Jurassic Park Broken Lives

Chapter 26: The Volcanic Flats

Disclaimer: I do not own Jurassic Park

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Amanda gasped at the sight before her. The area beyond the slope was a volcanic mess of bubbling pools of superheated water, thermal vents that bellowed smoke and other gasses into the air, and deep fissures the were hidden by a wave of heat that blurred the area around them. To the far left and right, massive jet-black cliffs rose into the sky at least a hundred and fifty feet. The air smelled heavily of rotting eggs and decay so much so, that Amanda nearly threw up and had to cover her mouth and nose to prevent it. A heavy cloud of smoke and other gasses looked like a dark fog that hung close to the ground making it hard to see beyond about twenty feet. Herrerasaurs darted in and out of the cloud, ignorant to the fact something was watching them.

The shredded forms of dead or dying herrerasaurs and carcasses of at least seven other creatures covered the landscape. The pools of bubbling water dyed red from the amount of bloodshed caused by fight for a mate and rank. Males and females both fought one another for the better partner. When one was victorious, often another would attack the weakened animal and kill it mercilessly then move onto another. When a pair of herrerasaurs was together and satisfied with the each other, they would move off and disappear from sight. The mournful death wails of herrerasaurs echoed through the air and surpassed any other noise that may have filled the air.

"It is madness," Sophia said in utter disbelief. "I can see at least eleven dead, who knows how many more are dead or dying out their. I have heard stories about it but this surpasses any of them."

"How large do you think this area is?" Loki asked softly. "By the sounds of it, there must be at least thirty animals fighting, who could know how many more at rest."

"I don't know." Silver Claw answered. "But if we can't go around we have a problem. There are far too many to fight our way through and with our injuries Loki…"

"That is far too many animals for this island to support," Amanda said. She sounded as if she were lost in her thoughts. "Shouldn't they have eaten everything on the island by now?"

"They don't eat too much," Silver Claw replied. "About one kill every week is enough to support several. Anyway, they stay mainly by the coast or near the streams and rivers, or at least that is what my father said."

"Still, this is too many." Amanda said. Her voice was becoming more distressed.

"Most of them will probably die today or the next," Silver Claw said. "Only after a pair is mated will they hunt large prey, otherwise, they scavenge off other kills and raid the nest of different creatures."

"They don't seem to be scavengers," Amanda stated.

"I know, they are built to hunt but they don't do it as often as their bodies would suggest for some reason." Silver Claw sighed. "It is better that way, I guess."

Suddenly, a herrerasaur limped out of the cloud of smoke towards where Silver Claw, Loki, Sophia and Amanda were. With a pitiful yelp, the creature collapsed to the ground, wheezing and choking. Its body scarred and covered in fresh bleeding wounds. A yellow stain covered parts of its body and discolored the blood. Its eyes stared directly at the top of the hill at Amanda and the velociraptors.

Amanda felt sorry for the creature for some reason. It was dying and in pain, and there was nothing that she could do to help it. Sure, if it was better it would attack them and try to kill her, but now… she could not help but want to help it. Amanda stared it in the eyes and for a brief moment, she thought she saw something…almost a kind side of the creature, something caring and proper.

The herrerasaur started hacking. Blood sprayed onto the ground and it let out a low almost pleading cry for help.

Another herrerasaur stepped into view and then stopped beside its fallen adversary. With a single bite, it ended the life of the other and in the process tore large chunks of flesh. Death screeches and victorious bellows echoed over the area and the herrerasaur quickly disappeared back into the cloud to pursue another opponent.

Amanda quickly moved down the slope, away from the chaos and death. Silver Claw cocked his head and followed her.

"Amanda," Silver Claw said softly as he caught up to her at the bottom. "What's wrong?"

She turned to Silver Claw for comfort and leaned her head against his. She was crying. Amanda wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly. Silver Claw felt her tears roll down his neck. He could not help but feel as bad as she did.

Silver Claw hummed softly to comfort her and rubbed his head against her head. "It's ok Amanda," he spoke softly. "What's bothering you?"

Amanda mumbled something that Silver Claw could not understand. "All that death, it's just like that night my boat was attacked, all the blood and screaming and…" She started to cry louder.

