AUTHOR'S NOTES:  I am so sorry for the long delay.  First, I had writer's block.  Then, life got really busy.  Next, I kind of forgot about the story.  Finally, I realized that it wasn't finished and it was unfair of me to leave it hanging.

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Chapter Nine

Attacked

Grant repeatedly glanced back at the torn up plane, cursing its downfall.  When the crumbled metal finally disappeared from view behind trees and shrubbery, Grant placed his focus ahead of him.  Udesky, his tiny body struggling to keep up with his bulky vest full of gear, staggered up beside the paleontologist.  Grant flicked his eyes down toward him, but opted to remain silent.

Nash and the Kirbys trailed behind them, whispering frantically amongst themselves.  Billy, who had been keeping up the rear, burst forth and tapped Grant on the shoulder.  "They want to find their son," he muttered.  "Nash suggested that they take over and force us to help them."

Grant grunted.

Billy stared up at his mentor, waiting for direction.

Suddenly Grant halted, holding up his hand.  "Quiet," he hissed.  He strained his ears.  Sweat rolled down his back and his shirt clung to him.  He squinted against the sharp rays of the sun pooling in through the canopy.

"I don't hear anything," Paul finally spoke up.  He trudged over.  "Doctor Grant, we're wasting…"

"Shh," Grant hissed, darting his eyes around.  "It's when you don't hear anything that you know you're in the most danger.  Listen.  The birds have stopped chirping."

Nash inched his way over, keeping a trained eye on their surroundings.  "What do you think, Doctor Grant?"  He wished he had had the time to sort through their stuff and collect more weapons.  All he had on him was a pistol in the waistband of his pants.

Amanda, feeling isolated, stepped cautiously over to the group, rising panic causing her to turn shaky.  "Grant," she murmured.

"Raptors," he breathed.  "When I say 'go', run as fast as you can to the nearest tree and climb.  Don't look back."

Everyone glanced around, searching out the tree they would climb.

"Go," Grant shouted.

As they began racing, raptors burst forth from the bushes, crying out in their shrill cries.  Udesky, weighted down by his vest, staggered and slipped, tumbling onto the ground with an 'umph'.  Grant scooped down, helping him to his feet while unhooking the straps.  Once free, Udesky scurried up the nearest tree.

A raptor pounced, clawing at Grant and slicing into his arm.  The doctor screamed as the razor-sharp claws tore into his flesh.  He stumbled, collapsing and slamming into a large rock with his knee.  Just as the raptor's snout came crashing down, he rolled away and kicked his foot out, crushing his heel into the raptor's eye.

Suddenly he heard the relieving sound of an exploding gun.  Up in one of the trees, Nash fired three rounds into the wounded raptor and another two at the other raptors.  The confused and injured dinosaurs screeched and then scampered away.

Grant crawled uneasily to his feet.  "Let's go," he commanded.  "Won't be long until some scavenger comes to pick them off."

The five climbed down, their breathing labored and their eyes wild from fear.

"Come on," Grant said, clasping his left hand over his gushing wound.

"Shouldn't we patch you up," Nash asked, watching in concern as the blood oozed between the doctor's fingers.  "It'll get infected.  And the animals will be able to smell your blood."

"When we're further from danger, we'll stop."  Grant winced and set the pace with long strides.

Chapter Nine

Autumn:  I'm so behind in everything.  Did you ever manage to get that sequel started/finished?

Pocket:  Thanks so much for your support.  And you know that I'm loving your story so don't pull a disappearing act like I did.

Techy:  Thanks for all 8 reviews.  And, yes, I know that she was married to someone else.  That is why this is the "revised" version.  I would've much rather preferred her with Grant.

Fiction fan:  I'll do what I can.  Thanks!

Tenchi:  I totally (obviously) agree with you.  They should've been!

Smiles:  I could never kill Grant, but the others…we'll see.

Aerin:  It was cruel of them!  I so thought that the little boy, Charlie, was his in the beginning!  But, noooooooo…

Wilshire:  I will.  Thanks!

Avaenian:  It's ok.  I can be pretty sadistic sometimes, too.

Ooogie:  Hey, I completely agree.  I liked the T-rex better than the Spino.

LadyMar:  Hey there, chica.  I love JP, too, especially the first and third ones.  I think you can guess why.  Didn't you change your name to MadgeSmith?