“The orange birds seem happy that we have left,” Sheela said after we dragged the first raptor body out of the door. I turned to look where she was and saw a few dozen perched on the ramp outside of what used to be our cave. They were about a hundred yards away from us, and they hadn’t seemed to care about our fort.
“Think they will eat the corpses of these raptors?” I asked as I looked down at our burden.
“They might, but I worry about getting too close to them.”
“Yeah,” I said as I glanced back to our walls. The corpses of the other raptors we had killed were still there, and I debated on our course of action. We didn’t want to be anywhere near these things when they started to rot. The smell would be terrible, but it would also attract other scavengers that might be dangerous.
“Let’s go a little closer,” I said. “Then we can drop the body off and hope that they dispose of it.
“How much closer?” Sheela asked, and I could hear the concern in her voice.
“Maybe halfway?”
“Victor, they are very territorial. If they attack us, they will chase us back to our fort.”
“Then we’ll kill them there,” I said with a shrug. “The raptor corpses have to be moved, and I don’t want to drag all of them to the edge of the redwood forest. That will take us the rest of the day, and we need to go get water and clay.”
“Understood,” Sheela said. “I will do as you ask.”
We dragged the first corpse to the halfway point between our camp and the cave. Part of me wanted to go a bit closer, but Sheela’s worry was eating at me, so I decided to leave the corpse there and hoped that the orange birds would try to eat it.
“Next one,” I said as we turned back toward the camp. “We’ll clear the inside out first and then get the ones outside.”
“Very well,” Sheela said with her usual stoic nod.
“What do you think of Kacerie?” I asked.
“I do not have an opinion yet,” Sheela answered.
“You spent almost a whole day with her,” I said.
“Trel did most of the talking, I watched the clearing for raptors.”
“Ahh,” I said, and silence fell between us.
We reached the door, ducked back inside, and then grabbed the next corpse. Sheela didn’t speak as we dragged it back out across the clearing, and I started to get worried. The cat-woman was never much for conversation, but we had spent the majority of the last month working side by side, and there was something different about her today.
I didn’t say anything until we had grabbed the last raptor corpse from inside our walls and taken it almost to the dump site.
“Did I do something to piss you off?” I asked.
“What do you mean?” she asked. “How do I piss off?”
“Sorry,” I said. “It’s an expression. Are you angry with me?”
“No, Victor, of course not,” she answered quickly.
“You seem angry about something,” I said.
“It is nothing,” she said.
“Seems like it is something,” I replied. “Come on. We are buddies. Yeah, we got Trel’s help, but you and I pretty much built that whole fort and the one before it. You can tell me stuff if you want to.”
“I was thinking of my husband,” she said with a sigh.
“Oh, yeah.” I felt my stomach drop a bit.
I couldn’t really understand Sheela’s perspective, so I didn’t know if it was worth trying. On one hand, she was married to a man who had like sixteen other wives. She didn’t really know the man, and it sometimes sounded as if she had been unhappy. On the other hand, Sheela seemed like the kind of woman who enjoyed having her place set in life.
“It is not how you might think,” she said. “I do not miss him.”
“Ahh. Okay. I don’t want to pry.”
We set the corpse down beside the other bodies and then walked back toward the wall. There were twelve or so raptor bodies from our fight yesterday, and we each grabbed onto the one closest to the door.
“We have very little chaos in our lives,” she continued without me asking. “There can be violence between families when a male tries to take another’s harem, but major struggles have not happened in my area of the world for quite some time.”
“I’m trying to understand how your culture works. Did you have cars, streets, cities, and jobs?”
“We didn’t have the vehicles you spoke of,” Sheela said. “We did have machines, engines, and electricity, but our people enjoyed running. Yes, we had cities and streets made out of stone or metal. Most men had jobs, but only a few women did. Once they were married, they were responsible for raising the children and taking care of the home.”
“So every one of your race just ran everywhere?” I asked as I glanced at Sheela’s impressive body.
“Yes,” she answered with a half smile. “Oh, the women sometimes hunted game animals to provide food for the family, but we also had stores where food could be purchased.”
“Sounds kind of fun,” I said. “A blend of modern convenience and physical activity.”
“You mentioned that your people ride mostly in those cars and watch their ‘tell visions’? Did you enjoy physical activity before coming to this world?”
“They are called televisions.” I smiled at her as we dumped down the body. “And yeah, I liked going outdoors, but I also liked watching television and playing games that showed on the screen. I would have never thought I would be capable of building something like this.” I gestured back at the fort’s walls as we walked toward another corpse.
“What will you do when we return home?” she asked.
“Uhh, what do you mean?” I was a bit surprised by her question, and I turned to see her amber eyes glowing.
“It is an exercise I have been performing; which may have caused the mood you observed. If we were suddenly returned home, how would your life be different?”
“I dunno,” I said. “I feel like I gave up on rescue a few weeks ago when I had my talk with Trel.”
