Before I could change my mind, I grabbed a giant handful of muddy sand and flicked it at the croc’s eyes. Mike followed suit. My heart pounded as I watched on. Water splashed. The croc went for Jack’s throat, missing it only by inches as he twisted to the left like lightning. Then, rearing up, the woolly mammoth smashed its feet like a hammer right down on the SuperCroc’s head.
The reptile lay motionless, seeming disoriented from the heavy blow. Lesson learned: Don’t ever mess with Mama Shaggy.
I flinched as the armored beast suddenly moved, gliding slowly toward the deeper part of the river. It slipped silently into the glittering water and sank like a submarine. Bubbles rose to the surface, and then all was still. I clutched my chest while I caught my breath; I realized that was becoming a bit of a habit. Tears welled, threatening to spill down my cheeks. Jack was safe, and once again, I knew I could never live without him.
Holding in my breath, I quickly scoped out the area. I waited a moment before I dared to start breathing again. Grabbing Mike’s and Jack’s hands, I pulled them eagerly to shore. I sloshed through the water, mud, and sand until my feet reached dry land. A wave of relief swept through me. Water dripped from my hair and poured from my clothes. A glint caught my eye: Water droplets, glittering in the sunshine, rolled off Shaggy’s long woolly coat as she lumbered like a giant hippo to her baby waiting by the edge of the forest.
Mike gripped my hand and led me toward one of the big slate rocks lining the riverbank. I pulled away as he sat down. There was no way Jack was getting off scot-free after playing action hero. Hugging and punching Jack at the same time, I cried, “What were you thinking?”
He leaned forward, hands resting on his knees as he breathed heavily in and out. “I only planned on stalling it for a second to give you two a head start. Trust me, I was right behind you, but if worse came to worst, I had a trick up my sleeve. There’s a pouch in the croc’s throat that keeps it from drowning. I knew if I stuck my arm down there and punched it, the darn thing would have no other choice but to let go or drown.”
“Yeah, if its teeth didn’t tear you to shreds first.” I touched his face, tears sliding down my cheeks. “Thanks for saving my life, but please, no more Mike stunts.”
Jack wiped one of my tears away and gazed into my eyes. “When it comes to protecting you, Casey, I can’t say I won’t go to any lengths.”
From the tone in his voice, I believed every word. I rested my head against his strong chest, and he softly stroked my hair. “Thanks, Jack. I feel the same way. I’m sorry I got so upset, but the thought of losing you just…well, I was scared to death.”
He held me close. Jack had risked his life to save mine, and that kind of stuff only happened in books or movies—or maybe dreams too.
Mike slapped his back. “Glad to see you’re okay, bro. Please don’t try that ever again.” He pointed to himself, his eyes wide. “Even I wouldn’t have tried something so stupid.”
“Well, Mike, now you know how we feel when you pull your crazy stunts.” I wiped my muddy hands on my soaking wet shorts when a trumpeting echoed in the distance. A shiver slid down my spine. I spun around as Mike darted to the edge of the woods. More mammoths? Will they be as friendly?
Shaggy called back, lumbering into the towering pine forest ahead, and her adorable baby followed.
Mike pushed through the leafy fronds and peeked in. “Whoa! Come check this out. If this doesn’t blow your mind, nothing will.”
“C’mon,” I said, giving Jack’s hand a squeeze. I rushed behind Mike and tapped him on the back. “What?”
He wrapped an arm around my waist and pointed ahead. “Look!”
As I burst through a tangle of vegetation, glossy, heart-shaped leaves whipped across my face. A soft breeze carrying the scent of wildflowers whirled all around me. I entered a pasture and spotted a whole herd of woolly mammoths. There must have been hundreds of them grazing in the field, each with long, flowing coats in a variety of colors: black, orange, dark brown, reddish brown, pale ginger, and even blond. Barks, snorts, and other soft, soothing noises filled the air. “This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.” I pictured myself playing with the colors on my palette. This would make the most fantastic portrait ever.
Shaggy squealed, and an even bigger brown mammoth walked over. They greeted each other with their trunks outstretched. The reunited pair clicked tusks, flapped their ears, and intertwined trunks, like some kind of pachyderm handshake, and witnessing this, I was overcome by a sense of complete and utter happiness.
