Rhino Dreams by Carolyn Waggoner

Author:Carolyn Waggoner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: She Writes Press
Published: 2022-01-27T00:00:00+00:00

25.

Clare could scarcely believe her eyes. “Eric? How?” She began to sob anew. “It’s Flora. She’s terribly injured. Flossie too. I got here. The hyenas—” She began to sob anew.

“Stay put. I’ll take a look.” He stepped out of the cab. Then he stopped, startled.

“Clare, there’s camera equipment all over the place.” He held up a shattered flash attachment. “And not in very good shape. You sure you’re all right?”

“It was all I had. No gun. Nothing. I’m fine.” Clare sounded as if she was trying to convince herself as much as Eric. “Really. Not a scratch.”

He edged around Clare’s Jeep to get a better look. During his years working with wildlife he had seen quite a bit—but nothing had prepared him for what he now beheld.

Flora, her tremendous head bowed, her nose almost touching the ground, was gasping huge breaths of fierce surrender. Eric flinched. The gash that encircled her leg was almost certainly bone-deep. The little calf clung to her mother’s side. She was wild-eyed, panting, and covered in blood. He crept around them, giving them plenty of space.

“There, there, girls,” he whispered. “You’ve seen enough trouble, haven’t you? So bloody unfair.”

Flora snorted but didn’t lift her head. All fight had ebbed from her.

Eric moved completely behind her. She had suffered massive injuries to her hindquarters. Chunks of flesh were missing from her legs, and her tail was mangled, hanging by a mere tendon. Eric finished the circle, coming to a stop at Clare’s window.

“It’s bad, Clare.” He choked, then swallowed. “Very bad.”

“I know!” The look on Eric’s face cut her heart. “I tried.”

“If she has any chance, she needs immediate veterinary care. And constant protection until it arrives. Poor, brave girl.” Eric shook his head. “I’ll radio Sypher. He’s closer. Maybe he could spare some guides. Pieter will help, but it will take longer. The students—well, they’re fine with databases and field samples, but I’d hate to pit them against poachers or hyenas. Or—”

“Don’t say it,” Clare pleaded. A pride of lion would eagerly avail themselves of such an easy meal. Rhino or student. It wouldn’t matter.

Eric reached for his radio and called Lodge at Damara.

“This is Eric Bolton. I need to speak to Mr. Sypher. Right away. That’s right, Bolton. Thank you.” Eric forced a smile in Clare’s direction, then glanced around the Jeep. The rhino seemed frozen. Only their ears twitched. Flora’s great sides heaved. Eric scanned the area. No sign of the hyenas returning. “Yes, Daniel. It’s Eric. I’m out at the Zebra Pan water hole with Clare. Need the coordinates? Yes. With Clare. I don’t know. Stop yelling. I had nothing to do—”

Clare’s eyes widened.

He took a deep breath, then continued. “Look, Daniel, I need your help. A couple of rhino are seriously injured. Hyena. They wouldn’t have made it without Clare. I don’t know, Daniel! For God’s sake! Look—we need your vehicles and guides. To form a barricade, guard them until we get some medical help here.” Eric looked up at Clare. At first, there was hope in his eyes, and he almost smiled.

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