The Extinction Series | Book 6 | Primordial Earth 6

by Higgins, Baileigh

  Rogue didn’t know if she should be happy or scared and settled on a mixture of the two. She drank in each minute detail of its wrinkled hide, huge nostrils, and soft warm gaze. The sheer size of its chest was awe-inspiring, each lungful of air it took like the expansion of gigantic bellows.

  Her insides quivered when the Alamosaurus plunged its mouth into the river right next to the boat. Seconds later, it emerged, and water cascaded across the deck. She shrieked and jumped backward, laughter bubbling from her throat.

  Within seconds, Brittany and David joined them. Together, the four of them danced around the boat like kids splashing in the rain. It was a joyous occasion, one not to be forgotten. But all too soon, the moment passed. The boat continued its slow progress upriver, and the beach faded from view.

  “That was… I don’t know what that was,” Brittany said.

  “I know what you mean,” Rogue said, wiping the moisture from her face. “I’m soaked.”

  “We all are,” Seth said.

  “I guess we don’t have to worry about bathing tonight,” David quipped.

  “Let’s head in and dry off,” Seth suggested. “It wouldn’t do for any of us to get sick.”

  His words had a dampening effect on their spirits, and the euphoria from earlier faded away. Groans arose from Brittany and David, and they were reluctant to follow his suggestion.

  Seth was right, however. It couldn’t all be fun and games. Darkness was approaching fast and with it the chill of the evening. With summer on the way out, the nights were growing colder. Soon, the temperatures would plummet, and winter would descend on the land.

  Rogue didn’t look forward to it. She preferred the warmth over the cold, but she knew it was a time for renewal. A time for nature to reset itself. There was a balance to all things, even if she couldn’t see it.

  “Come on, guys. Seth’s right. We’ll catch our deaths out here,” Rogue said in a coaxing tone.

  Brittany and David gave in with reluctant sighs, and they trooped toward the cabin. Along the way, Rogue spotted Jessica and Bear standing off to the side. They were in deep conversation, oblivious to the spectacle that had just occurred.

  Rogue threw Seth a look as they walked past the duo. He met her gaze and shrugged. Deciding it was a matter for another time, she let it be. Of more concern to her was Paul’s conspicuous absence. “Where’s Paul?”

  “Moping about Sandi,” David said. He pointed toward the back of the boat, and Rogue notice Paul standing in the far corner. He looked lonely. Defeated.

  “He shouldn’t have come on this trip,” Brittany whispered.

  Rogue silently agreed.

  As they trooped past Tony, he flashed them a grin. “Have fun, did you? That was quite the sight, and I bet we’ll see more fantastic things on this trip.”

  “I hope so,” Rogue replied, slightly embarrassed that he’d witnessed their child-like display.

  Inside the cabin, they toweled themselves off and took turns to get dressed. Guys first, girls second.

  “That’s better,” Rogue said, her shivers abating once she pulled a sweater over her head. She tied her damp hair into a knot and hung up her wet clothes to dry.

  “Yeah, you’re right,” Brittany said, donning a purple long-sleeved shirt. Her bright blonde hair shone in the lamplight, the envy of girls everywhere. “I’ll tell you what, though.”

  “What?” Rogue asked, tucking her backpack away.

  “This has been the best day of my life,” Brittany said. “No lies.”

  “It’s in the top five for me,” Rogue said with a grin.

  A knock on the door turned out to be Seth. “Are you ladies hungry?”

  “Starving,” Rogue said, and her stomach growled on cue.

  “Well, I made coffee, and I’m about to start on dinner but could use a couple of extra hands.”

  “We’re on our way,” Rogue said.

  “I’m game as long as I don’t have to chop onions or garlic,” Brittany said.

  “Cheater,” Rogue said, exiting the cabin.

  They joined Seth in the tiny kitchen, jostling for space. Between the three of them, they produced a semi-decent stew served with rice and beans. It was a hot, filling meal, the kind that would fuel them through the days to come.

  Darkness stole over the river while they cooked, and Tony dropped the anchor. He lit a couple of lamps, and they cast a warm, golden glow over the deck. It didn’t take long for the insects to show up. Beetles dove against the glass lamps kamikaze style, while moths as big as dinner plates fluttered around the light. Crickets sang from the riverbank, their signature chirps melding into a symphony of song.

