Jurassic Park Broken Lives
Chapter 15: More than alive
Disclaimer: I do not own Jurassic Park.
Amanda rushed to Silver Claw's side. His body trembled violently and he whimpered almost continually. She placed her hand on his head; his scales were cold.
Amanda brushed away her tears. "I found Sunayana while I was hunting."
Silver Claw only closed his eyes, continuing to whimper. He was in too much pain to speak or even give a simple nod. I cannot tell her how I feel, Silver Claw thought. This is worse than death.
"Please don't die," pleaded Amanda, "Silver Claw, you can beat this, please."
Sunayana looked down and turned to Loki. "What do you think we should do?"
"We could take Silver Claw back to the nests," Loki suggested. "I have something to show Amanda."
"But the Jack said that they were not allowed anywhere near the nests or they die," Samantha said.
"I can take full responsibility for taking them there. I think it would be best that we get them somewhere safe and soon, this is dangerously close to the spinosaur's nest for any of you." Loki said. "Anyway, Jack wouldn't dare harm Amanda or Silver Claw, not as long as Silver Claw is like this."
"It's a bad idea but… how do you suppose we get them out of here?" Talon asked, "Amanda can walk but Silver Claw doesn't look like he can even stand."
"I'll carry him on my back to the nest," Loki replied. "It's the least I can do for the trouble I've caused."
"What trouble?" Sunayana asked suspiciously. "What did you do Loki?"
"I'll tell you later but for now we should get going." Loki stepped over to Amanda and placed his hand on he shoulder. "We're bringing you two back to our nests."
"But Jack said we will be killed if we go there." Amanda sobbed. "Even if we are allowed there, Silver Claw can't even stand, how is he supposed to go that far?"
"I'll carry him on my back, but we should hurry. The spinosaur's nest is nearby." Loki said and lowered himself to the ground. "Amanda, would you help put him on my back?"
Silver Claw whimpered even more as Amanda pushed his body and lifted it onto Loki's back. Loki stood up, as easily as he would without Silver Claw on his back, and walked out the door. Amanda meanwhile, stuffed the supplies from the shelf into her pocket and walked out the door. Loki looked to the other raptors and nodded, with Silver Claw on his back, he started down the road. The two females and Talon stayed close to Loki while Amanda and Sunayana were at the back of the group.
"How far are we from you nests?" Amanda asked. Several tears still ran down her cheek.
"It took us all night to reach here but we can make it back before noon." Sunayana replied softly. "How fast can you run?"
"I can't run even close to the amount you can." Amanda admitted. "I'd have to walk most of the way."
"That could be a problem," Sunayana sighed. "It's going to take until nightfall then."
"Do you think we will run into a predator on the way there?" Amanda asked.
"Most likely we might find the Tyrannosaurus or dilophosaurus maybe the spinosaurus." Sunayana said and looked up the road. "I wish Loki wasn't carrying Silver Claw if we do run into the spinosaur."
"Why, he looks the most fit, no offence." Amanda said.
"Oh, that right, you just met him." Sunayana said and shook her head. "Those scars on his body, he has one from every carnivore on this island."
"He's that unlucky?" Amanda questioned.
"No, he looks for trouble. He deliberately gets them to chase him for the fun of it. Only the scars over and under his eyes are not from another dinosaur. He got those when someone dared to chew through a set of bars at the building. He got his head stuck, twice, when he tried to see what was on the other side." Sunayana sighed. "The carnivores chase him before anyone else. The worst part of all that is that he's my brother and I don't want him to end up dead."
"Wow, I don't think he could have one from every carnivore, could he?" Amanda said in disbelief.
"Yeah, every carnivore, even a human got him once." Sunayana said and Loki looked back to her.
"Discussing my life are you, that isn't the half of it." Loki said and looked forward.
Sunayana shook her head, "He also likes to play tricks on us. He was nearly banished for one of them."
"Do you have to bring that one up again? I said I was sorry, how long does it take any of you to forgive me?" Loki asked, though he did not look back.
"You started it Loki," Sunayana laughed.
Suddenly a thunderous roar came from the surrounding jungle. The pack nervously looked around, unsure whether the spinosaur was near or not. Up the road, about a hundred meters, the spinosaur burst from the trees and roared. Its roar seemed mournful but also had overwhelming anger at the same time. It then spotted the group and roared once more before charging.
