by Mark Leney
The survivors finally reached the top of the stairs.
The pteranodon snapped after them ineffectually, its progress impeded by its bulk not being able to squeeze up the stairway.
The survivors retreated further into the building, the frustrated squawking of the dinosaur-bird ringing in their ears.
Their mind had been made up for them… now they had no choice but to move on.
Sean led the others across the walkway that led to the stairs which would take them through the turn-styles and out of the station.
“Those things are going to be everywhere, aren’t they!” the Indian woman despaired.
“Where have they all come from?” her husband asked the question which was on all their minds, but for which none of them had an answer.
When they reached the top of the other stair case Sean turned to address the group.
The screeching of the pteranodon could still be heard.
“Before we go any further we need some sort of plan of action. When we step out of this station we don’t know what we are going to find.” He turned to the Indian couple huddling to his left. “You’re right, there are probably going to be more dinosaurs out there. Some are probably gonna be even worse than what we’ve already encountered. We’ve all seen Jurassic Park right?” Sean allowed himself a humourless smile.
“I have not seen it.” The Polish woman muttered, she ruffled the hair of her young son. “Peter loves dinosaurs, but he is too small for Jurassic Park. It would be too frightening for him I think.”
The spiky youth grinned despite himself. “I’m sure he’d find it a picnic compared to what we’ve seen so far!”
“If we are going to be staying together for the duration of this then I think perhaps some introductions are in order.” The Chinese man said.
“I am Roger Chan.” He tapped his chest, “I was on my way to work this morning.”
“I’m Michael Harper. I work on a building site.” The spiky youth said.
“My name is Anya.” The Polish woman went next. “I was taking Peter to see aquarium today.”
The young black woman raised her hand nervously. “I’m Aisha.” She said.
“Jeremy Lime, at your service.” Smiled the bald business man.
“I am Meera and this is my husband, Rav. We own our own business together.” The Indian woman said.
“Today was supposed to be our day off!” Rav sighed.
“I’m Penny Jackson and I was just going shopping. It’s my birthday today. I’m supposed to be meeting my mum. I hope she’s alright. What if a dinosaur’s eaten her or something!” the blonde girl was on the verge of hysteria despite her outward calm.
Finally they all turned to Sean.
“And what about our fearless leader?” Roger smiled.
Sean swallowed nervously.
“Sean Neal. And I’m no leader. I’m just trying to help.” He sighed.
“Well you’re not doing too badly so far.” Jeremy assured him.
The window beside him exploded inwards and the great beak of the pteranodon lanced through the shattered portal and snapped vice-like around Jeremy’s shoulders and upper body. The business man screamed and beat ineffectually at the crushing jaws that held him. His right arm had been broken and hung like a limp rag doll at his side.
Then the pterosaur’s beak withdrew, dragging Jeremy along with it.
No one went near the window. All they could do was stand transfixed with horror… listening as Jeremy’s screams faded into the distance.
Chapter Four
“We can’t go outside. I don’t want to be eaten!” Penny was crying, finally overcome by her hysteria.
“We can’t stay in here either. When those raptor things have finished eating the dead they’ll come back and the stairs won’t pose any problems for them. We can’t guarantee that they’ll ignore us indefinitely.” Sean insisted.
They were all shaken by Jeremy’s sudden demise, but they had to stay focussed on their own survival.
“And when we get outside… then what? What do we do? Where do we go? Like you said, we need a plan of action.” Rav reminded him.
“We must try and find other survivors and see if there is any place that we can use for sanctuary.” Sean said.
“Excuse me, but are we going to stand around here arguing until the next pterodactyl comes flapping along or are we gonna actually go somewhere?” Michael drawled sardonically.
“Surely the Army will be coming. They’ll help us won’t they?” Meera wondered.
“If they will find us.” Anya agreed with a shrug.
“They’ll be more likely to find us, I’m sure, if we keep moving.” Sean suggested.
“I was gonna meet my mum. She might be there now… waiting for me. If we are gonna move somewhere then can we move there?” Penny asked, her voice small.
Sean smiled what he hoped was a warm and reassuring smile.
“Of course. Why not… it’s as good a place as any. We could probably hide out in one of the big shops until the Army find us.”
No one raised any objections to this plan of action. So off they set down the stairs to face the outside world.
As they reached the turn styles they found the entrance to the station deserted as they had expected. One by one they vaulted over the electronic barriers that separated them from the outside world. There was something ever so slightly rebellious in the act of traversing the barriers in this non-conventional manner. So it was a surprise when those who had clambered over heard the familiar bleep of an Oyster card being swiped.
Penny blushed like an over ripe cherry when she found the others regarding her with quiet amusement.
“Sorry, force of habit.” She squeaked.
The kiosk that stood near the exit was open, but had been abandoned by its occupant.
Outside the story was the same. The market stalls that usually adorned Whitechapel Road lay empty, some had even been knocked over like over sized dominoes, their contents spilled and forgotten on the pavement.