Silver Claw kept an eye around them incase more herrerasaurs were approaching the area. He continued to rub his head against hers. "It's alright Amanda," he hummed softly. "I'm here. Nothing is going to harm you, nothing."

A snap turned Silver Claw's attention to the hill where Loki and Sophia were moving down it, quickly.

"We got to go," Sophia said as she moved past Silver Claw and Amanda.

"What's happening?" Silver Claw asked.

"Either they saw us or heard us," Loki said, "but a group of herrerasaurs are headed this way, fast."

"Amanda," Silver Claw said softly and lowered himself slightly. "Get on."

Amanda continued to cry as she climbed onto Silver Claw. As soon as she was on, Silver Claw followed Loki and Sophia into the jungle. The jungle became darker as the canopy became thicker and enclosed overhead. The trees became further apart and grew taller. After several minutes, they slowly stopped. Everything was quiet except for a few distant birds and a soft crying.

The air was moist and free of the foul smell that surrounded the herrerasaur breeding ground. A light breeze meandered its way through the jungle, carrying with it the stench of decay. It was dark, like on a moonless night where only a few star were visible in the night sky, but it was day, at least noon, probably some time over. A small scratching turned the attention of the velociraptors to a tree in time to see a lizard like creature jump and glide slowly to a tree further away.

Sophia sighed. "I don't think they followed us," Sophia said. "They're too busy with… other matters."

"Why is she crying?" Loki asked. It made him nervous because it could attract some unwanted attention like the pteranodons or worse.

"She's upset about that much blood and death," Silver Claw said softly. "It reminded her of when she came here."

"I don't think I asked before, but what happened when she came here?" Loki asked in a soft tone as not to upset Amanda more than she was.

"The spinosaur attacked the thing that humans' call a boat, it floats on water and carries them over it." Loki nodded to show that he understood what it was. "Sophia and I both saw what happened, the spinosaur kill most of Amanda's family and friends, up until recently, she thought only her and Ellie survived."

"Oh, I see." Loki sighed. "I was kind of like what happened when you nest was attacked but more deaths were involved."

"Yes," Silver Claw said mournfully. He felt Amanda's arms tighten around his neck. "Let's not speak of these happenings anymore, it is upsetting Amanda."

Loki and Sophia both nodded. A sudden and loud snap turned their attention back towards the direction they came from.

"I think they did follow us." Silver Claw said. "Where should we go?"

"Let's go to the cliffs," Amanda said between sobs. "We might be able to hide if there are rocks around the base."

Silver Claw looked to Sophia and Loki. They only tilted their head, unsure. "Ok, let's go."

They turned and ran towards the cliffs. Behind them, the herrerasaurs appeared, their heads low to the ground following the scent trail. Silver Claw, Loki and Sophia quickened their pace. A minute passed, the jungle opened slightly and that let in a small amount of light for a brief moment but the cliff soon blocked out all the remaining light and it seemed to be night again.

"Are they still after us?" Sophia asked.

A low hiss behind them confirmed it. The herrerasaurs, four of them, appeared some ways in the distance, but they were gaining ground quickly. They swerved in and out of the trees, occasionally jumping over a small hole or fallen branch.

The jungle as sparsely covered by undergrowth as deeper in the valley offer no solution to slow down the herrerasaur's pace. The cliff appeared in the distance but it was hard to see through the tree line, but at least it was visible through the jungle and not the canopy. They were almost there.

"We can't keep running for much longer Silver Claw," Loki said, "Especially you."

"I know," Silver Claw said. His legs were already beginning to burn from running so long as well as carrying Amanda. He looked back to see that Amanda had stopped crying and was looking at his eyes.

"It'll be alright," Silver Claw reassured her. "If we have to, we can fight them."

"I know," Amanda said. She tightened her grip around his neck as in a hug. Suddenly, she let got of him and rolled off to the right side, hitting the ground in a loud thud and breaking some small brush that had managed to grow in the sparse lighting conditions.

"Amanda!" Silver Claw said and nearly fell over in an attempt to stop.

Amanda however, quickly got to her feet and ran past Silver Claw. "Run," She said.

"What are you doing?" Silver Claw yelled at her as he caught up. "It was safer when you were on my back, not to mention you could have broken something!"

"But I was slowing you down," Amanda argued. "You are sore, and I should be running myself so you don't tire yourself out. Anyway, I didn't break anything, maybe bruised but not broken."