"Amanda!" Silver Claw managed to get out. "I…" Silver Claw roared in pain.
Loki ran into the jungle with Silver Claw while the others ran into the jungle on the opposite side. Amanda stood frozen for a moment, unsure whether to follow Silver Claw of Sunayana. The spinosaur was nearly on top of her and she raced to catch up to Silver Claw and Loki.
The spinosaur chased her into the jungle. Loki was nowhere in sight and now she was alone with the spinosaur. It roared and lunged at her, knocking several small trees over and pushing aside a few large trees in the process. The massive creature grew ever closer in the dense jungle and snapped at her again, missing by only a few meters. Amanda made a quickly turn around a thick tree, the spinosaur smashed through several trees as it had to turn to catch her.
The ground under foot became soft; she was heading into the swamp. Several large trees forced the spinosaur to stop and go around. Amanda never stopped running. She continued through the jungle. Her legs ached and her chest burned. The only thought that went through her head was she hoped Silver Claw was safe.
She burst from the trees and onto a small protruding piece of land. In front of her a large water truck, turned on its side in the center of a swampy area that may have been a road at one time. She raced forward and jumped into the slimy waters surrounding the truck. She quickly wadded through the water until she reached the vehicle. One of the three panels on the top was open and she pulled herself up, cutting her leg on the rusty edge. Amanda hopped into the barrel of the truck.
Inside the water storage tank was a thin film of water along the bottom. Amanda quickly moved out of the light and to the wall behind the cab. She closed her eyes and listened.
The heavy steps of the spinosaur quickly grew closer. A low growl sounded from outside and suddenly the spinosaur let out a deafening roar that rattled the truck and made Amanda flinch. The spinosaur stepped into the water, splashing noisily as it approached the truck. Amanda watched as the light in front of the open door slowly disappeared. The rancid smell that surrounded the spinosaur made its way into the tank and Amanda forced back the urge to puke. The dinosaur sniffed the air; each heavy breath from the animal unnerved Amanda a little more. The tip of the spinosaur's snout poked into the door that she had entered the tank through and sniffed the air. The snout pulled out and Amanda knew that the spinosaur was now looking in.
Please do not find me, Amanda thought. Please go away. Several tears rolled down her cheek. Silver Claw, I hope you are safe.
Suddenly the spinosaur let out a single roar that rattled the entire truck. The spinosaur hit the truck, causing it to sink another meter into the ground. Amanda braced for another hit but it never came. The spinosaurus roared once more and slowly moved off into the jungle.
Amanda sank to the floor, crying. The spinosaur seemed to be gone but she was not sure and did not want to take the chance of it being nearby. For almost an hour she sat, crying inside the water tank of the truck. In the distance, she could hear faint calls that sounded like raptor but she was not sure. Nearly another hour passed before she could recognize the sounds, they were calling her name.
Amanda peered out of the tank and looked at the swampy area around her. All was quiet, though not enough to seem like something was wrong. Amanda inched out the door and soon sat on it. Amanda looked around for a moment and slid quietly into the water. Once she reached dry land, Amanda ran. She raced through the jungle and towards where she thought the sounds were coming from.
"Sunayana, Loki, Samantha…Talon?" Amanda called out in raptor though it hurt to do so, so loud.
Amanda did not get a response but continued towards the calls. Before long, she found herself emerging from the jungle and into a small glade. Talon stood at its center.
"Amanda," he said, almost shocked to see her. "We've been looking for you."
"I've been hiding from the spinosaur in a truck." Amanda replied as she came to a stop and took in several heavy breaths.
"Why haven't you answered us after it left?" Talon asked and approached her. "The spinosaur must have left sometime ago."
"Uh… I did but I cannot get my raptor calls as loud as you can. Also, I wanted to make sure the spinosaur was gone before I did anything." Amanda replied and backed away slightly.
Talon sighed, "I'm not going to hurt you Amanda."
"That's odd, because a few days ago you would have killed me if you go the chance." Amanda said and crossed her arms.
"Let's just say Jack had a talk with me because of the way I threatened you," Talon sighed and looked down.