It was not unusual to see the road congested with cars and the odd bus, but the fact that they were all vacant and unmoving didn’t seem real.
As the survivors stepped out of Whitechapel Station they felt as if they had stepped onto an alien world.
On closer inspection they could see that some of the vehicles appeared as if they had been put through a compactor and then when looking closer still an even worse picture was revealed to them… not everyone had made it out. Flesh and bone had been mangled along with metal and rubber.
On the bright side… at least it wasn’t raining.
Across the road stood the Royal London Hospital. Here is where they saw their first sign of human life since coming out of the Underground. Paramedics were wheeling some unfortunate individual into the hospital on a gurney.
“I suppose if there’s gonna be a major disaster you couldn’t really pick a more suitable location than outside a major hospital.” Michael smirked.
“Maybe we should just hideout in there.” Aisha suggested.
“The hospital is going to be full of people already.” Rav disagreed, “There is always the Mosque down the road. I’m sure they would give us sanctuary.”
“But what about my mum?” Penny protested.
“Couldn’t you just call her on your mobile?” Meera said.
Penny riffled through her handbag and pulled out her phone. She brandished it in front of Meera and the others displaying its cracked and lifeless screen.
“It broke in the crash didn’t it! I may be blonde, but I aint thick.” Penny sobbed, close to tears.
Michael pulled out his phone. “Here, luv. You can borrow mine.”
Penny’s brimming tears finally spilled over and she broke down, allowing herself to collapse to the pavement, her blonde hair covering her face as she wept uncontrollably.
“I can’t even remember me own mum’s number. It’s saved to the phone you see… on speed-dial… I’ve never had to reme
mber it. I just want to know she’s alright. I know it would be selfish to expect you all to come with me… but I can’t do it on my own… I just can’t!”
No one moved. No one made to leave.
It was Sean who once again took the initiative. He walked over to Penny and lowered his hand to her.
Penny sniffed and shyly brushed her hair from her eyes, she couldn’t help smiling despite her tears, glad that she’d thought to put on water proof mascara. She took Sean’s hand and allowed him to pull her back onto her feet.
Sean took out a tissue and gave it to her. He smiled at her.
“Thank you.” She sniffed as she began to dab at her eyes.
“Come on, Penny.” Sean said, “It’s gonna be a long walk to Oxford Circus.”
Chapter Five
It wasn’t long before the group had encountered its next dinosaurs.
There were seven of them spread out in the small park. These ones were four-legged and at first glance seemed rather reminiscent of very big reptilian rhinoceroses. Like rhinos they had very long sharp horns growing out of their noses. Their mouths were bony and resembled a parrot’s beak. The survivors were relieved to see that these dinosaurs appeared to prefer chomping on the plants in the park and barely seemed to notice their human on lookers.
Where the styracosaurs differed from rhinos was in the large bony frill of spikes that encircled their broad necks. Their scaly hides were a beautiful blue-green hue, as if they had been made from thousands of peacock’s tail feathers. The tail was long like a lizard’s and probably helped them to balance their heavy looking heads.
Though the styracosaurs were vegetarians it was clear that they were far from harmless.
There was no doubt that they had been responsible for the carnage on the roads.
After pausing briefly to gawp at these beautiful, but deadly creatures the survivors moved on.
As they were nearing Aldgate East Station they heard the keening bellow of something nearby.
“What was that?” Meera found herself grasping her husband for dear life.
They stopped and listened.
The cry came again. It sounded like the mournful, melancholy call of abandonment and loss, but it was certainly not human in origin. Neither, however, did it seem threatening.
When they heard it the third time they were able to pin point where it was coming from.
“It’s coming from underground!” Anya realised.
“Whatever it is, it’s not our concern. Let’s just leave it.” Roger said.
Sean was already heading towards the entrance to the underground station.
“Whatever it is it might need our help!” he called over his shoulder before descending within.
Michael followed close behind.
“This is madness!” Roger protested before he too went inside.
Penny and Aisha also followed. The rest remained outside and waited.
The cause of the crash that had so abruptly ended the morning commute of so many Londoners was waiting for them within.
The front of the train was sickeningly entangled with the twisted and broken carcass of a styracosaurus. Huge though the dinosaur was it had not stood a chance when it had suddenly appeared in the path of this strange unstoppable metal monster.
The source of the pitiful keening stood on the platform nudging its mother in a hope to awaken her from her slumber.
The baby styracosaur was about the size of a large pony and was almost a perfect replica of its adult counterparts. Only the horn on its nose was smaller and not quite as sharp, as were the spikes of its frill.
Sean approached the baby cautiously, hands outstretched to show he meant no harm.
“It’s alright. I’m not going to hurt you.” He soothed.
The baby-saurus backed away, braying fearfully.
“Hush now! It’s alright.” Sean continued. He stepped closer and reached out to touch the dinosaur’s nose.
The baby was torn between retreating further and staying by its mother. When Sean’s hand felt the bony beak of its mouth and stroked it gently the baby relaxed a little and came a little closer.
