Isaac Woodman
T2 2025 - The dinosaur stood, staring at the unpleasant mass that was sprawled in a misshapen heap on the floor, joints facing directions which they weren't intended for. I approached slowly, rolling my feet on the ground to muffle the footsteps. I kept my makeshift spear raised as I kept my gaze on the T-Rex. Was I too harsh? No, it needed to be said, he needed to be made aware of the situation. Wind whistled as it flew about, bringing the scent of blood with it. The T-Rex stepped forward with a tentative gait as it's rage filled eyes watched Jacob. I took that chance then, sprinting forwards and pushing the makeshift spear under and up through the hole that Jacob had made in the side of its large head. It roared as it tried to shake the weapon free, I winced as I was flung backwards by its head. Landing a few feet away, I wheezed as I tried to catch a breath. Come on, take the bait, I thought to myself as it finally managed to dislodge the spear, then turning to face me. I stared back at it, seeing creatures more dangerous and vicious than the bleeding dinosaur in front of me. The T-Rex charged then and I turned on my feet, leading it toward the forest. The ground shook with each of the T-Rex's footfalls and as the sounds grew increasingly louder, I suddenly pivoted and darted adjacent to the forest. I turned my head as I kept sprinting to see it stumbling into the forest, only to emerge a few moments later with a new dress code consisting of branches and leaves. Fury bubbled behind its eyes as it charged after me once more, but this time, I turned once again, entering the dimly lit jungle.
Sebastian Vassinari
As Isaac drew the attention of the T-Rex, leading it away from Jacob, I sprinted over. Jacob, No, please. With each step drawing closer, he seemed to look worse and worse.
"Jacob !" I screamed out, without thinking, but no response came back. Blood covered him like a blanket, reflecting the overhead sun. His arms and legs were twisted in impossible directions, the bones visible under the sheared skin. Grass and dirt were mixed into his hair, blood and everywhere else. He seemed to be breathing somewhat, but the breaths were weak and even though he was unconscious, his face grimaced with each intake and exhale of breath. "Jacob, no," the words came out as a whisper as I fell to my knees, tears welling up behind my eyes. Why, why didn't I do something? If, if I did then- I looked down at my friend who was struggling to stay alive, "I'm sorry," I whispered as I cried. I had never seen Jacob in such a state before, he was always the one who seemed like he was invincible, but now, he seemed weak, a word never once used to describe him before.
"Isaac?" The words were familiar and when I looked down at Jacob, I saw closed eyes. Henry appeared in my peripherals, joining me on the floor.
"What happened?" I asked, knowing the answer. "Why did you run! You should have helped him." The words came out before I thought them through. I knew that the outburst was a mere cover for the blame, I could've stopped him, saved him. But instead, I listened to Isaac, when I should've protected him.
"I, I'm sorry," Henry placed a light hand on our friend, tears also falling free from his own face whilst the child was sobbing uncontrollably, though looking away from Jacob. "You were right, I should've done something, anything." A quietness grew between the two of us as we allowed ourselves to weep.
"If, if we all come out of this alive," I started as I placed a hand on Jacob's form and my other hand on Henry's shoulder, "then I think we need to have a real long talk with Isaac." Henry muttered an agreement as silence befell us again, the soft breathing from Jacob the only sound that could be heard.
Isaac Woodman
T2 2025 - Trees shattered as if formed from glass as the Tyrannosaurus Rex charged through them behind me. Splinters rained down like hailstones, but I kept moving. My legs burned with overuse as the muscles stretched and contracted in ways my younger body was not yet used to. I felt sweat trickle down my forehead, climbing into my mouth and tasting vile. I breathed out and in, out and in, trying in vain to keep my breathing regular, but with each passing moment, each breath was transformed into a pant, and soon, my breathing was all I could hear. I could feel the rhythmic thumping of the T-Rex's feet smashing against the dirt, the sound radiating outwards, causing lesser beasts to flee in terror, the only good news in response to the current situation. I ducked beneath a low hanging branch, weaving around a tree that stood in opposition to my forwards path. Duck, jump, duck, turn. Shrubbery passed by in a blurred smear like paint on a canvas that was being painted. Curse, this, body. I thought to myself between breaths as I narrowly dodged a branch. I could sense the dinosaur's presence getting closer and closer and I pivoted on my feet, changing directions so that I could gauge the distance between me and the dinosaur. It's lumbering form smashed through another tree that was in its path, but it was definitely getting closer to me. Isaac was safe now, even if I wasn't there to guide him, he now knows how serious this is. But then why are you trying so hard to stay alive. The thought seemed to come from an external source, but I couldn't disagree with it. I circled around another tree, but as I did so, the T-Rex roared, shaking the environment and causing a lapse in my concentration. That instinctual reaction to the sudden deafening noise caused my attention to falter for a brief second, but that was all it took. I yelped with pain as my ankle collided with an upturned root, sending a tsunami of pain to my brain as I fell forwards. Dirt, grass and twigs caressed my tumbling form as I slowed to a halt. The sun above gleamed down, illuminating the dinosaur in front of me. I shimmied backwards, my back colliding with the rough bark and stopping any further movement. The half exposed skeleton of the T-Rex made the situation look grim as it stared down at me, indignation swirling behind those large eyes. I screamed out at the beast as it stepped down, crushing my legs under its feet. The torment made me remember how painful this was, actually partaking in a theatre, rather than sitting in the audience and watching those I knew die from the safety of my seat. Harold, Levin, Fiona, Jason, Ashlea, I felt a smile creep onto my face as I recalled their names and faces, I wonder what you would think of me. Death snarled down at me, the smell emanating from its teeth that of an endless ocean of blood and corpses. I looked death in the eye as it tentatively gave me a once over, probing for any oddities that I could pull out and damage it with. I had no other tricks up my sleeve, I couldn't flee any more. As the agonising pain made my body want to shut down, I forced my eyes to stay open. I needed to watch, I needed to watch, so that I don't shame those that led me here. "I'm sorry," I said to the memories of the past. I coughed up blood as I waited for death to take me once again.