Based on the predator's body type I was pretty sure it couldn't climb trees. Even if it could, the thing wouldn’t be able to swing itself up onto our level floor. And why would it even want to? There was food a plenty on the surface. Unless, of course, these Peggies planned to ascend our tree to escape the creature. I was almost happy to learn of the approaching beast until that scenario came to mind.
Just as I thought that, the gantha charged the group below me with an intimidating roar. The gang leader fired two shots from his pistol as most of them scattered. Some went out of view below me, perhaps to climb up toward us. Others ran for nearby trees that were more welcoming than our sickly looking home.
A Peggy screamed in anguish as the jaw of the beast snapped down on its hip. Another shot fired then, this one striking the gantha in the back. It convulsed in pain but refused to let go of its meal. Then, just as quickly as it arrived, the thing departed with the still screaming orangutan man in its mouth.
There was some frantic discussion after that. I imagined that they were deciding what to do next. Maybe this was farther from the town's perimeter than they normally traveled. Even gangs could be preyed upon by large enough predators.
Then there was a stirring in the branches below me. I prepared myself mentally to face multiple opponents without moving an inch. I had nothing close by to use as a weapon, so I would have to do the best I could with my bare hands. Superior strength only prevailed over quicker, more flexible attackers if I could get a grip on them. I might have to dodge clubs swung at me, but the pistol holder had gone another direction.
I heard another gantha roar, then one more after that. It sounded like two different animals. One might be the injured beast that attacked a moment ago, or not. Either way, there were at least two of them and that had to be frightening to anyone left on the ground.
The orange furred Peggy thugs decided it wasn't worth taking a chance. They regrouped in the next tree. Those close enough didn't have to even touch the ground in the transition. The branches held their weight enough for their speed and agility. I spotted three leaving my tree that way. So, I had been saved by the roar after all.
A quick conversation later, they all dropped to the ground and took off like a troop of crazy baboons toward the city. Into the sunset. When the sound of their voices finally faded away, I released my deep breath and checked on Alora. She was still asleep.
Maybe she would be okay here after all. Except it didn't look like she had any food. And the gang could come back looking for her again tomorrow. I didn't seem right to leave her without at least having a discussion about her situation. Additionally, the sky was growing dimmer by the minute. I would have to assume that venturing on the ground would be even more dangerous at night.
I moved around slowly on the level platform to get a better look around. It was made of a similar material as the floors of the bar by the lake, just not as thick or stable. It swayed a bit from my weight at times, and creaked in several locations.
I couldn't spot any sizable animals on the ground or branches around me. We didn't have much of a roof above us. Just some sloped pieces of flooring that appeared to be leftovers from this makeshift project. And some foliage blocking the view above. It certainly wouldn't protect us from killer birds or snakes. I would have to ask Alora what kind of animals to expect around here. But that would have to wait until she woke up.
Satisfied that we were reasonably safe, I activated my wrist communicator. I had turned it off earlier to keep it from making unwanted noises to give my position away. I found the volume setting and put it as low as possible before placing a call to the Terran Capsule. I had a better chance of reaching the ship's comm array than a personal communicator of any of the crew.
After two minutes of trying to reach someone, I finally gave up. I must be out of range or something was interfering with the signal. Perhaps some natural phenomenon. I hadn't paid attention to how far I had walked, but it didn't seem that far. In my traumatized mental state after causing both of my wives pain, I could be completely wrong about that. I tried the personal communicators of Lin, Nancy and Portia to no avail as well. Their range was much shorter so the only chance of reaching them is if they were actively searching this sector for me. Which I told them not to do.
I was hesitant to curl up next to a teenage alien girl while she was asleep. But she chose my side for her nap. It also happened to be directly underneath the best piece of ceiling that the place offered. So, I laid down just far enough away that I wouldn't accidentally touch her should I roll around in my sleep.
It had been a long day in many ways, and fatigue finally set in. I drifted off as I was alternating my gaze between the open areas above. I had always been a light sleeper. But not every killer in nature announced its arrival. Snakes and spiders in particular had a good chance of successfully sneaking up on me. I just had to