Silver Claw just shook his head. He could not change her mind and it was too late for her to get back on, the herrerasaurs were too close to stop again. All he could do was to protect her if she fell behind. Silver Claw looked forward.

Loki and Sophia were nowhere in sight. The trees near the cliff base were close together and it was hard to tell whether something was on the other side or not. Silver Claw and Amanda swerved to dodge the last tree before the cliff and had to stop.

"Over here," Sophia shouted.

Silver Claw and Amanda turned their heads to the right to see Sophia disappear behind a large boulder.

Amanda looked to Silver Claw and him to her. They locked eyes for a brief moment and smiled at each other. Both suddenly dashed towards the boulder as fast as they could. Behind them, the herrerasaurs broke through the tree line and continued the pursuit with increased momentum.

"Hurry," Sophia shouted. Her head disappeared back behind the rock.

Amanda and Silver Claw pushed harder and rounded the rock. Silver Claw almost froze when he saw that what Loki and Sophia were in looked like a cave but with an entrance like a human structure. Once inside, Amanda and Silver Claw followed, almost at a run, Sophia and Loki towards the back of the tunnel and around a small corner. A stairwell was the only path, and the construction made it difficult for anything other than humans to climb. The velociraptors had to duck their heads in order not to hit the roof or jagged points from crumbled pieces of the structure.

The light at the doorway disappeared as the herrerasaurs slowly moved into the tunnel. They hissed and grunted to one another as they slowly moved towards the back following the scent trail but weary of any hidden threats in the darkened tunnel. They reached the back and turned to the stairway but stopped. The lead animal put one foot on the steps but quickly recalled it. It looked to the others and hissed. Slowly the four turned and left the structure.

Amanda sighed heavily as she watched the herrerasaurs disappear into the jungle. Her breaths were in short heavy gasps and her limbs hurt. She turned her head to see the exhausted velociraptors strewn out on the floor taking heavy breaths and hanging their tongues out to one side or the other as they panted to cool themselves.

The stairs they climbed up lead them about ten meters up into a large chamber that connected to several other passageways, only one of which they could not enter because of a cave-in. The floor and walls were smooth. The roof boasted in an elaborate display of designs like in the building that they stayed the night in. All of which were still colored, although only barely with cracks and missing pieces.

Amanda looked back out to the jungle. She sat upon a raised piece of stone next to a large window that only at the same height as it was, would be visible. From the ground, it would only look like a protruding slab of rock. The stone was a mixture of tan and light brown in color with a hint of a darker color that was almost indistinguishable from the rest.

"How did you find this place?" Amanda asked as she stared at the resting velociraptors.

"Predators luck," Loki said. "I felt like I should go this way and we found this place. It's a good thing that herrerasaurs don't like caves too much or else we would be in trouble."

"I hope it goes all the way past the herrerasaur mating grounds," Sophia said and gestured with her head towards one passageway. "That one tunnel looks like it heads in the right direction."

Amanda suddenly remembered what she had found in the building. "Do any of you have the lighter I found earlier?"

"Oh, yeah," Loki said. He opened his mouth and spat the lighter onto the ground. He shifted his mouth distastefully and looked up. "I forgot about it."

An expression of disgust crossed Amanda's face as she looked at the drool covering the lighter. She wondered if it would work anytime soon because of what it had been through. "Where was it exactly?"

Loki opened his mouth and lifted his tongue up. "Under my tongue," he mumbled and lowered it so that he could speak properly. "It was too small to hold with my claws so that was the only other choice. I thought you might need it."

"Well thanks, I guess." Amanda said and walked over. She picked up the lighter with the ends of her fingers and whipped it clean with her shirt. "It's a good thing you didn't swallow it by accident, it would have made you sick."

"What about that green flame it made," Sophia said. "It made us feel weird and I do not want to go through it again." She looked to Loki with almost a glare. "Isn't that right?"

"That was not the lighter," Amanda said before Loki could reply. "Something was coating the bowl and when I lit the wood, it burn and filled the air. That's why it made you feel weird."

Sophia snorted and turned her head, "If you say so."

"Well, should we be going?" Silver Claw asked. "I don't want to be in here more than we have to be."

"I agree." Loki sighed. "There is something about this old human structure I don't like. It makes me feel odd, like I don't belong."

