Jurassic Park: The Broken Lives Saga by Dinohunter55
Chapter 8: Amanda's Choice
Silver Claw lay by the lobby windows and looked out. It had been another week of scarce meals and he felt it. His muscles ached and head felt heavy. The sun had passed over the roof and headed for the horizon. He felt cool.
Amanda knelt beside him and poured some of her water into his mouth. Worry marred her face. "You're not looking good."
Silver Claw snorted. Her ability to speak velociraptor was getting decent now. The weeks of morning until dusk practice were helping immensely. Even Ellie picked up a couple words from Amanda's constant practice. However, Ellie refused to allow Silver Claw to teach her anything directly.
"I feel worse." Silver Claw said. Normally, he would lie to his pack. A sick or injured member was a weakness that the pack could not afford. They would care for him only so far before they let nature take its course in the end. He felt no inclination like that with Amanda and so told her the truth. Silver Claw gave an amused snort. He guessed that Amanda was his pack now, a very small one. He was not sure if he should count Ellie as a member or not.
Amanda rubbed his side. She could feel his ribs. "How can I help you?"
"Food," Silver Claw turned his head and rested it against her leg. He did not have the strength to do much anymore.
"I'll be back," Amanda disappeared down the halls. He heard the opening and closing of doors. She disappeared for a while.
Silver Claw looked out the windows. The compsognathus got wise to his trap and no longer entered the fence. He saw Tyrannous run across the road to the north. It had been a while since he saw him last. Silver Claw silently cursed him for this hell.
Amanda returned. She rolled out a paper beside Silver Claw. "I didn't find any food but I found a map of the island."
Silver Claw looked over at it but had little comprehension of the lines on it.
Amanda placed her finger on the map. "We are here, in the Observation Administration." She traced her finger along a line. "The shed we escaped the tunnel from is here and your nest was roughly in this area, I think." She pointed out the various mountains, valleys, and landmarks giving Silver Claw a decent mental map of the areas nearby. "Do you know where your pack might have hunted?"
Silver Claw thought on the map Amanda painted for him and tried to recall how that lined up with his hunting grounds. He tapped a claw in two main areas. The valley south of his nest, over the mountain ridge, and the valley east of his nest where several rivers flowed together were the best locations. He described them as well just in case his directions were off.
He was quietly impressed she managed the majority of the explanations in his language with only a few words of her own interspersed. She was a quick learner despite his frustrations.
"Tyrannous is nearby," Silver Claw said. "You can't leave so it will do you no good."
"I have a plan," Amanda said. She looked around conspiratorially and then whispered, "I'm going to see if the tunnels connect to the garage so I can get far enough away that he won't find me."
Silver Claw lifted his head. "It's too dark in there and it's too late in the day."
"I have enough flashlights," Amanda shrugged, "I think."
"How do you expect to hunt something?" Silver Claw said. "You have no claws and your teeth would barely break my hide."
Amanda reached into her pocket and pulled out a high velocity flare gun. "I have this. I think it would burn through something if I got close. I could only find a single flare though."
"You don't know for sure?"
"Well… no but I'm also taking a spear with me that I made out of a knife and stick the other day. That should do the trick if this doesn't." Amanda smiled weakly. "I'll be ok."
"I don't want to lose you," Silver Claw whispered. "I don't want to know you died because of me."
Amanda bent and touched her forehead to his. "I'm going to come back with food. I'm not going to die today." She gave him a gentle kiss on the snout and patted his neck. "I promise."
"Ellie?" Amanda walked into the garage. She had not seen Ellie all morning. Amanda used the spear like a walking stick. It tapped a rhythm to her steps. She had a backpack over one shoulder with the supplies she thought she needed, mainly rope, a large knife from the block in the kitchen, and plenty of flashlights. She even found a flashlight she could shake to power but the light it produced was dim. It was for an emergency.
An extension cord ran down the stairs. She had not been back in the garage since turning the power back on and now curiosity grew as to what Ellie had been up to down there. Amanda followed it down to where it linked with several more cables. It led deeper into the basement. She spotted light.
