Welcome to the Jungle

Chapter 2: Close Encounter of the Raptor Kind

Kara followed Mike as they walked through the field where Kara had almost fallen into, to get to the other side where six cages had been installed. All except one contained five 1.5 meter dinosaurs which Kara assumed were the so-called Raptors. If Kara had to describe them, she would say they were like mini T-Rexes. Kara kept her distance and watched them staring at her and Mike with their yellow eyes, rapidly blinking. The stench of various smells burned her nose.

All five of them made a pitch sound as soon as Mike stepped closer. It didn't feel hostile. Maybe that was a greeting call.

"Good morning boys." Kara gazed at Mike who was treating these ancient predators as though they were nothing more unusual than dogs. He picked up a bucket and fed each of them with generous pieces of meat.

Kara fiddled with the notebook she had taken out of her purse and glanced at the questions she had written last night. She had no idea which one she should ask first. Mike Matthews had turned out to be nothing like what she had imagined.

When he finished feeding the animals, Mike noticed Kara taking off her blazer and fanning herself against the overly humid and hot weather.

"You haven't dressed properly." He pointed out to Kara's jeans and white button up and the dark jacket she wore on it. "Excuse me?" Kara looked at him in confusion which made Mike laugh.

"I meant, the whole park is designed for dinosaurs, so it has to be very warm and damp like how it was in their natural habitat millions of years ago. Earth back then was practically a sauna. That's part of the reason why this island was chosen for building the park."

Kara observed how Mike was wearing a light shirt with rolled up sleeves and khaki trousers, complete with black boots and a baseball cap on his head.

"I know, but I was told about the interview very last minute and I didn't have time to get park appropriate clothing." Kara nodded at his thick pants. "But how about those? Aren't they uncomfortable in this hot weather?"

"A little, but they're necessary when you're working with dinosaurs. Plus the mosquitos are savage here."

Kara hummed in acknowledgment. Mike walked to put the empty bucket away and beckoned her.

"Come closer, they're in their cages and besides, I've personally overseen their training, so they won't hurt you."

Kara took a few careful steps towards the Raptors. All of them looked alike. With their heads cocked, sniffing the air for her scent. Their amber eyes with narrow slits were studying her intently.

"How do you tell them apart? They all look the same." Kara asked in a low voice, a little intimidated by the heavy stares.

"By the patterns on their scales. And they each have different characters. That helps too."

"Huh! Who would have thought?"

Mike reached for the keypad on a panel next to the cages and entered a number. Instantly a soft beeping sound was heard and the cages farthest from them opened. Kara backed away in alarm.

"It's okay." Mike reassured by raising a hand. "I just want to show you how I've trained them."

"Ok, but I don't want to get too close." Kara felt more sweat beads rolling down her face and back. Her heart was beating faster and even though she trusted Mike, it was a daunting experience. Nothing could have prepared her for this.

The small dark green dinosaur exited his cage and jogged on large muscular legs to where Mike was standing with his hand fisted above his head.

"Rufio stay!" He called as his hand moved slowly in a special gesture which Kara assumed had been part of their training.