The Extinction Series | Book 4 | Primordial Earth 4 Read online

  Baileigh Higgins

  Primordial Earth - Book 4

  The Extinction Series - A Prehistoric, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi Thriller

  Copyright © 2021 by Baileigh Higgins

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  Baileigh Higgins asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

  Baileigh Higgins has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

  Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

  First edition

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  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Dedication

  Chapter 1 - Bones

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5 - Bones

  Chapter 6 - General Sikes

  Chapter 7 - Kat

  Chapter 8 - Callum

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13 - General Sikes

  Chapter 14 - Kat

  Chapter 15 - Callum

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18 - General Sikes

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20 - General Sikes

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Epilogue

  Glossary

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  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to Christian Bentulan for the stunning book cover design. You can check out his portfolio at http://www.coversbychristian.com. He’s an amazing artist.

  Plus, a huge thank you to Graham Rintoul for his tireless dedication to my books, his research, and his input. A big shoutout to Mike Hansen for his support and help, and to all the fans and readers out there. I truly appreciate you all!

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to a very special reader, Pat Doeg. I hope you enjoy this story offering along with all of its ups and downs, twists and turns, and that it grants you a brief reprieve from reality. Happy reading!

  Chapter 1 - Bones

  Bones lashed his horse with the reins, spurring the animal onward with his heels. The mighty beast needed no urging, and its hooves pounded the earth. It forged through the trees, weaving between the massive tree trunks with surprising agility. It feared the yellow death even more than its rider did, ancient instincts warning it to flee from its fiery touch.

  Behind them, the blaze set by General Sikes roared through the primordial forest. It had plenty of fuel to feed its hunger, and it spread outward from the Zoo in a tidal wave of destruction. Banks of rolling smoke churned in its wake, tainting the air until it turned a charcoal hue.

  Bones clung to the saddle with every ounce of strength he possessed and prayed the horse could carry him to safety. He’d underestimated the speed with which the wildfire had spread, and now he was directly in its path.

  He could feel the heat beat against his back like the blows from a hammer on an anvil. The hot air threatened to singe his lungs, and his eyes teared up from the sting of ashes. Sparks flew through the air, setting the underbrush alight. Mini fires cropped up all around, adding to the terror that flowed through his veins like acid. A glance over his shoulder caused him to quake in his boots, and his courage evaporated.

  A wall of flame devoured the path behind, rushing forward at an incredible speed. Birds and insects whizzed through the canopy, their delicate wings scorched to dust within seconds. Their quivering bodies plummeted to the ground, consumed within seconds until blackened carcasses were all that remained.

  Bones ducked beneath a curtain of trailing vines, lying low on the back of his horse. His stomach churned when the beast jumped over a deadfall, and he nearly lost his seat when they landed on the other side. Branches whipped his exposed flesh and left stinging welts behind, but he scarcely noticed. All that mattered was staying on top of the charging steed. If he fell, it’d be the end of him.

  For the umpteenth time, he cursed the curiosity that caused him to tarry instead of fleeing when he had the chance. With a false sense of security, he’d watched from afar as the once-thriving Zoo burned to the ground. He’d lingered long after General Sikes and his army left the area, ignoring the signs of impending doom. Now he stood to pay the price for his arrogance.

  A herd of Ankylosaurus burst from the woods to his left, rushing past with bellowing cries. Their thick tails lashed the air, the armored knobs on the ends smashing into trees and bushes alike. The ground shook beneath their thunderous rampage, and they trampled everything in their path.

  Bones flinched, and his horse veered sideways with a panicked squeal. Unable to control the animal, he could do little but hang on and pray for survival. Don’t fall; don’t fall; don’t fall!

  Gradually, the ground sloped upward, and the horse slowed. Its breath became labored as it forged ever upwards. Foam flecked its lips, and sweat dampened its coat until it turned black.

  Bones patted the steed’s shoulder with one awkward hand. “Come on. Just a little bit further. Don’t stop now.”

  A deafening crack sounded as a dead pine tree toppled over, its structure bursting in the blistering heat. It crashed to the ground with an ear-splitting boom, and the vibrations reverberated up his spine.

  His horse whinnied in response to the noise and redoubled its efforts. It dashed through a wall of rocky boulders and veered onto a faint trail. The trees and foliage around them thinned as they rose higher and higher. The fire and its deadly touch receded into the distance, and the smoke cleared until it became easier to breathe once more.

  When they reached the top, the horse stumbled to an abrupt stop. The hapless Bones shot over the animal’s head and plunged down a forty-foot drop. Luckily, his fingers were entangled in the reins, and his fall was arrested in mid-air. With his feet dangling in the air, he cried. “Whoa, there. Back up. Back up!”