"I get that feeling a lot," Amanda commented. She glanced at the entrance of the tunnel possibly leading towards the herrerasaur mating grounds. "Is that a torch?" She moved to the passageway and tried to pick up the object but it would not budge. She took her lighter and flicked it on, touching it to the top.

Suddenly, a shower of flames rained down from the object. In bright white flash, the tunnel lit up along a railing in the middle of the inner wall. Even the distant darkness of the tunnel became lit up.

Amanda stepped back in shock. She looked to Silver Claw.

"What did you do," Sophia snapped.

"Nothing, it must have a flammable substance along that rail that lights the tunnel up so you can see." Amanda said, offended that Sophia would be so rude to her.

"Amanda, are you sure that it is not like that other stuff," Silver Claw asked softly. "We do not want to go through what we did earlier."

"I cannot be one hundred percent sure but close to it," Amanda exclaimed. "It looks like it is just a normal fire so that we can see."

"Ok," Silver Claw sighed with relief. "Let's go then."

"The tunnels a little small for more than one of us to go at a time and if we go in, I don't think we can turn around," Loki said.

"Oh, just follow me," Sophia said as she stood up and pushed past Amanda.

Amanda suddenly howled in pain and dropped to the ground. She wrapped her hands around he left calf tightly and started to cry between gasps for air.

"What did you do Sophia?" Silver Claw barked angrily.

Sophia looked down at Amanda, "Nothing."

Amanda gasped and cried louder, falling onto her back. The lighter hit the ground.

Silver Claw rushed to her side and nuzzled her head. "What's wrong Amanda?"

"My…my…leg," Amanda cried and arched her back. "It…it…hurts so…m…m… much."

Silver Claw moved his head to the leg she had been holding and gently nuzzled it. It felt odd, as if a small brick of stone was in the place of her muscle and it was twitching. Amanda cried out again only louder.

"Don't touch it," she wailed and slowly started to sit up.

Silver Claw quickly moved his head behind her back and helped her to sit. "What is wrong exactly?"

"It's a cramp," Amanda cried out as another wave of pain shot through her leg. "Unless you have an icepack, there is nothing you can do."

Silver Claw whimpered. He felt useless because he could not do anything to help ease her pain. Amanda probably felt like this when his chest acted up, he thought. Silver Claw moved behind Amanda. "If you like, you can rest your head."

Amanda leaned back. She released her leg with one hand and rubbed the tears from her eyes. "Thank you," she sobbed. "You know, I knew this was going to happen sometime, I just didn't know when." She gasped as more pain shot up her leg.

"What do you mean?" Silver Claw asked.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as another wave of pain shot through her leg. "I was in a bed for a week. After all that time not moving, of course my legs were going to cramp up from running."

"Oh," Silver Claw lovingly licker her cheek. "Do you know how long it will be until you get better? I hate seeing you in pain."

"A few minutes," Amanda replied, "But I'll be limping around for the rest of the day or so."

"That could be a problem," Loki said. He had moved to look out the window. "There are seven herrerasaurs headed this way."

"Are you sure they are going to enter the doorway down below?" Amanda asked.

"Yes, the four that chased us are part of the group and they are leading the other three here," Loki replied. He moved to the lit hallway. "We have to go."

"Alright," Amanda sighed and stood up. Almost immediately, she dropped to her knees and a steady stream of tears rolled down her face. She noticed the lighter and quickly pocketed it.

"Amanda," Silver Claw whimpered and nuzzled her bandaged neck. He laid down, "Quick, get on my back."

Amanda slowly put her hands on his back and lifted her leg, although it caused her a great deal more pain to do so, over his back. Silver Claw stood up slowly and looked to Amanda to see she was as comfortable as she could be.

He nodded to Loki. Loki turned and ran into the tunnel, Silver Claw followed behind him, and then Sophia.

The air in the hall was musty and damp. With the added heat and dim amount of light from the small fire along the wall, it made for an eerie atmosphere. After a minute, the low but loud hiss of the herrerasaur echoed through the tunnel and the patter of large feet followed.

A minute passed as the velociraptors ran down the hall. The herrerasaurs became visible at the furthest distance they could see by fire light. Amanda's pain dissipated for the most part and she could move her leg more freely with out much pain but tried to remain motionless for Silver Claw's comfort.

