Chapter 5: Harsh Truth
For what seemed to be the millionth time today, the young man had to stop to wipe the dust out of his eyes. He, Maria, and Mountainstrong had been on the road for two days now. Maria had offered him a perch on Mountainstrong's back, but he had declined. One thing that both of his minds agreed on was that it was better to walk. At least it relieved some of his pent up frustration.
He ran to catch back up to his companions. Mountainstrong's long strides had carried them over many miles, and the young man had to keep up a steady jog to keep pace. Oh well, his raptor legs could carry him.
"Doing alright down there?" Maria called from her perch.
"Fine," he replied.
Maria chuckled and patted Mountainstrong's neck.
"Well, I think I need a rest stop," she said. Mountainstrong eyed her suspiciously. The young man shrugged and took a seat on a nearby rock. Maria deftly swung down from her seat, grabbing a small lunch sack as she did so. She plopped down next to the young man, and Mountainstrong moved off to go find himself some floral lunch of his own.
"You do pretty well keeping up with ole' Mountainstrong," said Maria. She broke a loaf of bread in half and tossed it to the young man.
"It's the legs," he replied. Though he still loathed his biological condition, he had to admit to himself that his raptor half served him well. Physically at least, if not mentally.
'Hiss,' chuckled the back half of his mind.
"So what do you think of Dinotopia, my young friend?" Maria continued.
"It's nice I guess. It's not home."
Maria smiled knowingly. "True, but I think you'll find it to be a wonderful place. After all, where else can you find dinosaurs and people living in such harmony?"
The young man frowned at her.
"Don't try to laud me with your messages of peace and harmony, Maria. I'm sure your little wonderland is cute and all, but you're not stuck with a flesh-eating monster in your skull. You're not stuck not knowing who or what you are. You..."
"All right then, youngster," Maria coolly cut him short, "Suppose if I was. What would I do about it, eh? Come on, tell me. Am I to go on fighting myself till my dying day? Should I drive myself mad trying to be two people, or should I at least try the one chance offered to me to find some balance? However cock-eyed it may sound, lad, Dinotopia is your one chance to find some peace with yourself."
"Don't preach to me, Maria."
The sage old woman looked him straight in the eye.
"I already did, lad. The question is now, what are you going to do about it?"
She stood up, serenely dusted the crumbs off her riding outfit, and whistled for Mountainstrong. Nimbly she climbed up to her perch and off they went. Leaving the young man to jog along below and resume his arguments with himself.