The Extinction Series | Book 6 | Primordial Earth 6

That kept her alive, but she had little control of her body.
Suddenly, sharp pain lanced up her leg. Her eyes opened wide, searching for the source of the pain. A sinewy shape curled around her in the murky water. Thick, smooth, and muscled. Its long jaws had latched onto her leg, the wicked teeth cutting deep into her calf. Blood clouded the water, and she gritted her teeth to keep from crying out. The creature’s body whipped back and forth as it tried to drag her to the bottom of the river. A Clidastes!
The marine lizard would drown her if she let it. Drown her and feast on her flesh, just like modern-day crocodiles did.
Kicking furiously, Rogue booted the monster in the face with her free leg. It let go and swam away, only to circle back for another attack. All thirteen feet of it. She felt for the machete at her hip, nearly crying with relief when her hand closed around the handle. The long blade was difficult to wield in the water, so she tucked her arm close to her side.
The Clidastes shot through the water, impossibly fast, its jaws open wide. With a bubbling cry, Rogue thrust the machete into its open maw. The creature’s momentum drove it forward, and the point of the blade pierced the roof of its mouth.
A cloud of crimson spewed forth from the wound, swirling around them in the water. The Clidastes shook its head furiously, and Rogue lost her hold on the machete. With a whip of its powerful tail, the water lizard disappeared into the gloom.
For a couple of seconds, Rogue tread water, her eyes wide as she searched for the monster. But it was gone. She was safe for the moment.
***
Rogue was dragged from her memories when a dragonfly as big as her hand hovered in front of her face. Its azure wings glinted in the sunlight, and it zoomed about before dipping into the water. After a while, it flew off, and she watched it go with a sense of loss.
A soft breeze tugged at her ponytail, and she sucked in a deep breath of fresh air. The sun’s rays were warm and comforting, caressing her skin with its golden touch. She tipped back her head and allowed her worries to drift away. What were they but distractions from the here and now?
“It’s beautiful out here, isn’t it?” Brittany asked, joining her at the rail.
“It is,” Rogue said, straightening up.
“It’s not all like Prime or the Zoo. Out here, everything seems possible,” Brittany said, her tone wistful. “Possible, but dangerous.”
“Is that what you want? Danger?” Rogue asked.
“I guess so,” Brittany said.
“Well, you sure pissed your mom off by coming on this trip,” Rogue said with a wry chuckle. “I’m willing to bet she’ll have a fit when she finds out.”
“I crave excitement. Adventure. Is that so wrong of me?”
“No, it’s what I want as well,” Rogue admitted.
“Then you understand.”
“I do,” Rogue said, almost wishing she didn’t. Life in the settlements was safe. Safe and predictable. Out here, anything could happen, and it was part of the allure.
I’ve changed, she realized. The moment I chose to go over the wall, I changed, and there’s no going back. Not now. Not ever.

Chapter 3
Later that afternoon, Rogue found herself drawn back to the bow of the boat. She leaned across the railing and gazed into the distance. Her thoughts were unfocused, and she allowed herself to relax. After a while, Seth joined her, and she asked, “Did you and Captain Tony have a nice chat earlier?”
“That we did. He knows a lot about boats and stuff,” he replied.
“Boats and stuff?” she repeated with a laugh.
“Yeah, you know what I mean,” Seth answered with a shrug.
“Do I detect a hint of admiration for the captain?” she teased.
Seth’s cheeks turned bright red, and he scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“If you say so, but warn me if I’m facing serious competition,” she added.
Seth rolled his eyes. “Whatever. I’m more interested in what has you so fascinated.”
“This,” she said, waving a hand all around them. “It’s so peaceful out here.”
“Uh-huh. Until it’s not,” he said.
“Don’t spoil the moment,” she said, chucking him on the shoulder.
He wrapped one arm around her waist and drew her close. “I see what you mean, though. It’s a far cry from Prime City and its crowded streets.”
Rogue leaned into his comforting warmth, and her gaze traveled across the opposite bank. The thick forest had receded, leaving the embankment clear. It jutted out over the water, its sheer edge plunging into the river below.
That changed when they turned a corner. The ground dropped until it smoothed out into a wide sandy beach. To her amazement, a herd of dinosaurs crowded its expanse. They were a mixture of species, both big and small, all herbivores.
She studied them with delight, noting their unique characteristics and behavior. They were amazing creatures. Especially when they were free to be what they were: Prehistoric creatures that predated humanity by millions of years.
A couple of young Ankylosaurus chased each other around the edge of the herd. One whacked the other with the knob on the end of its tail, causing the victim to bawl with indignation. It ran back to the safety of its mother, and she chased the other youngster away with an angry huff.
A group of Achelousaurus vied for space with the much larger Triceratops. Though they looked similar, they lacked the trio of horns on their snouts, sporting two on the top of their crests instead.
Between the rocks, adult Lambeosaurus chewed on mouthfuls of duckweed and other algae, water streaming from their duck-billed mouths while the young ones frolicked. Overhead, a flock of Nyctosaurus flew past, heading deeper inland.
But none of it could compare to the sight of a family of Alamosaurus standing belly-deep in the water. They towered above the rest, their long necks reaching for the heavens. Graceful and majestic, the placid dinosaur dipped their heads into the water in search