"Oh…" Amanda could only say.
Talon stretched his body upward and let out several loud barks. Within several minutes, the entire pack was around them except Loki and Silver Claw.
"Loki went ahead of us and back to the nests." Sunayana said. "The rest of us stayed here to look for you, where were you anyway?"
"I hid from the spinosaur in a truck." Amanda said. "How's Silver Claw doing?"
Sunayana looked down. "Not to good, he started to twitch again and he clawed Loki's leg a bit. He was able to speak and wants to tell you something."
"How long will it take us to get to the nests?" Amanda said as several tears rolled down her cheek.
"We're a lot further north than we were before." Sunayana said. "And we have spent a lot of time searching for you, so…probably the middle of the night if we walk."
"That's going to take too long and I'm too tired to run," Amanda sank to the ground, crying.
Talon looked to the others. "I'm going to hate myself for this but… I'll carry her on my back."
"Are you sure you can carry her all the way to the nests?" Sunayana questioned.
"Yeah, I think so. She not that heavy is she?" Talon responded.
"No!' Amanda blurted, forcing back the tears. "How do you suppose you are going to carry me?"
"I don't know, like Loki has Silver Claw." Talon said but Amanda shook her head. "How would you like to be carried then?" Talon asked a little testy.
"Hold still," Amanda said and walked over to him. Amanda put her hands on Talon's back and with a slight jump, swung one of her legs over his back. She sat with her legs in front of his and her hands at the base of his neck. "Like this."
Talon looked at the other raptors but they looked up or away, chuckling. "Don't you dare tell anyone about this," he hissed.
"Why," Amanda joked. "It shows that you do like me." She patted his neck and his head snapped back to look at her.
"I'll throw you off if you bring this up on the way to the nests." Talon said, angered slightly.
"Alright, let's go then." Amanda sighed.
Talon followed Sunayana as she ran into the jungle. Samantha and the other female followed. They ran through the dense jungle. Amanda ducked to avoid the numerous branches and pushed aside large ferns that nearly hit her. Within a few hours, the group reached the plain and had to go around because of the rex at its center, feasting on a parasaurolophus carcass.
By the time they passed the valley, the sun had begun to set and the bugs were out in force. Amanda started to doze off and nearly fell of Talon several times. Suddenly Talon came to a stop and looked at her.
"Time to get off Amanda," Talon said.
"What?" Amanda asked, sleepy.
"You're walking the rest of the way." Talon said, "Are you getting off yourself or shall I push you?"
"I'll get off," Amanda moaned and slowly slid off his side. She staggered slightly but soon regained her balance. She felt a droplet of blood trickle down her legs and looked to see them cut up from Talon's scales. Amanda gently touched the raw skin and winced in pain. "How far are the nests from here?"
"Only beyond those bushes, "Samantha replied. "Let's get you there before you fall asleep." She gently nudged Amanda forward.
Amanda stepped forward and quickly passed through a dense wall of bushes, emerging on the other side with several twigs stuck to her. Thirteen nests were in the area before her, only three of which had eggs. A narrow steam ran along the nesting ground, separating three nests from the main cluster. Large trees, large enough to stop even the spinosaur, lined the outside of the nesting area. Jack slowly walked up to Amanda and looked at her, his feathers held high.
Amanda bowed her head and then said, "Hello Jack."
Jack let out a satisfactory snort. "Loki explained the situation to me and you are welcome to stay here but do note that you are considered the lowest rank in the pack as long as you stay here."
"Thank you." Amanda said. "How's Silver Claw doing?"
"He's resting right now but he doesn't look to well." Jack said and looked to a group of raptors standing around a nest.
A raptor suddenly rushed up and past Amanda. "Sunayana!" he said and nuzzled her, humming softly. "I've missed you so much."
Sunayana looked away, her scales turned a slight red. "I've missed you to Blaze." She licked his snout and turned back to Amanda. "Let's go see Silver Claw."
Amanda walked over with Sunayana to the group of raptors. "Excuse me please," Amanda said, keeping her head low. Finally, she pushed past the last raptor and looked down to see Silver Claw in a nest. "Silver Claw," Amanda said softly and sat down next to him. Slowly and gently, she lifted his head and placed it in her lap. Amanda rubbed his neck and his eyes slowly opened.