Amanda walked into the tunnel through a large steel gate where Ellie was under a motorized cart. Blinding work lights illuminated the area around her as well as a long distance down the tunnel.
"So this is where you've been hiding," Amanda crossed her arms.
Ellie jumped and banged her head, cursing like a drunken sailor. She crawled out and looked at Amanda with a cocked eyebrow.
"Why didn't you tell me about any of this?" Amanda asked.
"You were too busy with your savior to care." Ellie spat bitterly. "You haven't had time for me."
Amanda uncrossed her arms. "That's not true. Ellie, you're my best friend and always will be. I have time for you, always."
"Hasn't felt like it," Ellie wiped her hand on a rag. "You never even asked me what I've been up to in here for over a week or even noticed that I was gone for hours at a time."
Amanda frowned. Ellie was right. She was so caught up with Silver Claw that she had not noticed Ellie was not around until she returned. "I'm sorry Ellie."
"Yeah," Ellie sighed and stood up. She hugged Amanda tightly. "I'm sorry too." Ellie leaned back. "You look like you're up to something. Going on an adventure?"
Amanda felt embarrassed. "I'm going to catch some food for… us and Silver Claw. He's really not doing well."
"What a shame," Ellie said flatly. "You were going to use the tunnels?"
"Yeah," Amanda said. "I didn't know if they connected to the garage or not but wanted to check. I came looking for you too."
"Oh?" Ellie raised an eyebrow again.
"Come with me," Amanda said. "It'll go much better with two of us."
"No," Ellie said and turned back to the cart.
Amanda reached to touch her shoulder but stopped. She knew how Ellie was when in a mood like this. Confronting her would only make it worse. She did not have the time for that right now.
"Alright then," Amanda said. She pulled out a flashlight and started walking down the tunnel.
Ellie watched Amanda leave through the corner of her eye. When she passed out of sighed, Ellie sighed. She finished with the cart and closed it up. During the last joy ride through the tunnels she had loosened something underneath. That turned out to be the suspension connecting the front right tire to the frame. It was fixed now.
Ellie took a swig of water and wandered upstairs. She crossed the lot to the main entrance where she found Silver Claw. He was in a pitiful state. She could do it she thought. The knife in her pocket was more than enough to get the job done. She would even make it as painless as possible. Amanda would hate her however.
Ellie did not know if Amanda would forgive her for it. That above any other consideration stayed her hand.
The velociraptor said something to her. She only recognized the word Amanda from it. She turned without answering it and made her way back to the garage.
Silver Claw felt helpless as he watched Ellie leave. That human had a deep hatred for him. He saw it in her eyes, in her body language. She actually considered killing him. He knew the look. It hurt him that she felt that way.
Tyrannous stepped from the jungle and shadowed Ellie though she did not know it. He stopped and waited near the garage when Ellie went inside. Then something peculiar happened. Tyrannous lowered his head to the ground and listened. He remained like that for a while until he twitched and then looked up sharply.
Tyrannous turned his head to stare at Silver Claw and then darted off down the road in the direction of the shed.
Amanda hummed a nervous tune as she walked the dark tunnel. She passed the place where she and Silver Claw had escaped the cave. The door was opened. She closed it and continued. Ellie must have been exploring the tunnel for a while now.
Amanda realized just how much she neglected her friend over the past few weeks. Sure, she spoke with her, especially in the evenings, but it was nothing like they did before they ended up on the island. It was always on the past and never the present. Something had changed in both of them, she supposed. Ellie's hatred of Silver Claw was another issue driving a wedge between them. She did not understand it.
Was it jealousy? Was it fear? Amanda did not know. Perhaps when this was done, she would sit down for a long talk with Ellie and work things out. Yes, that was what Amanda would do when she got back. It would start a fight, a bad one, but it had to be done if things were to work out in the end.
She kicked a broken bolt across the floor and frowned. She did not remember that on the floor the last time she passed this way. The floor had been remarkably clean. It did not matter and Amanda continued.
