safety of walls and a roof. Almost.

Grace was already moving towards it though, jogging forward quickly. "Grace,'' hissed Sidney, jogging after her.

"I just want to check it,'' she called back. She ran on, and then the insects went quiet. Sidney became aware of the silence opening up around them. And then he heard the hooting. Grace was a few paces from the Jeep when the shape leapt up from the deepening shadows beyond it and landed on the bonnet. The frill snapped out, and the dilophosaurus let go that hideous blaring roar, its tail whipping from side to side, agitated.

"Grace!" Sidney yelled, bringing his shotgun up. She skidded to a stop, arms out wide trying to balance herself. Then the dilo's head coiled back and darted forward, and Grace screamed, reeling away, her face covered in the black venom. She slid in the wet grass and half spun half fell to her knees, clawing at her face, scraping away the thick tar-like venom, her screams turning to a bubbling gurgle.

Sidney was shouting. Shouting what, he didn't know, but he managed to pump his shotgun once and take aim before a shape appeared on his left, sinuous and sleek from behind the Jeep. He whipped his head round, and the second dilophosaur reared up, spitting its venom. It hit Sidney on the left side of his face, his left eye blinded by the sticky substance.

"Gah!'' he cried, stumbling back, one hand pawing at his cheek and eye whilst his shotgun tumbled from his hand. He was on his knees, feeling the awful sting and burn in his eye, the cold numbing of the venom penetrating through the pores of his skin, sinking in deeper. Wouldn't take long before it made his entire face slack, getting into his blood stream and locking up his nervous systems, freezing his muscles. Unless he could clear it away. Small chance of that now though. He spat some from his mouth, and frantically searched for his gun, hand flapping in the grass. All the while he watched Grace, floundering on the ground, blinded. Her screams were coming back stronger now as the venom worked deeper.

Then the dilophosaurus hopped down from the Jeep, padding over to her and stamping one foot on her leg, pinning her down. She flailed her arms in its direction, hopelessly. He tried crawling to her, trying to say her name. She may have been screaming his. He didn't know. He couldn't hear anything but the snarls and chirps from the animals.

Hands, rough and strong, closed around his chest and dragged him back suddenly, his legs kicking at the grass in front of him while Grace and the dinosaur slipped further away, her screams still loud in his ears. The dilophosaur that had hit him kept its distance, its eyes flicking between Grace and Sidney as he was pulled back.

"No! No!" His voice was hoarse already. He may as well have screamed at the trees though, there was no stopping what would happen next. The dilophosaurus snaked its head down and sank its teeth into Grace's shoulder, her body writhing under the sudden pressure and pain. Sidney screamed with her, thrashing against his captor, desperate to get back to her. Knowing he could do nothing anyway.

A deeper snarl echoed out through the clearing and a bigger dilophosaur sauntered out, head bobbing like a huge bird. Recognition hit Sidney as he saw its ripped frill, its scarred snout, and his Bowie knife still stuck in its limp arm. Dried blood coated its body and face, its sunken and swollen eye blinking out from a dark orbit. Its one good arm raked at the air as it paced over to where Grace lay, the dilophosaur that had bitten her half guarding its prey and half cowering back. The alpha blared at it, and it backed off, hooting.

It placed a foot on Grace's heaving chest, evoking another groaning wail from her. Then it looked at Sidney, as he was hauled up the steps towards the house. Its sharp toes sank into her, drawing blood, and its lips curled back from its needle like teeth. It stood there, holding Sidney's eye for a moment, its wounded head cocked on one side. Scorn, imagined or real, radiated from it with every breath. He felt so cold, watching it. It was all happening in agonising slow motion, the yells of those around him muffled in his ears.

In a fluid motion its head darted down and tore Grace's throat away, a dripping red chunk of meat hanging from its jaws. Grace's blood mingled with the black venom on her face as her body shook, one hand still flapping at her side, her neck a gristly open hole. The animal swallowed down the meat and then it was at her again, mercilessly tearing parts of her away, ripping, pulling and gouging. Jealously consuming her. Sidney screamed again and the door of the house closed in front of him, plunging him into darkness.