“Okay, now can we go look for Ally?”
“Not until we load this in the Jeep. I think I saw a shovel by the rear tire.”
“Do you really think that’s wise? Bringing this back?”
“Ryan! This is an astronomer’s wildest dream!”
44
Vane tugged open the car door. “What are you doing?” he snapped and snatched the tablet out of Ally’s hand.
“You murderer!” Ally yelled, glaring up at him.
“It’s not what you think.”
“You killed all those animals just so you could get your picture with them! What kind of sick person are you?”
“If you’ll quit yelling for a second, I’ll tell you,” Vane said.
“All right, I’m listening.”
“Do you know who I am?”
“No, you never told me your name.”
“I’m Tyrone Vane.”
Ally’s eyes widened. “The multi-billionaire?”
“One and the same.”
“Just because you’re rich doesn’t give you the right to go around killing defenseless animals!”
“Well, I wouldn’t go so far as calling them defenseless. And what makes you think I killed them?”
“Those pictures on your tablet.”
“Here, look again,” Vane said and handed the device to Ally.
She swiped her finger across the screen, flipping through the pictures. “They look dead to me.”
Vane reached around and grabbed the tranquilizer gun that he’d left leaning up against the front tire. He held the air gun in front of Ally’s face. “How do you know they weren’t just asleep?”
“You mean...”
“For me, it’s just about the thrill of the hunt. Nothing more. And I like to take pictures. Hey, I might be egotistical and love nothing better than to overindulge myself, but I’m really not a bad person.”
Ally didn’t comment.
Vane glanced up and saw that Sasha had passed out. “If we don’t get her out of there, she’s going bake to death in that mud.”
Ally jumped out of the Land Rover. She ran over to the base of the fallen tree, picked up the makeshift harness hooked to the winch cable, and stepped up onto the trunk. She shuffled along the length of the tree until she was an arm’s length away from touching Sasha. She was able to toss the harness and loop it around Sasha’s head and under her right front leg on the first try.
“We’re ready!” Ally yelled.
Vane was sitting inside the Land Rover. He pressed the button on the handheld winch control and slowly revved the engine. He watched through the windshield as the strung cable became taut and the lioness was pulled out of the mire.
Ally stepped carefully down the trunk, watching to make sure Sasha’s head didn’t go face down in the muck as she was dragged on top of the boggy surface.
Once Sasha was clear of the pit, Vane continued to tug her slowly across the ground. She was caked with thick mud, and it was drying fast in the insufferable heat.
Vane stopped the winch and backed the Land Rover to the creek. He drove the back tires into the water, turned the vehicle, and towed the lioness into a shallow part of the stream. He edged forward and got back on the shore. He climbed out, went around to the back, and opened the rear cargo door. He grabbed two large towels and walked over to the lioness.
Ally had gotten the cub and brought it over so that it could be with its mother as they waded into the water.
“Here, you can clean her up with these towels,” Vane said.
“Aren’t you going to help?” Ally asked as she splashed the sleeping lioness with water.
“After I stow the winch,” he replied. He removed the harness strap and walked the cable back to the front of the Land Rover, but instead of coiling the line back onto the spool, Vane walked back to the cargo compartment.
He reached in, opened the gun case, and took out the VO Falcon rifle.
45
Ryan stood holding the shovel and looked down at the space rock in the shallow crater. “Is it dangerous?”
“There’s minimal radiation, but that’s to be expected,” Celeste said, studying the meter on the Geiger counter as it made a faint scratchy noise. “It should be okay to handle.”
“You’re sure?” Ryan said skeptically.
“Yes.” Celeste turned off the measuring device.
Ryan stepped down and tapped the smooth rock with the metal blade of the shovel, creating a soft thunking sound. “What do you think it’s made of?”
“If it was iron, it would have resonated louder. This is organic. Most likely chondrite.”
“What’s that?”
“Means it’s non-metallic. Maybe a piece off an asteroid.”
“So those meteor showers we’ve been seeing, they're all from the same asteroid.”
“Possibly.” Celeste looked in the direction of the giant termite mound. “Maybe we should quit talking and get this in the Jeep.”
Ryan scooped the dirt out from around the base of the rock to determine its true size. A third of it had impacted into the ground. He kept digging and shoveling out soil until there was enough room to get their hands underneath.
“Watch your back,” Ryan said as they both squatted down and grabbed under the rock. “On the count of three—one, two, three!” They straightened their knees and picked up the large rock, which proved to be slightly bigger than a medicine ball.
“If this was made of iron, I doubt we would even be able to lift it,” Celeste said as they walked slowly over to the Jeep.
“Let’s put it on the rear seat.” They sidestepped to the fender and rolled the space rock into the back.
“Whew,” Celeste said, brushing off her hands. She climbed into the Jeep.
Ryan got behind the wheel and started the engine. “So, now what?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I can see this was all just a ploy to get me to go with you. You have no idea where my sister is.”
“I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to deceive you,” Celeste said with a guilty look then perked up. “But I wouldn’t worry. I’m sure Isoba and your father will find her.”