She reached the junction with the shed. She shined her light down the hall and at the stairs. It was creepier when alone. But, she wanted to keep going. This was too close to the building and the velociraptor nest for her liking.
Amanda reached a Y junction further down the tunnel. She started down the left passage when she heard an engine rumble in the distance. She stopped and watched as Ellie pulled up to the junction.
"You don't want to go down that way," Ellie said. "A cave-in happened that way."
Amanda smiled and walked to the cart.
Ellie patted the seat beside her. "Got room for one more," Ellie said.
Amanda hopped in and the cart lurched forward at speed. Ellie definitely knew the tunnels.
"Thanks for coming," Amanda said.
"That's what friends are for."
Tyrannous watched the cart speed off into the dark. He was too late to catch it at the junction and turned around. He despised the tunnels and avoided them where he could. As of yet, he had not explored them due to the simple fact that he was completely blind in the absolute darkness. He made his way back up to the light of late afternoon. The tunnel ended eventually and he knew exactly where.
The cart slowed to a stop. "End of the road," Ellie announced as she put the cart in park and killed the engine.
Amanda looked up the ramp leading to the surface. It was wide enough to drive a vehicle down.
"There's a lift back in the garage as well to access the tunnels." Ellie said, guessing Amanda's thoughts.
"I didn't see that," Amanda admitted.
"You didn't look." Ellie laughed and stepped out of the vehicle.
Amanda followed and started up the ramp but Ellie waved her over to a door. Inside there was a small room with a stair leading to another shed. A large four wheeled cart sat in a corner with some empty boxes in it. Amanda gasped as she spotted the body.
"The first mate from your yacht," Ellie said. "That's and interesting claw mark through his shirt. Looks at bit like something your friend would cause."
"Ellie," Amanda said, "Stop."
"What," Ellie shrugged. "Looks like it to me."
"I was the first human he ever saw," Amanda said. She blocked the stairs with an arm. She wanted to save the conversation for later but it needed to be settled now or it would continue outside where something else could be listening.
"Are we doing this now, really?"
"Yes. Really," Amanda sank to the stairs. "What is wrong with you Ellie?"
"What is wrong with me? What is wrong with you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Look at you. You're talking to a bloody dinosaur. It's not your friend, it's a predator and if it gets hungry enough then it will eat you… or me!"
"He saved me!"
"He saved you for later!"
"Don't be ridiculous! He's kind, smart, and funny. If you gave him a chance you'd like him."
"That sounds like your last ex," Ellie rolled her eyes. "How did that turn out?"
"Shut up!" Amanda stood and pushed Ellie back. "You ruined that relationship with your little lie. Don't think for a second that I didn't hear about it."
"He wasn't good enough for you!" Ellie pushed Amanda back and she fell onto the stairs.
"Is that what this is about? Jealousy?" Amanda rubbed her elbow. "I'm not paying enough attention to you? Is that it? You always get weird when I find a boyfriend and now you're jealous of an animal too!"
"Fuck you," Ellie screamed. She stomped her feet and turned towards the tunnel.
"Are you just going to run away, like you always do?" Amanda yelled back.
"Go fuck yourself Amanda Glendale," Ellie took a deep breath, "I…." Ellie slammed the metal door shut.
Amanda heard the engine of the cart whine and the wheels screech. Tears rolled down Amanda's cheeks as Ellie drove off without her. The light faded and Amanda was left alone in the dark.
Silver Claw stood at the top of the stairs looking down. Fear welled inside. He wanted to go. He wanted to help. He should never have told Amanda where his pack hunted. It was too dangerous. Now she was hunting in the dark.
He took a step down and then another. His legs wobbled. "I'm sorry Amanda."
Amanda pushed open the door and stepped outside. The sun was behind the mountain ridge and a cold shadow covered the valley. Amanda shivered. She pulled the rope, knife, and two flashlights from her bag. The flare gun was already in her leg pocket. She left the rest just inside the door. She needed to travel light.
The shed and a radio tower were surrounded by a chain-link fence for all the good it would do against most of the dinosaurs she familiarized herself with over the past few weeks. Many could just step over it. She saw a vehicle not far beyond the gate and investigated.
