Blackstone

Attacked!

I found myself in midair again, suspended five feet above a jungle floor. I hit the ground and recovered just in time to watch Carrie materialize behind me. She gracefully flipped in mid air, twisted and executed a perfect landing worthy of an Olympic gymnast. We turned and watched for Thomas. Nothing happened.

            "Where is he?" I said.

            "He was right behind me." answered Carrie.

            Just then, Thomas materialized. He fell to the ground with all the grace of a fallen sack of potatos and landed in a lump. Laughing, Carrie and I pulled him off the ground.

            Thomas rubbed his butt. "I think I broke my tailbone," he said with a grimance.

            I slapped him on the butt and he gave a yelp of pain. "I'm not a doctor, but I think you'll be fine," I said.

            For the first time, I checked out the scenery. We had jumped into a small clearing. All around us tall jungle like trees formed a thick impenetrable barrier. Exotic birds (I hoped that's what they were) called to each other in the trees. The sound of crashing water – a waterfall – echoed from down a distant path that cut through the trees and the rich smell of plants assailed my nose. If this was the park then I would hate to see what they called the jungle.

            I pointed to the path leading out of the clearing. "I think that's the only game in town, guys. We might as well check it out."

            "I'd like to have a word with this instructor. He's late," Thomas said with huff.

            We set off through the tall grass of the clearing. I broke off a stalk of grass and chewed it. The bitter juices of the grass felt good, reassuring.

            Just before we reached the path., Carrie looked around in alarm, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She slowly turned around in a circle with her right arm extended. Finally, she stopped with her arm pointed at a spot in the jungle directly behind our jump point and opened her eyes.

            "What is it, Carrie? What's wrong?" I asked.

            Carrie shook her head and closed her eyes again.

            "Bloody Hell, don't keep us in suspense, girl," Thomas said.

            Carrie's eyes snapped open. "I think we'd better go."

            I looked at the spot in the jungle that Carrie was focused on. "What's wrong? Is something coming from the jungle?"

            Before she could answer, six dinosaur-like creatures emerged from the jungle. They walked upright on two legs and had two little baby arms. They looked very similar to the Velociraptors I had seen in the Museum of Natural History back in New York.

            "Oh this isn't good," Thomas said.

            The lead Raptor uttered a guttural hunting call and the creatures raced straight for us.

            "Run!" I shouted.

            We sprinted into the jungle, following the path, heading for the sound of crashing water.

            Crashing out of the jungle, we soon saw the source of all the noise – a wide rushing river leading up to a massive waterfall that plunged hundreds of feet over the side. Sharp rocks lay below.

            "Over there!" I pointed toward an ancient tree trunk stretched across the rushing river.

            We dashed over to the rotten tree trunk. I placed my foot on the surface of the tree and nearly slipped off. Slick patches of moss covered it.

            "You can't be serious. I think I'll take my chances with the dinos," said Thomas.

            "You can't fight all six of them," Carrie said and gingerly made her way onto the tree.

            Behind us, the six raptors tore out of jungle. They spotted us and stalked closer.

            Thomas whipped out his razor phone. He faced the jungle path, a look of desperate courage on his face. "You guys, go ahead."

            I stepped up and grabbed my razor phone. Maybe a few photon blasts will stop them, I thought. It was a slim hope. I placed my hand on Thomas's shoulder, "No way, you're facing them alone."

            Carrie joined us. "I might be able to disorient them with a psionic attack. Stun them long enough for us to make our escape."

            I checked out the six raptors. They were vicious looking things, smaller than the ones I'd seen in the movies, but still lethal. Their short squat bodies were lined with lean muscle and powerful snapping jaws filled with sharp teeth.

            I quickly realized there was no way we could take six of these creatures. The only way for us to survive was for me to use the Wend. I reached down into myself and prepared to unleash the Dark Power.

            The raptors closed in. The leader hissed and brandished its teeth, preparing to pounce.

To Be Continued

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