She actually had a fire going! Running back over to the stand of trees, she gathered as much dry or almost dry wood as she could find. Fortunately, there appeared to be a good supply. Very soon thereafter, she had a nice fire roaring and had warmed up considerably. Because some of the wood had been damp, the fire smoked a lot, but she didn’t care, at least she was warmer. Although she wasn’t big on jerky, she pulled out a couple of strips and settled down to eat, munching hungrily and wishing for a nice hot cup of coffee as well.
Riley was just deciding to walk a short distance to the top of the small hill to her right when in the distance she saw five or six figures approaching. Thank God! They had finally come for her. Excited, she stood up and waved her arms, yelling and laughing as they neared. They were dressed much the same as she, but appeared even more burdened by the weight of the clothing. They were still too far away for her to see their faces clearly and their progress was slow through the knee-deep snow. They all carried tall walking sticks and she decided she probably would need one as well. One of the sticks she had gathered for firewood fit well for the purpose. She caught up the back pack and put it on, eagerly awaiting their approach. They were within fifteen or twenty feet when she finally got a good look—and froze. Something was not right.
Nothing could have prepared her for the first sight of these men. They were a hideous group; heavily built and squat, with protruding eyebrows and broad noses dominating their faces, with low, flat elongated skulls and receding chins. She was taller than even the tallest of the bunch, none measuring over five feet six inches at best. Stringy, dirty hair trailed from their large heads and the lower part of their faces. They were covered in a mishmash of animal pelts, and the skins they were wearing were filthy and poorly tanned. Altogether, they were the ugliest bunch of men she had ever encountered.
They reminded her of pictures of gnomes she had seen as a child. The leader of the group—she presumed he was the leader—a red-haired, snaggle-toothed nightmare, moved closer to her, poking at her with his spear and making unintelligible sounds. Every single one was brandishing a club or spear of some sort and they approached her warily, as if they were stalking her. Totally frightened now, she backed up slowly as they formed a circle around her, poking, prodding and grunting excitedly.
* * *
Nathan had seen the smoke. Who wouldn’t have? The idiot who had made the fire either wanted to be found or was too stupid to realize he had sent out an invitation to everyone or everything lurking in the area. He didn’t like venturing into this section, too many of the others skulked around here and he didn’t like having to pretend he was one of them, although he had gotten pretty good at it over the years. Beside him, Demon, his partner in hell and his last contact with his previous life, padded along, stopping each while to sniff the air and check for intruders. Born of the huge female Mastiff, Lila, who had originally accompanied him, Demon was the only surviving pup of her litter.
She had mated with a wolf and when the pups were only a few weeks old, a cave lion had attacked and she had been killed along with most of her pups. Nathan found bits and pieces of her and the pups when he returned later. Demon had only survived because he had managed to crawl into a rock fissure too small for the cave lion to follow. He named the pup “Demon” for the spunk the pup showed when he tried to pull him out, fighting and biting before Nathan managed to pull the pup free from the small opening. Demon was huge, bigger than his mother had been, with the wolf genetics as well, and his intelligence and canine abilities had proven invaluable on more than one occasion. They respected each other and he never left the cave that Demon wasn’t at his side.
Demon stopped, going rigid, his hackles rose and a low growl rumbled from his chest. Nathan knew from experience that the only thing that would garner that response from the dog was danger and, more particularly, the others. The dog hated the others. Demon crouched down and ran to the top of a small hill ahead, his bearing cunning and wary. Nathan crouched down as well and followed the dog. Waving his hand, he motioned for the dog to be still while he took a better look. Down below, the others were circled around a single, taller figure, shoving and hitting at him, all the while grunting and squealing like a bunch of rabid pigs. The man was fighting and holding his own, but without help, he wouldn’t last. As Nathan watched, he realized the individual was using fighting techniques he used as well—techniques beyond the abilities or training of the others.
Nathan waved the dog forward. Demon sprang up and rushed down the hill, barking and growling and snapping as he forced his way through the others. Nathan hurried behind, pulling a long knife from his pack and hefting a war club in preparation for battle. Whooping savagely, he entered the fray.
The gnomes continued to shove and strike at her, never really delivering any severe blows, but hard enough to hurt, and she was bleeding from several small cuts. Thankful that Jonas had spent so much time on hand-to-hand combat, Riley whirled, punching and kicking as he had instructed, somewhat clumsily in the heavy clothing, but managing to make contact from time to time. She knew her chances of ultimately prevailing were minimal at best, but she wasn’t ready to give up. She was beginning to tire when one brute rendered her a hard blow, knocking her to the ground. Panting from her efforts, pain throbbing from various areas of her anatomy, she cowered, resigned and awaiting her fate.
From out of nowhere, a huge white dog crashed through, biting and snapping, forcing the gnomes back and keeping them from advancing any closer. Amazed, she could only stare as the huge beast ripped and tore pieces of hide and flesh from her attackers. Bones crunched loudly as his huge jaws clamped first on one and then another, screams erupting as he pounced. Backing off, the gnomes regrouped, advancing as one upon the dog who never gave an inch of ground, his teeth bared, gnome-blood dripping from his huge maw.