A chorus of trumpets echoed all around me. I watched in awe as members of the herd approached, greeting Shaggy by stroking her body with their trunks.
Jack pointed. “Is that a watermelon patch?”
“Oh, yeah, wow. Hey, guys, I’m going to whip us up some lunch.” Mike sprinted over to the nearby patch of undergrowth and picked up a green-and-yellow striped melon. Once Mike laid eyes on chow, there was no stopping him.
So much for showing some gratitude for Shaggy’s help. “I get that you’re hungry, but haven’t you forgotten something?” I asked, arching an eyebrow at him.
He didn’t even glance at me as he fidgeted about with his hands, trying to find a way to rip the fruit off its stem. “Huh?” He looked up. “Oh, yeah. You’re right. We need to wash those first.”
Shaggy let out another snort. “I’m so sorry,” I said. “He has the attention span of a five-year-old, but he’s a good guy—at least most of the time.” I turned to face Mike. Placing my hands on my hips, I said in a teasing manner, “Exactly how are you going to open that thing?”
He grinned, then pointed. “Just like them.”
I watched as mammoths in the watermelon patch gently stomped on the melons and sucked out the juicy pulp. A grin spread across my lips. Sometimes Mike really was very clever.
Mike bent down and heaved a huge melon into his arms, groaning at the effort.
Jack popped over and reached out. “Need a hand?”
“Nope. I can do it.”
I waved a hand. “Don’t be stupid. If this thing drops on your foot, you’ll wish you hadn’t tried to play waiter.”
“What’s wrong with me wanting to serve my lady?”
I laughed. “Plenty. Break some toes, and you’ll slow us down big time. I’ll have to sling you over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes and carry your sorry butt through the jungle.”
Mike huffed, but he put the melon down and rolled it toward Shaggy’s huge foot. The mama mammoth let out a grunt and stomped on the fruit until it burst open. Grinning, he picked up a piece and took a bite. “Dude, this is good stuff!”
Jack broke off a chunk and playfully put it in my mouth. “Mmm. You gotta try this. It’s so sweet.”
I smiled as he grinned. “It’s delicious!” I licked the tips of my fingers. It wasn’t very ladylike, but I really couldn’t have cared less. Looking good and demonstrating manners were the least of my worries in a world filled with prehistoric predators, most of which I was sure wouldn’t bother with wiping their mouths after they bit a chunk off of me.
Mike smeared his hands across the grass. I could have sworn I saw him roll his eyes, and now I had to wonder if he was jealous of Jack.
A few minutes later, we had all filled our stomachs and then some.
Jack met my gaze and grinned. “Remember when we teamed up and won that watermelon seed-spitting contest at the fair?”
I smiled sweetly. “Oh yeah! That was such a blast. I still have the pictures in my scrapbook and the trophy on my shelf.” It was one of my favorite memories.
Frowning, Mike wrapped his arm around me and pulled me away as he said, “We better get going. Glasstropolis is waiting.”
Sweeping me away from Jack because I smiled at him? Geesh. As much as I hated not putting Mike’s inflated ego in its right spot, this wasn’t the time and place to argue. It would upset Jack even more, and we couldn’t afford to be giving each other the cold shoulder when more su
rprises could be lurking around the corner. We needed each other, and the silent treatment wasn’t going to help anyone.
After Mike and Jack said their goodbyes, I said mine. I buried my face into the long, coarse hair on Shaggy’s leg and gave her a tight hug. “Goodbye. I’ll never forget you. Thanks so much for everything, Shaggy, but it’s time for us to go. My mom and dad must be really worried, and I have to find them. Take care of your little one.”
For a moment, the emotions overwhelmed me, and I had to fight to hold back a sob. I felt like Dorothy saying goodbye to the Scarecrow, only there was no hot air balloon or magic slippers to take me home.
When we stepped away, I threw a quick glance over my shoulder. The mammoth raised her trunk, and all the shaggy giants in the pasture trumpeted a farewell salute.
Mike waved his hand. “I don’t speak elephant, but I think they’re telling us goodbye.”
I blew a kiss and bid farewell to the furry herd of animals that had captured my heart.
