Run Through the Jungle
Scott sat by the crackling fire with Jamie, Geoff, H, Chris, and Leigh. None of them had been able to fall back asleep after the robotic transport’s departure, so they’d eaten together instead. H, Chris, and especially Leigh had seemed sullen, so Scott had suggested they splurge on the junk food, handing out extra rations. When that didn’t lift their spirits, conversation had turned to the worst jobs each of them had ever held—but talk of home only seemed to increase their dejection.
A slight breeze stirred through the ravine, blowing the smoke from the campfire directly into Scott’s face. It also stirred up the dirt and leaves on the ground. His eyes watered, and his nose burned.
“I don’t know why that wood is smoking so much,” H mused. “It’s not wet.”
“Maybe it’s a different kind of wood,” Chris suggested. “Some type of tree that we don’t have back … home?”
H shrugged his shoulders and nodded.
Coughing, Scott turned away from the smoke, and caught sight of Legerski’s corpse, which was still tied onto the boulder, with Paula’s spear still jutting from his chest. The blood on his clothes had dried brown.
“Jamie was right earlier,” he said. “We ought to bury Legerski with the others.”
“Not with the others,” Chris argued. “That doesn’t seem right or fair. I’ll be dead soon, and I damn sure don’t want to be buried near that psycho.”
Leigh gasped. “That’s no way to talk, mate.”
Chris snorted. “Why not? This place is not conducive to my condition. I’m out of the medical supplies I need. My chair is low on power. It’s just a matter of time, now. I’m not happy about it, but I don’t see any other outcome.”
“We’ll get you help,” Leigh insisted. “Mark had an idea about making you some catheters.”
“And now he’s gone,” Chris replied. “We’re not going to see Mark again.”
“You don’t know that,” H said.
“And you don’t know that we will,” Chris shot back.
“Well …” Geoff swallowed a mouthful of potato chips. “You can’t just give up. That robot was pretty advanced, technologically. We figure out a way to the bottom of that shaft, maybe we’ll find similar things. If so, there has to be something down there you can use. Power for your chair, at the very least.”
“Great,” Chris scoffed. “You guys can power it up and use it for a wheelbarrow after I’m dead.”
“No offense,” Scott said, “but I’m already depressed enough. You’re not helping. I get that you guys are worried about Mark. I get that you’re worried about yourselves, and your loved ones back home. But just giving up isn’t the answer.”
“I’m not giving up,” Chris argued. “I’m just accepting the inevitable. How many people have died since we got here? We suck at survival.”
Nobody answered him. Scott found his gaze drawn back to Legerski again. He considered Chris’s tone and inflection, and what he’d said. He did indeed sound like a man who had accepted the inevitable … but Scott thought he also sounded like he hadn’t made peace with it. If they could convince Chris to tap into that anger, maybe they could spur his will to live and to fight a little while longer.
Scott opened his mouth to respond, but then stopped himself. Did it really matter? Didn’t he have enough to worry about without prodding Chris to keep up the good fight, as well? If the guy wanted to die, why get in his way? After all, it wasn’t like he really knew any of these people. Perhaps, he reasoned, he’d be better off without all of them—maybe striking out on his own and trying to get rescued that way.
Scott pursed his lips, deep in thought, and then decided that he was being an asshole.
His head began to throb again.
“Chris,” H said, and then paused, as if reconsidering what he was about to say.
“Yeah?”
“When you … when you first became … paralyzed … did …”
“Oh, just spit it out, already, H!”
“I don’t want to offend you, man.”
“I know my situation. I’m not some fragile little glass thing.”
H pressed on. “When you first ended up like this, did you feel the same way you do now?”
Chris glanced down at the ground and sighed. “Yeah … yeah, I did.”
“Well, what brought you around then? What gave you hope?”
“Francesca.”
H nodded.
“Well,” Leigh said, “we can do the same for you, mate!”
Chris snickered. “No offense, guys, but none of you are her.”
“Then you need to stay alive until you get back to her,” H countered.
Chris sighed again, clearly exasperated. “Haven’t you been listening? Don’t you think I want to get back to her? That’s all I want … but I’m running out of time here, guys. Face facts. I’m going to die.”