  Once the food was done, Rogue dished up and handed out the plates and cutlery. Afterward, she joined them on the deck and sat with her back against the railing. She took a big bite and groaned with pleasure. “Yum.”

  “Not bad,” Tony said, digging into his plate with gusto.

  “Yeah, you three can cook any night,” Jessica agreed.

  “Wait until you try my fried fish fillets,” Tony said.

  “How about tomorrow night?” Seth said.

  “Not a bad idea. I’ll even teach you all how to catch fish,” Tony said.

  “I can fish,” Seth protested.

  “Not as well as I can,” Tony said.

  “How would you know?” Seth asked. “You’ve never seen me fish before.”

  “I just know,” Tony said with a grunt. “I’m better at everything than most people. That’s how I know.”

  “Really? We’ll see about that,” Seth said.

  “Challenge accepted,” Tony replied with raised eyebrows.

  “Are we taking bets?” Jessica asked. “I feel like we should be taking bets.”

  “I’ll bet you Tony wins,” Rogue whispered to Brittany.

  “Hey!” Seth cried out. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”

  “I am. I’ll dry your tears after you lose,” Rogue said with a wink.

  He snorted. “So much for having a loyal girlfriend.”

  Everyone laughed, and they continued to joke and banter throughout the meal. Even Paul joined in. It was the perfect end to the perfect day, and Rogue hoped they’d have many more.

  Chapter 4

  The next morning, Rogue woke up to the bright rays of the sun streaming in through the tiny window in the cabin. She stretched her arms and legs, working the kinks from her joints. A faint snore from the opposite corner revealed Brittany stretched out on her back, still fast asleep. Seth and David were gone. Paul and Tony, too.

  The gentle chug of the motor told her they were no longer at anchor, and she rolled out of the hammock. Barefooted, she headed toward the stern of the boat. In a far corner, Tony had rigged up a frame with a hanging curtain. The screen provided a modicum of privacy, and she hung her butt over the edge to do her business. It wasn’t ideal, but the boat didn’t possess any plumbing. She wiped with a wad of rough leaves and tossed it.

  After pulling up a bucket of water, she headed back to the cabin to wash and get ready for the day. Brittany eyed her from her bunk bed with bleary eyes. “What time is it?”

  “I don’t know. The sun’s up, so we overslept,” Rogue answered with a stifled yawn.

  “Ugh. It feels like I hardly slept at all. The mosquitoes chowed the crap out of me,” Brittany complained. She scratched at her arms and legs, revealing angry red spots all over her body.

  “That’s strange. They didn’t bother me.”

  “It must be all that garlic you ate,” Brittany said with a shudder. “I can smell your breath all the way over here.”

  Rogue rolled her eyes. “Relax. I’m about to brush my teeth.”

  She removed her toothbrush from her bag, a homemade affair of wood and horsetail bristles. She dipped it in a bag of mixed soda ash and charcoal before brushing her teeth. A bottle of water rinsed out the gunk, and she spat it overboard.

  Next, she stripped down and washed with soap and river water before pullin
g on a set of fresh underwear. Her outfit was simple: a t-shirt and loose cotton pants. She didn’t bother with shoes, reckoning she didn’t need them on board.

  “Can I braid your hair?” Brittany asked, still lying in her bed.

  “Um. Sure,” Rogue said. She sat down on the edge of the bed and handed Brittany her comb. It felt weird to let a stranger do her hair, but kind of nice, too.

  “I used to braid my mom’s hair all the time,” Brittany explained.

  “I’ve seen your mom’s hair,” Rogue said. “It must’ve taken her years to grow it that long.”

  “I guess, but yours is lovely too. It’s such a beautiful shade.”

  “It’s brown,” Rogue said with a snort.

  “Not just brown. It’s rich and vibrant. Like melted chocolate.”

  “I can’t remember the last time I had chocolate,” Rogue said with longing.

  “Me too. That stuff ran out pretty quickly after the Shift.”

  “What happened to your dad? If you don’t mind me asking.”

