Jurassic Park Broken Lives
Chapter 10: Home
Disclaimer: I do not own Jurassic Park.
Author Note: I will update more often with the number of reviews each chapter gets. Also for those who like longer chapters, I am thinking of writing chapters from now on with at least 5000 words though updates will take longer. Chapter 11 will be the start of this. (Tell me what you think.)
Silver Claw looked in the eyes of Amanda and Ellie and could only see fear and terror that he was causing. He stepped back, shaking his head wildly. What was he doing! Suddenly another crackle of thunder rippled through the air and caused Amanda and Ellie to scream. Silver Claw backed away even more, cutting his leg on a large shard of glass still imbedded in the window frame. Silver Claw roared in pain. Blood flowed from the wound and over his blue scales as he collapsed to his side. Amanda and Ellie watched in shock as the fallen raptor roared in pain and attempted to stand but fell back to the ground again.
"What should we do?" Ellie freaked, "He just tried to kill us!"
"No, I don't think so." Amanda muttered even though she was unsure herself.
"How do you know? He just killed a baby animal without any mercy." Ellie glared and backed further away from the fallen raptor.
"He does have instincts you know," defended Amanda then she got an idea.
Amanda quickly ran over to the corner of the room with her bag and grabbed the bandages. Being sure to watch the raptor's head and claws, Amanda cautiously walked over to the fallen raptor and got down on one knee by his bleeding leg. Amanda reached for his leg but quickly pulled away when he moved it. Slowly she reached for it again and gently held the wounded leg in her hand. Amanda examined the shard of glass in his leg, brushing the blood and dirt away from the area. "This is pretty deep." Amanda softly said. "You will need to get it bandaged."
Silver Claw took one look at her but quickly looked away, his feathers became completely flat and he closed his eyes. How could he act like that? What happened to make him approach the humans, his friends and new family, in such a manner that they thought he might harm them? He did not even know what he was doing at the time. His mind became clouded with the taste of blood before he approached them. Silver Claw let out a roar of pain as Amanda pulled the shard out.
Amanda swiftly wrapped the bandage around his leg and rubbed his back gently. "There you go. I hope it heals in a bit, we still need your help."
Silver Claw looked at Amanda. Amanda stared back at him with worry and concerned for his health. Ellie on the other hand looked at him with an angry glare.
Finally, Silver Claw slowly stood up and limped over to the corner opposite to their bags then lied back down. I hope they can forgive me.
"I think he feels really bad about what he did." Amanda softly whispered to Ellie. "What do you think we should do?"
"You can do whatever you like. I do not want him near us." Ellie replied in the same harsh tone as had when she first me the raptor.
"Don't be like that Ellie… We'll need him to get out of her possibly." Amanda said and pointed across the road to the base of numerous thick trees that hid several segisaurus, a small carnivore with short sharp teeth, four fingered hands and camouflage hide, watching like vultures.
"I wonder if one of those vehicles we saw over their still works." Ellie said optimistically. "That would help a lot."
"Ok we'll try it but first we have to get our raptor to come with us." Amanda said and inhaled heavily. She slowly walked over to the raptor and placed her hand on his back. "Ellie and I want to try something but there are some small dinosaurs across the road. Could you come with us, please?"
Ellie rolled her eyes and mumbled, "More like Amanda wants you to come with us."
Silver Claw looked at Amanda and staggered to his feet. He slowly walked with a slight limp to the door and nudged it open. The rain had stopped and the sky was beginning to clear, allowing the midday sun to become visible in the sky from time to time. He stepped out onto the road and started to cross when Amanda stopped him.
"One second." Amanda said and rushed to the corner to get her bag, Ellie did the same. When both she and Ellie stood somewhat close to Silver Claw, Amanda added, "Ok now we can go."
Amanda, Ellie and Silver Claw cautiously crossed the road towards the vehicles. As soon as the three reached the vehicles, they watched as the segisaurus, nearly tripping over each other, scurried to the center of the road and dug into the carcass. Amanda looked in a suburban, rusted to the point that only the vines were a source of color, but the skeletal remains, though missing the skull, of a worker were in the driver seat. Amanda and Ellie then walked over to the jeep, a light grey and red in color with a plastic top and some rust, to the left of the suburban.
"Hey, there are keys in this jeep!" Ellie excitedly said. "Who's driving?"
"We should see if it works first before we decide that." Amanda said and hopped in the driver side, throwing her bag in the back. "If it does I'm driving anyway."
Ellie frowned but reluctantly jumped in the passenger side and placed her bag in the back as well. "Well?" Ellie questioned.
Amanda inhaled deeply and turned the key. With a loud bang the engine started. Silver Claw jumped back in surprise and hissed at the vehicle. "It's ok." Amanda said with excitement. "We'll get to where we're going sooner this way. Now… how do we get you in the back?"