“I hope you’re right.” Ryan shifted into gear and tromped on the accelerator. The Jeep sped across the rugged terrain. The suspension was so stiff, Ryan kept bouncing out of his seat, and Celeste had to hold on to the dashboard with two hands each time they careened over rough ground.
The grass was a foot high, so it was difficult for Ryan to know if the ground ahead was level, or if he was going to end up putting them into a ditch.
“Ryan, look over there!” Celeste said, pointing to her right.
He turned and saw three pickup trucks parked about half a mile away on a barren ridge that bordered the grassland. There were men carrying burning torches, walking the perimeter, setting fire to the dry grass.
“What are they doing?” Celeste asked.
Ryan spotted a small herd of grazing zebras and realized that the fire was being purposely set to trap the animals.
“They’re poachers!” Ryan yelled.
The wildfire spread fast, choking the air with billowing black smoke as the orange flames licked over the combustible vegetation.
The zebras broke into a gallop to escape the approaching inferno.
Ryan turned his attention back to his driving and slammed on the brakes before they went into a gully. He stood up in the Jeep to get a better look. The trench was too steep to cross even for the four-wheeler.
The wall of flames was closing in, leaving behind a scorched and blackened wasteland. He turned and saw a separate fire converging with the other blaze. The flames were so high that he couldn’t see the men that had started the fire or their trucks.
Ryan saw a wide swath of grass that hadn’t yet been consumed by the flames. It was their only way out. Hopefully they wouldn’t be driving into the poachers’ trap.
Ryan spun the Jeep around and steered straight for the gap between
the raging fires. The zebras, too, were galloping toward the only means of escape.
Ryan raced up between the zebras, trying his best not to run any of them over as they joined the stampede. The six-hundred-pound equines’ heavy hooves thundered and kicked up dust as their bodies rammed against both sides of the Jeep.
Fiery embers blew everywhere in the blinding smoke.
A zebra swung its head, bit into Ryan’s shirtsleeve, and ripped out a strip with its powerful teeth.
The two fires were about to merge, the flames rising as high as ten feet in the air.
Many of the panic-stricken zebras were running through the flames.
Ryan and Celeste ducked their heads as the Jeep barreled through the wall of fire; their clothes smoldering when they burst out the other side. Ryan sped away from the inferno to distance themselves from the poachers then stopped the Jeep to pat out still-burning embers on his clothes. Celeste did the same.
Many of the zebras had trills of smoke wafting off their hides as they cantered off in small groups. Gunshots rang out, further scattering the herd.
Celeste consulted the partially melted compass on the dashboard. “If we head that way, it should take us back to the clinic,” she said, pointing her finger.
Ryan gunned the Jeep, praying they had enough gas to get back.
46
Ally took a sopping wet towel out of the water and draped it on Sasha. Each time she repeated the process, she was able to dissolve more of the caked-on mud from the lioness’s white fur. She placed another towel over the animal and let it soak.
The lion cub contentedly sat on the bank and watched.
Sasha blew out a heavy breath. The sedative was beginning to wear off.
Ally watched the big cat’s eyes for the first sign of a fluttering eyelid. It was best to be at a safe distance when the groggy feline came around. Any sign of a threat and the dopey lioness would surely lash out. Ally had no intention of being within reach if that should happen.
She continued to bathe the lioness and was making good progress as most of the mud had washed off.
The right eyelid rose, revealing an amber eye; the diluted pupil just a slit in the middle of the iris.
Ally pulled a saturated towel off of Sasha and wrung it out. She draped the damp fabric over the back of her own neck to cool herself down. She grabbed the other towel, folded it in half, and squeezed the moisture out.
Sasha tossed her head and shook the water out of her ears.
That was Ally’s cue to back away. “She’s coming to!”
“Excellent,” Vane replied from a distance.
Ally turned and saw Vane leaning over the front fender of the Land Rover with his elbows propped on the hood, aiming a hunting rifle at the lioness.
“What are you doing?” Ally yelled, waving her arms in the air and stepping into the line of fire to shield the big cat.
“Move out of the way!”
“No, I won’t let you do this.” Ally could hear Sasha behind her, splashing in the water as she struggled to get on her feet.
“And how do you plan to stop me?”
“By standing right here. You’re not going to shoot me.”
“Don’t be so sure.” Vane stepped back from the vehicle, holding his masterly handcrafted VO Falcon rifle. He took a couple steps so he could get a better angle.
Ally moved and blocked the pathway for the bullet with her body.
“I’m warning you,” Vane growled. He edged his way over to the creek and waded into the water up to his knees.
“No! Please don’t...” Ally started to plead but stopped when she glanced over her shoulder and saw the menacing five hundred-plus pound lioness stand up and take a step toward her.
Her sense of survival kicked in and she backed toward the shore—in the direction of the lion cub.
Vane grabbed his opportunity and put Sasha in his gun sight. He put his finger inside the trigger guard, took a deep breath, and gently pulled back on the trigger.
A large silver fish with vertical stripes lunged out of the water and sank its one-inch long dagger-like teeth into Vane’s right thigh. He screamed and fired into the air as the monstrous fish tore out a meaty chunk from his leg.
