CHAPTER EIGHT: PTERO'S GETAWAY

At night, as usual, Ptero was bored. He'd come back from hunting. He was getting better at it. Ptero had a great sense of humor. He snuck undetected behind an elderly silver Pterodactylus. "PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHBTTTTT!" Ptero went. He then quickly flew off before the poor Sharptooth could spot him.

Goodness, that Longneck hatchling must really have upset my stomach. the elderly Sharp Beak commented, shaking his head. Ptero had a hard time not laughing.

Ptero next snuck and grabbed some ferns. He tickled a female Sharp beak, then moved away in time. The female turned to glare at a nearby male. What did you do that for? she snapped.

I didn't. replied the male.

SMACK! The female hit him. Can't keep your hands to yourself, can you? she grumbled.

Ptero was giggling now some distance away. He suddenly felt talons grab his shoulders.

Enough Ptero! You will not make a good Sharp Beak King acting like this! snapped Agatha. Ptero was annoyed. His mother wouldn't even let him play practical jokes.

Please Mother, it was just some jokes! You don't seem like you can take a joke! Ptero replied.

Agatha wasn't amused by Ptero's smart-aleck remark. Stop your snotty mouthing Ptero! You can go to bed now for being so rude! Let that be a lesson to you! Agatha snapped.

This was the last straw. He made up his mind to take off early the next morning. He wanted to be free for a while from his mother's heavy hand.

He woke up as the Bright Circle broke the horizon. He crept swiftly and silently, using all of his hunting training, not to sneak up on prey, but to escape the pack's territory without being detected. Father, forgive me. I just need a break. I hope you can understand. he thought as he snuck off. He wanted to go exploring. It couldn't hurt after all. Agatha soon woke and saw that her son was gone. Dread filled her. She had the same look on her face as Petrie's some years ago when Petrie had ran off with Littlefoot to avoid the herds breaking up.

Where is Ptero? Where is he? she asked. Her pack couldn't find him. He must have left. I want him found! Anybody caught goofing off will wish they had met a hungry Sharptooth instead when I'm done with them! she said warningly. They took off after her.

Ptero could hear the pack coming. He sighed. His mother wouldn't give him a single break. He turned and hid in a tree. It was a tree that had many ferns. These tickled him but he kept still, as annoying as it was, as he wanted a chance to explore the world.

Agatha was frightened. If she lost her son, whom she did love, then she would have no heir to take over the pack after her. Also, if Ptero found out he was a leaf eater, she would be in big trouble. He might even find out the truth of what had happened to Sydo. I want that boy found! said Agatha.

Ptero waited till they had passed and then went the opposite way. He might have gotten away unnoticed had not an Ichthyornis spotted him. There he is! she yelled, pointing toward him. Ptero took off.

After him! I want my boy back! shouted Agatha the Sharp Beak Queen to her pack.

Ptero spent a lot of that day dodging them. Eventually, around nightfall, he'd finally given them the slip in the dark. He rested, for he thought that Agatha and her pack couldn't find him. He knew what good eyesight Sharp Beaks had, being part one himself. Thus, he hid among leaves. He saw the pack go overhead. They went right past him. He stayed quiet till they were gone.

Agatha ordered her pack to keep going. Some whined, but she said that any that didn't like it could go out and leave and never come back. Thus, they continued searching, elsewhere, for the rest of the night.

Ptero, meanwhile, snuggled in the leaves. He found that it sure was cold out there away from the nest. "It sure is cold out here. This wasn't what I had in mind when I wanted to go explore the world." he said, shivering. He was about asleep when he heard a noise. His eyes flew open and he looked up!

He saw an Albertosaurus. He quickly realized that it was a Sharptooth. Luckily for Ptero, he knew the Sharptooth language. Agatha's pack spoke it as well as they did Leaf Eater and used the two languages interchangeably. Hello there, my name is Ptero. he said. Hello Ptero, my name is Albert. said the Albertosaurus. So, what brings you here? Ptero asked in Sharptooth. Looking for a meal. Albert replied.

A meal. That didn't sound like a bad idea. Yeah, I'm hungry too. Perhaps we can catch something. It's nice to have a new friend. I've been with Mother all this time. I never got to get out much. said Ptero. Well, I already found a meal. said the Albertosaurus.

Ptero, who didn't realize the danger he was in, said Great. What is it? I love Stinging Buzzers. Also, I love hoppers. I like Tickle Fuzzies. And, he said, licking his lips I'd love Flatteeth. I'd love to hunt one of those.

You look filling enough for a snack. I don't need to go hunt any of those other things. said Albert.

Ptero was panicky now. No, you misunderstood me. I'm a Sharptooth like you! I'm just a kid! You wouldn't eat me! he cried. The Sharptooth licked his lips. Yes I would! he replied. He moved forward and snapped at Ptero, who only just moved away in time.

I taste like crap. You don't want to eat me. replied Ptero, sweating nervously. The Sharptooth snapped at him again, and again he barely got away.

Ptero was terrified. "Noooo! Mother! Mother! Help me! " he cried. The Sharptooth went to strike him with his claws. Ptero moved aside and, feeling that he had no choice, sank his teeth into one of the claws. Albert cried out in pain. Ptero used the opportunity to fly away. The Albertosaurus sulked off, having lost his meal. Ptero breathed a sigh of relief. That had been really close!