Aggy and the Dinos

Chapter 10

In the forest, a Dino was experiencing a sensation it had never known before. As a creature made of a combination between the ultimate cold blooded predator, and a prehistoric nightmare, fear was not in its lexicon. What it knew now was a kind of competitive unease, the feeling a poker player might experience in the presence of someone with x-ray vision. Dino's were just human enough to have names; this Dino's name was, approximately spelled, Graa(gurgle)akk. It though about putting out a call to its companions Cwraaa and Iiiieeeeaak, but something, call it survival, made it want to stay very still and quiet. The world was very silent, waiting, until a small noise in the trees betrayed the presence of something Graa(gurgle)akk could kill. That would make him feel better. The Dino turned to investigate its prey, and found itself looking into the hazel eyes of the Devil.

"Halp." Said the Dino.

Geezer growled. Eventually the silence of the forest was broking by a woman's voice.

"Geezy!! Bwing it!!"

"Well," said John, back in the farmhouse. "I wish I'd known the value of small dogs earlier,

I really do."

"Hesuchagoodboyyesheiiiiis," cooed Aggy, ruffling Geezer's unruly fur. The small dog was disgruntled – the Dino meat had tasted absolutely rank, and then, even worse, he had been made to give it to someone else, only to have it replaced with beef jerky, which, while more palatable, was not an 'own kill' and therefore almost without value. They were back in the house, sitting on the two sofas by the fire while people milled around completing small tasks. After the crowd that had gathered around Geezer has dissipated, they were left relatively alone.

"Some of them want to stay," said John. "And if they fancy their chances then who am I to tell them otherwise. I, Ben, and ten others are willing to go into the city with you. Ben thinks that the quickest way would be the river."

"There's a fair sized rivulet that joins with the Thames just behind the reeds at the edge of the garden," said Ben. He was whittling a piece of wood with his knife, which he was rarely without.

"We can make four or five rafts and put two or three people plus supplies on each, and punt our way to London."

"How long will that take?" Asked Aggy, who detested water.

"A day, depending on the strength of your arms, perhaps more." Ben had an air about him which belied his apparent confidence.

"I heard that Dinos don't like the water," murmured Dean.

"Where did you hear that?" Aggy wanted to know.

"I can't remember."

"I have the same feeling," John backed him up. "Maybe it's just something we know about them." He made a gesture which indicated knowledge by osmosis.

"We have got wind of a large colony that lives by the river. How true it is I have no idea, but more than a few of the people who have passed us, those who wanted to speak, have told us about a bunker by the water that is well defended, and well provisioned. If it's true, then it may be a good place to stop off. They might not be interested in helping us, but then again they might."

"If they exist," said Aggy.

"If they exist. If not, we're going down the river anyway. We are going to take all the ammunition." He said this last directly to John, who nodded.

"You'll leave the people staying behind with nothing?" Dean was shocked.

"All's fair in love and war, Dean." Aggy quipped.