“When you were both alone in the cave?” Sheela asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I kind of realized that if her sisters with their spaceships and advanced technology weren’t going to come save her, there was no way anyone from my world was going to rescue me. So, I just accepted that I would be here forever.”
“Hmm,” Sheela said as she studied me.
“Yeah, but to answer your question, I think I’d do a lot of things differently. I would probably look for a new job.”
“Your occupation was animal hunter, correct?”
“Well kinda,” I said with a sheepish smile. “I helped find lost animals and moved dangerous ones out of our city. It was a good job but, my parents were animal doctors. When they died, I didn’t want to follow in their footsteps. I think I kind of sabotaged myself and took a job around animals that didn’t pay great. If I went back, I’d try to find something that paid more money and do my best to continue schooling so I could open up my own animal hospital.”
“Like your parents?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I replied. “I lost my way, but now I realize that life is pretty brief. I was always kind of shy and didn’t really jump at opportunities. I was afraid of failure or being mocked, but this last month has taught me a lot.”
“But would you be happy if you returned?” she asked as we grabbed another corpse.
“Huh,” I said as I thought about her question. “I think happiness is kind of what you make of it. I really wasn’t happy in my old life. I was letting my parent’s death kind of define me. Know what I mean?”
“Yes,” she said with her usual nod.
“It’s weird, but I’m really happy here.” My words made me chuckle a bit, and I looked down at the raptor carcass we carried. “I could die at any second, but I’ve kind of learned what I am made of. If I got back home, I think I’d really change my life. I sure as hell would be a lot more grateful that I wasn’t getting attacked by din
osaurs every day.”
“I understand,” Sheela replied, and we didn’t speak for a few more minutes.
The cat-woman and I grabbed another corpse, and then another, and then I kind of realized I hadn’t asked her the question she had asked me, and I wondered if that had been her intent.
“Would you be happy if you returned?”
“No,” she answered simply.
“Uhhh no? Why not?”
“I was alone.”
“But you are married and there were the other wives. Didn’t you have friends?”
“My husband cared little for me,” she said. “We met briefly on our wedding day and exchanged only a few words.”
“That’s crazy,” I said. “Is it supposed to be like that?”
“He had other wives. I was unimportant to him emotionally. He married me for ties to my family, and then I moved across our continent so I could live in his home.”
“That sucks,” I said. “You two didn’t like… uhhh… Spend any--”
“We consummated the marriage,” she said. “He bent me over our wedding bed, thrust into me four times, climaxed, and then left without speaking to me.”
“Uhhh. Fuck. What an asshole.” My head spun with her words. Part of me couldn’t believe she was sharing this much detail, but another part of me ached that my beautiful friend was married to someone who didn’t care for her.
“It is what it is,” Sheela replied as we dumped the body. “From the conversations you and I have shared, it seems that male and females on your world have an even balance of power.”
“Yeah, kind of,” I said. “It’s complicated, but it doesn’t swing as far north or south as your and Trel’s world. It seems to be closer to Galmine’s, only without all the orgies. Or at least, I’ve never been to any orgies.”
“Me either.” She smiled at me, and her eyes glowed a bit.
“So, uhh, you don’t want to go home then?” I asked hesitantly.
“No,” she replied. “That is what I have been thinking about. There is nothing for me there. Here, I have friends and a purpose. Yes, it is dangerous, but I also feel alive. At home, I felt as if the days passed by in a numbing tumble. To occupy myself, I would take long runs through the forest and plains. I would hunt alone, and now I realize I was hoping for something tragic to befall me.”
“For real?” I asked with concern. “That sounds like some serious depression.”
“Depression?” she asked with confusion.
“A deep sadness,” I explained.
“Yes,” she said. “That is a good description. I felt as if I had no escape.”
“You couldn’t have gotten a divorce?” I asked as we dumped another corpse on the pile. “I thought you mentioned something about divorce being possible.”
“Yes, but the situation is complicated. I would have to attach myself to another male, and my husband could challenge him in battle. I could not leave on my own, and if I did find a new husband, my potential mate would need to be willing to fight for me.”
“Damn,” I said as my heart beat heavy in my chest. “You are beautiful, smart, caring, and talented. I’m surprised you didn’t have more men lining up to fight for you.”
“My husband is very powerful.” Sheela shrugged. “Most men of my race stand about as tall as me, perhaps a bit taller. My head only came up to his shoulders, and his arms were as thick as my legs. Most men would lose, and any who might win have their own wives they were probably satisfied with.”
“Ugh,” I said. “That just sucks. I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what that must be like to go through.”
“It is fine,” she replied as we grabbed another corpse.
“It’s not though,” I said. “You are my friend, and I don’t want you to feel sad.”
“Sadness is a part of life,” she said. “We can only hope it does not last forever. My sadness has passed though. As I said, I am happy on this world. I am happy with you.”
“Me?” I asked as I looked at her.
“With us. Our small tribe,” she corrected quickly. “As I said, I have a purpose now. I feel important and valued.”
“So you want to stay?” I asked, and we held each other’s eyes for a few moments.
