Reply To: The Land Before Time XVI: The Lonely Longneck
CHAPTER FIVE: SHORTY’S DARK PAST
________________________________________
“You’re what?!” asked Littlefoot in shock.
“I’m in love. She’s really cute and I understand her.” said Shorty.
“How can you understand her? She doesn’t talk that much.” Littlefoot inquired.
“Neither do I. I can get that she doesn’t want to be bothered, even if nobody else does.” Shorty exclaimed.
“Why are you so quiet? You don’t seem to get along with other dinosaurs that well.” asked Littlefoot.
“It’s my parents. They were killed and I was left all alone.” Shorty confided.
“I lost my Mother too. She was attacked right in front of me.” Littlefoot added.
“Both of my folks were attacked right in front of me.” remarked Shorty.
“They were?!” gasped Littlefoot.
Shorty nodded. “What happened?” asked Littlefoot.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” replied Shorty. He left.
Littlefoot told the others what he had heard from Shorty.
“I had no idea. Oh no, no, no.” said Ducky in shock.
“Me feel bad for Shorty.” said Petrie.
Dayo said nothing. It was clear to the others, however, that her mind was racing. Finally, she said “The poor dear. Don’t bother him about it further until he’s ready.”
“Like I’d be dumb enough to do…” laughed Cera. Dayo gave her an angry look and she shut up.
Another rainstorm came. The rain came down hard. They all headed for shelter. It was really pouring. Visibility was poor. Shorty and Dayo wandered off from the others. They couldn’t see where they were going in the downpour.
Shorty slipped in the mud. Dayo tried to pull him up. Flecks of mud splattered her face as she tried to lift him. “You need to lose weight.” said Dayo.
“Sorry.” said Shorty. He didn’t act insulted about her comments about his weight. She slipped, however, in part due to her clumsiness. They both went sliding in the mud. “WOOOOOOOAAHHH!” they both yelled.
They went over a cliff and landed in the Mysterious Beyond. Luckily they hadn’t fallen far and were only bruised. “Are you ok?” Dayo asked Shorty.
“I’m mostly fine. How are you?” he asked her.
“I am ok. A bit sore. I’m so sorry I tripped. I’m such a klutz.” said Dayo, blushing.
“It doesn’t matter.” said Shorty.
Shorty helped Dayo get up. “Thank you Shorty.” she said.
“Glad to help.” he replied.
They stared at each other. They were close to kissing, for Dayo had been growing fonder of Shorty too. However, right before their lip met, they heard a snarl. They pulled apart.
“What was that?” said Shorty nervously, looking around.
A hungry pack of Allosauruses came their way. “Sharpteeth!” they both yelled. They ran. The hungry carnivores pursued them.
