Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter twenty-three of "Running From Here." This chapter has some Alan/Ellie and Tommy/Kim. Ranger action will be coming in the next few chapters. Stay tuned for chapter twenty-four.
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Chapter 23: Get Moving
Tommy, Kim, Alan, Ellie, Ian, John, Lex, and Tim stood together in the clearing nearly an hour later. They listened to the distant roaring of the Allosaurus and the screeching of the Velociraptor. Lex covered her ears with her hands. She dug the heel of her white tennis shoe into the ground. She pressed the toe of it in the same place. Tim mimicked her every move. They mumbled inaudible words. Tommy and Kim had their helmets on.
"Jeez! Those dinosaur sounds are loud, even if they are at a distance!" Lex yelled annoyingly.
"They must be hunting for food," Tim suggested and uncovered his ears.
"Most likely," Lex agreed and crossed her arms. "I am surprised we didn't hear Rexy roar."
"Rexy is an ambush predator, Lex. She can't make any sound if she wants to have a successful hunt," John said, taking two steps forward. "It is likely she will roar after she makes a kill."
"The downside to such a thing is attracting other predators. This includes Tyrannosaurs," Ian pointed out matter-of-factly.
"There is always a risk of that," John admitted, a soft sigh coming from him. He laid his other hand on top of his cane. "It doesn't matter. Rexy can take care of herself."
"So can Mia," Ian added. "At least she does not have to go very far to find her food. It is right there. Rexy has to keep moving to get hers."
"That will always be the way of nature until the end of time, Ian," John said and cleared his throat. "It can't be changed, though the ecological balance can be upset with the introduction of species into an area."
"Like the European starling to North America," Ellie said while cupping her chin in her hand.
"Exactly," Tommy said, holding up a finger. "Starlings have taken over many habitats of native birds. They have caused a bit of damage."
"There are too many starlings to eliminate them completely," Alan said, sighing heavily. "I understand settlers wanted familiarity in their new home, but starlings should never have been brought here."
"One could say the dinosaurs were introduced to Isla Nublar and Isla Sorna. They changed the ecosystems and established their own," Ellie said, a shudder coming from her. "Unlike most ecosystems, they don't appear to have wiped out any native species."
"Few nonnative species do little to no damage to their new ecosystems," Alan said honestly.
"You are right, Dr. Grant," John whispered. "You are right."
Tommy, Kim, Lex, Tim, John, Alan, Ellie, and Ian heard squawking. They looked overhead to see a Pteranodon flying overhead. They observed it going to a tree at the clearing's edge on the left side. It landed on a branch at the top. It opened its beak and emitted a loud caw.
"Talk about a beautiful Pteranodon," Lex said in amazement.
"It was never often that a Pteranodon headed inland. When it did, it was usually to go from one coast to the next. If it couldn't do that, it would travel parallel to the coast," John explained softly.
"Other pterosaurs behaved in a similar manner," Alan added.
Tommy put his hand over his eyes as the Pteranodon kept its wings apart. "Look at that wingspan. It'd take three men standing on each other's shoulders to reach the same length."
Kim pointed her finger at her shoulder. "Those shoulders would hurt after a long while."
"They sure would, Kim," John agreed. "I remember how Littlefoot stood on Spike's shoulders to reach the leaves in that tree in The Land Before Time. Littlefoot had Ducky and Petrie on his head. Cera laughed at them for looking 'ridiculous.' That combination helped them to get many leaves picked."
"Teamwork is essential to completing many tasks," Ian commented.
Alan chuckled. "That it is, Ian."
The Pteranodon folded its wings against its body. It looked toward the sky before closing its beak. The sound of rustling caught the group's attention. Tommy, Kim, Lex, Tim, John, Alan, Ellie, and Ian turned to see Rexy and Mia coming out of the undergrowth on the clearing's right side. Jason and Trini were on Rexy, as were Billy and Zack on Mia. The dinosaurs came to a stop. They lowered themselves, allowing their riders to get off. They returned to their full height. Tommy, Kim, Lex, Tim, John, Alan, Ellie, and Ian went over to Jason, Trini, Billy, and Zack.
"It's about time you all got back," Kim said while opening and closing her hands to flex her fingers.
"How did breakfast for Rexy and Mia go?" Tommy wondered.
"It went very well," Jason responded and patted Rexy's side. "They will be full for a good while."
"That's good," Alan said, happiness showing in his voice.
"I imagine Mia was stripping leaves off every bush and eating every grass blade she saw," Lex said with a giggle.
