Dinosaur Armageddon Vol. 1: Vengeful Promise

Chapter 3

Adjusting the quiver of arrows and the bow on her back, she rushed to the building. She grabbed the door knob and opened the door. She walked inside and closed the door quietly. It took a minute for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. When they did, Tash noticed that the inside of the hotel was better than the outside. The desk had neatly stacked papers, the walls weren't chipped or damaged. Even the floor was welled cleaned.

She immediately found the stairs and made her way up. She then shuffled down the hallway on the second floor, testing each door to see if they were locked or not. After several attempts, she finally found an unlocked room. She dropped her quiver and bow next to the door and walked in. She stripped out of her sky blue robes and shorts, walked to a bed, laid down, and drifted off into a deep and peaceful sleep.

Hours later, she woke up to the sound of a voice.

"Who are you?" it growled. "And what are you doing here?"

Natasha clutched the blanket, shaking in fear. She could make out the shape of a person in the shadows. "I-I'm sorry," she stuttered. "I didn't mean to intrude. I was o-only trying to get out of the rain."

The figure reached the wall and turned the light on. Natasha got a good look at the boy. His cherry red hair was untidy and spiky. His eyes were deep amber orange. He wore a black and white shirt and a pair of khakis. A white bandage covered his nose.

He looked grim at first, but his features softened at the sight of Natasha. "That's understandable," he said.

Natasha sighed. "Sorry to bother you. I'll leave," she said.

"No, no," the boy said. "You can stay. I was just surprised." He smiled, which made Natasha's face turn warm .

"Th-Thank you," she said.

"Anytime." He ruffled his hair. "Name's Stefan. What's yours?"

"Natasha," she replied. It was at that moment when she felt comfortable with Stefan. She felt herself smiling.

"Well, Natasha," Stefan said, giving a peace sign, "welcome to my humble dwelling."

The months flew by like birds in the wind. Stefan and Natasha became close friends, surviving on whatever resources they could find, tell jokes and good stories, living peacefully. Then one day, Natasha found Stefan on the roof of the hotel, watching the sunset.

He looked back and saw her and smiled. "Hey, Natasha," he said. "Come and sit."

She smiled and shuffled to Stefan. She took a seat next to him. They both watched the sinking sun. It painted the sky orange, pink, and purple. It was truly astonishing.

"It's kinda ironic," Stefan said. "That the most dangerous places are the most beautiful."

"Yeah," Natasha said.

They sat for a moment in silence, taking in the moment. Then Stefan broke it. "Can I tell you something crazy?"

Natasha turned her head and saw Stefan looking at her. "Sure."

"I have this dream," he said, "that maybe one day, human and dinosaurs can coexist with each other as the dominant species." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean sure, they're killed billions of people, but they're just animals. And all animals are just trying to survive."

He chuckled. "I know. It's silly to believe such a thing."

"No, no," Natasha said quickly, waving her hands. "I think it's a good dream. I think it can be done."

She meant it, which surprised her. But she meant every word.

Stefan looked at her with a surprised face. Then he smiled, the sun reflecting from his eyes. It seemed like he was meant for sunsets, or that sunsets were meant for him.

"Thank you, Tash," he said softly. "Now I know for sure it can be done."

Before she could say another word, Stefan leaned forward and put his lips to hers. Her eyes bulged and her face burned.

Her very first kiss.

She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck.

This was where she belonged. This was where she was meant to be. With him. They became the strongest couple in existence, savoring every moment.

Then one day, something happened. Something terrible.

Stefan was being attacked by a large pack raptors as tall as a man. He fought bravely, trying to protect Natasha. But there were to many of them. Natasha tried to help, firing her arrows, but the raptors kept moving, making her miss her mark.

Stefan and Natasha's gaze met, the left side of his face covered in fresh blood, a huge laceration on his forehead, as the raptors slashed and bit into his chest and limbs. "GO, NATASHA!" he cried. "LEAVE ME!"

"No!" Natasha shouted over the screeching and snarling of the raptors. "I have to help you!"

"LEAVE! NOW!"

Natasha had no choice. Crying hot tears, she ran away, leaving her first and only boyfriend to die.

If anyone saw Natasha as she slept, they'd see the single tear rolling down her face.