“I’m going to live,” Scott announced, slowly getting to his feet. “You guys debate all you want, but there’s work to be done, starting with Legerski. Yes, he was an asshole. A murderous psychopath. Now, he’s just dinosaur bait. We should get him in the ground. Somebody want to give me a hand?”
Geoff nodded. “Sure. Just let me piss first.”
Jamie stood up. “I’ll help, too.”
“It’s funny,” H murmured, staring into the crackling flames. “We sit around this fire, despite the heat of the jungle and despite the fact that it’s never dark here.”
“And despite the smoke,” Leigh added.
“That, too.” H nodded. “I guess we do it for comfort. But what is it about fire that’s so comforting?”
Scott opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, something snorted in the jungle. All of them glanced at each other, startled, and then looked up at the top of the ravine. The leaves and undergrowth rustled as something crashed through them. Then it snorted again.
“An animal,” Scott whispered. “Get your weapons ready.”
The snorting changed to a series of soft sniffing and grunting sounds. Then, slowly, a figure emerged at the top of the ravine.
H moaned. “Son of a bitch …”
Scott gripped his spear and stared in wonder.
It was a baby dinosaur—possibly a Tyrannosaurus Rex, although he couldn’t be sure. Despite their peril, and the danger of the situation, Scott couldn’t help but be fascinated by the creature. The infant stood about eight feet tall, and he estimated it probably weighed a little over three hundred pounds. Walking on its hind legs, the juvenile sniffed along the edge of the ravine, obviously attracted by either their food or the scent of Legerski’s blood. It snorted in surprise when it saw them. Then, cocking its head to one side, the creature made a loud, excited croaking noise. It edged closer, standing on the very rim of the chasm.
“It can’t get down here,” Leigh said. “Right?”
“No,” Chris agreed. “There’s no way it could climb down the—”
The soil at the top of the ridge gave way. With a frightened squawk, the dinosaur tumbled down into the ravine, followed by a small avalanche of dirt, rocks, and leaves. It crashed to the bottom and rolled three times. Then it cried out.
And was answered from above.
“Oh fuck,” H gasped. “That sounds like mommy dinosaur.”
The ground shook. They heard trees splintering and toppling. Another mighty roar echoed through the forest. Scott was stunned by how loud it was. The baby answered, croaking and mewling in alarm. Footsteps pounded, coming closer. Each thud sent more dirt and rocks hurtling to the bottom of the ravine. The juvenile clambered to its feet, shook its head, and called out again, swiping its tail back and forth in agitation.
Then, its mother appeared at the top of the ravine. Her massive, towering frame blocked out the sun, and a shadow fell over the campsite.
“She definitely can’t get down here,” Leigh said, breathless.
The Tyrannosaurus cocked her massive head and hissed. She looked at her offspring, and then at them. Grunting, she waved her tiny forearms in agitation. Then, she leaped.
“Goddamn it, Leigh,” Chris squealed. “Stop jinxing us!”
The adult hit the ground like a bomb, and Scott struggled to maintain his balance. A huge cloud of dirt swirled around her. She bent her head, snuffling her baby. The infant mewled, nuzzling her. Snorting, the Tyrannosaurus turned back to them and glared balefully. It made a low rumbling noise in its throat that made Scott’s skin prickle.
“Get in the shelter!” Jamie screamed.
“No!” Scott yelled. “That’s a dead end! We’d be trapped.”
“Everybody just stand still,” Geoff whispered. “It’s like Jurassic Park. Their vision is based on movement. Right?”
They each froze, trembling, as the dinosaur continued to stare at them. Then, it swished its massive tail back and forth, raised its head, and roared.
“I don’t think she’s seen Jurassic Park,” Chris said.
“Up the side of the ravine!” Scott shouted. “Move your asses!”
H, Leigh, and Jamie fled toward the embankment. Chris motored along behind them. Scott and Geoff remained where they were, spears raised.
“You’re not thinking about fighting this thing?” Geoff asked.
Scott shook his head. “No. I’m just too scared to move.”
Geoff pushed him hard. Scott staggered, stumbling back and forth.
