Flyers

by Scott Ciencin

  “Maybe they’ll go to sleep,” Amanda said. “Then everyone can just sneak out of the lagoon. We could go, too.”

  “I don’t think so,” Alan said.

  Eric agreed. “There’s been plenty of sightings of these guys since they left Isla Sorna, but none of them mentioned the young. So I’d say all the stories of people spotting them were made up: people looking to get their names in the papers, or thinking they saw something they didn’t see.”

  “It would make sense that the flyers would adopt a nocturnal lifestyle,” Alan said. “Sleep during the day, hunt at night, keep away from highly civilized areas to avoid detection and capture.”

  “Pteranodons spent most of their time in the air,” Eric said. “They had to eat almost constantly to have the energy to fly.”

  “Then those people out there . . . they’re a food supply!” Manly said.

  “It might not be that,” Eric said quickly, realizing Josh might panic. “Back on the island, all the dinosaurs and the Pteranodons were caged. Humans kept them penned. Maybe they just want to keep the people where they can see them. That way, they won’t feel threatened.”

  Josh nodded and looked away.

  Eric exchanged glances with his mom and Alan. None of them were buying that story for a minute.

  Neither was the reporter. Manly leaned against the wall as he waited for the computer to connect. “All right. So you want to deal with this head-on? Let’s. What did you mean before about how Pteranodons ‘did’ this or they ‘did’ that? What we’re dealing with outside are Pteranodons, right?”

  “That’s actually the first intelligent observation I’ve heard you make,” said Alan.

  “Boys,” Amanda broke in, “don’t fight.”

  Alan drew a deep, shuddering breath. “Keep in mind, we’re not dealing with Pteranodons plucked out of time and dropped on our doorstep. These are genetically engineered replicas based on limited DNA, the current scientific thought at the time of their ‘construction,’ and whatever whims the human programmers had when they were designing these flyers. They may have thought the Pteranodons could be trained like seals to perform in shows, so the creatures were given a more advanced intellect and the strength to perform stunts like plucking an actor from a crowd and flying away with him. Who knows what was on John Hammond’s mind?”

  “More dinosaurs,” Amanda said.

  Alan shook his head. “Ah—no. Pteranodons aren’t actually dinosaurs. Their anatomy is different, so they’re not classified that way. They’re flying reptiles that existed pretty much through the Mesozoic, the 250-million-year span when dinosaurs walked the Earth.”

  Amanda crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, whatever they are, they’re not our problem this time. People will come and deal with them, and until then, we’re safe and we’ve got everything we need. We’ve got food and water, we’re in a defensible locale—”

  “For the moment,” Alan said.

  “There’s no reason for going out there, for risking any of our necks. Let the trained professionals deal with this.”

  “Yeah, about that,” Manly said, pointing at the computer screen. The machine had finally logged on.

  They watched an Internet broadcast of the helicopter going down in solemn silence.

  “Well, listen,” Manly said. “The authorities—”

  “They’re not equipped,” Eric said in a low voice. A dozen more terrible scenarios of failed rescues raced through his mind.

  “Neither are we,” Amanda said.

  “My dad’s out there,” Josh said. “You said those things feed at night. It’s almost night right now. All those people—it could have been any of us!”

  “There might be a way,” Alan said, looking at the map and describing some ideas that had been forming in his mind.

  “Okay,” Amanda said. “New plan . . .”

  Trapped within the tram, the Pteranodon with lightning markings struck the same spot on the transparent wall over and over. Slowly, finally, a tiny crack appeared. The longer and harder he hit it, the more hairline fissures stole out from the central point of impact.

  Soon he would be free.

  CHAPTER 16

  Eric felt the pressure of Josh’s gaze as the group prepared for what was ahead. Josh expected so much from him—but what could Eric do?

