Chapter 20: The lonely Spiketail/ Is there any hope left?
Pterano searched through the whole region for hours. Nonetheless, he didn't find an entrance to the cave. Frustrated, he returned to the herd.
Though he had overlooked the opening in the ceiling...
A young Spiketail layed in the dead end of a path crying because his whole family lost their lives due to the carnivore attack. Only he was able to slip through their claws and teeth and fled off. When he spectated his parents getting eaten alive, he lost his voice - he couldn't even cry out loud -.
Anyhow, he ran until he had fallen into a deep hole. As if by miracle, he was alright shambling along a pretty long path that was continously going uphill sobbing until he discovered a small cave. There he eyed a narrow path which he wandered along until he had reached the place he was at right now. The little Spiketail didn't know what to do. He was all alone, quite hungry and thirsty and had no hope. He just couldn't imagine to live without his parents and his siblings. His father once told him that all dinosaurs reach another world in which everyone could live happily in peace after their demise. No Sharpteeth are said to be around but only those who had always been good and friendly toward their own kind as well as toward other kinds were allowed to go to that place. However, those who had been evil and mean toward their own kind and other kinds were exiled to a dreadful place where they had to live in little one knew that he would be sent to the good place when he died. His family would be there for sure because they had always been friendly and helpful toward everybody. He just hoped he would see them again soon.
Suddenly, the little one jerked up, out of his death-hooked thoughts as he heard something humming..
Pterano returned to the others. They formed a circle around him immediately.
"So? Any news of interest, Pterano?" the Threehorn questioned his voice threatening.
"Did you find the children? Please affirm that you found them, pleaaaaaase!" Mama Swimmer cried.
"Well, dunno how to put it... I looked everywhere but I haven't found any entrances."
"NOOOOOO!" Ducky's Mommy cried desperately.
"Have you checked the path that the children disappeared in?" Grandpa asked.
"Yes, totally caved in." Pterano answered dejectedly.
All dinosaurs, particularly those who lost their beloved little one(s), were shocked. Now they had lost a part of their offspring as well.
Ducky's and Petrie's Mothers weeped due to the loss, Cera's Father knocked down a withered tree and Littlefoot's Grandparents nestled their necks, Grandma weeping slightly.
Oscar spectated them feeling quite awkward.
"You mustn't loose hope!" he tried to break the silence. "If your little ones are as smart as you described them, I'm fairly confident that they will make it outta it!"
"As if you know..." Cera's Father grumbled having given up any hope.
"Perhabs Pterano overlooked something?" Grandpa piped up.
"Yes, perhabs he can't see the entrance from high above?" Mr. Clubtail added.
"Well, that obviously might be the case." Pterano admitted silently. He had the feeling in his guts he really overlooked something.
"Shall I head off again?" he offered.
"Preferably not," Oscar piped up, "It's late and there'll be a lot of Skywater tonight!"
"How do you know!?" the Threehorn barked.
"Don't you see these clouds?" he asked in return and pointed to the Big Water.
"Yeah, I'm not blind!" the Threehorn replied insolently.
"Well, these clouds show that colder air from the Cold Lands is on its way towards us. They look like a wall! There'll be a lot of Sky Fire, you'll see."
"If you say so!" Mr Threehorn moved away from the group.
"How come that you know so many things?" Petrie's Mother marveled.
"Well, I travelled a lot. I told you I met this couple of weird Rainbowfaces, right? They considered me clever, very clever to be honest, so they taught me some parts of their ingredible wisdom."
"Anyway, it's getting dark. Let's find a place for the night!" Grandpa suggested.
The herd agreed so they walked along the beach until they had discovered a sheltered place. Unfortunately, it didn't become silent. Some of the children weeped, many had sleepstories. The arising storm with its side effects like thunderstorms, heavy wind or high breakers let the dinosaurs sleep very poor...