"I imagine Rexy was—well, you know," Tim added as he eyed his sister.
"Rexy and Mia did what they did," Jason admitted while crossing his arms. "We didn't disturb them while they ate."
"No animal likes to be disturbed while they eat. That's for sure," Ian whispered, his eyebrows raising.
"Tell that to Bulk and Skull. They actually climbed into the rhino enclosure to try to pet Rebbie, Michelle, and Kiva while they were eating hay once," Zack commented.
"No way!" Tim yelled shockingly.
"Yes way," Zack responded and made a funny noise. "We yelled at the boneheads to get out of there, but they didn't listen. Rebbie spotted them. She snorted and broke into a charge. They ran as fast as they could. They jumped out before she could get them. They landed on their butts. She stopped next to the fence and bellowed warningly at them. She walked away. Jason called them idiots for what they did. He considered them lucky no zookeepers were present because they would have been in big trouble."
"Why do people think they can break rules and get away with it?" Lex grumbled, rolling her eyes.
"Rules for thee but not for me," Trini replied.
"Righto," Jason said, a soft chuckle leaving his mouth.
Rexy and Mia rumbled loudly and bent down with soft grunts. They gestured toward their backs with their heads. Tommy, Kim, Jason, Billy, Trini, Zack, Lex, Tim, John, Alan, Ellie, and Ian went over to them.
"It seems Rexy and Mia are ready to go," Billy said while rubbing his chin.
"Then let's get going!" Jason shouted and climbed on Rexy's back on her neck. He touched the back of her head in a light manner. "We don't have a moment to lose!"
John nodded in agreement. "Jason's right. We need to get to the Visitor Center before Lord Zedd takes notice and decides to send his goons after us."
John went to Rexy's back and climbed on. He saw his grandchildren were staying right where they were. He formed a surprised expression on his face. He stroked his beard. Billy got on Mia's back right on her neck.
"Kids, you are not riding on Rexy with me?" John asked as he laid his cane in front of him.
"Not this time, Grandpa. We want to walk," Lex announced proudly.
"We need a little exercise," Tim added.
"Suit yourselves," John responded and blew a raspberry. "I will be bored without you."
Alan walked up to Rexy along with Ellie. "I wouldn't say that."
Ellie giggled. "Alan and I want to join you."
Alan climbed on Rexy's back, followed by Ellie. The Tyrannosaurus rose to her full height, causing them to scream in much delight. The couple looked down at the ground.
"Damn. We are really high up!" Alan exclaimed.
"I never thought this would be possible," Ellie said, her arms wrapping around his waist.
He peered at her in the corner of his eye. "The best part is you being here."
She blushed a bit. "Oh, Alan."
The others broke into a fit of laughter. They stopped when a Velociraptor wandering nearby looked at them. Ian headed over to Mia, who emitted a soft rumble.
"Since you two are riding Rexy, I might as well ride Mia," Ian said, smacking the Triceratops on her side hard. He jumped when she bellowed annoyingly. "Sorry, girl."
"Hop on, Dr. Malcom. There is plenty of room," Billy said, waving his hand toward himself.
Ian smiled. "I don't mind if I do."
Ian climbed on Mia's back. She rose to her full height in which it caused to yell out in joy. He looked down at the ground, his heart skipping a beat or two. Billy took hold of her frill.
"I am pretty high off the ground, though it's not as high as my friends there," Ian said, looking at Jason, John, Alan, and Ellie.
"Enough talking, guys," Jason said, waving his hands in the air. "Let's get going. We don't know when Lord Zedd will come after us."
Rexy and Mia began walking. They moved their tails from side to side while bellowing in a soft way. Tommy, Kim, Trini, Zack, Lex, and Tim walked alongside Rexy.
"I am so anxious to get to the Visitor Center, Tommy," Kim whispered in some uncertainty.
"Me too, Kim," Tommy agreed as he laid a hand on her arm. "Unless we run into a hungry carnivore or an aggressive herbivore, it shouldn't take us real long to get there."
"Let's not forget about Lord Zedd. He is probably attacking Angel Grove right now," Kim said, fear showing in her voice. "Something tells me he had his goons attack sometime after we became trapped here, but he pulled them back because he had bigger plans."
"I believe those plans have something to do with the downtown area," Tommy said, swallowing hard.
"Who knows how much damage they will do?" Kim said, shuddering badly.
"Let's not focus on that. Let's focus on reaching our destination," Tommy said calmly. He started talking about his first fight with the Power Rangers.