The Arks: Over Heaven (by Ben)

Chapter 13a: Raptor Rematch

Part 1/2

Aurora and Samuel continued to follow the little dodo bird into the expansive forest. Aurora looked up at the stars so they could chart their location, and Samuel was gently rubbing his thumb across the implant he had stolen from Lil Jack. It was a dull gray, but he could still feel something coming from the gem.

“So, Samuel,” Aurora suddenly said, “You never really told me about yourself. Like what type of things you like.”

“Why are you asking me this now?” Samuel asked with narrowed eyes.

“Because, it’s good that we know each other a little bit better. That way we can work together and survive,” Aurora reasoned. Samuel pocketed the implant and sighed.

“But I’m not trying to survive, I’m trying to escape,” Samuel thought. Aurora let out a “Hmph!”.

“Fine. I’ll go first. I’d always wanted to run my own business,” Aurora said, “And, my favorite things are roses, chocolate ice cream, and cats. I love cats.”

“Chocolate ice cream?” Samuel said with a hint of disgust.

“Yes, it’s the best ice cream flavor ever! Why? What’s with that look on your face?”

“Nothing nothing,” Samuel replied.

“It better be nothing,” Aurora scoffed, “My taste is perfect.”

“Pfft.”

“What did you just say?!”

“NOTHING.”

Just then, Aurora stopped in her tracks, her eyes still pinned to the night sky.

“A green beam of light just appeared in the sky,” Aurora announced. Samuel and Star looked up at the night sky, and Samuel’s eyes widened.

“What could that mean? Should we stay away or investigate?” Samuel asked. Aurora took a spear strapped to her back and slammed it into the soft earth.

“Let’s give it a shot. Low risk, low reward. Better now than never,” Aurora deduced. Samuel sighed and unhooked his hatchet.

“Fine. Let’s check it out. Star, let’s go to the light,” Samuel ordered his dodo bird. Star nodded and started to follow Samuel. Samuel walked with Aurora toward the green light…

Until they heard the cry of a raptor.

“Rats,” Aurora whispered, “We might have trouble.”

“We can’t outrun it,” Samuel remembered Neddy’s fact that raptors could outrun humans easily, “Our only chance is to fight it.”

“But how? They’re going to eat us right up like pudding,” Aurora said with a shaky breath, “I don’t want to die.”

“None of us will die.”

There was a moment of silence, as Aurora fought to keep her breath.

“Samuel? I’m… scared.”

“Just listen to what I have to say. We will survive,” Samuel reassured her, “Have your back against mine, that way none of us can be attacked from the back.”

Aurora pressed her back against Samuel’s, and Samuel could feel her heartbeat against his.

“You need to be as calm as can be. Adrenaline can only get you so far. Take a deep breath in with your mouth, and a deep breath out your nostrils.”

Aurora did just that, and Samuel could feel Aurora’s heartbeat steady. Then, Star began to glow, and the gentle lights that came from her chest carried to Samuel and Aurora’s minds.

“My mind feels clear all of the sudden,” Aurora gasped.