“Yes,” she answered. “Perhaps you think me insane.”
“No. I get it.” My mind reviewed what she said, and I found that I did agree with her. I wouldn’t want to live in her world, and even though Dinosaurland was incredibly challenging, I felt like I was starting to belong here.
I still would have gone home if given the chance, but maybe one day I would prefer to stay here.
Sheela and I didn’t speak for a few more minutes, and soon we were grabbing the last corpse. The orange birds still hadn’t come to investigate the pile of bodies we made, but it was still far enough from our camp to provide me with peace of mind.
I just hoped that something smaller than a carnotaurus showed up to eat the pile of bodies.
“That’s the last one,” I said as we hauled the final raptor on the pile.
“Water now?” Sheela asked.
“Yeah,” I replied as we made our way back to the camp. Our task of cleaning up all the bodies had taken us a few hours, and the sun was hanging really low in the sky. It was almost the perfect time to ride to the stream, but I worried we might be too late to go and get clay.
“Huh,” I said as soon as Sheela and I walked under the gate. Hope was already standing beside the exit, and she had two of the larger water jugs tied to her saddle.
“I got Hope ready for you,” Trel said as she strolled toward us.
“Wow, thanks,” I said. “That was nice of you.”
“I do not wish to waste time,” the spider-woman replied as she held out the quiver and bow to Sheela. “We made more arrows for you. Only fifteen, but I have devised a new method that will allow us to craft them more efficiently.”
“Thank you, Trel,” Sheela said as she wrapped the quiver belt around her hip.
“Hurry back,” Trel said as she turned her dark eyes to me.
“We’ll still have to get clay after this,” I said.
“Uhhh, I know.” The spider woman rolled her head back. “That’s why I’m telling you to hurry. It will be night soon. I will fix the door while you are gone.”
“Thank you,” I said. “You are being really helpful.”
“I’m being selfish,” Trel said with a laugh. “I want to have my children, and I want to live. Don’t forget your spear.”
“Got it,” I said as I grabbed one that was leaning against the wall by the door. As I got on top of Hope’s saddle, I kind of felt like I was leaving my wife for a day of work, but then Sheela mounted behind me and pressed her body tightly against my back. This was one hell of a strange job, and the relationship I had with these three women was pretty far away from a typical “marriage.”
Hope let out a happy toot when we passed under the gate. As soon as we were a few dozen feet clear of the walls, I urged her to go faster, and her long legs stretched out in a long lope.
I had no way of really knowing exactly how fast Hope could run, but the wind was soon stinging my eyes, and Sheela was squeezing her strong arms around my stomach. We dashed through the forest of massive redwoods, leapt over tall hedges of ferns, and then winded around the various moss-covered boulders. We made it to our small river in record time, and I felt a bit of disappointment when I slowed the parasaur down.
“That was exhilarating,” Sheela said as she flipped off Hope’s back.
“Yeah,” I agreed as I slid off with a much less graceful movement. I handed Sheela one of the jugs and then took the other to the edge of the water with her. I left my spear on Hope’s saddle, but she was only ten yards away, and Sheela had her bow slung over her shoulders. If anything attacked us, she could buy me the few seconds I needed to get my spear out.
“You still seem upset about something,” I said as she pulled her jug out of the water.
“Why do you s
ay so?” she asked as she brought the clay to her lips to drink.
“I just know you.”
“I am sorry I am acting strange,” she said.
“Is it Kacerie? You kind of dodged my question about her earlier.” I took a long drink from my own jug and let my eyes wander over the surrounding terrain.
“Perhaps I am a bit worried about her,” Sheela admitted.
“Why?”
“She was asking about our abilities. Her power is the beams from her hands. Her Eye-Q said it was level 2. She seemed amazed that we didn’t have it. Her questions concerned me a bit.”
“Do you think she’ll use her powers against us?” I asked as my stomach knotted up. Sheela was my battle expert, and I trusted her instincts. Especially when the enemy was a beautiful woman. I knew that I tended to think more with my penis than my brain around them.
“It is worth considering,” Sheela said. “I do not want us to kick someone out of our camp since it would mean probable death, but I am happy there are three capable fighters in our small group.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“I would most likely be her first target, then either you or Trel. I would bet Trel since our friend is more capable than you in combat.”
“I’m trying to get better,” I said with a chuckle.
“I know,” Sheela replied, “I am just thinking what I would do if I wanted to take over the camp.”
“Kacerie would still have to hunt and gather water, and whatever. She needs us.”
“Agreed.” Sheela nodded. “Perhaps my fears are unjustified, but as I said before, you three are very important to me, and I do not wish to lose you.”
“I don’t want to lose you either,” I said.
“I noticed Kacerie’s attitude change around you,” Sheela said with a slight frown. “She was somewhat rude to me. It did not bother me much, but I decided to let Trel handle her. When you awoke, Kacerie went to you immediately with her complaints. You were unphased by her, so she quickly changed her strategy to become more agreeable.”
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