CHAPTER 30

"This is Rover Number Two requesting immediate assistance. Operations, do you copy?" Robinson let his finger off the com and listened through the weak hissing static for any sign of a voice.

"Give it up, Robbie. You've tried twelve times. The radio is busted. We're just gunna have to wait this one out." Chathem rolled over and stared at the back seats hanging above him. With a long sigh he crossed his arms behind his head and closed his eyes.

Robinson turned off the radio and looked out the window. Rebirtha was still out there. She had stopped attacking the car and was now just standing and waiting. From his vantage all Robinson could see were her two big feet. Her shadow loomed above like a bad omen, and he wondered what the beast was thinking while she stood there.

For the past few minutes Joan had been working on the front passenger door with a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. Robinson was surprised when he actually heard the latch click open. Joan made a hushing noise with her lips as she eased the door ajar. She remained motionless directly after, letting a whole minute go by to assure that her efforts had gone unnoticed.

Joan turned over to face Robinson with care. From under her Kevlar vest she slipped out a small flask, twisted the lid, and took a healthy sip. Licking her lips she passed it to Robinson with the slightest of smiles. "I keep it for emergencies."

Robinson had his drink and handed the flask back to Chathem.

"We'll make a run for it." Joan nodded out the window. "There's a utility shed about a tenth of a mile east from our position. Rebirtha isn't that fast, twelve... fifteen miles per hour tops when she's out in the open. She'll be slower among the trees. We can make it if we're clever about it."

"Hell no." Chathem leaned in from the back. "I'd need a whole lot more alcohol in my blood to start thinking that was a good idea." He passed the flask back to Joan."

"We'll be able to take shelter there, and we'll have access to a call box." Joan took another swig from her flask and tucked it away.

"If we manage to loose Rebirtha in the forest, what then?" Chathem was shaking his head. "You know those velociraptors are only a step behind. I'll bet they've been watching us sweat this whole time."

"The plan will be to keep Rebirtha close." Joan nodded to the tyrannosaur out the window. "If she's always on our tail then perhaps the raptors will leave us alone."

"I couldn't help but notice your use of the word perhaps there. Perhaps they'll bake a damned cake and stuff our innards in it and eat it for a snack." Chathem put a hand on Robinson's shoulder. "Robbie, say something."

Robinson took a thoughtful breath. "We don't know when help is coming. Sooner or later Rebirtha may get bored and leave. If that happens the raptors may come back. Either way is a risk. I say we go."

Chathem swiped his brow. "Is dying on your agenda for today, Robbie? Because I didn't see it on mine."

"One tenth of a mile, Chathem." Robinson held up a single index finger. "We're going to make it."

"Ok, Robbie. Just don't say I didn't say I told you so." Chathem shook his head and crossed himself.

Joan opened the glovebox and an emergency kit dumped out. Fishing through the contents she gathered three road flares.

Robinson looked at her curiously. "What are you going to do with those?"

Joan tapped the flares in her palm. "These may come in handy."