Stranger in the Scrub

I sniff the air, nostrils flaring as I search for the faintest trace of prey. The desert is quiet today, too quiet for my liking, the only sound is the dry rasp of the wind pushing across the sand.

In the past few months, I’ve grown large enough to claim my own permanent territory. Finally, after weeks of starving and being constantly parched, I have my own burrow next to a stream of water surrounded by the amazing scent of flowering cacti.

No more fear, no more constantly being paranoid. In this barren area, even though I’m only a juvenile, I am the largest predator here. In this forgotten corner of the Kela Scrub, I rule. I do not fear predators and their teeth and claws in the night, others fear my teeth and claws in the night.

I sniff again.

Until today, it seems. That’s the smell of a predatory theropod.

Judging from the scent, and assuming I’ve scented this species before, it would be a…

My heart nearly stops.

It smells like me, but slightly different. That can only mean one thing.

It’s a Crylophosaurus. My own species.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Lilac was lost, she’d strayed off from her mother as her and her siblings were being moved from one den site to another. She wasn’t particularly large for her age, she was the runt in her clutch and was often straying behind the rest of the brood, despite her best efforts to keep in line with her mother. 

She hadn’t spent much time alone before, usually she would be found within a few minutes of being left behind or wandering off, But on this day it had been hours. She looked around the dusty ground, desperately searching for any evidence her family had passed through. However, there was nothing to be found.

Sniffing the air she detected the scent of another Cryolophosaurus, but not one she recognised, the smell was faint but she caught it on the breeze. As the wind settled again the scent was gone. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I start sprinting in the direction of where the wind carrying the scent came from.

I’m still thinking of the implications of this. Ever since I hatched, I haven’t seen another of my own species. But that doesn’t change one singular thing I’ve upheld since I formed this territory.

When someone enters your territory without permission, the only answer is intimidation or violence. 

I get within view of this other Crylophosaurus, and immediately hide behind a cluster of cacti. It’s a female, with white scales and grey spots. On her rump and upper tail there are weird quills. Either she’s weird or I am, because I don’t have quills and have feathers instead.

I watch, my pure red eyes peering through the space between two cacti. I’m trying to figure out her intentions. Is she just passing through, or is she going to try to fight me for it?

I freeze as she turns her head and looks in my direction. 

She’s noticed me.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Lilac froze in her tracks, the sight of a creature similar shape and size to her had caught her attention from behind some cacti. Was it one of her siblings? She took a few steps forward to get a better look, keeping her head high to make sure she had the most visibility on the figure. As she came closer and closer to it the smell grew in strength, this was not one of her siblings.

A drawing curiosity encouraged her to continue advancing. Nothing about her posture of movements was threatening, she was just a youngster all alone and looking for a sense of security only found by having company. Stopping within a few feet of the other juvenile she watched cautiously now, concerns of being attacked began to rush through her mind and she began to consider turning and running away, though this would likely get her more lost. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I look at her. Though I haven’t really interacted with others of my species, I can tell she’s not going to attack me. She didn’t sprint towards me with her mouth open or her claws raised. She kind of looks scared, honestly.

Which she should be. She entered my territory without permission.

Still, I can’t bring myself to attack her. She isn’t trying to fight me, and despite me constantly lying to myself, I am a little, well, lonely.

My whole life alone, and now here’s another of my species. 

Using the broken language I’ve learned from listening in on herbivores that pass through my territory, I speak.

“Why are you here? Are you friend? Why do you look different?”

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Lilac tilted her head wondering why the others' speech was so broken. Were they not taught the same as her? “I’m lost.” She admitted timidly as she looked down at her feet  embarrassed. “We could be friends, if you wanted.” She addressed the second question and then thought for a moment for an answer to the final one. “I… It's just the way I look. I hatched this way.” She said simply hoping this explanation would be sufficient for the stranger.

Despite her young age she could see the tension in the other youngster, his body was rigid and unmoving as he eyed her with caution, it made her feel uneasy. She was so used to her siblings always being relaxed and playful and so meeting someone a similar age who wasn’t immediately ready to play was bizarre.

“Where is your family?” She asked looking around behind him for any sign of an adult or other young ones. She saw nothing, perhaps this was why the young male was so timid? Was he alone, she knew she certainly didn't enjoy being alone so she couldn’t imagine being alone all the time. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

That question. That question that’s been at the back of my mind for the past few months of my existence.

Where is my family?

I know from my observations of other dinosaurs that young ones like me are supposed to have a larger one of their species to protect them. But I wasn’t born with that luck. I had to fight tooth and claw, red from blood.

Maybe that’s why this Crylophosaurus, though the same age as me, seems so naive. I may be young, but I’ve hunted for myself and formed a territory of my own.

I’m a survivor.

I realize that the female Crylophosaurus is looking at me weirdly, and respond to her question.

“My family is… Away. I live alone. You’re in my territory.”

Reminding myself that fact, I step forward.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Lilac took as step back as the other stepped forward, something about that motion made her uneasy. It wasn’t overly aggressive but still gave off a sense of warning. “Sorry, I didn’t know.” She began to back away, not quite sure if she wanted to expose her back to the young male. She thought about what they had said, that their family was away. Why weren’t they looking for their parents? Their territory? How did such a young dino have a territory?

Stopping, she narrowed her eyes at the young male and spoke, “So you’re alone?” She asked a simple question in itself but she sensed it would cause an outburst. Though the stranger was odd and made her slightly uncomfortable, she still felt sorry for them. Her heart aching at the thought of growing up with no one. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I look away, so she can’t decipher my emotions.

“Yes, alone. Now, are you going to leave?”

I look back at her. I don’t really know how I feel about this, still. She’s lost, so she probably won’t be here for long. Best case scenario, she leaves.

But then, there’s that small neglected part of my mind. The part of my brain that yearns to communicate with someone of my own species. To be friends.

I rephrase my earlier question.

“I mean, you have my permission to stay in my territory as long as it has enough prey to support the both of us.”

I start walking away.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Lilac hesitated for a moment thinking about what he had said, it sure was scary out here by herself and she wasn’t sure how long she could survive on her own. Perhaps it would be best for her to stay with him, at least until her mother came back to find her. 

Making her decision she ran after the male, “Wait! Can I stay with you for a while?” She called after him hoping he would agree to keeping her company until she was rescued.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I sigh. If I was in her situation, I’d be overjoyed. A swathe of territory being defended by someone else, with no danger of other predators? Do I need to hunt for her too?

But, I do want company.

“Fine. You may sleep in burrow. Now hurry up.”

I start walking again, before realizing I don’t know her name, nor does she know mine

“My name Duststorm. Yours?”

She quickly responds, excited for some reason.

“My name is Lilac!”

I sigh once again.

“Okay, Lilac. Follow.”

She quickly follows. She gets the feeling I’ll leave her behind.

Which I would.

I start walking home. Whether I like it or not, I’m stuck with Lilac now.