I awaken to a cell and some very sore limbs. Groaning, I sit up, confused as to what had happened. My head pounded, and my body felt limp. Despite that, I crawl to the bars and look out the window. All I can see is a dark corridor with several more cells, and a small light at the end that is gradually getting closer. Where am I? The torch gets closer, and then I can make out the figure of a man. He sees me staring, and laughs. Despite my fear, I glare at him with hatred. "Where am I?" I demand. He giggles like a little girl. "In jail. Where did you think?" I roll my eyes. Idiot. "Care to explicate?" The guard huffs. "Welcome to the Predator Hierarchy, the most powerful tribe on this island. We house more than 200 animals and almost as many tribesmen as well," he brags. Wonderful. How the heck am I supposed to escape? I sit down on the hard floor of my cell to think. I had to get out of here. Who knows what they have in store for me here. Torture? Back breaking work? Death? If only I could...
Crap.
They have my raptor. And I am not leaving without him. "Where do you keep your animals?" The guard spins back around, curious. "In the stables, why?"
"Just wondering."
He raises an eyebrow and turns away.
**************************************
After studying my wall for an hour and a half, I come to the conclusion that the only way out is the small window at the top of the wall next to the ceiling, about ten feet from the floor. The designers clearly did not have epic window escapes in mind when they built this thing. I sigh and lean back against the door. There was no getting out. I was stuck here until someone came to open the door. After that, I needed to somehow escape my captors, and then free Flame.
I suddenly felt sick as I thought about what these people could be doing to my raptor. Abusing him? Using him in their fricken army?
Being so deep in thought, I did not notice the door open behind me, until I fell over. From my position on the floor, I could see two people above me. I sit up in a flash, slightly embarrassed. The two armored individuals stare at me with judging eyes, unamused. Then one grabs my left arm, and the other my right, cuffing my arms behind me. "Hey! Let go of me!" I struggle and kick one in the shins with my heel, only to probably break it. I grimace in pain. Right. Armor.
The guards bring me outside, and I blink into the dying light of the afternoon. Around me is a huge courtyard, with several people walking around. To my left, a big building, which appears to be a headquarters of some kind, and to my right is a long pathway to a large metal gate. Well, at least I sort of know where an exit is.
I am marched towards the headquarters. Not good. We reach the entrance, and the door opens to a grade escape of all sorts of heads and trophies. The heads of what appears to be lions, birds, and... a raptor. I shiver. The guards shove me past an indoor fountain, and into an elevator. Dang. These people are living large.
As the elevator ascends, I realize that this is the first modernized technology I've seen so far. Which, in a way, kind of scares me. Modern technology and weapons along with dinosaurs and hostile people? That could turn out to be quite the destructive force.
Click.
The elevator stops and the doors open with a whoosh. The guards shove me out into a room filled with all kinds of "fancy" furniture and even more trophies. The walls are lined with gun racks holding an assortment of rifles and shotguns, all freshly polished. Too busy studying the walls, I fail to detect the presence at the back of the room.
"Ah, I new visitor, I see."
Whirling around, I see a middle aged man with dark hair and toxic green eyes. Glancing one last time at the wall of weaponry, I slowly make my way to the stranger's desk. I stop about three feet away, eyeing the man wearily. He smiles and crosses his arms causally. "Please, young one, take a seat." I give him a disbelieving look. Young one? I'm what, 18? Almost 19? I'm not that young. A guard gives me a shove, and I sit, glowering at the man across from me. This guy obviously has power, and is definitely not afraid to rub it in everyone's faces.
He smiles again. "I'm Fredrick Ferdinand. What is your name?"
"Josi," I reply, my face ashen. "Josi," he repeats, as if testing how the words roll off his tongue. "What is a pretty young lady like yourself doing here?" I just stare at him as he plays with his fingers, not paying me any mind. Seriously? "Wasn't my doing," I spit out. "Your men picked me up in the woods and dragged me here yesterday." He laughs. "Such a fighting spirit, I like it! I could use someone like you... What do you say we make a deal? You join my tribe, and I'll provide you with everything you need: Food, clothes, water, and shelter. In return, you will train in my army as a soldier." I blink. Doesn't sound so bad. I need a home for now, anyways. Besides, these people are pretty advanced. And I am already partially trained. I consider my options for a moment, then opened my mouth to speak. "I-"
I stop, catching a glint in Fredrick's eye. I shut my mouth. What am I talking about? Have I not already learned that not everyone can be trusted? This man would probably not only add my to his army, but probably send me to my death as well. "I'm sorry," I say politely as possible. "But I'm going to have to decline." Immediately, Fredrick's face twists into a snarl. He slams his fist onto the table, and I jump. "You will join! You dare-" Suddenly, another soldier comes barreling into the room.
"Sir, there been another attack!"
YOU ARE READING
ARK: The Island
Adventure|CRINGE WARNING!| Waking up stranded on a strange island, Josi, an 18 year old girl, must fight to survive as she is faced with many challenges: hunger, thirst, and even... dinosaurs? As her journey continues, Josi realizes that there is something o...