  The horse backpedaled, snorting with the effort of hauling its rider upward. Bones clawed his way to solid ground and hugged the earth, his lungs heaving for oxygen. His mind spun in circles, overcome with panic. Can’t… stop… now. Fire. Must… keep… going.

  He scrambled to his feet and looked down the hill. The fire licked around the base but moved no further. The slope offered little in the way of fuel with its rocky ground and swathes of dusty sand. The blaze washed around the foot of the hill and deeper into the forest, leaving Bones and his horse safe for the moment.

  Bones sagged with
relief. Clinging to the saddle, he steadied his quivering knees. He needed a moment to gather his scattered wits and regain a sense of calm. At the same time, his mount required rest as well.

  The horse’s head hung low, its flanks rising and falling as it sucked air into its lungs. The once-powerful muscles of its hindquarters and legs shivered with exhaustion, and the animal looked to be on the verge of collapse.

  Though Bones had little time for animals or pets in general, the horse had saved his life and might do so again. They were not out of the woods yet and still very much in danger. He smoothed one hand over the animal’s neck in a rhythmic pattern, talking in a low voice. “There, there. It’s alright. I’ve got you.”

  Minutes passed as both man and horse regained their breath. Together, they watched as the flames washed across the world below. With a bird’s eye view of the entire valley, it was possible to see far into the distance.

  Bones took the opportunity to scout out their position. In front of him lay the Willamette River with its promise of safety. Herds of panicking dinosaurs crowded the banks, their trumpeting bellows echoing across the land.

  A herd of Alamosaurus plunged into the water and swam for the opposite bank, their long necks sticking high up in the air. At roughly twenty meters in length, the trip wasn’t a problem for the tall dinos, a fact that didn’t hold true for the other species that followed.

  Within minutes, the river was crowded with swimming behemoths. Those unable to withstand the swift current were swept downstream, and many a youngster disappeared beneath the churning water with a despairing cry.

  A flock of Bambiraptors tittered and squealed on the bank, too scared to brave the river. They milled about, snapping at each other in fear as the blazing fire drew ever closer. Suddenly, they turned and raced downriver, following the water’s edge.

  At the same time, the wind changed, and Bones noted a shift in the wildfire. It was moving upstream, which accounted for the raptor’s sudden departure in the opposite direction. The canny beasts knew where safety lay, and he determined to follow their example.

  “Downriver it is,” Bones muttered. He studied the area until he spotted a sandy beach devoid of life further down the Willamette. The river broadened at that point, and the water appeared calmer. With any luck, he could cross with a degree of safety.

  “That’s where I need to go,” Bones said, his eyes narrowing.

  Conscious of his parched mouth, Bones removed the canteen of water tied to his saddle. He took a couple of deep swallows before staring at his horse with a frown. He didn’t relish sharing his meager rations, but he needed the animal if he wanted to get down to the river. “Okay, fine. Let’s see what we can do about you.”

  He scouted around until he found a stone with a hollow in the middle. It could hold scarcely a cup of water, but the animal slurped it up with abandon. Afterward, it nudged Bones with its nose and emitted a soft whinny.

  An unaccountable sense of warmth filled Bones’ chest, and he blinked. Emotions weren’t his forte. He wasn’t used to feeling much beyond the basics, except when it came to Rogue. Whenever he thought of her, his entire body became suffused with a mixture of intense longing, desire, love, and hatred. Hatred because she refused to return his affections. Still, he always forgave her, no matter what, and he always would. She was the one true love of his life, whether she knew it or not.

  With fresh determination, Bones mounted his horse and guided it down a steep path toward the river. The animal picked its way through the stunted trees, thorny brush, and loose rocks with care. Now and then, a spray of pebbles and sand trickled over the edge of the cliff to drop below.

  Each time, Bones swallowed hard as his heart jumped into his throat.

  Each time, he prayed to an unknown force to keep him from harm.

  The last thing he wanted was to plunge to his death before he could see Rogue again. The thought of finding her was the only thing that kept him going. I have to find her. I need to know she’s alive. Alive and safe.

  Finally, they reached the bottom of the hill, and he pushed his steed into a run. They galloped through the trees until they reached their goal, a grassy field that led down to the Willamette.

  He surveyed the river while gnawing on his lower lip. It was both broader and deeper with a sandy embankment that stuck out into the middle. With any luck, the horse could make it.

  “Here goes nothing,” Bones said. With a kick to the ribs, he urged his steed into the water.

  It entered the river with ginger steps, and Bones clung to the saddle until his knuckles turned white. His mount snorted as it entered the cold flow, and Bones sucked in a deep breath when it licked at his upper thighs. Shit, that’s cold!

  Suddenly, he heard a peculiar noise from behind—a deep growl. The hair on the back of his neck rose, and his senses tingled with alarm. Moving slowly, Bones looked over his shoulder. The blood in his veins turned to ice, and his brain kicked into overdrive.