* * *
The merciless suns beat down on my neck and shoulders, heating my skin to unbearable temperatures as we traversed a mountainous incline. I gasped for air, partly because of the climb, and partly because of the thinning oxygen at the higher altitude. “Okay, guys! I’m at the top.” My voice came low and raspy, barely audible in my throbbing ears.
“You’re the mountain master!” I heard Mike say from behind the foliage.
“Yeah?” I said.
“Yeah, you beat all of us up here.” Mike heaved himself through a narrow opening in the leafy ferns and bent over, bracing his hands on his knees as he fought to catch his breath. I smiled and he draped his arm around my middle like it had always belonged there.
My heart jumped in my throat. My Mr. Right was finally clicking into place right where he belonged: at my side, with no hot chicks to grab his eyes. Will his attention stray? I certainly hoped not.
He bore his gaze into mine. “Whatcha thinking?”
I blinked, my cheeks growing hot. “What?” Rays of light caught in his eyes, destroying every bit of my focus.
“Is somebody thinkin’ of little ol’ me?” he smirked.
Jack appeared before them, drops of sweat beading on his forehead. “Yeah, right. Not in a million years.”
“I wasn’t talking about you, moron,” said Mike.
“Oh, you must’ve meant the tiger from before?” Jack shook his head. “Only you could be flattered by a predator wanting to make a meal out of you.”
He pasted on a weak smile and leaned his back against a tree. “Very funny, Jack.”
I laughed, happy to see that Jack was surely learning how to deal with Mike’s inflated ego. As much as I liked him, Mike needed to get knocked down a notch or two.
Jack took a few steps forward, peering into the distance. “I don’t believe my eyes.”
“Me neither,” said Mike. “This view’s enough to keep the adrenaline pumping.”
The crystal city spread out as far as I could see in the distance, just beyond the stone wall. The glass buildings, bathed in brilliant sunlight, glistened like jewels. My gaze traveled upward. “Oh crap!” Hundreds of discs, just like the one that had tried to kill us, hovered above the city. I blinked, hoping my mind was playing tricks on me, but that wasn’t the case.
Jack’s eyes widened. “What the heck?”
I shot him an I-told-you-so look. “Those UFOs—they’ve been heading for the same place as we were, because this is their city.” I threw a hand up for dramatic effect. “We’re deep into hostile enemy territory.”
Mike scoffed. “Well, geesh, instead of shooting at us, they could’ve at least been nice enough to stop and give us a lift. So much for intergalactic hospitality.”
I touched Mike’s arm. “Listen, this is serious.”
He nodded, his blond hair damp with sweat.
Jack blew out a breath and pondered, his brows furrowed, as if he was deep in thought and trying to find a solution for the mess he’d gotten us into. After all, it’d been his idea to come to the city. I had warned him that the UFOs could have launched from there, but he refused to listen.
I took a deep breath to regain my composure. After all, to the best of our knowledge, we were going “where no man had gone before”, and that thought made me shudder. For a moment, I wished Scotty really could beam me up and out of there, but there was no Enterprise to whisk me home to my nice, warm bed.
Mike lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the glaring suns. “Think they’re really from the city? Maybe they’re just visitors—and hopefully not the mice-eating reptilian humanoid kind.”
“I don’t know, but I’m ready for some answers. Let’s go talk to whoever we can find,” Jack suggested.
Sucking in a lungful of air, I grabbed his sweaty arm and yanked him back. “You do realize those are the exact same UFOs that tried to barbecue us for the pig roast, right? I know! Let’s just present ourselves on a silver platter. I could be the ham, you could play the baked beans, and Mike could be the potato salad.” I had just about had it with Jack morphing into some slightly more intelligent version of Mike. At least with Mike, I knew where I stood, and I never bothered to pay attention to his plans. But Jack had the ability to persuade me to go along any time. I’d always done that, without even bothering to listen to his arguments, because his ideas always made perfect sense. But now I had to keep my ears open, because clearly Mike’s weird instinct of running toward danger instead of away from it was rubbing off on Jack.
Jack shifted his stance as he pointed to the strange aircraft. “Why would a fleet of ships just hang out above their own city? It doesn’t make sense. My gut feeling says this place is under attack from enemy forces, and I’m sure the people inside could help us.” He spun to face me. “I don’t know if they’re friendly, but they have to be nicer than the bad guys.”