Silver Claw looked at her in confusion. Even after the way he acted, she still wants to have him come with them. He smiled slightly.
"Amanda let's just go, leave him…." Ellie never got finish because Amanda squeezed her arm, causing Ellie to wince in pain.
Silver Claw's eyes widened at what Ellie said. Slowly he turned away and was about to run into the jungle when he felt a hand on his back.
"Don't think about it." Amanda said and gestured for him to follow her to the back of the jeep. "Ah… here we go." Amanda said and opened up the back door. "You'll be sharing the back with our bags. Ok?"
"But," He started but Amanda stopped him and pointed to the back. Slowly he jumped into the back and Amanda closed the doors. Ellie got uncomfortable.
"Alright let's go." Amanda said, got behind the wheel, and put vehicle into reverse. The sound of snapping vines quickly became louder than the engine but stopped as soon as they were free. Soon they were on the road and Amanda brushed the dirt and plant matter off her mirror to see that the segisaurus were gone but a massive predator with a dark green hide, bloody jaws, short front arms and a huge head was charging at them.
Ellie looked out the back window to see what Amanda was looking at. "Go Amanda!" Ellie shouted.
The jeep suddenly jerked forward and quickly gained speed but the tyrannosaurus was too close to them. The tyrannosaur remained just out of reach until the jeep rounded several turns in the road, allowing the tyrannosaur to catch up to the jeep. All of a sudden, the tyrannosaurus lunged forward, sank its teeth into the plastic top, and pulled back. The jeep stopped instantly, the front end began to lift and the squealing of tires filled the air. Suddenly there was a loud crack and the plastic on the back ripped from the rest of the vehicle. The chase was not over yet; the tyrannosaurus quickly tossed the plastic top aside, caught back up to the jeep and soon ran parallel to it on the passenger side. Ellie and Amanda screamed as the huge head of the tyrannosaurus slammed into the side of the jeep, nearly flipping the vehicle onto its side. The massive creature roared in anger and slowed slightly when suddenly there was another loud crash. From the jungle emerged a herd of stegosaurus, completely oblivious to the jeep and the tyrannosaurus, started to cross the road.
Amanda swerved the jeep past the lead animal, which caused a wave of panic that escalated when the tyrannosaurus tried to pass to continue the chase. The stegosaur's dark brown plates turned a brilliant red-pink color and they viciously swung their tails in self-defense. The tyrannosaur lunged forward trying to fell one of these beasts but soon roared in pain as blood flowed from a large wound across the tyrant's face. Before long, the tyrannosaurus turned tail and ran into the jungle to escape further injury.
"Yeah we did!" Amanda cheered, "We just out ran a tyrannosaurus, sure we are in a jeep but…"
"That was awesome Amanda!" Ellie cheered. "Where did you learn to drive?"
"My dad taught me in the fields," Amanda relied and sighed at thought of her family.
Silver Claw remained silent as Amanda and Ellie continued to talk. Before long, the girls quieted and watched the surrounding jungle. Amanda slowed the jeep to fifty kilometers an hour and enjoyed the scenery.
The sun now glimmered over the island, the small puddles left from the storm reflected the light in blinding glares, several cumulus clouds remained in the sky and blocked out the sun from time to time. The smell of blossomed flowers filled the air, Amanda and Ellie's hair fluttered in the wind, and calls of majestic herbivores echoed over the island once more.
"This island isn't always so stressful." Amanda said softly, "It does have its advantage to life in a city."
"Yeah," Ellie sighed. "No traffic."
Amanda laughed at the statement. "You have a point their. I wonder if you'll ever get off this island."
"You mean we'll get off this island." Ellie said.
"No, I meant only you will." Amanda said with a slightly sadder tone.
"You are coming back with me if we are rescued." Ellie protested.
"There is nothing left for me back home, only an empty house. I'm the only one in my family alive and you are my only remaining human friend." Amanda replied with a saddened tone. She turned to look at the velociraptor, "You still alive back there? You've been rather quiet."
"Amanda, eyes on the road." Ellie said as the jeep started to turn towards the jungle. "I didn't know your entire family was on the ship."
"Yeah… well they were," Amanda said, moving the jeep back to the center of the road. "So why are you so quite?"
Silver Claw did not answer; instead, he lowered his head onto the back door of the jeep. His feathers remained flat on his head and he stared at the surrounding jungle. Amanda patiently waited for any response but one never came, she tried again but to no avail.
"It's no use Amanda," Ellie said, "He doesn't want to answer."
