The Fight To Survive: A World Away- Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Pain

It’s been about a month since Brush was injured. His leg still hasn’t healed fully and the drought has not broken. But Star and Vega are managing to keep themselves and Brush alive. It’s time to go hunting again, so Star nudges Brush and turns to go with Vega.

Star and Vega decide to try a small oasis about two miles away. They’ve noticed a number of Protoceratops visiting it lately. As they arrive, they see they were right. A large herd of the sheep sized ceratopsians are grazing. Star zeroes in on a juvenile that has wandered away from the herd. Vega rushes in and gets between the juvenile and the rest of the herd. He then roars loudly to get the herd running. The juvenile tries to run past Vega, but can’t. Then he turns around to escape in the other direction, only to find Star blocking his path. The Protoceratops may be young, but he can still fight. Vega and Star circle the ceratopsian, waiting for an opening. The Protoceratops keeps his frilled head and beak pointed at his attackers. Then, Star comes in from behind and slashes it’s back legs. The ceratopsian turns to fight off Star, only to have Vega attack him from behind as well. The Protoceratops realizes he can’t hold Star and Vega back with them being able to surround him. The young dinosaur suddenly runs between Vega and Star towards a tree. Once he reaches it, he backs up against it so it can guard his back. Now Vega and Star have to face him head on. Star looks at Vega. They both know this is not how they wanted to fight this Protoceratops. The two tyrannosaurs do a couple of mock charges to try and get the juvenile to charge them and leave the safety of the tree. But the Protoceratops won’t budge. In fact, Star gets a little too close and the Protoceratops manages to bite his lower jaw. Star leaps back and roars in pain. Then, he comes up with a plan. He looks at Vega and motions toward the Protoceratops’ snout. Vega gets the idea and attacks. He bites down on the ceratopsian’s snout and beak and shoves it into the sand. He holds him there to keep him from fighting back. Star then moves in for the kill. The Protoceratops’ frill is lifted up slightly, exposing his neck. Star bites down and slashes the trachea. Vega lets go and the ceratopsian slumps to the ground. Star and Vega start to eat the carcass so it’s easier to take back to Brush, but the fight has attracted some unwanted attention. Vega looks up to see Sickle and the gang closing in. He and Star go back to back in order to protect each other. They each roar at the raptors, who screech back. One of Sickle’s gang members leaps forward, only to be swatted away by Vega’s tail. Another goes for Star, but he manages to swing his head at the incoming raptor and send it flying. Sickle scolds them for not waiting for the signal to attack. Now the tyrannosaurs are too alert and won’t be surprised to easily. Sickle tells the gang to retreat, but not before slashing the disobedient raptors tails. When a raptor does something against the pack’s code, they get a slash on their tail. Five slashes, and your dead. Sickle gives one last snarl at Vega and Star, then moves on.

Back at the watering hole where Brush is, the ground begins to shake. Brush wakes up from his nap to see what’s coming. Then, an enormous shadow looms over him. Brush cries out for help as loudly as he can.

Star and Vega hear the cry instantly and charge back to Brush. Upon arrival, Star sees a horrific sight. There, standing with Brush struggling in his jaws, is Redeye. Redeye bites down with tremendous force, crushing Brush. Star roars in complete and utter madness. He tries to charge Redeye, but Vega stops him. Then Star realizes he has no chance against Redeye, not yet. Redeye roars back at Star and Vega. The two dinosaurs then turn tail and run the other direction. Redeye does not bother to give chase. There will be time for that later.