"Amanda…" He struggled to get out.
"I'm here," Amanda said and smiled. "How are you?"
"Not….good," Silver Claw said in a raspy growl.
Tears started to roll down Amanda's cheeks and she leaned over. Amanda kissed him on the top of his head. "Get better please. I don't want to live here without you."
Silver Claw only closed his eyes and exhaled heavily. "I….I….I love you Amanda."
Amanda leant over and hugged him. "I love you too."
"Would you be my mate?" Silver Claw asked as clearly as he could.
Amanda's jaw dropped, her eyes widened, she pulled away and stared at him. "You meant it that much," Amanda said, shocked. Her face blushed red, though it was hard to tell in the evening light.
An elderly raptor looked to Jack. "Like father, like son." The raptor sighed. "He went and fell in love with a human. I still remember how depressed his father was when he found her dead by the claws of a raptor after were where set free."
"Yeah, I remember as well. Let's just hope that doesn't happen here." Jack sighed and looked back to Amanda and Silver Claw.
Amanda continued to stare at Silver Claw. "Mates? You care for me that much that you want me to be your mate?" Amanda almost stuttered. "I…I don't know what to say."
"Will you be my mate Amanda? If I am to die, having you as my mate would put me at peace." Silver Claw said, his breaths becoming shallower.
Amanda stared at him for a moment and closed her eyes, remembering the dreams from the other day. "I…I…I… yes," Amanda said and hugged him tightly. "Yes I will be you mate Silver Claw."
The raptors looked at her then to each other. Several velociraptors hissed in protest of the unnatural pair but most felt obliged to congratulate the two. Talon leaned over and whispered into her ear, "This would be a good time to tell you that velociraptors usually mate for life."
"I love him and as long as it makes him happy, I'm happy," Amanda said. Tears rolled off her cheek and onto Silver Claw's head. Amanda kissed him once more and pulled him into a tight hug.
Silver Claw smiled weakly. "Thank you… my mate." Silver Claw wheezed and started to shake violently, his claws ripped chunks of the nest from there place. He suddenly stopped moving, his breath was silent and his chest unmoved.
"Silver Claw… Silver Claw, speak to me," Amanda sobbed. Silver Claw did not respond.
The raptors looked to one another. Sara slowly approached and lowered her head. She gently placed her lower jaw on Silver Claw's neck and waited. She felt for a pulse but… nothing. Slowly she lifted her head and looked back at the group of raptors, shaking her head.
"He can't be," Amanda cried. "Silver Claw please, you can't die on me. Not when you asked me to be your mate."
Loki looked down and slowly slipped off into the jungle, disappearing with little question from the others. Jack slowly walked to his nest and sat down, as did the majority of the pack soon after. Sara, Samantha and another female returned to their eggs, gently rotating them before lying on them. Sunayana remained by Amanda's side and quietly sat down next her.
"Losing a friend is hard." Sunayana sighed. "I can't even start to under stand what you must be going through with him being your mate."
Amanda could not even answer, she was crying too much. Amanda pulled the raptor's head against her chest and cried even more. Why of all the times for you to die, is when we get the closest we have been. Amanda continued crying into the night. Sunayana fell asleep next to Amanda, as did the rest of the pack though in their nests.
Suddenly a rustle came from the bushes in the direction of the building. Amanda looked to see Loki cautiously poke his head out the bushes. She turned back to Silver Claw and slowly rocked back and forth. His scales were beginning to become cold and his limbs stiff. Amanda felt a hand set down on her shoulder.
"I know you're sorry Loki," Amanda sobbed. "You don't need to stay up with me."
"I'm not Loki," a female voice said in English.
Amanda's eyes widened. "It can't be!" Amanda slowly turned her head to see Ellie looking down at her. "This must be a dream, you died Ellie."
"No, I did not." Ellie said softly. "Loki put on a convincing display though."
"Well it's nice that you are alive," Amanda sobbed and turned back to Silver Claw. She gently stroked his feathers and cried some more.
"Aren't you happy to see me?" Ellie questioned, setting two bags against a nearby tree and then crouching next to Amanda.
"Yeah but Silver Claw's dead, I'm not in the mood to be happy right now." Amanda cried.