Amanda sighed heavily and rounded a corner but soon came to a stop. In front of her lay two roads, one heading north and the other south. Slowly Amanda turned off towards the north, the road quickly became hard to move on as the jungle enclosed around the jeep and the smooth road turned into a muddy mess. After an hour of travel the jeep finally gave into nature, the engine popped and smoke rose from under the hood.
"Crap," Amanda and Ellie said in unison.
Silver Claw raised his head above the seats to see Amanda standing up. "This is our stop," She said, "This jeep is useless now."
Ellie reached back and grabbed her backpack before jumping into a deep puddle. Amanda laughed and jumped off the back and onto dry land. Silver Claw slowly stood and jumped next to Amanda, he winced in pain.
"You could have told me we stopped in a puddle." Ellie said as she squeezed her dampened clothing.
"I thought you knew." Amanda snickered. "Ok, I think if we walk straight north from here we should reach the lake then we can find a home, hopefully."
"Alright let's go." Ellie said and splashed a bit of water onto Amanda.
Amanda stopped then turned to see the velociraptor walking the other way. "Where do you think you're going?" Amanda questioned. "We've come this far, you can't leave us now."
Silver Claw only stopped and turned to face her, shaking his head slightly.
"We are not… leaving you… behind," Amanda said in raptor but had to say the rest in English, "You are a friend and you are coming with us whether you like it or not."
Silver Claw shook his head again.
"I will drag you if I have to." Amanda replied and walked over to him.
"Fine," Silver Claw reluctantly said when Amanda put her arm around his neck.
Amanda smile and rubbed his neck a bit, "Thank you."
Finally, the three moved off into the jungle and away from the road. The dense jungle surrounded them in an immense wall of guanacaste trees, light grey in color with reddish vertical fissures running up to the thick canopy. The trees blocked out most of the light and soon the air became heavy with a rank foul swampy smell. An eerie mist clung to the spongy ground and the jungle fell silent as they moved further into the unknown.
"This place gives me the creeps," Ellie whispered, frightened by the fact that a velociraptor was no more than two meters away from her and she could not see too far into the distance because of darkness and vegetation.
"Yeah I know what you mean," Amanda said, "This is now my least favorite spot on the island."
"You have a favorite spot?"
"Yeah, that beach where we found you on, it was so beautiful." Amanda replied and smiled at the though of being in the warmth again.
"To bad this… island is covered in dinosaurs," Ellie said.
"Hey that not fair to our friend, you shouldn't insult him like that." Amanda argued.
Ellie glared at Amanda but remained silent.
After some time, the faint sounds of buzzing insects, the low soft cries of brachiosaurus, the thunderous bellowing of muttaburrasaurus, and the angry cries of pachycephalosaurus rang though the forest.
"I think we are getting close now," Ellie happily said, "but it still smells terrible here."
"Yeah," Amanda replied, "Hey! I think I see the lake!"
"I think you're right," Ellie squinted then smiled, "Race you their! Go!"
"No fair!" Amanda said and raced to catch Ellie.
The girls weaved in and out of trees until they were only a few meters away from the lake. Suddenly Silver Claw passed both of them and stopped them, he hissed angrily.
"What is it?" Amanda asked, wondering if there was something wrong with him. "Why did you stop us? We were having fun."
"Look," Silver Claw hissed and slowly pointed to the grass across the lake. Amanda and Ellie squinted to see but could not see anything. Silver Claw shifted his weight off the bandaged leg.
"What's over there?" Ellie asked as she backed away from Silver Claw.
"Velociraptors," Silver Claw said, calming down slightly.
"I still don't see anything," Ellie skeptically said, "Can you smell them or see them."
"Watch," Silver Claw only said before letting out a terrifyingly loud shriek. Ellie backed even further away while Amanda walked closer to some bushes and pushed a branch aside so she could get a better view.
Herds of animals in the grasses stampeded away and soon the field was empty. Suddenly several heads elevated above the grass, nine animals in total now scanned the fields. Amanda gasped as the animals started to growl and call to one another. A gentle breeze blew across the lake and moved Amanda's hair slightly.
"They're going to find us!" Ellie said in alarm.
"No," Silver Claw said softly and walked, although with a slight limp, eastward towards a large cliff face, unnoticed by the girls while they were running. Soon Amanda then Ellie followed behind him, Ellie still kept her distance while Amanda walked almost next the raptor. Within several minutes, they reached the cliff face. Jagged rocks and broken foliage lie at the bottom of the cliff; several bones of a few animals lay entangled in the sharp rocks. The top towered at least fifty meters above them, maybe more.
Silver Claw noticed an object, glinting in a low amount of sunlight reaching it. He quickly walked over to investigate but only to find a stone, jet black in color, reflecting the light. Next to the smooth white stone like object that brought Silver Claw to the ground. It was a skull, half-buried in the ground but almost in perfect shape, the skull of his mother. Silver Claw began to whimper softly.
