Primordial Earth: Book 1 (The Extinction Series - A Prehistoric, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi Thriller) by Baileigh Higgins

Author:Baileigh Higgins [Higgins, Baileigh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2020-08-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Rogue was swept along by the river, the strong current tumbling her around like a rag doll. Her consciousness faded in and out, and she longed to give in to the darkness. But her will to survive was stronger than the urge to submit, and she fought to stay awake. A couple of times, her head broke the surface, allowing her to suck in a quick lungful of air. 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. The Clidastes!

The marine lizard would drown her if she let it. Drown her and feast on her flesh, just like modern-day crocodiles did. Not today.

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. Don’t try to cut it. Stab it.

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 creatures’ 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.

The burn inside her lungs was growing by the second, and she struggled toward the surface. Her wounded leg protested with every kick, but her need for oxygen overrode the pain. Black spots danced in front of her eyes, and her chest constricted until it felt like her lungs would pop like balloons.

Just when she thought she wouldn’t make it, her head burst into the open air. Rogue gasped while trying to stay afloat. The Clidastes was nowhere to be seen, and neither was her machete. She’d lost the only protection she’d had, along with her backpack.

Despair dragged at her limbs. She was in serious trouble. By now, the river would’ve carried her far from the city and deep into the wilderness. Weaponless, wounded, and with no food or water, she wouldn’t last a day.

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