CHAPTER 130
Every velociraptor became still with the kind of reverence one would show before a king. Even the two utahraptors began to exercise a higher level of propriety. Every hunter had their eyes lowered as a figure emerged from the jungle.
Dr. Conners could tell at once that this was the third utahraptor. As it strode forward its ominous figure became more clear. This was the biggest and strongest of the three living specimens. There was a low thud as each scale armored foot struck the ground. Its reptile-like head bobbed with grace, though there was something frightening to this motion. The hunter's body had full ruffling plumage that gave it a certain familiarity to a bald eagle. Even the curve of its brow gave it the same dignified glare as the famed bird of prey.
To either side of the utahraptor the two velociraptors carrying severed heads fell in step.
"Fascinating," Bryce said without even thinking as he observed the entourage.
Dianna looked at him appalled. "That's hardly the appropriate sentiment for the situation, Bryce."
She was right. Once again he found himself feeling guilty for admiring their sophistication under such dire circumstances, though he couldn't help being impressed by the hierarchy and culture these two species were symbiotically developing at such a quick rate.
The apparent pack leader paused near the pile of guns and leaned down to sniff them. It examined the firearms with its eyes, and then with a grunt it proceeded on.
The leader approached Dianna and put its snout in her face. The forward facing eyes in its skull stared her down, and she felt like the animal was studying her expression. The hunter began to circle her. It sniffed and pulled at her clothing with its teeth. Though she was on the edge of panic Dianna remained still even as the utahraptor tugged at her hair.
The whole while the following pair of velociraptors remained close, keeping the severed heads visible to Dianna. It was as though they were using them as a method of keeping their clan leader protected.
When the lead utahraptor moved toward Bryce the pair of velociraptors headed it off with a promptness that bordered on precognition. They shook the severed heads at Bryce and hissed. He felt like he was the victim in some kind of a tribal ritual where he was about to be sacrificed.
The lead utahraptor stepped forward and proceeded to inspect Bryce in the same manner it had with Dianna. When it was done it backed away and let out a fierce roar. It turned to the velociraptor that was holding Guss' head, and it grabbed the bloody open end of the neck in its hands and squeezed. Circling back to Bryce it smeared the blood down his face and chest.
"Bryce, what the hell are they doing?" Dianna's voice was nothing but panic stricken.
"Nothing good," he answered. He didn't fully understand the nature of what was happening. What appeared to be some sort of ritualistic or even spiritualistic behavior likely had much simpler significance much like the hanging of the bodies in the trees. As horrifying as it all seemed it probably was simply meant to drive them off the island. One thing was for certain though. Dr. Conners felt like he was about to die.
The stubbly looking utahraptor shoved Dr. Conners from behind and he fell to the ground.
"Bryce!" Dianna cried.
Now the clan leader was smearing blood down her face, and the utahraptor with the mohawk thrust her down on her face and stepped on her with a roar.
"Mom!" She heard Seth call.
Kyra was also screaming for her dad.
Dr. Conners felt the twelve inch killing claw dig at his back. It pressed to his skin but did not yet pierce his flesh. By the roar of the beast holding him down he felt he was seconds from being torn wide open. Then he suspected everyone else would follow and the raptors would have the run of the island. At this point there was no more fighting or running. They were all going to die.