“Go!” Geoff shouted.
For one terrifying moment, Scott thought he might fall over, but he recovered his balance, and they ran. The sides of the ravine shook, and rocks rained down on them. Scott glanced over his shoulder and screamed. The Tyrannosaurus was in pursuit. He was shocked by the dinosaur’s speed. The creature’s bulk was deceptive. Its powerful leg muscles writhed as it charged after them.
Scott and Geoff reached the embankment on the other side. Jamie was already at the top, shouting at the others to hurry. H and Leigh struggled valiantly to get Chris’s wheelchair up the slope. Chris yelled at them to leave him behind.
“I’ll carry him,” Geoff panted. “Just climb, goddamn it!”
Scott glanced over his shoulder again. The dinosaurs had paused in their pursuit. The juvenile sniffed curiously at Legerski’s corpse, while the adult paced, looking at them and then back to its offspring. The behemoth snapped its jaws, hissing. Talons clawed at the dirt.
As Leigh and H scrambled to the top, Geoff bent over to pick up Chris.
“Can you grab around my neck?” Geoff asked.
“This is pointless,” Chris said. “I can’t go anywhere without my chair. Somebody would have to carry me around the jungle from now on.”
“Now’s not the time to argue about it,” Scott urged. “Just do what Geoff says.”
Behind them, the Tyrannosaurus growled, low and throaty. Then it plodded forward, moving slowly, stalking, seeming to relish the chase.
“Leigh,” Chris cried. “H! Tell Francesca that I love her. That she was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“What?” Leigh lunged toward the slope, but H grabbed his arm and yanked him back.
“She taught me how to live,” Chris said. “Remind her of that!”
“Come on, Chris,” Scott pleaded. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do. I’m out of meds. Sooner or later, a pressure sore or a bladder infection is going to do me in. I don’t want to suffer or be a burden. Francesca taught me how to live. This place has taught me how to die.”
“Fuck this,” Geoff said.
The big man reached for Chris again, clearly intending to pick the quadriplegic up and throw him over his shoulder, but despite his condition, Chris was faster. He reversed the chair, backing up out of Geoff’s reach. Then he spun it around and drove directly toward the oncoming dinosaur. Pausing, the Tyrannosaurus cocked her head and stared at him in bewilderment.
Leigh and H screamed, distraught.
Scott felt a hand grip his arm. He turned and saw Geoff, grabbing him.
“Come on, Scott. Let’s go. If he wants to die, let’s make sure it’s not for nothing.”
Shaking his head, Scott allowed Geoff to lead him up the embankment. He slipped and stumbled amidst the loose soil, and was wet with sweat and tears by the time they reached the top. He heard the dinosaur roar below him, but he didn’t turn to look. He didn’t need to.
His companion’s expressions were horror enough.
Then came the awful sounds.
Chris shrieked once—a high-pitched warbling gurgle—but it was cut mercifully short.
“Please,” Jamie sobbed. “Let’s go. Let’s just go!”
They ran, fleeing back into a forest they’d sought shelter from only days before.
* * *
“It’s still back there,” Leigh gasped.
H tried to answer him, but he lacked the breath. His lungs felt like they were on fire, and his pulse hammered in his throat and head.
I’m going to have a stroke, he thought. Right here, on this spot. This is where I die. Stroke or heart attack. Fuck me …
Images of Chris’s death flashed through his mind—his friend holding up his one good arm in a futile effort to ward off the predator, the Tyrannosaurus ducking its head and the massive jaws enclosing both the wheelchair and its occupant, Chris’s muffled shriek, that came from inside the beast … and then that awful moment of silence before the chewing sounds began.
“We should split up,” Jamie panted. “Maybe we can confuse it.”
Scott shook his head. “No … stick … together …”
I can’t, H thought. He wanted desperately to say it out loud, but he didn’t have the strength. I can’t keep going. I’ll sacrifice myself next.