From the same direction the dog had come, a much taller gnome entered the fight, swinging a heavy club and yelling like a banshee. The dog latched onto the leg of one of the gnomes, his jaws clamping down in a death grip. The creature screamed, attempting to dislodge the dog, but the dog only held on tighter. The new individual swung a club, landing a blow to the nearest head, knocking the creature to the ground. The gnomes backed off, clearly intimidated by the newcomer. The dog allowed him to pass, his eyes intent on the original group. The new gnome or troll stared at her out of a face from some misbegotten nightmare. He smiled, or she thought he smiled, but with his broken, dirty teeth, it might have been a grimace or a snarl.
* * *
Nathan stared down into the first human face he had seen in over five years—and a woman to boot—a really good-looking woman! Stunned, he forgot who he was or what he was doing, and forgetting how he looked, he smiled, immediately regretting it by the horrified look on the woman’s face. Better get her out of here before one of the others claimed her. He reached down to help her up.
Riley scooted back as the big one reached for her. The others were muttering and grunting among themselves, angered by his intrusion, but clearly intimidated by the much larger gnome. Riley fought to stay out of the big one’s grasp, but he was quicker than she and grabbed a handful of her hair as she scurried away. Jerking her back, he hoisted her over his shoulder and started back the direction from which he came, with Riley hanging over his back like a big sack of potatoes. The dog paced behind, covering their retreat.
Riley screamed hysterically, kicking and fighting but he kept walking, her movements seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever. She pounded his back with her fists, clawing his neck and pulling his dirty hair, frightened and enraged by this turn of events.
“If you don’t lie still,” the troll said in perfect English, slapping her sharply on the butt, “I’ll leave you to them.”
Startled, Riley quieted down, amazed that this thing had actually spoken to her, and that she could understand him.
“What the hell is going on?” She screeched, trying to kick free.
“Shut the hell up, or they’l
l be on us again,” was his only reply. The dog growled, baring its teeth, daring her to move. Under the circumstances, she decided it was best to just be silent for the time being.
After they had cleared a small rise out of the sight of the group, he dropped her to the snow-covered ground. She landed face down. The dog moved towards her, stiff and menacing. “Back,” he directed the dog, “stay.” The dog settled down, watching her every move, waiting for her to make one he didn’t like.
The gnome reached down and grabbed her arm, hauling her to her feet. He tied a length of leather to her wrist and started off, pulling her behind. She considered kicking him or hitting him, but the dog was watching closely and she didn’t have the nerve to take the dog on. He had already proven he was capable of inflicting some major pain on the unlucky recipient. Besides, this troll seemed the better option, at least he hadn’t made any attempt to hurt her and he could speak English. She trudged behind him, watching the landscape, hoping the research team was nearby and would come to the rescue. Sparing little interest, her captor dragged her along behind him, jerking on the leather thong if she lagged behind.
Nathan pulled the woman behind. For the moment, she was following peacefully but he wasn’t convinced that she wouldn’t try something again soon. He could hardly believe she was here! Who was she and whatever had possessed her to come here in the first place? Part of him was elated—another human being, and a beautiful woman to boot! The other part was concerned. She appeared confused by her surroundings and very unhappy at seeing him. Surely, if she was here, she knew about him. Bethany would have seen to that.
CHAPTER SIX
Riley was getting pretty tired of the whole outdoors thing when they neared a rock wall. Pushing on a huge boulder, the creature rolled it to the side and an opening appeared. He motioned her to enter, following her in along with the dog and then rolling the great rock back across the entrance. Walking to the rear of the small cave, he moved a portion of the back wall ingenuously contrived to look like solid rock. Again, motioning her to enter, he followed her, the huge dog trotting behind. She stepped hesitantly in and stared in shock. The inside was homey and neat. Handmade chairs were grouped around a roughhewn table. Slate rock, covered by animal skins, formed the floor, and a rock fireplace situated in one corner, spread its welcoming warmth. The troll lit several oil candles and the room lit up even brighter. He pointed to a chair and Riley thankfully sat down. Her feet were soaked and freezing.
Pushing aside another skin, the troll entered another room to the far end of the cave. She could hear him moving around as she nervously waited for him to reappear. The dog sat in front of her. She lifted a hand to scratch her nose and a growl rumbled in his chest. Hastily, she dropped the arm, barely breathing.
“Demon, quit harassing the lady!” His voice came through the opening. “He doesn’t like strangers and he especially hates the others and I guess he thinks you’re one of them since you were down there.”
Unable to think of anything coherent to say, Riley sat there, glaring at the dog.
“And don’t look him directly in the eyes,” the voice instructed. “Wolves view that as a challenge.”
Riley quickly dropped her eyes, eyeing the dog sideways. Good grief, how was she to know that she’d accidentally challenged this huge brute. He was so close; she could feel his hot, fetid breath on her face. Anytime now, he would lunge and rip her throat out, she was just sure.