For several long minutes, Silver Claw lay by the skull of his mother. Finally, Amanda walked over to him and gently set her hand on his back above the light blue stripe. She saw the raptor skull in the dirt and quietly sat down next to Silver Claw.
"I'm sorry." Amanda softly said, "This was a close friend of yours wasn't it."
"Yes," Silver Claw, "My mother."
"Oh…" Amanda said with growing sadness, "I know how you must feel… I am sorry that you lost her… She would be proud of you though."
Silver Claw smiled slightly at Amanda's words. "It will be dark soon. We should go."
"We can stay as long as you want." Amanda softly said.
Silver Claw only shook his head in response and slowly stood up.
Quietly the three followed the edge of the cliff, continuing onward into the night. Millions of stars, shimmering in a yellow glow, filled the sky above. The dense jungle of the island, quiet and calm, stood unmoved in the wind. The gurgle of a stream soon sounded through the air. Amanda yawned and rubbed her eyes.
"Maybe it wasn't such a good idea, I don't think we are going to find a cave anymore." Ellie said to break the silence.
"Maybe… let's not give up yet though." Amanda sighed.
"But I'm tired, can we get some sleep and continue in the morning." Ellie whined.
"No," Amanda argued, "we don't know what is in this jungle."
Silver Claw walked over to a small stream up ahead and began to drink. The cool water brought relief to his parched throat. Silver Claw found it odd that the stream flowed to the cliff so followed it. The stream disappeared under a large bush so Silver Claw slowly and cautiously pushed his head into the bush and soon his entire body until he completely disappeared.
"I know we don't know about anything about this jungle but still we have the raptor to protect us and you have that hammer," Ellie said, "we should be safe enough, although I still don't like the idea of him being this close to us, that raptor is pretty helpful."
"Speaking of that, where is he?" Amanda asked as she looked around for Silver Claw.
"Now what are we going to do?" Ellie asked, nervously eyeing the jungle. "He ditched us the first chance he got!"
"No he didn't," exclaimed Amanda, "he wouldn't do that to us."
"How would you know, he's just a stupid…" Ellie started but was unable to finish because of a loud crack in the jungle.
A deafening roar bellow out of the jungle and heavy steps quickly became louder. Amanda and Ellie stepped closer to the cliff and began to run at its base. All of a sudden, Amanda felt something grasp her shirt. With such force that her feet were no longer touching the ground, her body disappeared into some bushes. Ellie froze in fear, her body trembled and her heart raced. She was now alone. Suddenly a massive crashing sounded from the jungle and fifty meters away stood a tyrannosaurus. A long bleeding wound ran along one side of its face. Slowly it turned to face the human. Ellie staggered backwards, tripping over a root. She screamed as she fell and suddenly the world went black.
Amanda gasped as the tyrannosaurus walked closer to Ellie, her unconscious body lying near the bushes and partially in the stream. Amanda freaked, "You have to help her!" Silver Claw reached out and quickly dragged Ellie into the hiding spot.
The tyrannosaurus let out a terrifying roar that rattled the cliff before biting down on to the bush. With a quick twist of its massive head, the bush ripped from the ground, exposing a small tunnel. Slowly the tyrannosaurus lowered its head and looked inside, seeing nothing but the gloomy darkness that filled the small hole. The massive creature sniffed the air, causing dust to accumulate, and lifted its head. Finally, after several minutes, the tyrannosaurus let out another earth rattling roar before moving off into the jungle.
Amanda sighed in relief, her heartbeat began to slow and she wiped sweat and dust off her face. "That was close," she said to Silver Claw as they both looked around a small bend. Amanda soon looked at Ellie's unconscious body and shook her head. "Well we found a cave," she joked.
Silver Claw scanned the darkness of the cavern. Long stalagmites rose from the floor of the cave. Water droplets and silt covered the lower half of the blackened walls. Musty waves of air came in drafts from deep underground and the soft gurgle of the stream continued onward into the unknown.
"I wonder how deep this cave goes," Amanda said, looking into the darkness of the cave.
Silver Claw sniffed the ground to make sure nothing else was inside the cave and quietly sat down. Amanda grabbed two blankets from their bags and covered Ellie with one. Soon Amanda joined Silver Claw, resting her head on his side and covering up.
"Well we've found ourselves and new home," Amanda smiled, "I just hope that Ellie will be nicer to you."
"Yes, I do to," Silver Claw softly replied and turned his head to look at her, "goodnight and thank you Amanda."
"Goodnight," Amanda softly replied then leaned over and gave Silver Claw a soft kiss on his scaly cheek. Silver Claw began to hum a soft lullaby his mother would sing to him until Amanda fell asleep then he too shut his eyes and began to sleep…