It was a tan and red truck and not in bad shape for sitting in the middle of the jungle. The InGen logo was rusting off the door but the windows were intact, doors unlocked, and the keys were even in the ignition.
Clearly Ellie had looked at as well. The growth of vegetation was broken along the line of the hood. Just how much had she missed with her friend? Amanda wept silently.
The jungle rustled. Amanda's heart raced. She held out her spear and backed away from the sound. The jungle became silent save the croak of frogs and buzz of insects.
A green blur burst from the trees. It ripped the spear from Amanda's hands as it passed. A heavy tail slammed into her chest and dropped her to the ground. Tyrannous turned and loomed over her with the spear clutched in his mouth. He snarled.
Ellie raced down the tunnel. Tears blurred her vision. She hated Amanda now just as much as the dinosaur. But that was a lie she told herself to justify leaving her friend behind. She saw that as yet another lie to herself in order to hide the truth but was too upset to care. Amanda would see it was too dark and come back anyway. Then they would talk again. She did not want to return to the building and face the accusatory eyes of the velociraptor just yet. She needed to think.
Ellie reached the Y junction and turned down it towards the cave-in. That was another small lie to add to the day's tally. There had been a cave-in but it was inconsequential and only left some minor debris in the roar to drive around. It looked like the people had started the repairs before they evacuated the island. She did not want her quiet place disturbed. Soon, she would see the light of the open sky.
Amanda stared up at Tyrannous. A cold sweat sent tremors through her as the chilled valley air kissed her skin. Her eyes met those icy blue orbs. He was judging her. She could not meet his eyes for long and looked down.
He dropped the spear at her feet. "Pick it up human."
Amanda did not move.
"You are not fast enough to hurt me with it. I know you can understand at least some of what I'm saying," Tyrannous said. "Pick it up."
Amanda reached a slow trembling hand to the spear, expecting Tyrannous to pounce on her at any moment. He did not. She dared not point it at him.
"Good," Tyrannous said.
"Why are you doing this?" Amanda spoke in his language.
"You are getting good at speaking our language," Tyrannous said. "I grow bored with my current game with Silver Claw. He is getting far too weak to make it interesting now and to be honest, he is not his father. I've lost some of my heart for it over these past few weeks. I may just leave."
Amanda dared to rise. Tyrannous did not stop her. "What did you expect to do with that little stick?"
Amanda decided it was best not to lie. "We're starving to death slowly. Silver Claw can't hunt so I…"
Tyrannous cut her off. "So you thought that you would try it by yourself?"
Amanda nodded.
"That is bold," Tyrannous admitted. He started circling her. "I don't think you will be very good at it, too slow."
Tear rolled down Amanda's cheeks. "I have to try."
"Then try," Tyrannous moved his head beside hers, looking her in the eye from the side, and showed his teeth. "Lead the way."
Amanda shuddered but put one foot in front of the other until she was in the jungle. Tyrannous walked close behind.
Ellie reached a wall of rusty iron bars that ran the width of the tunnel. Beyond, a tranquil lake rippled in a light breeze. The brightening stars reflected in the water. Ellie pulled a key on a lanyard from her pocket and unlocked the gate. She felt safe here. It was possible to see any approaching dinosaurs due to the open, treeless nature of the small valley. Only on the far side of the lake did the trees start. Sheer slopes meant nothing would sneak up on her from above either unless they had the footing of a mountain goat.
She left the key in the gate. It defaulted to the locked position when the key was absent and she did not want to risk fumbling it during an emergency. Ellie walked out and sat on a smooth rock by the shore that had become her favorite. She would see dinosaurs sometimes. They came to drink at the far side of the lake. As long as they stayed over there, she did not care. She saw a few of the large predators sometimes too but they never concerned themselves with her so there were no issues.
Ellie sat and crossed her legs. She thought about Amanda and all the things they had gone through together. The friendship they had since they were both young children. She considered all the things she wanted to say to her, those she would have to say now because of the fight and those she was too scared to admit. Amanda was her best friend but she wanted more than that. Amanda would likely never see her that way though. An ugly sob broke through and Ellie was glad to be alone.