“That’s it!” Sean grinned.
“Aww! The poor thing just wants to be near its mum.” Penny cooed.
“What are you going to do?” Roger asked.
“There are others of its kind up there.” Sean replied, keeping his voice low and soothing for the benefit of the styracosaurus. “All we need to do is find a way of getting him up there to them.”
“Him? It’s a boy now all of a sudden is it?” Michael smirked.
“It might be!” Aisha laughed, punching him on the arm playfully.
“So how are you planning on getting it up the stairs and through the barriers?” Michael wondered.
Sean turned to face them, keeping one hand reassuringly on the baby’s nose.
“Simple!” he beamed.
It may have seemed like it at that moment, but Sean and his group of survivors from the train were far from being the last people alive on Earth, let alone in the whole of London.
When the dinosaur phenomenon had struck it had been instantaneous and worldwide.
Many people had taken cover in the nearest building they could find to escape from the prehistoric monsters that had suddenly and mysteriously appeared out of nowhere.
Not many had dared to venture out again since.
And so when Rav pinched a large bunch of bananas from the front stall of a nearby corner-shop the owner, peering out from within, didn’t feel particularly inclined at that moment to come out and protest too much.
Rav ran back to the entrance of Aldgate East station and handed the bananas to Roger.
“Here, but I don’t know what you expect to achieve with them, unless that’s a prehistoric gorilla you’ve got down there!” Rav chided.
“Come and see for yourself. There’s no danger. If anything we now know what caused the crash earlier.” Roger told him.
“That thing down there caused us to crash?” Meera gasped in disbelief.
Roger shook his head in exasperation. “Not the baby dinosaur, his mother. I literally don’t think she knew what hit her. It is so tragic. So much life lost.”
“You sound like you feel sorry for the blasted dinosaur. They are just animals. They shouldn’t even be here. They have no right to exist here and now!” Meera ranted.
Roger rolled his eyes and disappeared back into the station.
“What took you so long?” asked Sean as he accepted the bananas from Roger on his return.
“Sorry,” Roger smiled weakly, “I just had to endure Meera ranting about dinosaur rights or their lack of them.”
“We’ve all had to endure so much in such a short space of time.” Rav’s voice came from behind them.
They all turned to greet him.
“I see you decided to come and see for yourself after all.” Roger smiled.
“Meera can be quite full on sometimes. I thought I’d take my chances with the baby dinosaur.” He quipped.
“I heard that!” came Meera’s voice from above.
Rav ignored her and looked at the carnage of the wrecked train and the dead dinosaur for the first time. Then he saw the baby.
“I wonder how they got down here?” he said, not really expecting anyone to be able to answer.
“How did any of these things come to be here at all?” Aisha added.
“Perhaps someone along the way will be able to provide some answers.” Sean said.
“How about you start by telling us what you’re going to do with those bananas?” Roger suggested.
Chapter Six
Sean stood at the top of the stairs holding out the bunch of bananas, minus one banana.
The young styracosaur had enjoyed its first ever banana, but seemed rather perplexed that this strange two legged creature was making him climb the staggered slope to reach the other tasty fruits. Yet climb it did, slowly and with faltering uncertain steps, goaded on by words
of encouragement from the other two-legs gathered behind him. At one point his clumsy, elephantine feet stumbled on the stone steps, but one of the two-legs was there to steady him and reset him upon his upward ascent.
Finally he reached the top. The styracosaur opened his mouth and lunged for the bananas, but Sean still held them just out of reach.
“Just one more obstacle to go.” Sean cooed reassuringly.
The baby dinosaur was too big to squeeze through one of the standard turn-styles, but it might just make it through the larger gate that was reserved for commuters with wheel chairs, prams or large luggage. This gate was magnetically sealed however.
Michael and Penny had knocked upon the door of the ticketing office. The staff members cowering inside had not been expecting human company, but had readily agreed to unlock the gate mechanism before returning to their office and locking themselves once more within.
“Those velociraptors can open doors you know!” one of them had confided conspiratorially.
Now Sean backed slowly away from the baby still holding the bananas before him.
And the baby followed, quicker now that he wasn’t on the stairs. He really wanted those bananas and before anyone could blink the young styracosaur was through the gate.
Everyone cheered and it felt good in that moment to forget about all the tragedy that had occurred up until then.
Sean gladly proffered the bunch of bananas and they were greedily accepted by the baby dinosaur.
A thunderous roar broke the moment as surely as the wind breaking the bough of a tree.
It came from outside and it was followed by pounding, earth-quaking footsteps.
Something else had come in answer to the baby’s distress call and it hadn’t come to help.
“What the fuck was that?” Michael exclaimed.
They heard screaming outside. Meera, Anya and Peter ran in looking like Freddy, Jason and the Loch Ness Monster had just rolled up in a pink Cadillac.
“What’s happening out there?” Sean asked, “What did you see?”