Ally saw three more fish attack Vane. They had to be at least 150 pounds each and were lightning fast. They savagely ripped slabs of flesh out of Vane’s arms and legs, and dragged him to the bottom. Large gouts of blood floated to the surface.
Then, as fast as they appeared, the powerful fish sped off down the stream, leaving Vane to float up to the surface, facedown in the center of the crimson sheen.
Ally stepped warily out of the creek and turned around.
Sasha and her cub were already leaving, sauntering toward a nearby hill; what remained of her lion pride waiting for them on the crest.
47
Frank was the first to spot Ally. When she saw them coming, she jumped up and down, waving her arms. There was a new model Land Rover parked partially on the bank and in the creek.
“I wonder who that belongs to?” Frank said to Isoba.
“I don’t know,” Isoba said, “but I’ve seen it before.” He drove past the mud pit and came to a halt next to the other vehicle.
Frank jumped out of the cab and received a big hug from Ally.
“Thank God you’re here.”
“Sorry we took so long,” Frank apologized, putting his arms around his stepdaughter and giving her an assuring squeeze. He looked over and saw a man floating in the creek. “Who’s that?”
Ally glanced over her shoulder. “He said his name was Tyrone Vane.”
“I’ve heard of him,” Frank said coolly. “What happened, crocodiles?”
“No, they were enormous fish with big teeth.”
“What did they look like?”
“They were silver and had stripes.”
“Like a tiger,” Isoba said.
“Yes, that’s correct,” Ally said.
“Goliath tiger fish. They are ferocious killers.”
“You were lucky they didn’t get you,” Frank said.
Ally looked over at the Jeep transport and didn’t see anyone sitting in the cab. “Are Dr. Tomie and Dayo all right?”
“Yes, we found them last night. They’re both recuperating nicely back at the clinic. I feel bad that we had to leave you out here by yourself but Isoba thought it was best we come back in the morning and pick up your trail.”
“That’s okay, I wasn’t alone.”
“No?”
“I had the little one to keep me company.”
“The little one?” Frank asked.
“Sasha’s cub.”
“So, you were able to rescue it?”
“That’s right.”
“Where’s it now?”
Ally pointed to a grassy hummock where the entire lion pride was lounging together in the blistering heat.
Frank could see the giant white lioness basking under the sun with her cub. “What exactly happened here?”
Ally explained how Sasha had been trapped in the mud pit and how she and Vane had gotten her free. “He has pictures on his tablet of all these animals he’s killed.”
“Well, I guess we have one less trophy hunter to worry about, eh, Isoba?”
Isoba was gazing down at the bottom of the creek. “I see his rifle.”
“Probably not a good idea to go in the water with those tiger fish around.”
“We can always use another rifle,” Isboa said.
“You really want that one?” Ally said. “After all the animals it’s murdered?”
“No, I suppose not.”
“Just leave it. No one’s going to want it,” Frank said then turned to Ally. “Come on, let’s get you back before your mother strings me up by my thumbs.”
“Mom wouldn’t never do that,” Ally said.
“Don’t be so sure.”
48
Wanda had relieved Adanna from guard duty for a spell so the young woman could ge
t some food, when the Jeep transport pulled into the compound. She stepped away from the crude jailhouse and waved her good arm when she saw Ally step out of the cab.
“Thank God you’re okay,” she yelled.
Ally ran over. Careful so as not to aggravate her collarbone, Wanda put her arm gingerly around her daughter. With one eye on her prisoner, Wanda listened while Ally told her story about saving the cub and the night in the cave then rescuing Sasha from the mud and the evil game hunter.
“That’s incredible. Honey, I’m so glad you’re safe,” Wanda said, doing her best to hold back the tears.
“Where’s Dillon?” Ally asked.
“Dillon and Dayo are feeding Lucy.”
Frank had been waiting for the right moment, and when he saw Wanda and Ally both smiling, he ambled over. “I guess Ally told you what happened?”
“She did,” Wanda replied. “Thank you for finding her.”
“Just part of my job description—first priority: rescue missing daughter.”
“You know,” Ally said, “there were these huge crickets in that cave.”
“Sounds like cave crickets; how large were they?” Frank asked.
Ally held the palms of her hands twelve inches apart.
“Are you serious?” Wanda said.
“That can’t be right.”
“I swear they were that big.”
Wanda noticed the perplexed look on Frank’s face.
“That’s not all,” Ally continued. “When I found Sasha trapped in the mud, there were these giant wasps.”
“Were they black with yellows legs?” Frank asked.
“Yes, how did you know?”
“They were most likely mud daubers. How big were they?”
“Bigger than me.”
“Jesus, Frank,” Wanda said. “What’s going on around here?”
“I don’t know, but I’d sure like to find out.”
Isoba came over and was drinking water from a metal cup that he had fetched from the kitchen. “I will watch the prisoner now,” he said to Wanda. “You should be with your daughter.”
“Thank you, Isoba,” Wanda said and smiled as the man went and sat in the chair a few feet from Duna, who was slumped behind the bars of his converted cell.
The Next World Page 10
