Reply To: The Land Before Time XXI: Hunter Valley
CHAPTER THREE: DAKOTA
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A short while later, Dakota the Fast Biter, an enemy of Lorenzo’s, sniffed the air. Club Tail! he said. His hungry yellow eyes looked around, searching for the meal that he sought. He headed toward a stream, smelling the Club Tail. He’d taken down Club Tails before. How this one had managed to get so far into Hunter Valley undetected by the adults, Dakota didn’t know.
Leafie, who had been eating green food from in the water, noticed him coming near her. She wondered what to do, for she had been told to avoid anyone but her friends. She had decided to hide in the water. However, before she could run, his yellow eyes stared right into her pink ones. He’d found her!
He came toward her, grinning. Ah, an afternoon snack! said Dakota, licking his lips. He thought the Club Tail seemed rather stupid. She didn’t seem to be putting up a fight. This one should make an easy meal. he thought.
I don’t see leaves anywhere. said Leafie, who didn’t realize what he had meant. My name is Leafie by the way. Who are you? She had never spoken to anyone before, save her friends. She had seen the other Fast Biters before, but only at a distance and her friends had said not to try and talk to them. She didn’t know why they asked this of her, but she had always obeyed. However, this one, she thought, was talking to her; thus, she had replied to Dakota.
Dakota had thought her unable to understand him and had been on the verge of attacking her. Her ability to speak Sharptooth baffled him and he halted. My name is Dakota. he replied. Where did you learn to talk? I’ve never seen a talking Flattooth before. he said incredulously.
My friends. answered Leafie. And what’s a Flattooth? she asked.
Friends? Flatteeth don’t have friends. scoffed Dakota. The silver and blue Dakotaraptor moved closer to her. His curiosity was keeping him from making her into his lunch right then and there. Leafie figured he was the same type as her friends, as he looked similar. However, as she trusted them, she falsely assumed that he was safe too. She had never heard the word Flattooth before.
As for Flattooth, it means you’re not a Sharptooth. You don’t eat meat. You eat plants. replied Dakota.
Of course I don’t eat meat. Never tried it to be honest. Don’t think my teeth can handle it. said Leafie.
Everyone around here does, Club Tail; they eat your kind of meat. laughed Dakota. This was a total shock to her. Her friends had never told her what they ate. Fear began to rise in her. She knew her friends lived in Hunter Valley.
Me?! gasped Leafie.
Yes. I don’t know what friends you have, but they aren’t here now. taunted Dakota.
I am friends with Lorenzo, Cheramie, Flavia, Thorn, and Farrell. We’ve been friends for so many cold times. said Leafie, who didn’t realize that she was in mortal danger.
Many cold times? How could that be? Dakota thought. She is such a liar! Dakota laughed hard. Kid, they are Sharpteeth. They eat your kind.
No, that’s not true. It can’t be! They couldn’t! They wouldn’t! gasped Leafie in horror. She didn’t want to believe it about her friends.
Yes, perhaps they are planning to keep you around till you get nice and fat. Then they will have flayed Club Tail. he laughed.
No. They couldn’t! They wouldn’t! said Leafie, her voice near hysteria. She wondered if he was right. They had kept her hidden her whole life. She never had been told why. Was this the reason? Was she meant to become a feast for them someday?
Yes, silly Flattooth. I’ve seen your pals eat dead Flatteeth before. And they’ve gotten live ones too. answered Dakota.
No. It can’t be. You’re lying! cried Leafie in fright.
It matters little. I’m not friends with Lorenzo. said Dakota, little pity in his eyes. He moved forward, about to pounce on her.
What are you going to do? asked Leafie, who didn’t yet realize what he intended.
Hold still for a little while longer and you’ll find out my dear. laughed Dakota.
She would have died right then had not her friends arrived, for they had been coming her way and had ran, hearing voices. As Dakota moved to attack her, Lorenzo leapt into the way, knocking him over.
You, get away from her! he yelled.