Loki placed his hand on Ellie's shoulder to get her attention. "Silver Claw asked Amanda to be his mate before he died," Loki explained.
"What did she say?" Ellie said, disturbed at the thought of a human and velociraptor being lovers.
Loki sighed. "Yes."
"Oh, so they actually…. fell in love," Ellie said as she watched Amanda sob over Silver Claw.
"Yeah," Loki said. "A human poisoned Silver Claw though."
"A human, where is he?"
"Dead, the spinosaur got him shortly after the incident with Silver Claw," Loki replied. "Silver Claw told us what happened to him when we got here."
Sunayana stirred slightly and opened her eyes. She blinked several times, "Ellie?"
"Hi Sunayana," Ellie said and sat down next to Amanda.
"Impossible, I saw your body," Sunayana stuttered.
"Loki did that, he made it look like I was dead." Ellie said. She mover to the tree and placed her head on a bag. "Goodnight, I'm going back to sleep."
"Loki, you're in for it tomorrow morning." Sunayana hissed.
"I know," Loki sighed and curled up not far from Ellie because Silver Claw was in his nest.
Several hours passed and Amanda tucked he body tight against Silver Claw's body. Heavy with sleep, her eyes finally closed and she fell asleep. Silver Claw's tail lay limp on the ground when suddenly it twitched slightly…
Silver Claw slowly opened his eyes. Darkness surrounded him. The voices of everyone he knew in his life echoed around him, making it hard to distinguish one from another. For what seemed like an eternity, he listened to the conversations of his past, from when he was just a hatchling to the present with Amanda.
Silver Claw closed his eyes and tried to push all but his mates away. Suddenly a single voice spoke to him, his mother. Silver Claw opened his eyes and saw a single female raptor in front of him.
"Hello my son." She said in a tender tone. "It's been so long since I last saw you."
"Mom," Silver Claw said, his bottom jaw trembled slightly.
"Yes my son, I am here." She said and walked up to him. She gently nuzzled him and stepped back. "You've grown to be a fine young raptor."
"Thank you," Silver Claw said and bowed his head.
"I do question your choice of mate though," She said softly.
"What's wrong with Amanda?" Silver Claw said. "She's perfect for me."
"She is a human," Amber replied with an irritated tone. "They kept us locked away in pens for all those years."
"Amanda is different, she defends me even though she doesn't have to and she loves me." Silver Claw argued. "Why are you disapproving of me, you always told me to follow what I thought was right."
"I…" She started but faded away.
"Mom?" Silver Claw called out. "Come back mom!"
Silver Claw's eyes shot open. The morning light temporarily blinded him. His vision slowly came back to him and he saw that Amanda was sitting by the stream, crying and playing with a blue stone. Two backpacks sat against a tree nearby but the nests around were empty.
Silver Claw slowly staggered to his feet and limped over to Amanda. He looked down at her for a moment, she was unaware he was up. He slowly lowered his head and licked the side of her cheek. She screamed.
Amanda spun around to see Silver Claw standing next to her. "Silver Claw," Amanda screamed and lunged at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She started to cry even more.
"Good morning my mate," he said softly and put his hands on her back. "I'm alright, you can stop crying."
"Sara said you were dead. She could not feel a pulse and you went stiff." Amanda cried. "I thought you were dead."
"What happened?" A voice asked, "I heard you scream Amanda." Ellie stepped out of the bushes. She started at Silver Claw. "You were dead?"
"You were dead," Silver Claw said and looked into Amanda's eyes, "Am I dead?"
"No, you're alive," Amanda sobbed, "Loki trick us into thinking Ellie was dead."
"Why?" Silver Claw asked and rubbed his head against Amanda's neck.
"I don't know but he did teach me how to speak raptor better." Ellie replied.
Amanda slowly let go of Silver Claw and sat back down next to the stream, setting the blue stone off to her side. Amanda brushed away her tears but new ones took their place. Silver Claw lowered himself slowly and rested his hands on her lap. Silver Claw licked Amanda's cheek again and rubbed his snout against her neck. "What should we do today my mate?" He asked softly.
"I don't think you are well enough to go anywhere," Amanda said, saddened.
"What's wrong?" Silver Claw asked and gently nudged her chin up.
