Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The Search

Synca has no idea where Storm could possibly be. He figures he shouldn’t be too far away, but he doesn’t know for sure. So Synca decides he’ll simply search. First, he’ll check places he knows Storm has been. Perhaps he returned to those locations. He visits Storm’s old nest. No sign of him. Before he leaves, Synca pays his respects to Kano and Longtooth. He nudges their snouts with his own. He’s seen other Tyrannosaurus’ do this, so he will too. Then, he moves on. Synca checks the hill where he and Storm fought with the Triceratops all those years ago. The last place Synca saw his friend. Once again, no sign.

The day is hot, so Synca must stop frequently to refresh himself. While resting at a small pond, he sees something interesting. Two T.rex siblings pass by with a group of juveniles trailing behind them. The brother is heavily scarred and some of his spine is exposed. His sister is more slender and has fewer scars, but is clearly a fighter. As they leave, Synca realizes just how diverse families can be.

After his encounter with the T.rex siblings, Synca keeps moving. He’s having very little luck finding any sign of Storm. But then, a breeze carries the distinct scent of a Tyrannosaurus straight to his nostrils. It’s Storm’s scent! Synca shrieks in joy and takes off in the direction of the smell. For a second, he loses the trail. Synca backtracks until he finds it again. Synca carries on, but more slowly this time. He doesn’t want to lose the trail again.

Synca has been following the trail for a little over two miles. He comes across a river and for a moment is caught off guard. He has trouble tracking scent through water. Synca crosses to the other shore and goes up and down the bank looking for the trail. Finally, he finds it a dozen yards downstream. As he continues on, he hears something. He couldn’t tell what it was at first. Synca stops to see if he can hear it again. After a moment, he hears it. An earth shaking bellow. But Synca does not recognize this roar as belonging to Storm. He knows it from someone else. And with that, Synca bolts at full speed in the direction of the roar. He soon realizes he’s still following the scent trail. The roar came from the same location as Storm.

While he runs, Synca notices a steady increase in elevation. He’s going uphill. Synca ignores the branches whipping pass his face. He ignores the thorns. He ignores everything. He has only one goal in mind. Reach Storm.