“Are you ready, Lillian?” Olivia asked.
“I’m ready,” Rogue said, and this time, she meant it.
Chapter 8
“That’s it?” Rogue asked in a low whisper. She crouched behind a thick row of ferns, hidden among the shadows.
“That’s it,” Olivia confirmed, her eyes shining with excitement.
Rogue studied the nesting grounds in minute detail, noting the terrain and possible obstacles. She wanted to be prepared for anything. A lot depended on the success of the hunt, both for her and the community. I can’t afford to screw this up.
The open field formed a rough triangle sided by the river, a steep cliff and waterfall, and the encroaching forest. The ground was mostly flat and covered with tufts of grass, shrubs, and sharp rocks.
Across this were scattered the nests of several species of herbivores. They ranged from the huge but mild-mannered Lambeosaurus to the small and aggressive Zuniceratops. She noted Triceratops, Styracosaurus, Stegoceras, and Parksosaurus’ as well, all gathered for the annual hatching of their offspring.
Most of the adults were gathered along the river’s edge with its rich plant life and fresh water. But many more wandered between the nests or kept watch for predators. It sure didn’t look like an easy score to her. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Hold on,” Olivia said, disappearing to speak to Ric. After a couple of minutes, she returned.
“And?” Rogue pressed
“Since this is your first hunt, Ric wants you and Seth to go with Brittany and her friends,” Olivia said.
“Are you serious? You want us to hang with that bunch?” Rogue asked.
“I don’t see a problem with that. They know what they’re doing and can show you the ropes,” Olivia said. “Plus, they’re going after Parksosaurus eggs, the easiest of the bunch.”
“The problem is, they don’t like us at all,” Rogue replied with a frown.
“What makes you think that?” Olivia said. “It was Brittany’s idea for you to join them.”
“It was?” Rogue asked, alarm bells ringing in her head. “That doesn’t sound right.”
“I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think,” Olivia protested. “Besides, this will give you the perfect opportunity to bond.”
“I don’t want to bond with them, Mom. I don’t like them, and they sure as hell can’t stand me,” Rogue insisted. “We need another plan.”
“Well, there is no other plan. You’ll just have to do as your told,” Olivia said, her cheeks flushing with crimson blood.
“I’m not a child, and you can’t tell me what to do,” Rogue said.
“Would you two keep it down, please?” Seth said in a fierce whisper. “You’ll alert the herds.”
Rogue pressed her lips together and folded her arms. “What do you suggest then?”
“Let’s do what Ric says and join the youngsters. How bad can it be?” Seth asked.
Rogue shot him a dirty look. “Fine, but if this goes south, it’s your fault.”
“Whatever it takes to get this over with,” Seth replied with obvious impatience.
Olivia sighed. “Please, no more fighting. Brittany and her friends are waiting over there.”
She pointed to a clump of bushes off to the right. It abutted onto a section of the field covered with Parksosaurus nests. Rogue immediately spotted Brittany and gritted her teeth. “Alright. Let’s go.”
“Please, be careful,” Olivia said.
“I’ll try my best, Mom,” Rogue said, privately wondering what the teens had in mind for her and Seth.
Seth moved toward the group in a crouched run. When he paused behind a tree, he turned to Rogue. “Whatever they’ve got planned, we can handle it.”
“Yeah, I’m not so sure about that,” Rogue replied.
“Just keep your eyes and ears open, that’s all,” he added before closing the final distance between them and the youngsters.
Rogue heaved an internal sigh as she followed him. I wish I had his confidence, but at least he’s here to back me. I don’t think I could’ve done this alone.
“Hey, you two. Glad you could join us,” Brittany greeted in a stage whisper.
Rogue suppressed the urge to snort. Instead, she asked, “Well, we’re here. What’s next?”
“Next, we wait for Ric’s signal. Once he gives it, we dash onto the field, grab an egg or two, and hoof it back here.”
“That’s it?” Rogue asked with a doubtful frown.
“Try not to run into an adult,” Brittany added. “We don’t want to alarm the herds and cause a stampede.”
“Won’t they freak out if they see us?”
“Not if we stay out of their way and don’t do anything threatening. Most of the dinos are quite placid. Ric and the guards will tackle the more aggressive types.”
“Got it,” Rogue said.
“Also, don’t drop your eggs,” David said. “And if you can go back for more, do it.”
“Sounds easy enough,” Rogue muttered.
“We’ll see,” Sandi said with a flick of her hair.
Rogue stared at the girl’s purple streaks, wondering how she managed to get it that color. She’d never seen the like before, but now was not the time for stuff like that. Instead, she focused on the task at hand.
The Parksosaurus eggs were nestled together in clutches ranging anywhere from three to fifteen. Their shape was almost spherical, typical of a herbivore, and they were relatively small. It shouldn’t be too hard to grab a few.
The main problem lay with the adults. A few roamed across the field and would have to be avoided. The small bi-pedal dinosaurs were known to be mild-mannered, but at a meter high, and weighing in at a hundred and fifty pounds, they still posed a threat. Let’s not find out how tough they can be if provoked.
Rogue set her sights on a nearby nest. It was close to the forest, and no parents were around. A good target if Brittany and her friends played nice.
Seth must’ve had the same thought because he leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “You grab the eggs while I watch your back. Got it?”
Rogue nodded. “Smart.”
“And stay away from the Zuniceratops and the Stegoceras. They’re aggressive and can seriously injure or even kill you,” Seth added.
“I’ve already had a run-in with the Zuni’s.