The jungle grew dark but Amanda dared not use a flashlight. The moon was out in full but the light barely reached the jungle floor. She felt like an elephant stomping through the undergrowth. Tyrannous moved nearly silent.
"Do you know where you are going?" Tyrannous asked.
"Silver Claw's pack hunted in this valley," Amanda said. Her limbs trembled. "I just have to find something small enough to drag back to the shed."
"What about the carnivores?" Tyrannous hissed in her ear.
"I'll run," Amanda stopped to calm her quickening breaths.
"Oh? Humans are not very fast," Tyrannous circled in front of her, "And you do not see that well in the dark either." The pale moonlight caught in his eyes and they shined.
Amanda's heart thundered. "Are you just going to kill me either way?"
"Maybe or maybe not," Tyrannous yawned and Amanda saw the dozens of sharp fangs catch the light.
Amanda tossed her spear at his feet. "Quit with your games Tyrannous."
Tyrannous snarled and placed a foot on the spear. He lowered his head until he looked at her face to face, nose to nose. Amanda resisted the rising urge to flinch back and the scream in the back of her mind to run. She met his eyes and held them this time. She trembled.
Tyrannous was silent for a long while and then pulled back, eyes remaining on Amanda. "You are brave for a human though a little stupid. I knew smarter humans that knew better then to hunt in the dark." He kicked the spear to Amanda. "Pick it up and follow me."
Amanda did as she was told. They turned around and headed north. Amanda toyed the idea that she could stab Tyrannous in the back. He was in front of her now. He might not see it coming. It stayed just an idea.
They crossed the road and re-entered the jungle on the other side.
Tyrannous came to an abrupt stop after a few minutes and looked at her. "Listen to me carefully," Tyrannous said. "There is a herd of dinosaurs ahead. Now is your best chance to catch them unaware. There are only two at a time looking out while the rest sleep. Go ahead on your own and be silent about it."
"What kind of dinosaurs?"
Tyrannous showed his teeth and turned, slipping silently into the jungle.
Amanda stood alone. She closed her eyes and willed herself to calm down. Her heart refused but she managed to get her breathing under control. It could be a trap. It could be a lie. It did not matter. She had to try regardless.
Amanda felt him watching her but could not place his position.
As quietly as Amanda could, she crept forward with the spear raised. Her pace was slow, even slower than with Tyrannous. She carefully navigated every root and branch she could find but even so a few slipped by, her heart leapt with every snap or crunch.
She reached a glade and nearly stepped out into the waist high grass when she spotted the dinosaur. It was a gallimimus standing atop a stump near the center. A second circled the perimeter. They were massive bipedal dinosaurs at least compared to her. The shoulder of each reached slightly higher than the top of her head and the searching eyes easily another meter above that.
Amanda did her best to hide behind a tree while she considered her next move. She counted at least a dozen breaks in the grass. Her breathing quickened. She touched the flare gun in her pocket.
The pair of gallimimus chittered to each other. A head rose from the grass. It was smaller than the two adults by about a meter. It stood and stretched.
Amanda stepped back a little, rustling a bush. The younger gallimimus cocked its head and wandered in her direction. The adults did not notice.
Amanda crouched down and rested the spear on one knee. She drew the flare gun. Her hand trembled. The young gallimimus reached the edge of the glad and looked out into the treeline. It began to relieve itself.
Amanda slowly brought the trembling flare gun up and slipped a finger over the trigger. It was too far for the spear and Tyrannous was right, she was slow. Then she heard it, faint at first but growing louder. The gallimimus looked away, evidently hearing it as well.
A glint of metal in the moonlight grew larger. The adult gallimimus turned to look as well. It was a plane. Amanda's eyes grew wide. She looked between the gallimimus and the plane. She only had one shot. In the dark, it would be impossible for the plane to miss the flare.
Tears rolled down Amanda's cheeks. "I'm sorry."
She pulled the trigger.