  “Josh, listen,” Eric said. “I know you had a lot of ideas in your head about me from reading my book, but you have to understand—I didn’t do what I did on Isla Sorna because I wanted to be a hero. I wrote the book because I had to get this stuff out of my head. I was having nightmares like every night. And so many people had questions. That’s why I did it. But I’m not—”

  “You don’t have to say anything else,” Josh said. “I already figured out you’re nothing special.”

  Anger sliced through Eric. “Fine. Just remember that you were here for those three summers straight, which means you know more about this place than most of us. That puts the responsibility on you.”

  “Right,” Josh said. He turned away from Eric and went back to the park manuals.

  Eric sat in a corner and watched the others.

  “I’m coming with you,” Manly said as Alan snapped on a pager set to vibrate.

  Alan stared at him with contempt. “Give me one reason I should trust you.”

  Manly’s smile was thin. “I’m a coward. I want to live. And I don’t think that’s going to happen if there’s no one out there watching your back.”

  “That’s two reasons. Fine. But the camera stays here.”

  The reporter hesitated, then agreed. Alan looked at the three who would be staying behind.

  “You’re sure you know what to do?” he asked.

  “Between the three of us, we’ll manage,” Amanda said, nodding at Josh and Eric.

  The time came for Alan and Manly to leave. Manly looked over at his camera. “Just one thing before we head out.”

  He turned the camera around, aimed it toward the floor, and stripped off the flannel shirt Alan had let him borrow. He lay down on the floor. “Josh, buddy, see if I’m in frame.”

  Josh checked. “Yeah.”

  “Okay,” Manly said. “So here it is. My ‘just in case.’ My parting gift to humanity.”

  He began a complicated series of sit-ups and other exercises. “People, what you’re looking at is the perfect ab crunch. It’s taken me a lifetime to get this down, but look at the results. And I’ve never been to a chiropractor or a back doctor in my life. Now the secret’s yours.”

  Grinning, he got up and turned off the camera. He aimed it toward Josh. “Got anything you want to say?”

  “Who’d want to hear it?” Josh asked.

  Manly waited.

  “No, nothing,” Josh said, hanging his head. “I don’t have anything to say for myself.”

  Manly looked at Alan, who shook his head and said it was time to go.

  Eric knew he might never see his mentor again. The same thought seemed to flicker before Alan, at least for a moment. Then he frowned.

  “Don’t do anything stupid,” Alan said.

  Eric’s gaze narrowed. “Look who’s talking.”

  Alan nodded sharply and went to the door. He opened it slowly, peered out, and slipped into the corridor with Manly right behind him. The moment the door closed, Amanda locked it up tight.

  They were gone—and the power of that thought made Eric feel as if the breath had been taken from him.

  “That’s funny,” Amanda said.

  “What?” Eric asked.

  “The medical supplies. I could have sworn there were more here.” She shrugged. “Doesn’t matter, I guess.”

  Eric thought about Manly and the way he left. Something didn’t feel right. Something just didn’t add up.

  If only he could figure out what it was . . .

  Alan and Manly found spray paint canisters in a storage closet. Before heading out, they sprayed their clothing and as much of their exposed flesh as they could a very dark
green. The flyers’ sight appeared to be highly advanced, and they needed to blend with the shadows as best they could.

  They took a side door that put them close to the building housing the Earthquake attraction and clung to the shadows as they silently made their way down the boardwalk to a shack overhanging the lagoon. The flyers were cawing louder than ever as stars appeared high above and a chill wind stirred the water of the lagoon. People wept and shouted. The boats rocked as the flyers leaped from one to another.

  “I still can’t figure out your angle,” Alan whispered. “Why stick your neck out?”

  “You know what your problem is, Grant? You need to learn how to use the media, not let it use you.”

  “Oh? Did Bigfoot supply that bit of advice?”

  “Whatever.”

  They reached the shack but the door was locked.

  “Not a problem,” Manly said, fishing something out of his pocket. “I did a piece for the Evening Star when I was still local, up in Toronto. Housebreakers, the tricks of the trade, how to guard against them.”