"I thought you were dead Silver Claw, do you know how much it hurts right now," Amanda said. "Then there is Ellie, she's still alive and I thought she was dead to. I thought I lost most of my friends and family, it hurts so much right now." Amanda started crying and wrapped her arms around Silver Claw's neck.
"I know Amanda," Silver Claw said. "We're safe and sound, and nothing is going to happen to us again."
"You don't know that," Amanda sobbed. She moved her left hand to the top of his head and stroked his feathers. "I'm just glade you're ok."
"Me too," Silver Claw purred. He slowly moved his head from her grip and lapped up some water from the stream.
"Amanda, did you get anything from that human that made Silver Claw sick?" Ellie asked.
"Yeah," Amanda sighed as she still stroked Silver Claw's feathers. She stopped and pulled out the supplies out of her pocket.
"A phone, does it work?" Ellie asked as she quickly grabbed it. She opened it and pressed the on button. "Yes, I can go home, it does work."
"Good for you," Amanda said politely.
"You're still going to stay here, aren't you?" Ellie asked.
"Yeah, I have nothing left back in my old home." Amanda said and rested her head against Silver Claw's side. "I have friends and a mate here."
"Ok," Ellie said and walked away towards the bags. She dug through her bag and pulled out a book. She walked back to Amanda and sat down by the water's edge. "We're sick Amanda," Ellie said.
"What do you mean?" Amanda questioned and sat up to look at her..
"There is a disease called DX, it is in all the dinosaurs of this island." Ellie sighed. "It can be transmitted to humans as well."
"What does it do?"
"Well from what I've read so far, it shortens life expectancy and affects the health of the eggs." Ellie said and looked down.
"Is there a cure?" Amanda asked, worried.
"Yes but Ingen never got a chance to administer it on this island, all the others, yes, but not here." Ellie replied. "Ingen took all the bottles of the cure with them when the left the island too."
"So I'm going to die sooner along with every other creature on this island?" Amanda questioned.
"Yes, unless I can convince Ingen into sparing a bit after I get off the island." Ellie said. "Then I can bring it here maybe and give it to you and Silver Claw."
"Alright then," Amanda sighed. "Who are you going to call to get you off this island?"
"I think I'll phone Ingen," Ellie replied. "They could bring the cure with them when the come…. Amanda, would you call them?"
"Why me," Amanda said. "You want to get off this island, not me."
"I'm not the best person to talk on a phone, you know that." Ellie said and handed the phone to Amanda. Ellie placed her hand on Silver Claw's back. "How are you feeling now?"
"A little sore," Silver Claw said.
"Do you know the number for Ingen?" Amanda asked.
Ellie reached into her pocket and handed Amanda a card with several numbers on it. "Turn up the volume, I want to hear their reaction when the find out where we are."
"Ok…" Amanda said as she slowly dialed the phone. "It's ringing." Amanda said, "At least the numbers is still works."
"Hello, Ingen Bioengineering, main office, how may I help you?" A female voice said.
"I would like to talk with the head of the company please," Amanda said in English.
"Mr. Hammond is in a meeting right now, can I take a message for him?" the voice asked.
"It is urgent that I speak with him, tell him it involves Isla Sorna." Amanda replied, feeling ridiculous for using the phone when Ellie was the one wanting to leave.
"Please hold." The women said.
Amanda looked to Ellie and shrugged her shoulders. "She put me on hold."
Several minutes passed until finally an elderly voice said. "Hello, Hammond speaking."
"Finally," Amanda mumbled. "Hello, my name is Amanda and I'm on Isla Sorna right now."
"Is this a joke," he asked and cleared his throat.
"No," Amanda said.
"Why did you call me?" He asked and coughed.
"We need the cure for the disease your workers called DX," Amanda said. "Also my friend wants to go home."
"DX, the cure for that was destroyed in a fire." Hammond replied and again cleared his throat.
"Well, my friend wants to go home." Amanda said, "Could you send a helicopter to pick her up at least."
"How safe are you at the moment?" He asked.
"Very, we're in the raptor nest." Amanda replied.
"This is a prank," Hammond stated in a testy tone.
"No, no," Amanda said, "They are somewhat friendly to me and my friend."