A low rumbling echoed through the hall. It continually grew louder until the light of day replaced the fire light. Suddenly, they moved out of the tunnel and onto a pathway leading behind a small waterfall. The thunderous sound of the crashing water filler the air and the stone underfoot became slipper.

"Slow down!" Amanda shouted over the sound of the water.

Silver Claw looked at her for a moment but slowed as they passed behind the waterfall. Silver Claw staggered slightly but kept his balance.

A lush plant although it looked dead, grew along the railing that sat at the edge of the path just behind the waterfall. Its leaves were a dark brown in color with bright green spots that resembled the color of the mold like substance covering the bowl in the old building.

Amanda noticed it and got Silver Claw to stop. She reached out, grabbed two of the large leaves, and dug out her lighter. Amanda placed one leaf on Silver Claw's back while the other she held in her hand. She quickly tossed the leaf as a soon as it caught fire, which was surprisingly fast, to the ground. Water splashed on it but the flame did not die down, instead, it burned the brighter a green like the fire in the bowl had during the morning.

"Is that…" Silver Claw started and quickly backed away several feet.

"Yes," Amanda said and stuffed the second leaf into her pocket. "Now go before it starts to affect you or me."

The herrerasaurs emerged from the tunnel and stopped. Their eyes were fixated on Silver Claw and Amanda. One stepped forward and hissed angrily.

Silver Claw turned and started to move towards the other tunnel where Sophia and Loki had stopped. A dark smoke rose into the air from the leaf. Silver Claw stopped next to Loki and Sophia.

He looked back to see the herrerasaurs stopped at the fire. The sniffed the air and looked to one another. They started to become tipsy and looked to be dizzy. One made a strange call to the others and started rubbing against the closest few herrerasaurs.

Silver Claw's eyes widened and he quickly turned away, and in doing so, forced Amanda to look away as well. Loki and Sophia paused for a moment and quickly moved into the tunnel, passing Silver Claw and Amanda.

The tunnel was larger that the other one and could easily fit four velociraptors side by side. Carvings marked either side of the hall, though the color was long gone. Small rectangular windows at the top allowed a dim light to filter into the passageway. There pace was slowed but not to the point of walking.

A cool breeze swept through the tunnel, carrying with it a strange smell that was somewhat intoxicating. The velociraptors recognized it immediately and rushed forward before they inhaled enough of it to affect them. After the air was clear of the smell, they slowed again. Loki and Sophia were looking at Amanda.

"Did you know that plant was the same as what was in that old building?" Loki asked to break the silence.

"I had a thought that it might be because of the green spots on the leaf," Amanda shrugged her shoulders.

"You risked Silver Claw's life to burn a plant that could have…" Sophia wandered off.

"It stopped the herrerasaurs didn't it?" Amanda said. "If Silver Claw had not turned away, I would have found out what it did to you."

"It's a good thing he did turn away then," Sophia snorted. "I think I see the exit up ahead."

"Really," Amanda squinted but could not see anything at the distance. "I don't see anything."

"That's because you cannot see as far as we can," Sophia stated. "It looks like there are two paths we can take."

"You're being a little quiet," Amanda said to Silver Claw. "What do you think?"

"I don't know, let's see what we can do when we get there," Silver Claw said in a low tone.

"What's wrong Silver Claw," Amanda asked softly. She rubbed the base of his skull.

He turned his head. "I'm a little dizzy and those caving are moving. It should pass soon."

Sophia moved closer to him. "How much of that stuff did you inhale?"

"Not too much," Silver Claw said and turned his head to look at her. "It's not enough to make me feel as weird as it did earlier."

Sophia sighed. She quickened her pace and moved ahead.

Suddenly, a low rumble shook the tunnel. Chunks of the roof collapsed and shattered on the ground. A large crack formed in the wall where the windows let in the light. It became quiet. A foul smell filler the air.

"I think we should get out of here now," Silver Claw said nervously.

"I agree," Loki added.

They quickened there pace and soon reached what Sophia said to be the exit. In fact, it was another chamber leading up, down, or straight ahead. The window was hard to see out of because of a dark fog like cloud. A loud sheik sounded outside.

"I think you were right Sophia," Amanda said. "It did lead to the herrerasaur breeding grounds."