  The reporter picked the lock with a thin, sharp tool. Alan looked around nervously. It was a miracle they hadn’t been spotted. The flyers were agitated about something. Alan could feel their tension. Good. Maybe the plan will work after all.

  Manly continued picking the lock. “My father once told me, ‘Expect the worst from everyone and you won’t be disappointed.’ Well, that’s no way to live your life.”

  “I dunno,” Alan said. “Sounds reasonable to me.”

  “Exactly my point.”

  The lock sprang open and they darted inside.

  Flapping his wings, the adult male Pteranodon with the fiery markings landed on the largest of the boats in the lagoon. The time had come and they were starved. His mate, Flood; her father, the Elder; and their children Spike and Trip called to him. Their need to feed was strong.

  But where was his son Lightning? Fire had circled this place of the Keepers several times and urgently called his son, but the young Pteranodon had not appeared. Where was he? Lightning had never before ignored his father’s urgent summons.

  Had he been hurt? Had the Keepers harmed another of his children? Or was it something worse?

  The waiting had been unbearable. Slowly, Fire watched the sky darken and the bright stars appear. Then came the low golden glow from the constructs of the Keepers, which lit their feasting ground.

  A few more moments. No longer. Then—

  Cawwrrr!

  The sound made Fire’s heart leap. He looked up and saw Lightning flying toward him. There was such relief and frustration in his son’s tone that Fire was altogether convinced his son had been trapped somewhere, either by accident or design, and he had used his clever nature to claw his way to freedom.

  Fire then screeched louder than ever before, signaling his family that the feast could finally begin.

  CHAPTER 17

  The waiting was the hardest. Eric and his mom stood behind Josh, who had used the computer in the corner of the communications room to call up a live news feed. Satellite cameras were being used to relay the crisis at the lagoon. The flyers were riled up and it was almost full dark. The park’s lights illuminated the scene.

  The Pteranodons were going crazy, cawing wildly and circling the humans in the lagoon! Suddenly, they began to swoop in. One of the larger flyers reached down with its claws and plucked up a human. Then another swooped in, and another—

  PTERANODON

  Josh gasped, seeing that one of the people snatched was a dark-haired man in a blue shirt.

  “Dad!” Josh yelled.

  The screen suddenly went blank.

  “They yanked the feed,” Amanda said in horror.

  “We gotta go,” Josh said. “We gotta go now!”

  “Alan hasn’t called with the signal,” Amanda said.

  Josh rocked back in his chair, causing Eric and Amanda to jump out of his way as he darted to the control panel for the attraction’s many outdoor speakers. He flicked the on button and started the looped recording from Manly’s camera before Eric or Amanda could stop him.

  CHAPTER 18

  The sound came from the other side of the park. An angry, unmistakable hiss, a screeching, and a furious, frantic whipping of wings. It was low at first; then it rose, growing louder, moving from one part of their new domain to another.

  Fire cawwwed with concern. His son was in trouble!

  Dropping the human, he rose into the air. The feast was abandoned as Fire flew high, his mate right behind him. Lightning sounded frantic. The sounds moved and Fire soared, following them. Lightning was in trouble, Lightning was—

  Lightning was at the lagoon.

  BLACK PTERANODON

  It was a trick! He doubled back and saw Keepers climbing onto the boats and flooding into the docks. His sons were clawing and attacking as many as they could, but some were getting away!

  Screeching in rage, Fire led his mate and the Elder to the fray.

  The Keepers would pay for this.

  CHAPTER 19

  “Hurry!” Alan commanded, fumbling with the fireworks.

  “You hurry,” Manly said, his hands shaking as he primed a launcher.

  Everything had happened too quickly. They weren’t ready. Why hadn’t Amanda waited for his signal?

  Manly looked out the window. “They’re going crazy! Those people don’t stand a chance.”

  Alan looked down at the stockpile of fireworks around them.