"Where about are you on the island?" He asked.
"I don't know what the building is call but it has large machines and warehouses," Amanda said, hoping he would not hang up on her.
"I will personally be there to see you tomorrow." Hammond said in an almost delighted tone. "If, however this is a prank you will be charged for several crimes when we find you."
"Thank you." Amanda said and the phone clicked.
"There's no cure for this disease!" Ellie blurted.
"Settle down Ellie, maybe they can create a new one." Amanda said and handed the phone to Ellie.
"You're right, so now I'm here for just one more night then tomorrow I'll be in a warm building without any dinosaurs to worry about." Ellie said and looked to the sky.
"Yeah," Amanda said. "You'll miss being here, the clean air, warm nights, and hanging around with me."
"Maybe but," Ellie sighed, "It will be nice to be around people for a change."
"I bet you'll screw up and speak in raptor for a while." Amanda laughed.
"Probably but I can bug my brothers with it," Ellie said.
Jack stepped out of the bushes and walked towards the group. "Silver Claw?"
"Hello Jack," Silver Claw said and bowed his head.
"Sara said you were dead." Jack said then barked three loud calls into the air.
Within several minutes, the entire pack, except Loki, were back in the nesting area. They stared in disbelief of Silver Claw being alive.
"Where's Loki?" Ellie asked.
Jack looked down slightly. "He's been banished from our territory until Sara and I see fit to let him return."
"What?" Ellie blurted. "Why would you do that to him?"
Jack's feathers stood up and his head jerked up to stare at her.
"Ellie, you do not raise your voice to question his actions," Silver Claw said. "You can ask why Loki is banished but be polite. You should apologize."
"Uh… sorry I raised my voice to you…" Ellie said and looked down slightly. "Why is Loki banished?"
"Better but you had better learn to speak properly." Jack said and sighed. "Loki was banished because he faked your death, brought humans to our nest, and hid our eggs once."
"But you said we could stay here," Amanda said softly.
"Yes but he did it without consulting me." Jack said. "Believe me when I say it wasn't easy to banish him, he is my son."
Amanda and Ellie both became quiet and looked down. Silver Claw slowly staggered to his feet and stretched his legs.
"Ellie won't be staying here long." Silver Claw said to Jack.
"Why?" Jack questioned.
"She's going home tomorrow." Silver Claw replied.
"How," Sara asked.
"There are some humans that are coming in a helicopter to pick her up." Silver Claw replied.
"They know where our nests are!" Talon hissed.
"No, the building north of here is where they are going to pick her up." Silver Claw said. The pack calmed down slight and he continued. "I would like to be there to say goodbye."
"Can you walk there?" Sunayana asked, "It is some ways away."
"I think so but I won't be able to out run any predators." Silver Claw said.
"That could be a problem," Jack said. "It might be best for you to stay here."
"I might be able to get there if I leave right now, it is almost noon and most of the other carnivores might be resting." Silver Claw said.
"I don't want you to get hurt Silver Claw." Amanda said, "But if it means this much to you, we can go right now."
Silver Claw nuzzled Amanda. "Ok my mate." He smiled.
"We'll be back tomorrow," Amanda said and bowed her head, "If you will allow us Jack, Sara.
Sara nodded her head and looked to Jack who did the same.
"Thank you," Amanda said and walked in the direction of the building.
"Goodbye," Ellie said and followed Amanda.
Silver Claw bowed his head and with a slight limp, followed Amanda. The trees and canopy were thin by comparison to rest of the island's jungle as the three walked to the building. The terrain was rough; the ground underfoot began to slope in several directions as they approached the valley, making it difficult for Silver Claw to keep his balance on already unstable legs.
"How are you holding up?" Amanda asked Silver Claw.
"I'm a little wobbly but fine so far." He replied and smiled. "I'm so happy you said yes."
"I know," Amanda smiled and looked at him. "What is the normal way for a velociraptor as for a mate?"
"Well…uh, normally a male will kill an animal and present it as a gift to the female he wants as a mate." Silver Claw replied. "I'm sorry I couldn't do that for you Amanda. I thought I was going to die and I wanted to make sure you know how I felt about you."