The determination in his voice was so convincing, like a used car salesman trying to sell me a lemon, but I wasn’t about to be duped by a smooth talker. I could picture red hot laser beams flying between the two civilizations—with us right in the middle. “Hmm. I see your point, but there’s no way I’m going along with that. I don’t want to get caught up in this attack and then have aliens hatch in the back of my head. I say we run. I never thought I’d join the hype, but never has running been so healthy.”
Jack’s brows furrowed above his intense blue eyes, the wind whipping through his brown hair. “We don’t have a choice. For all we know, it could be miles through that animal-infested forest or river before we find another city—or maybe we won’t find one at all. And that’s not good, because we don’t have any food or water.”
I snorted. “A vegetarian diet and a hiking workout? Sounds fantastic. Just bring it on. I might not usually be in the whole workout-until-you-drop routine, but hey, that sounds way better than having to learn the alien language just to say ‘Get your teeth off me’.”
Jack shook his head. “Trust me, once one of those predators drags you home to meet the whole hungry family, you’ll regret having passed on the opportunity to experience a new culture.”
I gaped at him. Is he for real? “We’re not talking about a new culture. Those things tried to kill us, Jack. What makes you think they’ll change their minds once we trespass on their territory? Do you really think they’re just gonna invite us in for milk and cookies?”
Mike ran a hand through his hair. In all the drama, I’d forgotten about him. “Well, I was kind of hoping for a burger myself.” I shot him an unimpressed glare, and he held out his hands in mock defense. “Kidding,” he said.
“I can tell you, we’re more likely to end up being dinner than being invited to one.” I wrapped an arm around his waist and leaned in. “Right?”
Mike nodded as his eyes met Jack’s. “Uh, I hate to break it to you, but Casey’s right.”
Jack rubbed his forehead. “I can’t believe you’d rather take your chances with the car-sized teeth of a dinosaur than with a developed c
ivilization that can build something as incredible as that.” He pointed behind his back to the gleaming city.
Mike sucked in a deep breath. “When he puts it that way, he makes a good point.”
It frustrated me that Mike was so wishy-washy and easily swayed. I glared at him, eyes narrowed to two tiny slits. Generations of women had done it before, with great effect. Now I was going to try the same: Keep silent and withdraw affection until he caved. Because whatever Jack said, I wasn’t about to find myself hanging from some pole, roasting over an open fire like a human shish kebob.
“What?” asked Mike, raising his hands in frustration.
I watched his eyes shift back and forth and noticed the insecurity starting to show on his face. It was working.
Mike inched closer. “I’m sorry. You know how much I hate to disagree with you.” He leaned forward and rubbed my shoulder. “Don’t look at me like that. I can’t stand it.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and bit hard on my inner lip to suppress my laughter. I knew he’d crumble any minute now.
Jack wore a brave, composed face. “Okay, so it’s two against one. It’s decided then. We’re going to the city.”
Mike fidgeted, his gaze fixed somewhere on my legs. “Well…uh…maybe we should think this through a bit more.”
“What?” Jack blinked, stunned. “Didn’t you say you’re dying for a burger?”
Glancing up, I noticed the sun had disappeared behind large dark clouds. Thunder softly rumbled in the distance and the wind picked up, blowing long strands of hair across my face. “Maybe he did say that, Jack, but none of us are dying to be one, I’m sure.”
Jack’s brows knitted together as he looked at me. He was determined, and he wasn’t giving up until I gave in. “So, are we ready? We really have to get going before this storm hits.”
I was losing—against Jack—and I found that absolutely embarrassing. I rolled my eyes and then motioned upward. “At least we’ll get a nice bath before they roast us.”
* * *
A brilliant flash of lightning lit the sky, followed by a loud clap of thunder. I shielded my eyes as torrents of rain showered down upon us. To make matters worse, Jack was running toward the city, right in the same direction as the fleet of UFOs hovering over Glasstropolis. I let out a puff. What is Jack thinking? Even worse, what in the heck is Mike thinking to agree with Jack’s stupid plan?
Trapped in the Hollow Earth Novelette Series Omnibus Edition (Books 1 - 4) Page 20