  Grimly, he said, “Maybe they do.”

  Eric ran through the darkness, the screams from the lagoon rising. Josh was ahead of him, Amanda behind. The chilly night wind sliced through them like icy daggers.

  “Eric, we’ve got to get out!” Amanda yelled. “Eric!”

  They were racing toward the lagoon. The flyers were overhead, diving down at the terrified horde of people trying to escape.

  Suddenly, a deafening explosion came from five hundred yards off, and the shack where Alan and Manly had been disintegrated. Shards of wood and debris shot out over the lagoon as the fireworks ignited and a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors burst out. A curling, sparkling fire clawed at the night sky as streamers and rockets shot out in every direction!

  “Alan,” Eric whispered, shocked so badly his legs nearly gave out beneath him.

  Cawwhhrrr!

  In their confusion and terror, the flyers fled from the lagoon, and waves of people lapped onto the boardwalk and sped toward the street that meant freedom.

  “Dad!” Josh yelled. Not even Eric, only a dozen feet away, could hear the cry.

  Some people had been clawed; many were hurt.

  Josh saw a woman who had been in the water near his dad. Her blouse was covered with blood and she was terrified.

  “That guy you were with,” Josh said as he grabbed her arm. “The guy in the blue shirt!”

  She shook her head and tore herself away from him. “Let me go! They’re gonna get me, too!”

  The woman was lost in the crowd.

  Eric caught up to Josh. “We’ve got to go. We don’t have much time.”

  “Why didn’t you do something?” Josh hollered.

  A voice stopped him. “Josh?”

  “Dad!” Josh yelled, racing toward the smiling man. His father was shivering and drenched. He grabbed Josh in a hug, then ran with him into the crowd.

  Amanda snagged Eric’s arm. She pointed at the main thoroughfare. “Eric, the way out is this way. Come on, honey!”

  Eric saw the female flyer soar away from her disoriented family, heading across the lagoon toward the open area housing Fievel’s Playland. A man in a flannel shirt ran after her.

  Manly. If he was alive, Alan could be, too! They must have dived under the water before setting off the explosion!

  But—why was Manly following the female? The other five Pteranodons flew higher and higher, the fireworks driving them away as they rocketed into the sky.

  The other five. Six, total.

>   This time. The first time that they knew of.

  Suddenly, it all became clear to Eric. He understood what Manly was up to and knew he had to stop him!

  Manly knew he was risking his life as he raced after the female Pteranodon, but he no longer cared. The story was all that mattered. The bright, shining future he’d been chasing all his life was in his grasp—and he’d get it, no matter the cost.

  The adult flyer settled down, wings flapping, near a small storage shed. The door was open, just a crack. Pitiful chirps and cries drifted out.

  He’d been right. He stopped, drawing from his pockets the small bottle and the wide band of gauze he’d taken from the medical supplies.

  “There weren’t six of you,” Manly whispered. “It was seven all along. That’s why we saw six of you total, but only five at any one time. You’ve got someone wounded, and one of you was always staying with the flyer in the shed. Until dinnertime, anyway. Then you were going to bring him back something to eat.”

  The female spun on him, her great wings kicking up a breeze. She cawwwed and launched herself at him.

  Manly responded with an athlete’s reflexes. He pitched the bottle right at the female’s face. It shattered and the female screamed as rubbing alcohol splattered in her eyes, blinding her. Manly snatched up a piece of debris that had fallen from the explosion in the lagoon and smacked her on the side of the head. She collapsed in a heap and he bent beside her, tying her beak closed with the gauze.

  Rising triumphantly, he opened the door to the shed and peered inside. What he saw made him grin ear to ear.

  “You are going to make me a fortune,” Manly said. “On tour, coming to your town, Manly Wilks and—”

  A tap on the shoulder made him nearly jump out of his skin. He spun so fast that he never even saw the blow that sent him reeling to the ground and into complete darkness.