  “I don’t mind. He died when I was three, and I remember very little about him,” Brittany said. “My mom never dated again, though I sometimes wish she would. She’s lonely. I know she is.”

  “Maybe she will, now that you’re gone,” Rogue said. “Maybe she felt like she had to focus on you first.”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised. She’s always been a tad overprotective.”

  “That’s because she loves you,” Rogue said.

  “True. It would’ve been way worse if she didn’t care at all.”

  A companionable silence fell as Brittany finished doing her hair. “There you go. All done,” Brittany said.

  “Thanks,” Rogue said, smoothing her hands over the thick braid that hung down her back. “Should I do yours?”

  “Nah, I can do it myself,” Brittany said, scrambling out of bed. “Besides, I need to pee. See you later.”

  “Later,” Rogue replied with an amused grin as Brittany shot out of the cabin.

  She packed away her things and stowed her bag underneath the hammock before heading out. Seth met her on deck and planted a kiss on the tip of her nose.

  “Did you sleep well?”

  “Well enough. You?”

  “Like the dead.”

  Rogue’s stomach growled. “What’s for breakfast?”

  “Tea and biscuits.”

  “That’s it?” she said, feeling let down.

  “Don’t worry. Tony promised us fried fish for supper, remember?” Seth said.

  Rogue perked up. “I remember. Too bad I have to wait a whole day, though.”

  But the hours passed by a lot faster than she thought possible. After breakfast, she and Brittany took turns mopping the deck while Seth and Paul tidied the kitchen. Jessica convinced Tony to give her a spin at the wheel. Apparently, she knew how to pilot a boat, another of her many talents. Bear took it upon himself to sharpen everyone’s blades, while David repaired one of Tony’s fishing nets.

  As the boat traveled upriver, the scenery changed. The trees receded, and the temperature dropped as they moved further north. They left the Willamette behind and braved the waters of the Columbia. Here, the river was both deeper and broader.

  Rogue studied its green depths, wondering what creatures lurked beneath. She imagined fearsome creatures such as the Clidastes, but nothing showed beyond the occasional fish. In search of food, they struck at bugs on the surface, their scales flashing silver in the sun. Water Lillies choked the riverbeds, their beautiful petals a welcome pop of color against the monotonous green.

  It was late afternoon when Tony handed the boat over to Jessica. After a long speech about responsibility, he exited the wheelhouse and gathered the rest of them around. “Right, it’s time to catch some fish. Who needs a lesson?”

  “I do,” Rogue said.

  “Me too,” Brittany added.

  “And me,” David said.

  “What about you lot?” Tony asked the rest.

  “I can fish,” Paul said.

  Bear grunted and turned away without answering.

  “Do you even need to ask?” Seth said.

  “Alright then. Help yourselves to a rod and gear in the wheelhouse. Brittany, David, and Rogue follow me,” Tony said.

  He showed Rogue and her group how to set up the line, hook, and bait. Finally, he demonstrated casting the line and left them to it. “Call me if you catch anything.”

  An hour ticked by while Rogue waited for something to happen. The sun passed overhead, and she amused herself by looking for life on the banks. Now and then she spotted a small herd of dinos at the water’s edge, but mostly it was quiet.

  “This is stupid,” Brittany said, giving up at last. She pulled in her line and handed the fishing rod back to Tony. “Have fun.”

  David caught a couple, but they were too small to keep, and Tony tossed them back. “Better luck next time.”

  “There won’t be a next time,” David said, also throwing in the towel.

  Bear caught a big one, wrestling the creature onto the deck after a thirty-minute fight. He slit its throat and hung it upside down to bleed out. Wiping his hands, he said. “I’m done.”

  Paul never said or caught anything. He simply let his line dangle in the water for a few hours before he disappeared. That left Rogue, Tony, and Seth.

  Rogue leaned against the railing with a sigh. “I’m bored.”

  “How’s that possible?” Seth asked, working his line. A growing pile of fish lay next to him, rivaling Tony’s catch. “This is the most fun I’ve had in years.”

  “Yeah, you’re not too bad,” Tony said. “Better than I thought you’d be.”

  “I told you I knew how to fish.”

