The Fight To Survive: A World Away- Chapter 2

I'm sorry it's been a while since I last posted this story. The Fight To Survive: A World Away is taking longer than I'd like. But here's chapter 2.

Chapter 2

Exploration

Star wakes up two days later. He did not expect to sleep for so long, but he needed rest. As he stands and stretches his legs, Brush also gets up. They play for a few minutes before realizing Bruiser and Mag are gone. Every once and a while, they go on a patrol of their territory and this is one of those times. Star is extremely curious and wants to go exploring. Brush is a little more hesitant, but finally works up the nerve and goes with Star. They look back at the nest for a second, then head off.

Star and Brush run through the underbrush, catching insects along the way. Every few minutes or so, they stop and play. They are about half a mile from the nest when Star notices something. He stops and sniffs the air. Brush stops and does the same thing. The follow the smell to it’s source. The rotting carcass of a Protoceratops. They have no idea what killed it, but they don’t really care. Brush and Star run for the dinosaur and start tearing off small pieces of flesh. Star walks over to the neck to examine the horrific injury there. He sees a huge gash in the throat. He shudders at the thought of what did that. Then he realizes the killer might come back any second. He calls for Brush and then they run off. As they exit the clearing the carcass was in, a pair of vicious eyes watch them and the owner of the eyes flexes his toes, the deadly claw on each slashing at the air.

Star and brush begin to slow down and eventually, their run becomes a walk. The brothers are nearing the end of the oasis. As the leave the vegetation, they are temporarily blinded by the bright sun. Then, after getting used to it, Star and Brush look out at the massive expanse of sand before them. There are no plants for miles and the sky is clear. Star tentatively steps out into the desert. He feels the sand between his toes. It’s a new and strange feeling. Brush soon joins his brother. The sand is alien to him as well. Star looks at Brush and tackles him. The brothers chase each other and play in the sand without a care in the world. As Star pins Brush to the ground, they hear a snarl come from behind them. They turn to see standing between them and home, Sickle, the leader of the local Velociraptor gang. Raptor gangs are characterized by the scars they brandish each other with. All members of Sickle’s gang have a long scar on the side of each of their necks. Sickle does not like having his food messed with. He is soon joined by three other raptors. He looks at his three subordinates, then back at Star and Brush who are crouched in utter fear. Sickle then takes a step forward, baring his teeth and flashing his deadly claws. Star notices the blood on the large claw on Sickle’s foot. He now realizes Sickle killed the Protoceratops. As Sickle approaches the two baby Tarbosaurus’, a massive foot comes down between him and the brothers. Everyone looks up to see Bruiser towering above them. Sickle and the other raptors immediately retreat. Sickle turns and screeches at the Tarbosaurus family. Bruiser responds with a loud roar and that sends the raptors running. Bruiser glares at Star and Brush. Mag soon arrives and can tell what happened. Bruiser and Mag bend down. Star climbs on top of Bruiser’s head and Brush rides on Mag’s. Then, the Tarbosaurus family heads back to the nest.