Chapter
7 ‘Friends’ Page 27
Tommy wasn’t sleeping. Beside him, however, Egbert was happily
snoring away. Why hadn’t Jason come for
him yet? He wasn’t about to spend
another day in this place and he knew his brother wouldn’t let him down.
Shouting from somewhere within the
pit broke the nighttime silence. Within
seconds everyone was awake.
On the east side, up in the trees
that skirted the edge, rocks were showering down. Some of the dinosaurs were now on their feet and trying to move
away from the sudden assault. The
guards stomped around shouting at everyone to stay where they were, but it was
plain to see that chaos was only moments away.
Rocks pelted the bodies of workers and guards alike. The onslaught even caused Lerix to come down
from his enthroned pyramid. Immediately
taking control, he split his troops into two groups. The smaller group was sent up into the jungle to find out what
was going on. The second and larger
group stayed in the pit to ensure the workers remained under control.
By now, Tommy along with everyone
else, was on his feet. Confusion and
growing fear hung in the air. Tommy
didn’t even notice when Egbert slipped away.
The Oviraptor slithered up beside
Lerix.
“Stay with the creature,” snarled
Lerix. “Find out what their plans
are. Go!”
Once again Egbert disappeared in the
chaotic crowd of bodies.
The workers getting restless was
something Lerix had not planned on. No
matter what they mustn’t be allowed to get out of control.
Tommy being considerably shorter
than most of the dinosaurs, strained to see what was happening. He felt a tug on his pant leg. Tommy looked down and found Peko’s smiling
face looking up at him. Quickly
checking to see if anyone was watching, Tommy crouched down and hugged the
little dinosaur.
“How did you get in here?” he
whispered.
Peko put his finger against his
closed mouth.
“We must be very quiet,” said the
little dinosaur. He tugged on Tommy’s
arm. “Come on we have to go now.”
But before Tommy would allow himself
be led away, he looked behind him to see where Egbert was. He didn’t see the dinosaur slip back to his
place along the wall.
“Come on Egbert. We’ve gotta go,” whispered Tommy.
Peko looked at Egbert. He wasn’t too sure why he was here with
Tommy but knew this was not the time to ask.
“Come on!” pleaded Peko.
They
carefully started to make their way through the pit.
The workers were indeed getting restless and with a
good number of the guards gone, the enslaved dinosaurs were trying to push past
the guards that remained. Chaos could
not wait any longer. The workers
managed to overpower some of the Velociraptors and fighting erupted.
Lerix was angry. He summoned one of the guards over.
“Go and bring the others back. Now!” he shouted. The guard hurried off.
Lerix scanned the crowd of entangled
bodies trying to spot the wretched creature that had caused all this, but Tommy
was no where to be seen.
Tommy had no intention of getting
involved in any fight. He grabbed Peko
by the arm and weaved a path threw the crowd, hoping they did not get noticed,
but it was too late. Two Velociraptors
caught sight of them and stepped forward to block their way. Tommy looked around for another way out but
soon found he didn’t have to. A large
object hurled with great force towards the Velociraptors, striking them dead
on. The guards flew through the air and
out of Tommy’s way. He looked up and
saw the face of the Apatosaurs. The
dinosaur had saved them... for the moment.
Just then Egbert appeared in Tommy’s view.
“Egbert says this way,” and began to
strut off in the opposite direction.
“No!” shouted Peko. “This way!”
Tommy and Egbert followed the little dinosaur.