  “That still doesn’t mean you’re better than me. I’m three ahead of you,” Tony said with a chuckle.

  “It’s quality that counts, not quantity. Mine are bigger than yours,” Seth quipped.

  “Speak for yourself.”

  With a groan of frustration, Rogue leaned over the edge of the boat and let her fingers trail in the water. She wondered what the river hid in its cool green waters. Monsters, definitely, but what else? Suddenly, her line zinged, and her rod nearly went flying overboard. “What the hell?”

  She scrambled across the deck and grabbed the handle. Jumping to her feet, she attempted to reel in the fish. It fought, tugging at the hook. She pulled back on the rod with all her might. It bent over until she was certain it would snap in half. Her feet slid forward until she was pressed up against the railing. “Um, guys. A little help here!”

  Tony and Seth rushed to her assistance. They danced around like two overexcited kids, shouting orders until she thought she’d go deaf.

  “Reel it in,” Seth commanded.

  She struggled to obey, turning the handle until her palms blistered.

  “What are you doing?” Tony cried. “Play the fish until it tires, or your line will snap. It’s a fighter. Let it go first, then reel it back in again.”

  Rogue gritted her teeth. “Fine. Whatever you say!”

  She let go of the reel. The line immediately ran, and the spool spun out of control. It almost seemed to smoke, it went that fast.

  “Are you crazy? I didn’t say to let go completely,” Tony yelled.

  He yanked the rod from her hands and tried to stop the reel from spinning. Seth jumped in as well, and the two men fought with the fish together.

  Forgotten, Rogue backed away from the spectacle with her hands thrown in the air. “I give up. Fishing is not for me.”

  “I’m glad I’m not the only one,” Brittany said from her spot on the deck.

  She lounged on a bench with her bare legs extended out into the sun. She’d hiked up her pants, and her skin was already taking on a deep bronze hue.

  Rogue joined her but stuck to the shade. Her pale complexion did not take well to the sun’s rays. She watched with growing amusement as Tony and Seth fought to bring in the fish she’d hooked, jostl
ing each other in their eagerness to reel it in.

  Finally, they got it out of the water, and Seth grabbed the struggling fish with both hands. Suddenly, he let go and jumped back, gripping the fingers on his left hand. “Ow!”

  The fish, a veritable monster, flopped around on the deck. Its scales shone like a rainbow, changing color with the light. Jagged teeth protruded from its lips, the reason for Seth’s injury.

  Rogue jumped up and ran over. She reached for Seth’s wounded hand. “Here. Let me see.”

  He uncurled his fingers, revealing a nasty bite mark. She examined it with minute care. “You’re lucky. It’s not deep, but I need to clean this up.”

  “Go on. There’s a first-aid kit in the cabin. I’ll gut this beauty for supper along with the rest of the catch,” Tony said with a grin.

  “I’ll help,” David offered.

  “Me too,” Paul said, joining in to clean and fillet their catch of the day.

  Rogue led Seth to the cabin, nodding at Jessica who manned the wheel. Bear sat next to her, and they were laughing about something, their heads close together.

  “What’s going on with those two?” Rogue said.

  “Don’t ask me,” Seth said.

  “Friends? Or more than friends?”

  “Don’t be nosy,” Seth said.

  Rogue yanked him into the cabin. “I’m not nosy. Just interested.”

  “Ow, and you’re nosy. Admit it.”

  “Whatever,” Rogue replied with a haughty glare. It didn’t take long to disinfect and bandage Seth’s injury. Afterward, she eyed his hands. “You’ve got crappy luck, huh? Now both your hands are shot.”

  He gave his broken fingers an experimental wiggle, but they were taped together so tightly they couldn’t move. “Just a few more weeks.”

  “Uh-huh,” Rogue said, packing away the first-aid kit. “Until next time.”

  “Look who’s talking,” Seth said, pointing to the stitches in her scalp.

  She scratched at the cut. “It’s almost healed.”

  “Yup, until next time.”

  “Touché.”

  Rogue stood up to leave but squealed when Seth grabbed her around the waist and dragged her down onto the bed. He rained kisses on her face and neck until she giggled like a schoolgirl.