Chapter Ten - Darn Skirt
It was a big dinosaur, I can tell you that; maybe about fifteen feet tall. Behind its head there was what looked like some sort of crest with two horns coming out above the eyes, which were staring at me unblinkingly. I knew what it was; it was a very well known Triceratops. They, I was relieved to remember, were vegetarians. The Triceratops raised its head and let out a low, long sort of roar. I took that as my clue to scramble back up the tree.
"Darn skirt," I muttered as I reached the top, pulling my white school uniform skirt off a tree branch.
"LANE!"
I looked up and saw Tina climbing towards me. She looked rather worried.
"Lane, I thought a dinosaur had eaten you in the night!" Tina exclaimed.
I smiled. "No, I just went to use the restroom is all."
Mr. Polycarp had decided that we should head to the coast where we would be seen easier from the air, making it more possible for a rescue.
We slipped noiselessly from tree to tree, hoping not to attract attention to ourselves. We had been going on for about an hour when Kale complained of having to go to the restroom. We stopped for his sake and Tina leaned against a tree, almost disappearing in the long ivy branches hanging down around its trunk. I grinned. "You look so funny, Tina," I whispered. "I doubt any dinosaur could see you in there."
Tina grinned right back. "I bet you're right. It would be a good hiding place, no doubt about that." She sighed and looked around, then looked back at me. Her next words came with great difficulty, I could tell. "You don't – um – you don't think that – do you think Hannah is ok?"
I lowered my gaze. I had been trying hard not to think about her. My words came out a bit shaky. "I don't know. I hope she is. She's smart. If she took to the trees or the – or the ivy," At this bit we both grinned broadly. "I suspect she'll be fine, for a time. She'd be even safer if she was with …"
"Don't – say it," Tina said sternly.
I looked down at the ground. "If she's with Eric."
Tina looked up at the sky and pursed her lips. I could tell she didn't like thinking about him.
"Why are you acting like this?" I asked, getting annoyed at how childish she was being, like someone holding a grudge. "It's not like he did anything to you! I mean, now that we're here, don't you think it's possible that …"
"No," she stated, still not making eye contact with me. I sighed and looked away. The rest of the group was standing off by another tree. It looked like Sally and Kimmy were having a fight over who knew what. Mr. Polycarp was trying desperately to quiet them but they were paying him no heed.
"NO! I WON'T LET YOU!" Sally suddenly cried and stomped away into the jungle. I could tell Mr. Polycarp wanted to run after her, but he didn't. He didn't even yell after her or anything. He just stood there, knowing better than to do so.
I was kind of annoyed at him. Though he did know a lot about dinosaurs, he was acting like he knew everything there was to know about them. No one really wanted to listen to him but everyone did, making him feel more superior and intelligent. It was really beginning to get on my nerves but I would much rather have been with him than out in the wild on my own.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the stillness. It had come in the direction that Sally had retreated.
Author's Note: I know, I know; it's short. The next chapter is probably going to be longer and have a bit of action in it. And don't worry to those of you who might be worrying, Eric is coming back soon, I promise. Please review!