Ten

Guillaume’s rifle cracked a sharp retort, the dinosaur’s eye erupted in a shower of blood, and it fell to the ground, dead. Simone was safe.

Leaving the safety of the cairn of boulders where they had gained refuge, the children ran to their mother, seeking assurance that she was, in fact, unharmed. Guillaume slipped the rifle back into its holster on the palomino and strode over to see for himself.

Looking up into his rugged face, Simone whispered, “I love you.” Guillaume nodded, reached a rough hewn hand down to caress her chin and replied, “Me too.”

Overhead a pterodactyl swooped around the tree tops, screeching an echoing cry that made Pilar cover her tiny ears. “Make it stop, Papa!” Her father laughed, picked her up and placed her effortlessly on his shoulders. “I’m afraid we’ll have to let that one get away, my sweet.”

He led them away from the carnage, Antoine leading the horse by the reins. Within a short time they had located the path to the caves and headed down it. Guillaume had no idea how they would survive in this world-gone-mad, but it was up to him to make certain they did.

As dusk approached, covering the prehistoric land with a deceptive calm, they reached the cavern. Shooing the children in, Simone crept up from behind, encircling Guillaume with her slender arms, hugging him close, enjoying the warmth of his body.

“I don’t know how…” he began. Simone shushed him gently, burying her face in the strength of his back. “I understand, my love. You will keep us alive here, and perhaps someday we will find a way back.” She spun him gently around to look into his tired eyes. “Until then, we will survive.” She took his arm, placed it around her shoulder and stood beside him as they watched the raw sunset color the sky blood red.

“It’s all we can do.”