Sophia did not respond. She was listening to something in the distance. Her eyes suddenly widened. "We have to get moving," she whispered. "The herrerasaurs know we're here."

"Which way," Loki asked.

"Amanda," Silver Claw questioned. "You choose the right area to find this place so..."

"Uh," Amanda looked at two of the paths. "Let's go…up."

"Ok," Silver Claw said and started for the stairway leading up. Loki soon followed and then Sophia, although she was more hesitant.

The air became warm and dry. The floor was rough and just as warm as the air surrounding it. Although it was dark, it was not hard to navigate the stairs as the walls became warmer. At the top of the stairs, a faint light appeared. As they reached the top, the air became unbearably hot with almost not moisture. Silver Claw began to pant and Amanda began to sweat. She hopped of Silver Claw and limped remaining few steps.

When they reached the top, they stepped onto a bridge and looked over the edge. They gasped at what they saw. The bridge crossed the gap between a chasm, at the base of which rippled like water, a flow of molten rock. A second bridge below was not much more than two pieces of the arch that once was a bridge. A crack sounded as a large bubble burst on the surface sending the liquid rock onto the remaining parts of the bridge.

A herrerasaur stepped out of the doorway to the lower bridge and looked around. It sniffed the air cautiously and stepped forward. With a thunderous crack, the bridge gave way and the herrerasaur fell into the molten rock. Its screams of pain quickly faded as the body caught fire and slowly sank under the surface.

"I think we should get off this bridge," Amanda said. "I'm surprised it hasn't fallen like that one."

"Yeah," Silver Claw said. "That is one thing I do not want to experience."

They quickly moved to the other side of the bridge, treading carefully on the old stone. A sigh of relief sounded when they were safely on the other side of the chasm. Amanda looked back to the other door to see that nothing followed them and it was in fact safe.

"Where does this lead?" Sophia asked as she looked up another stairwell. "I hope to the surface."

Amanda wiped the sweat from her brow. "I never though I would miss the cold jungle air so much."

Silver Claw sighed. "I know," he panted. "Let's get out of here, I'm feeling a little light headed."

"Ok," Amanda said. "It's probably the heat."

"Yeah, probably," he said and started up the stairs. Amanda, Loki and Sophia soon followed.

So much death, Amanda thought grimly, and this heat, it is unbearable but we had to pass through it to survive. To survive, she thought. I will have to get used to that term again. Everything I now do is to survive. In my old life, I would do things for the joy of doing them, now, I do thing not because I want to but because I have to. I am becoming a better person, one that does thing out of necessity and not greed. Yet, I can still find time to enjoy my new life.

The stairway evened out and soon they found themselves traveling down a well-lit tunnel. A bright light at the end indicated the exit.

Silver Claw cautiously peered out and soon signaled the rest to follow. Amanda gawked at where they were. The stairs and tunnel had leaded them to the top of the cliff, more yet they were near the end of the valley. The sun was setting on the horizon and sky was painted in golden hues. A few stars dotted the sky.

"Wow," Amanda said. "It's beautiful."

"Just like you," Silver Claw commented.

Amanda blushed. She pushed playfully on his head and turned around to see that a small hill lead to the top of the ridge where a single tree sat. Its leaves were tinted several different colors by the setting sun.

"I think we should rest of the night," Amanda said. "It's been a long day."

Sophia and Loki nodded. "Do you have a place in mind?"

Amanda pointed to the tree at the top of the hill. "We could see the surrounding area well and if it is at the top of a steep hill on the other side we would be safer."

"Ok, we'll check it out." Silver Claw said and started up the hill.

The air was humid and cool at the top. The tree was the lone figure atop the hill. The surrounding grasses were short and the hill barren of all other plants. The view looked over two valleys, the one they had passed through and the one that Silver Claw followed the edge to reach the southern area of the island.

Loki and Sophia laid themselves adjacent to each other with their sights on the surrounding hillsides. Silver Claw curled up at the base of the tree. He faced the sunset and tilted his head upwards so that the sun warmed his neck.

Amanda sat between his front arms. Silver Claw lowered his head and softly rested it on her left shoulder. Amanda kissed him lovingly on his scaly cheek and leaned her head against his. Together, they watched the sunset.

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Author Note: Please Review.