Chapter 3

Chapter 3 Loss It’s been a year since the first time Storm went hunting with his parents. Now Storm is five feet long and weighs a little more than sixty pounds. He and his parents are crossing the open plains to get to the nesting area. Kano and Longtooth successfully hunted down a Styracosaurus and the family had a nice meal. As they were finishing, they heard a clap of thunder and decided to head back. It was only a short walk to get back. Things were very going well and none of them could ever foresee the tragedy to come. Scarface looks out at the open plain. From his vantage point, he can see for miles. A larger than average tyrannosaur, Scarface is an impressive fifty feet long and weighs in at over eighteen thousand pounds. Scarface gets his name from the dozen or so scars that run across his snout and face, the most prominent of which is over three feet long. It starts right above his left eye and zigzags down his neck. He got that scar from the another large tyrannosaur. That dinosaur now lies dead in the ground. With murderous intent in his eyes, Scarface watches as a family of tyrannosaurs makes their way across the valley. The sky is darkening and clouds begin to form. Somewhere in the distance, thunder booms. He watches the tyrannosaurs move toward the forest. Scarface can see a small clearing with a large rock-face on the outer right edge. Even from here, he can tell that’s where they are going and that it’s their nesting site. He lets out a thunderous roar that can be heard for miles. Then Scarface begins his descent from the top of his hill. Once he reaches the bottom, rain begins to fall. Kano looked up the moment he heard Scarface roar. He immediately leads his family to the nesting area. Once they get there, the rain is coming down in sheets and lighting begins to strike. Visibility is low and the only time they can see well is when lightning strikes. The thunderstorm is ironically making young Storm very nervous. He huddles as close to Longtooth as he can. Then, the ground begins to vibrate. It’s not from the thunder. Kano and Longtooth watch as Scarface enters the nesting area. Once Storm lays eyes on the terrible killer, he bolts for a small opening in the rock-face. He turns to watch his parents step forward and take a stand against Scarface. A low growl is uttered from Scarface as he snarls at the approaching tyrannosaurs. He will thoroughly enjoy this. Kano and Longtooth roar at the intruder. They know what Scarface has done in the past and what he is perfectly capable of doing now. The only thing that matters to them is Storm’s safety. They will lay down their own lives so that he may keep his. Scarface charges the tyrannosaur parents. It’s a mock charge. Scarface does this three more times. They stand shoulder to shoulder facing the attacker. Eventually though, Kano charges back. He swings his head against Scarface’s and sends him stumbling back. The attack backfired though. Kano is momentarily dazed and disoriented. Scarface seizes the opportunity. He grabs Kano by the back of the neck. Kano roars in pain. As lightning strikes, so does Longtooth. She slams into Scarface’s flank. He lets go of Kano, but turns and attacks Longtooth. He grabs her by the snout and swings her head around. She kicks out with her long toe claws, but can not shake Scarface. He gives one more swing, then lets go. Longtooth loses her balance and the momentum of the swing causes her to fall against and smash her head against the rock-face. She slumps to the ground. Kano, in a moment of blind fury, attacks. He grabs Scarface by the shoulder. Eventually, he repositions his bite and grabs the arm. Scarface attempts to pull it out, but Kano holds fast. After some struggling, Scarface is free, but his arm is gone. That’s when he too loses it. The murderous intent in his eyes blazes like a forest fire. He charges Kano and slams him against a tree, causing the whole thing to fall over. Storm watches from his sanctuary as Scarface approaches his father who is lying on the ground, unable to get up. Kano gives Storm one more look. In his eyes, Storm can see he is saying “Goodbye my son.” Then, Scarface’s body blocks Storms view, but it’s probably best that it does. He would not want to see what’s about to happen. But he hears it. A sickening crack that can be heard even above the pounding rain sounds out. Scarface roars in victory. Then, he remembers Storm. He approaches the rock-face. He finds the small opening quickly. Storm has trouble seeing what’s happening, but when lightning strikes, soon followed by a clap of thunder, he sees it. The ominous silhouette of Scarface. Lightning strikes and he can see blood dripping from Scarface’s fangs. Storm backs up against the back of the hole as much as he can. Scarface thrusts his scarred snout into the opening in an attempt to reach Storm. But Storm was born with all the intelligence and fighting heart of his parents before him and strikes back. His small, but needle sharp teeth, slash Scarface’s snout. Scarface rears back and roars. He tries again, but Storm attacks again. After several attempts, he finally gives up and leaves. Young Storm stays in the tiny cave until the thunderstorm passes. The rains continue for a full day. When the clouds finally subside, Storm leaves his hiding place. The sight before him is unbearable. The bodies of his parents lay motionless on the ground. He nudges his mother’s nose. No response. He goes to his father and repeats the action. No response. Kano and Longtooth laid down their lives so that Storm could live on. Storm is overcome with feelings of loss and loneliness. He curls up next to his mother and falls asleep. His sleep is interrupted with nightmares of that fateful night. After another day, he awakens. The scene before him is the same. Finally, Storm accepts the truth that his parents are gone. He touches their noses one last time. Then, he moves on. He does not look back and so begins the fight to survive.