He forced himself onward, realizing with sudden surprise that he’d fallen to the rear of the procession. The dinosaur’s roars had faded somewhat, but it was still back there, plodding along in determined pursuit. He heard saplings snapping and breaking as it pushed through the foliage. His head felt like it had when they’d first arrived in this place, and his ears began to ring as they had after the crash. Except that this time, he hadn’t banged his head. Maybe he just reacted badly to being chased by dinosaurs? H started to laugh at his own gallows humor, and then doubled over in pain as a cramp squeezed his abdomen.
Leigh glanced back at him, panicked. “You okay, mate?”
H shrugged, mouth agape, and blinked sweat from his eyes. Then he nodded.
They raced on, and the dinosaur relentlessly pursued them. The ground began to slope downward, and the trees thinned out, becoming shorter and slenderer. H spotted a grove of lush multi-colored ferns, and imagined what it would be like to simply collapse in them. Then he remembered where they were, and decided that the ferns were probably poison or carnivorous.
Soon, they reached a clearing and their descent grew steeper. The trees disappeared completely, replaced with thick stands of shrubbery and undergrowth.
“There’s a valley up ahead,” Scott called.
Geoff, now in the lead, darted toward a narrow game trail that winnowed between two boulders.
“This might throw it off,” he called.
“I hope so,” Jamie breathed. “Because there’s no trees here to slow it down.”
They ran single file down the steep and narrow path. After a short descent, the undergrowth cleared and they emerged into the valley. All five men stopped, desperately gasping for breath. H sank to his knees, groaning. It occurred to him that the ground felt odd. When he glanced down, he saw why.
“What … the fuck …?”
A mind-boggling assortment of socks—gym socks, dress socks, footy socks, children’s and baby socks—blanketed the valley floor from one side to the other. Some of them looked brand new. Others were obviously weather-beaten and worn. Weeds jutted through in some sparse places, but most of the vegetation was buried beneath the pile.
The dinosaur roared, single-minded.
“Jesus,” Geoff muttered. “Give up already, and go eat Legerski.”
Leigh boggled at the ground. “What is this place?”
“No … time … to figure it out.” Scott straightened up and pointed. “The forest continues on the other side. Come on. Maybe we can lose it there.”
Groaning, he trotted off across the valley. Jamie, Geoff, and Leigh followed. H struggled to raise his head, and watched as they waded through the multi-colored landscape. The socks came up to Leigh’s knees, deep enough to …
H’s eyes grew wide, as an idea struck him. He couldn’t keep going. It was pointless. But maybe he didn’t have to.
He burrowed through the socks, digging like a dog burying a bone, and then lay flat on his back. Then, he used his arms to scoop the socks overtop himself, not stopping until he was completely covered and could no longer see the sun. It was hot, and musty, and hard to breathe, but he stayed still, and focused on staying conscious.
I’ll just catch my breath. Just wait here and rest a bit. After it passes me by, I’ll come out and circle around. Find the others. If the dinosaur doesn’t get them …
“H!”
The voice was Leigh’s, but it was muffled and distorted beneath the layers of cloth.
Go, H thought. Just keep going, damn it …
“He fucking disappeared?” H thought that might be Jamie, but it was difficult to be certain.
He heard them frantically yelling for him.
He heard the determined dinosaur, drawing closer now.
Then, he heard them shout at each other to run.
H waited, biting his lip and struggling not to cry. The Tyrannosaurus plodded into the valley. He couldn’t see it, but he could hear it—the stuttering, staccato growls, and the steam-kettle wheezing. The plodding footfalls. The scrape of its tail against the ground. The way the socks seemed to collectively shudder as it plunged into their midst, stomping and gnashing.
He took a deep, shuddering breath, and held it.
His pulse quickened, throbbing in his throat.
He suspected the socks might have confused the Tyrannosaurus. He heard it grunting and snuffling, but quieter now.
H waited, lips quivering, eyes scrunched into slits, paralyzed with fear, but grateful that he couldn’t see the beast, and that it couldn’t see him.
Unfortunately, he didn’t see the dinosaur’s foot, either, until it crushed both him and the socks into a leaking, jellied mess of flesh and fabric.
His next vantage point was from between the monster’s clawed toes, but what he saw confused him. H realized that he was staring down at the pulped remains of his own body, but his head was missing.
He wondered where it was.
Then he saw and thought no more.