"It's alright Silver Claw," Amanda and stopped for a moment until he stood next to her. She placed her hand on his head and gently rubbed the spot behind his feathers as she walked along side him. "I'm not a raptor now am I? You'd probably end up eating most of the kill anyway."
"Actually no," Silver Claw sighed. "It would be a gift so I would not touch it, no matter how hungry I was."
"Oh," Amanda said. "What happens after raptors become mates?"
"I don't think you need to know that," Silver Claw said. "Only that it happens repeatedly over several days."
"That's disgusting Silver Claw." Ellie said, "You could have just said nothing."
"Yeah, you could have toned it down a bit," Amanda said and yawned.
"I suppose I should tell you about pack order now." Silver Claw said.
"It can wait," Amanda smiled. "I know a little bit already."
"Alright, but if I have to, I'll explain when the situation arises."
"We're almost there," Ellie stated. "Loki carried me past these rocks last night, shortly after we left the building."
"Ellie, I've been meaning to ask you, why didn't you come find us after Loki took you?" Amanda asked.
"He stuck me in one of the warehouses and broke the door to get out. The way in was too high for me to climb out and there was no other way out." Ellie sighed. "He did bring me out and let me cook in the kitchen and use the bathroom, though he never left my side which was a little disturbing."
"What else did you two do?" Amanda asked.
"Mostly, he asked me questions," Ellie replied. "However, he did teach me how to speak raptor better and taught me how to fight because of what Talon did."
"Oh yeah, Silver Claw taught me how to understand almost all of the raptor language and different ways to tell a raptors mood." Amanda remarked.
"I also taught you how to greet other raptors." Silver Claw said and licked her cheek. "My mate… I love saying that, my mate." Silver Claw smiled.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that dream I had." Amanda said. "In this recent one I was a raptor like last time but we had several children this time instead of eggs."
Silver Claw hummed softly. "That's nice."
"Get a nest you love birds," Ellie joked. "Save your feeling for when I'm not around."
"Oh shut up Ellie, you're just…" Amanda started but Silver Claw interrupted her.
"Something's watching us." He whispered.
"Do you know what it is?" Amanda whispered back.
"No but it is somewhere nearby." Silver Claw said and gestured towards a bush to their right.
Amanda reached behind her back for the knife but it was not there. Amanda remembered that she put it with her bag because she thought she would not be going anywhere. "I don't have my knife."
"I don't have anything either," Ellie whispered.
Suddenly an ornitholestes jumped out and made several deep repeating hisses. Ti raised its feathers and lowered itself, preparing to attack. It jumped. A sudden gust of wind struck the group and when the ornitholestes was nearly on Silver Claw, something swooped by, grabbing the ornitholestes and disappearing back into the sky. The cries of the ornitholestes quickly disappeared and the jungle became quiet.
"What the hell was that?" Ellie stammered.
"I don't know it went by too fast!" Amanda said. "Let's get out of here."
The quickly walked through the jungle and into the denser trees. The light nearly disappeared because of the thick jungle canopy. Insects buzzed around them and Ellie swatted madly at them. The light began to fad as they finally reached the valley. The sun had begun to set, lighting up the sky in orange and yellow colors. After several minutes, they reached the building and soon found the bunker. Amanda closed the door and plopped down on one of the beds.
Silver Claw slowly crawled in next to her and looked into her eyes. "How are you feeling my mate." He said, smiling.
"You just love this don't you," Amanda joked.
"Yeah I do Amanda," Silver Claw said and lightly nibbled on her chin. "You've made me the happiest I've ever been."
"How long have you felt like this for me?" Amanda asked.
"I don't know actually, maybe a few days after I found you." Silver Claw said. "I never want to be away from you." Silver Claw rested his head on Amanda's right shoulder.
Amanda placed her hand on his neck and gently rubbed it. He purred softly and licked her cheek. Amanda laughed slightly and pulled him in tight. "Goodnight my mate," Amanda whispered into his ear and kissed him. Within several minutes, she was asleep and Silver Claw soon followed.
Ellie just stared at them, shaking her head. She leaned back and stared at the concrete ceiling. I wonder how my family will respond to me being home, she thought. I will miss Amanda though. At least she is happy and has a…. husband that she loves. Ellie's eyes became heavy and she to fell asleep….