Project Orpheus: A Tale of Blood and Feathers

Chapter 17: The Tour, Part 3

Ashton leaned back into the black leather of the seat as the bus puttered along down the road. He wasn't about to tell anyone that he had nearly wet himself when he saw the sauropod, but now that it was out of site, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"So, where are we going now?" He asked.

Orenda turned her head to Chester, who gave a big smile.

"We're going to the Deinonychus enclosure!"

"Weren't we just there?" Alexandra asked.

"No, that was Deinocherius. Horrible Claw, Horrible Hand. They're very different." Noh said with a cheeky smirk.

"They don't sound different," Alexandra said with a slur and then a self-assured chuckle.

"They're more similar to the Utahraptors you saw before then to Kitta." She said.

The bus approached the paddock and came to a complete stop. Standing by the gate into the paddock was a tall, bulky, dark skinned man with brown hair and hazel eyes, dressed in the same sort of outfit that Orenda was. Must have been a park uniform. He was surprised when the engine stopped running and the bus door opened.

"Wait what?" He asked aloud.

"Ladies, gentlemen. Would you like to meet some of the dinosaurs? In person?"

A swarm of incredulous and excited murmuring came from the bus for a minute, Ashton himself having let out a flat what. Orenda looked over the group.

"Alright, a few rules. No sudden movements. If they start raising their arms and flapping at you, back up until they stop. Stay close together. Listen to any instructions I give you, and most importantly, leave all food on the bus - and I'm going to say that one again because it's very important - Leave. All. Food. On. The bus!"

Alexandra gave a huff and pulled a pack of gummies out of her purse and but them in the drawer underneath the seat. Derek stashed away a protein bar. One by one, they all filed off the bus, but as Steven - the second to last besides Ashton - made his move, Orenda stopped him.

"Food. Away. Now."

"But I don't have any." Steven said.

Orenda poked his chest, producing the sound of wrinkling wrappers. "Oh? Are you sure?"

Steven looked away frantically, trying to avoid her gaze. "Y-yes, yes. I don't have an-"

Orenda reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a pack of Reese's. "I really don't appreciate you lying to me, Steven."

The boy grumbled and pulled out another one and shoved it to Orenda, who handed both to Charles. Ashton was allowed out unmolested by the obnoxious woman. Once out, he waved to the man by the door.

"Good afternoon!" He said.

"Hi there. Is that everyone?" He said, looking to Orenda.

"Yes."

"Alright," the man at the gate took his walkie talkie and spoke into it, "release the meat!"

The sound of some sort of hatch opening was heard, followed almost immediately by the elation sounds of dinosaurs. An "all clear!" came from the walkie talkies, and the guard put in a code on the panel to open the door. The large, iron gate sprung to life, making an alarm sound as the yellow light on top danced in circles to let everyone know the gate was opening.

"Alright, inside, quickly." She said.

No one wanted not to listen to her, Alexandra even pushing her son in with one hand while her phone was in her other hand, a picture of wine visible when her hand movements brought it into view.