Ah, Lorenzo, I see you’ve been hiding a Flattooth in Hunter Valley. said Dakota, getting up and turning to glare at Lorenzo and the others.
Are you guys going to eat me? asked Leafie. She backed away from the lot of them, feeling betrayed. Were her friends going to eat her after all of these cold times of being friends?
You’re our friend. We’re not going to eat you. said Cheramie.
They’ve kept me hidden. I’ve never come out. said Leafie to Dakota.
Clever move of theirs. If you had, you’d have been in one of our stomachs. said Dakota. Leafie gasped. They had been trying to protect her. She felt foolish for doubting them.
Dakota, please don’t tell! begged Cheramie.
Who says I’ll tell? said Dakota.
Thank you Dakota. said Lorenzo. He thought maybe Dakota, whom he’d had quite a few tussles with, and, whom also wanted Flavia as his girlfriend, had changed for the better.
I’ll just have a little snack. said Dakota, sneering. The others all gasped.
Dakota, please! begged Leafie.
A Flattooth has no place among a pack. Except as the main course. said Dakota, licking his lips. He leapt at Leafie, his mouth open. She moved aside and his fangs snapped exactly where her neck had been. She was terrified.
Dakota, don’t eat me! Leafie begged.
Tell you what, I’ll get it over with quickly! he laughed.
Lorenzo and Thorn tackled Dakota. Don’t hurt her! said Thorn.
Come on guys! I’m hungry! snarled Dakota. He pushed them away. Time for a meal! said Dakota. He again leapt at Leafie. This time, Farrell tackled him.
Run Leafie! said Farrell. Leafie stayed put, not sure what to do. Dakota again broke free.
All of this waiting has increased my appetite. said Dakota. He cornered Leafie. End of the line Flattooth.
Dakota, please, don’t eat me! Let me go! she pleaded.
The only place you’re going is the inside of my stomach! Bye bye Club Tail! he said. He leapt at her, his claws raised, aiming to kill. Leafie, in her fright, struck him with her tail. He went flying and landed in a heap. He was hurt, but alive. She had knocked the wind out of him. He got up, painfully. He didn’t want to get hurt more at the moment. However, he snarled and stared at the others. I’d suggest you eat your Flattooth friend now. When the pack gets here, it’ll be a rather painful end for her with all of them wanting to share her. laughed Dakota. He ran off. The others stood there, horrified.
We’ve got to stop him! said Cheramie.
He’s already got a head start. And he might come back for Leafie. said Flavia. Leafie stood there, horrified and shocked. I’m not like you guys, am I? I’m different. You’re supposed to eat my kind. You have eaten Flatteeth like me. Dakota said he saw you. she said, now afraid of those she had trusted for years.
Leafie, it’s what we were born as. However, you changed us. The ones we got were either dead or others had gotten them and they would have died anyway even if we hadn’t done it. We had to act convincing. They think we are bad hunters but don’t suspect that we are friendly toward Flatteeth. said Lorenzo.
Where did you get me from? she asked.
Your parents and all of your siblings died in a rock slide many cold times ago. We’ve been taking care of you, as big a risk as it was. But we need to hide. I cannot let all of those cold times go to waste. There are places to hide in Hunter Valley. Some we haven’t let you go near as it’s risky. However, it’s getting dark. said Lorenzo. A storm is coming in. We’d better get moving. It’s your best chance. But, beware, if the pack shows up, they can smell you. I’m just hoping Dakota won’t realize we’re going to the Dark Cave. said Thorn.
The Dark Cave? asked Leafie.
It’s a really creepy cave. Some think it’s haunted. said Lorenzo.
I don’t know about this. said Leafie uneasily.
Look, Leafie, you have two choices: go to the Dark Cave, or wait for the pack to find us here, overcome us, and eat you. said Cheramie. Leafie agreed, for her very life was in danger.
The six teenagers headed toward the Dark Cave. They hoped that they didn’t meet the pack. They didn’t want to have to fight their own friends and family.
