“You have to keep your cool. What do you think these people will do if you pick a fight with a bunch of kids? Their kids?” Seth pointed out.
“Fine, I’ll keep my mouth shut,” Rogue mumbled.
“Good, because if you want their help with freeing Prime, you’ll have to convince them you’re one of them,” Seth added.
“And right now, I’m not,” Rogue said.
“Not even a little.”
“Guess we’ll have to change that,” Rogue said, squaring her shoulders with a determined grunt.
At the front, Ric’s booming voice had everyone falling into a single file as they exited the gate. “Come on, people. Move it. We don’t have all day.”
Seth waved a hand toward the exit. “Lead the way.”
Sucking in a deep breath, Rogue fell into line. Her stomach churned, not from fear of pain or injury, but fear of failure. I’ve got to do this. Whatever happens today, I need to prove myself. Moran is counting on me.
Chapter 7
Rogue trudged along the narrow path, her hands clutching the straps of her backpack. On either side, the primordial forest loomed. Moss-covered tree trunks and thick, green foliage hemmed her in until she found it difficult to breathe. “Is it just me, or is it freaking hot already?”
“It’s the humidity,” Seth replied. “We can expect rain later on.”
“How do you know?” Rogue asked, wiping away the sweat that beaded on her forehead.
“I just know,” he said.
“A real wild-man, huh?”
“I’ve had to be,” he replied.
“I guess so. Anyway, could you not tell my mom why I was kicked out of Prime, please?” Rogue said, lowering her voice.
“It’s not my story to tell,” Seth said with a shrug.
“Thanks,” Rogue muttered. “I’m not sure how she’ll react.”
“I think she’d understand. It was an accident, wasn’t it?”
“A very unfortunate one,” Rogue muttered. “And all because of a dumb egg. I swear karma’s out to get me.”
“Because of the hunt today?” Seth said.
“Exactly. And guess what I got for breakfast?”
“I’ll go out on a limb here,” he said with a teasing grin. “Eggs?”
“You got it. I nearly choked on them too,” Rogue said with a shudder.
He chuckled. “I’d have loved to see your face.”
“I bet you would have,” Rogue said, a smile tugging at her lips.
Despite Brittany’s snide comments, she felt better already. Seth had a calming effect on her, and she enjoyed their constant banter. If only it wasn’t so damned hot.
After a while, the path broadened out, and the forest receded to arm’s length. When they reached a small clearing, Ric paused to let everyone bunch together. “We’re taking a five-minute break, people. Keep it down, and don’t wander off, please. This is Dryptosaurus territory.”
Rogue flashed Seth a wild look. “Dryptosaurus?”
Seth frowned. “Just stick close to me.”
Rogue obeyed, squatting next to him in the shade of a small bush. She opened up her backpack and discovered a bottle of water, a couple of wrapped sandwiches, and an apple. There was also a knife and a thick roll of cloth.
“What did you get?”
“The same,” Seth said, rummaging through his items. “Your mom packed for me.”
“Me too,” Rogue said, taking a few sips of water.
“At least, I got my crossbow back,” Seth said, pointing to the weapon with its quiver of bolts on his back.
“I’ll hide behind you if we get attacked,” Rogue said with a nervous smile.
“You do that,” Seth replied. “A Dryptosaurus is no laughing matter.”
“I know,” Rogue said, swallowing hard. The average Dryptosaurus was eight feet tall, seven and a half meters long, and weighed more than a ton. Its claws were big enough to tear a man in two and accounted for its name: Tearing lizard.
Olivia appeared next to them and hunkered down. “Mind if I join you two?”
“Of course not,” Rogue said.
“Um, Lillian. About earlier with Ric…” Olivia said with a hesitant look.
“I’m sorry I called him an asshole, but he didn’t have to humiliate me in front of everyone like that,” Rogue said, switching to defense mode.
“I know, and I’m sorry about that. He can be a difficult man.”
“No kidding.”
“Anyway, all I wanted to ask is that you give him a chance. His heart is in the right place,” Olivia continued.
“Really?”
Olivia nodded. “He cares about the community, and he’d do anything to protect it.”
Rogue sighed. “I suppose I can understand that.”
“Just try to get along with him. For me, please,” Olivia added.
“Fine. I’ll try,” Rogue said. For a moment, she debated mentioning Brittany’s snide comments but decided against it. There was no point unless the situation escalated further. Besides, I can’t let a bunch of teens upset me like that.
Olivia squeezed Rogue’s hand. “Thank you.”
Rogue decided to change the subject. “By the way, what’s the cloth for?”
“To wrap your eggs in,” Olivia said. “We don’t want any to get smashed on the way home.”
“Ah, okay,” Rogue replied, fingering the thick material.
Olivia settled down next to her while Seth devoured his sandwiches. Rogue debated eating her apple, but her stomach churned at the thought of food. Not with a carnivore roaming the area. She stared into the depths of the forest. Within its gloom, she imagined a predatory form, ready to pounce.
Olivia noticed her unease. “Don’t worry, sweetie. Ric posted guards. We’ll know if anything comes our way.”
That news did little to allay her fears, and Rogue toyed with her shoelaces. When the break was over, she jumped to her feet, eager to move on. This time, Ric kept the group moving close together with armed guards circling the perimeter.
The minutes dragged on as they walked, and Rogue zoned out after a while. It was hard to stay alert all the time. Luckily, Seth had no such problem. When a loud crack sounded in the distance, he grabbed Olivia and Rogue by the wrists. Yanking them to the ground, he hissed, “Stay down.”
Rogue’s heart pounded in her chest as she huddled next to Olivia. The rest of the group had also hunkered down while Ric and the guards stood poised to fight.
Seth gazed at
