ARK: The Island

Chapter 4: The Red Dowwns

(Red Dowwns Base)

After traveling for about 2 days, I reached the edge of the jungle. And what I saw was insane. There was miles of open plains with a river nearby, and it was kind of pretty, but that wasn't my main focus. There was a ginormous green... thing in the middle of it all. It was kind of like a pillar, but floating. Yep you heard me. Floating. There was some kind of green dust swirling in and under it, with a beam coming out of the bottom. The top was in a pointed shape, with a large glowing green diamond shape on it. It was ridiculous. Gravity doesn't work that way. Well I guess it does now. But suddenly my gaze shifted to something across the plains. A house. With some people and creatures running around it. I decided to make my way over there, maybe they can help me?

They saw me coming from a mile away. They came at me with several people and even dinosaurs. They had a... parasaurolophus? Yeah, I think that's right. And a raptor. Great. "Uh, hi?" I greeted, hoping they could understand me. "Who are you?" Said a blonde haired man with a thick accent. "Josi Vihaan. And you are?" I said boldly. "Beckett Springrider, leader of the Red Dowwns. I'm afraid you are trespassing on our land. State your business and one reason why we shouldn't kill you here and now." I lifted my eyebrows in surprise. Ok... this meeting is not going how I hoped it would. Maybe we can work something out? "Um, well, for starters, I have no idea where I am. Had I known this was your land, I wouldn't have trespassed. I was hoping I could get some information? Your the first people I've seen here, after all." Gosh that sounded cringy!

Beckett motions to the guy on the raptor, who silently nods his head. You think I don't see you? I got myself ready. "Ha! Such an excuse! Unfortunately, you will not be tolerated here. Women are not permitted to collaborate with this tribe. You shall be terminated immediately!" With that, the raptor charged and attempted to pounce on me. Luckily, I had experience with that kind of situation. I rolled to the side and brought my spear up and managed to smack the rider in the face, drawing a bit of blood. With that small distraction, I took off into the woods behind me. I had to get into a tree before that raptor recovered.

Jumping over twisted roots and underbrush, I made my way towards a oak tree about 10 meters ahead. I could hear the raptor behind me, it's wild breathing ragged as it singled me out. Come on, come on! Eight meters. Six, five, two... Got it! I lept towards the tree only to catch my foot on one of the gnarled roots surrounding it like a barrier. I wanted to look at it so bad, but that would only slow me down. Instead, I pushed on, clawing my way up the tree. The grey bark was rough on my hands, but it was either this or the hungry teeth and claws of that raptor. Upon reaching the top, I hugged my knees to my chest and held my breath, determined to stay silent. The raptor and it's rider were right below me. It growled and stood stalk-still while the rider took a sweeping glance at his surroundings. Sweat dripped down my forehead as they began circling the tree. Please don't see me...

After a moment, they turned to leave. I dared to let out a small sigh of relief. Suddenly, the raptor stopped. I watched as his head suddenly flew skywards and his nostrils flared. That's when I felt it: The warm, sticky sensation spreading down my leg. Oh no... Moving my hand away, I saw that my leg was covered in blood. Crap, crap, crap! I silently yanked my pant leg over the wound and clamped my hands over it, despite the stinging pain that caused. The beast snarled and whipped its head around, only for the rider to yank on his reigns. "Asesino, there's nothing here. Move on." The raptor gave a slight whimper, but the man only kicked it in the sides. And with that, the two rode back to the plains, ruffling the bushes in their wake.

Once I was sure they were gone, I let out a sigh. That was a close one. As I ripped my pant leg off and wrapped my wound, I went over what I had learned. Dinosaurs can be tamed, and ridden for that matter. There are indeed other people in this world, and not all people are friendly. Which probably means that trust is hard to come by here, and it's survival of the fittest.

With that newfound knowledge, I made my way down the tree. Obviously, my Military training at the University of Kentucky really helped in combat. With a smile, I remembered the walks to and from the school and my dorm. How the smell of freshly cut grass and flowers would float on the wind. How the horses in the distance would gallop through their pastures, racing at breakneck speed.

Even though I'm still not sure how I got here, I would like to find a way home, or at least back to Earth, which I may or may not be on right now. Given that fact that dinosaurs exist here, I'm not too certain of it being Earth.

But no matter what, I will find my way home.