CHAPTER 146
"Run!" they heard Bill yell as he came vaulting over the edge of the flatbed and dove onto the utahraptor's back.
Throwing one arm around her neck he raised his other fist that was clenching a screwdriver. As he plunged his balled knuckles to stab the pack leader she bucked and threw him from her back. Bill smacked the floor and slid across the concrete. When he looked up the utahraptor was wheeling around and bearing her teeth and claws with a maniacal roar.
"Jesus." Bill pushed to his feet. He held up his hands like he was trying to stave off a drunken brawler. Seeing the pure look of insult on the dinosaur's face he said, "you know, you're right. In hindsight that was a seriously stupid idea." There was no denying that he was deadly close to the beast. Backing up, his feet fumbled, and he fell back to the floor. "Shit, any chance we can talk this out?"
With a crash the nearest garage door smashed inward, and Dr. Conners came plowing through with the pickup truck in reverse. The tires squealed on the concrete as he punched the breaks. Shoving rubble aside he opened the door, and Dr. Johnson exited the truck from the other side. They were both wielding pistols as they scoped the garage through settling dust.
"Damn it, Bryce. Someone could've been standing right behind that door."
"You're right, but then we'd be forfeiting the element of surprise, theatrical entrance, and the destruction of corporate property."
"Shut up."
"Hey, over there!" Dr. Conners pointed to movement near the flatbed.
Dianna squinted in the dark. "Seth, is that you?"
"Mom!" Seth got up from the ground. "It's in here! Watch out!"
Dianna and Bryce panned the shadows with their guns but did not see the pack leader.
Seth's eyes darted all around the cage and the flatbed, but he did not spot any signs of her either.
Dianna put out her hand. "Seth, come on, honey."
Bill pushed to his feet. "You don't have to tell me twice." He hobbled over to Gary while rubbing his hip and helped him get Carrie up from the floor.
Gary looked back at Seth who still had reservations about the current status of everyone's safety. "Hey, kid, I think we got the jump on her this time. You better move it."
When they were at the truck Bryce gave them a hand easing Carrie into the bed.
"Boy, am I glad to see you." Gary said to Dr. Conners.
"I'll bet." Bryce handed Gary his pistol and said, "keep them off our back, will ya."
Gary nodded and climbed in the bed with Bill and Carrie. "Dr. Conners? We're not the only ones left, right?"
Bryce's face turned a bit solemn. "The rest are at the bunker already."
At the passenger door Dianna was pushing Seth into the middle seat and climbing in behind him.
Seth gave her a funny look as he settled in. "Mom, what happened to your hair?"
"I'll explain later."
Dr. Conners took the wheel and said, "hold on."