Serenade Me

Part 32

Nate was the first one to hop out of the car. Sean climbed out next, trying to see in the dimly lit area. All while Nate pointed to the small white lights on either side of the entrance way that they were about to go through, informing them softly. "See these? This makes this area a safe zone. The Raptors see by night vision googles. These lights white out their vision. So, they won't come through here." Sean moved to the front, his grip tightening on his bow as he grumbled out nervously. "Please tell me the Raptors are guys in blown up costumes...?" Nate patted his arm with a small smirk, answering discreetly. "They are men in costumes." Sean's eyes narrowed on Nate. Nate had avoided answering the question. LadyKiller and RumTumTigger moved in closer and when they had all taken a moment to collect themselves... They started in. Keeping to the wall, Sean slipped between the hanging vines. He hadn't seen anything yet and his heart was already racing. They came out to a divide and Sean stopped to see if he could peek around.

He didn't see any raptors in either direction. He was about to choose the left, when a loud dino call bellowed out across the area from the far side. The audio jumped to rustling leaves and falling trees as a man screamed. Sean stepped back into Nate nervously. Nate hugged him for a second, whispering to him. "They triggered a long neck. We're ok." Sean nodded, then froze as loud raptor purrs filled the left side. Nate covered Sean's mouth as a large seven- or eight-foot raptor crept out from a path just to their left. The thing was very realistic looking as the head glanced in one direction then the next. It moved slow and made sounds that gave Sean goosebumps all over. Nate was right. It was moving in the direction of the noise. The long tail swayed behind it as it carefully walked down the left path. Sean lowered Nate's hand to peek around the corner to see it better. The raptor stopped, rising to its full height and bellowed a hooting call that was returned from across the arena. In his ear, Nate whispered to him. "Their hunting the other team. Cutting off their exits. We should move."

Sean nodded, pointing to the path on his right and gesturing for them to go. He was going to stay and keep watch on the raptor that was still hanging out in the left path. Nate waved back to the others and helped them silently creep down the right path. When they were out of sight, Sean moved to follow. Sean patted RumTumTigger's shaking shoulder as he past to give her some support. Moving back up to the front, he started to lead the way again. The soft crunching of grass made him uneasy enough to slow down. They couldn't go back to avoid it... but he didn't see anything. The walls were covered in thick fake jungle forestry and mist clung to everything. He informed the others by tapping his ear. A signal that he heard something. Nate leaned in to listen, then whirled around to look behind them. The forestry along the wall suddenly parted and the head of a massive three horn lifted to bellow out a startled call. Nate leapt for RumTumTigger, covering her mouth before she screamed and tried to run away.

The three horn rattled its head, then lowered it slowly to eat again as the trees moved back. Sean released his breath, then swallowed his tongue as a slender head pushed through the vines over his shoulder. It was all too clear now that not all these walls were actually in fact walls. The raptor head purred very softly, the jaw jiggling as it did to show off its short sharp teeth. Sean very slowly touched LadyKiller who turned and gawked in horror. The raptor slowly started to turn to look down in their direction and Sean removed his pistol to fire at the Raptor head. The green LED markings and its bright yellow LED eyes turned off, but that didn't stop it from retreating enough to bellow out sharp calls for help. Nate shoved RumTumTigger forward, telling her seriously. "RUN!" LadyKiller took her sisters hand and dashed after Sean as they raced down the path. Gun shots and terrified screams started to fill the air as the raptors started moving more actively. They raced out into a clearing by accident, just in time to see another team member jump behind a short carcass looking barrier with a loud scream.