  A Gorgosaurus stood on the embankment, so close its warm breath washed across Bones’ face. It reeked of rotten meat, the predator’s favorite food. Though much smaller than its cousin, the T-rex, the Gorgosaurus towered above Bones and his mount.

  The gigantic lizard stared at Bones with beady eyes, its quivering lips baring a set of wicked teeth meant for rending flesh from bone. The muscles of its powerful hind legs flexed in readiness as it prepared to attack.

  Before Bones could utter a word, his horse plunged into the river. It squealed with fear, each leap carrying it deeper into the water until they were fully submerged. Caught off guard, Bones toppled from the saddle but managed to grab onto a stirrup.

  He held on for dear life as the steed swam for the opposite bank, driven by its terror of the predator in pursuit. Water slapped him in the face and filled his mouth and nose with liquid. The current dragged at his body, pulling him below the surface. Sputtering, he kicked with his legs and broke the surface with a gasp.

  His eyes searched for the Gorgosaurus, and he spotted it a few feet behind them in the water. The predator’s size counted in its favor, and it gained ground as it charged into the river. Its terrifying jaws snapped at Bones, and he screamed at the top of his lungs. “No, no, no. Get away from me!”

  The gleaming teeth came closer and closer, mere inches from his feet. Then, the predator reached the edge of the sandy bank that stuck out into the water, and its body plunged into the deep river.

  Its short forearms flailed, and its head tipped back as the Gorgosaurus sank. Its body was not meant for swimming. The muscular back legs were meant for sprinting across short distances to catch its prey. With a furious roar, the Gorgosaurus got caught up in the current and was swept downstream.

  Bones closed his eyes and hung onto the saddle, every fiber of his being shaking. Sweet relief mixed with the sour tang of fear, and he sent up a silent prayer of thanks. That was close. Too close.

  His horse never faltered, kicking toward the far side with all its might. Bones tried to hold on, but the bitter cold leached into his bones. His teeth chattered, and his body weakened as time progressed. Sheer willpower kept him from letting go and surrendering to the darkness that tugged at the edge of his vision. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he hit solid ground.

  Bones grunted as the horse dragged him across the pebbled beach before coming to a halt. Blowing like a bellows, the animal stood with its head hanging low. Water dripped from its hide, puddling around its hooves.

  For several minutes, Bones didn’t move. He sat with both hands still clutching the stirrup, ready to give up as shivers wracked his frame. But his will to survive was strong, stronger than the cold. Using the stirrup, he dragged himself to his feet and leaned against the horse. Its body emitted heat, and he soaked it up like a sponge.

  After a while, he lifted his head and looked around. The area around him was deserted, with no dinosaurs in sight. No Gorgosaurus either. The wildfire lay behind him across the Willamette, no longer an imminent thr
eat. He was safe. They were safe.

  With muttered thanks, he patted the horse. “You save my life again, old girl. Maybe it’s time I give you a proper name. What about Jenny?”

  The mare shook her head, showering him with cold droplets of water.

  “Okay, maybe not.” Bones thought about it for a few seconds. “How about Violet? You’re a blue roan, right? You look kind of violet-colored to me.”

  The mare turned her head and nudged him, blowing softly through her nostrils.

  “You like that, huh? Violet, it is then,” Bones said before leading her to a nearby rock.

  He sat down with a groan and stretched his long legs out before him. All he needed was a few moments to rest. They were safe for now, though it wouldn’t do to hang around for too long. Once he and Violet were able to continue, the hunt was on. The quest for Rogue and the Exiles. They had to be close. He could feel it in his bones.

  Chapter 2

  A row of naked lightbulbs flickered overhead, their yellow glow offering little relief from the darkness that lurked in the corners. Tunnels stretched in every direction forming a complex underground network. The air smelled of damp earth, and the atmosphere was claustrophobic. Now and then, the timbers overhead groaned plaintively beneath their heavy burden, and fine trickles of sand sifted down onto the people below.

  Rogue swallowed hard on the knot in her throat. She hated enclosed spaces, and she hated crowds even more. Buffeted by the numerous Exiles rushing about, she clung to Seth’s side like a leech. “Where’s my mother and Ric? Moran and Bruce? I don’t see them anywhere.”

  “I don’t know,” Seth said. “Wait here. I’ll find them.”

  “But—” Rogue protested, refusing to let go of his jacket.

  “Don’t move from this spot,” he said, shrugging free of her grip.

  “Seth!” she called, but he’d already disappeared into the shifting mass of bodies.

  Rogue looked around, her arms wrapped around her middle. She felt lost and alone, stifled by the weight of the earth that entombed her. With growing uncertainty, she searched for a familiar face until she spotted someone she knew. “Brittany? Is that you?”