Through the Wormhole

Chapter XII: The Euro Sea Scorpion

Let the Hylonomus go? What did PPMC mean by that? Dan needed her, and she needed him. At the same time, she missed her family: their wet feet, tongues, and peaceful swamp. What would happen if she accompanied Dan to the Mesozoic Era? The Hylonomus knew; she just had to find the courage for her next step. While it would be tough to let Dan go—it was the best choice. They still had a night ahead of them, though. Dan would get lost if they left now. The Hylonomus guessed this was what people called a "win, win" situation.

She and Dan stayed up late watching 3001: A Space Odyssey. It made the Hylonomus curious if such ships like PPMC were everywhere. Well, maybe not in the Paleozoic Era.

She snuggled under Dan's hand, and he stroked her while the movie played. "You know, there's something about you," Dan said, meeting the Hylonomus's eyes. "I can't put my finger on it."

There was something, but it wasn't time.

Dan and the Hylonomus woke early the following morning to PPMC lightly shaking Dan. "It's time, Dan."

"Five more minutes," he mumbled, turning onto his side and almost crushing the Hylonomus.

"No, now," PPMC argued, removing his covers. "We need to move on to the Mesozoic Era."

Dan groaned. "But I need my beauty sleep."

The Hylonomus snorted and stuck her tongue in his ear again.

"Yipe!" Dan yelped, tumbling out of bed.

PPMC chuckled. "The Hylonomus says otherwise. Now, come on. It's a beautiful morning."

Beautiful it was. The Sun's rays poked through the swamp's treetops like a predator watching prey.

Dan carried the Hylonomus to a fern not far from PPMC and set her down, hands shaking slightly. "Thank you, little one, for spending the night with me."

This isn't the end, Dan, the Hylonomus mentally stated. In a way, though, it felt like it. Dan's grief for his mom was powerful but didn't surpass the Hylonomus's love for her family, even if they did live in the Carboniferous Period.

The Hylonomus turned toward the hill Dan rolled down yesterday and froze. She stared for a moment and then peered over her shoulder.

"Do you want me to go with you?" Dan finally asked. "You know your way back, right?"

Maybe she did, and perhaps she didn't. The Hylonomus never left her swamp and private one. There was a lot of forest filled with enormous insects and other creatures.

"PPMC," Dan called, "I'm gonna take her back."

"No, you're not," she returned, robotic hands approaching him. "Not without me, you aren't. I don't need you getting something worse than an injured leg."

Dan scoffed and rolled his eyes. "What could be worse?"

"Oh, I don't know." PPMC crossed her arms. "An Arthropleura could eat you, perhaps, or another meteor shower could crush you. Or a volcano could incinerate you. Prehistoric times aren't safe, Dan."

"Okay, you made your point, but the last I checked, this is my trip, right? What can an AI starship do?"

Gah, those two enjoyed arguing. The Hylonomus hopped off her fern and came between them, glaring.

"You're right, little Hylonomus; it's not worth arguing with her." Dan picked her up. "We'll just pretend she's not behind us."

The Hylonomus wondered how that would play out.

On their way to her swamp, Dan rolled his eyes and said, "I hear you," to PPMC, who followed, invisible.

She knocked down trees and bushes and stopped Dan before he tumbled down the hill again.