After what seemed like an eternity, the skin was pushed back and a normal looking man came out. Her mouth hanging open, Riley could only stare in surprise. He stood approximately six foot plus several good inches, black clean hair curled down his neck, with eyes the color of warm caramel, surrounded by lashes so long and thick, she was immediately jealous. A shy smile stretched his full, slightly sensual lips over straight white teeth. Clad only in a pair of soft leather pants held up by a leather thong, he was a work of masculine art, muscles bulging in all the right places. A soft mat of dark hair covered his upper chest, extending in a V down to the top of his trousers. Riley gulped, embarrassed to be caught staring, but unable to look away.
“Why were you dressed like that, like some cave man or something? And what happened to the teeth?”
“You mean like a Neanderthal?” He waited for her reaction which came immediately.
“Neanderthal? Are you crazy? No, I mean like those Eskimos or whatever they are! Neanderthals died out millions of years ago. I may not be an anthropologist, but I know that much.”
“Actually, more precisely, they died out approximately 30,000 to 50,000 years ago, depending on whether it’s Asia or Europe.”
“Thanks for the really important information. I’m a botanist; I didn’t study the evolution of man.”
“Do you have a name?” He asked.
She nodded.
He waited expectantly and when she didn’t respond further, “Okay, so what is it?”
Riley’s mind blanked. She knew she had a name, but what was it? “Riley, my name is Riley, Riley Ames.”
“Okay Riley, Riley Ames, what are you doing here and why were you with the others?”
“I’m here on a research project,” she explained.
He tilted his head, searching her face. “Research? What research project? There’s no research project here. Just me.”
“You must be wrong. I’m part of a research team. I seem to have gotten lost or something.”
He studied her, his lip curling in amusement. “I don’t know why you’re here but I get the impression you have no idea where ‘here’ is.”
“What do you mean?” This was getting too weird.
He sat down, facing her. “Here is approximately 40,000 years before the time you were born.”
She snorted. “Give me a break. Do I look stupid to you?”
“No,” he conceded, amused, “just really, really confused.”
“There’s no way in hell I’m going to believe that this is 40,000 years ago. Just help me find the rest of the research team and I won’t bother you any further.”
Nathan continued his cross-examination. “How did you get here?”
Riley mentally went back over the steps that led her to this place. “I got a job which was supposed to be an on-site research project and then this morning, Dr. Collins had me dress in this outfit, and then I walked through this door, and here I am. Sounds stupid, but believe me, that’s what happened.”
“Dr. Collins? Do you mean Dr. Bethany Collins?”
“Exactly. By the way, who are you?”
“I’m Nathan Collins.”
Riley jumped on the information. “The Nathan Collins? Nephew to Dr. Collins! The one who disappeared five years ago?”
He grinned, those full lips curving sensuously. “So you know about me? Who spilled the beans?”
“Jonas—you know, your good old buddy! But what are you doing here? I’m getting more confused by the minute,” she growled in exasperation.
Nathan turned away, unable to prevent the frown spreading across his face and not willing to alarm her. “I’m here because I chose to be. But why are you here?”
“I told you already. I’m part of a research team good old Aunt Bethany was putting together,” she snapped, beginning to believe she had been scammed.
He looked back. “And I told you—there is no research team here and there won’t be one!” He enunciated clearly.
The dog growled, empathetic to his emotions.
Frustration caused Riley to snap further. “So what you’re telling me is that somehow, someway, I’m back in time 40,000 years ago, in the middle of nowhere and my only company is you?”
“Afraid so. Better get used to me. I don’t suppose Aunt Bethany told you there’s no going back?” He bluntly stated.
Riley froze. “What do you mean—there’s no going back?”
“Just what I said, there’s no going back. The door only swings one way.” He stood up and walked over to the fire.
“Good old
Aunt Bethany only told me that I would be away for an extended period. She never said anything about forever.” Really angry now, Riley jumped up and paced the floor. “I want to leave now. I’m going back and you’d better call Dr. Collins to come and get me!” She stomped her feet, like a child she thought.
His voice softened. “I wish I could—I wish you could go back, but I wasn’t kidding. The door only opens one direction, and that’s on the other end. You can’t go back home.”
“We’ll just see about that! I’m going back out there and I’m going home. You can’t keep me here. It isn’t legal. Open this door!” She stormed to the moveable rock wall and waited for him to open it.
“Whatever you want,” he said as he slid the door open, “it’s your funeral.”
Faltering, she stopped, “Wha…what do you mean?”
“I mean if you go out there after dark, and it’s after dark now, you could run into a cave bear, or if you get really lucky, you might even run into a saber toothed cat. There’s still a few of those running around.”
“That’s ridiculous! And if you think I’m going to believe all this garbage you’ve been handing me, you’re crazy!”
“Think what you want, but before you step outside, consider that I might be telling the truth.” He rolled the huge rock aside, motioning for her to go.
Riley's Journey Page 3