CHAPTER 307
Dr. Levine was entranced by the baby pterosaurs. "They're beautiful," she said.
Kelly and Arby crowded the fence with her and watched in awe as the young pteranodons clambered over the chain links. They flapped and jumped, and it became clear that they were no masters of flight yet.
"They are a bit cumbersome," Dr. Levine smiled.
She reached her hand out and stroked her fingers along one of the small pterosaur's wing membranes. It tucked its arms in and looked at her while blinking with shiny young eyes. Sniffing her, it took a nip.
Dr. Levine drew her hand back.
Diego and Baselton were observing from over the shoulders of the others when Baselton felt a tug on his pant leg. He looked down and saw one of the baby pteranodons snapping at the cuff of his trousers. He crouched.
"Hey there, little guy. You feeling jealous that you're not getting all the attention?" George pet the young one on the top of its beak, and it bit his pinky finger.
"Ouch! You little rascal."
George went to pet it again from behind, but he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. Further down the corridor a bucket was laying on its side and teetering. Then George saw one of the cage doors near it shift.
"Hey," he slapped Diego's ankle.
"¿Qué pasa?"
"Look." George stood.
Together they watched the cage door clang shut and creak back ajar.
George's fears of ghosts and unknown dangers were gone. He was charged with a childlike curiosity and sense of adventure. He was searching for baby dinosaurs.
"Come on, Diego." George slapped his shoulder and started off with a grin.
Diego was a bit hesitant, but it wasn't far to go, so he followed.
George already had his hands on the cage door, and he swung it open with eager eyes. He stood and observed the interior of the enclosure with Diego craning over his shoulder. The cage was dark and appeared to be empty.
"Maybe is no anything, Calabasa."
George shook his head at Diego and squinted further into the darkness. He had seen something.
In the far left corner, somewhat obscured by a food basin, there was a child sized figure rummaging about. The creature was turned away and hunched with its head near the ground. George could see a tail swishing behind it. There were grunting sounds and chewing noises. A loud snort echoed off the concrete walls of the enclosure.
George watched it for a moment and then said in a loud whisper, "hey!"
A head snapped around. Two glimmering eyes stared back. The chewing and grunting had stopped, but a loud sniffing proceeded.
"Maybe we lock the door, Calabasa, and wait for the doctor." Diego tugged at George's blazer.
"Shh!" Baselton waved him off. "Nonsense!"
He took a step into the cage and leaned forward.
"Hey there, little guy." He reached out his hand. "My name is George."
The creature circled around but kept its head low and remained in the shadows.
"It's ok," George beckoned with his fingers. "Come on out."
The creature hesitated and then, one cautious step after another, stepped into the light.