Plants with teeth

Herring had continued on past Rainbow Lake, following the odd things she’d found before. Not truly realizing that these were little clues to prepare her for what was to come. What she’d eventually find the longer she trekked on. Oh, by the end of this whole adventure, she’d have quite the interesting story to retell to her family. Who knew a trip to Rainbow Lake would lead her down this path? Surly, she wasn’t expecting anything like this at all.

The Cryolophosaurus stepped foot into the tunnel, it certainly didn’t seem nor appear like any of the natural cave like tunnels she’d been in before. It was so… so bland. There weren’t the natural cracks and surface of rocks, the stalagmites that’d hang from the ceiling, no little drips of water… It was so… so man made. It just wasn’t natural. Well, besides the few plants that were growing. Though the more she walked down the tunnel, the more plants appeared. Grass and other flora appearing. She paused when she heard a bit of a buzzing noise, being quiet to try and figure out what the noise was coming from. Herring then skidded to the side when a large…. Was it a fly? That flew by her at a quick speed. Spooking her a bit. Well, that was fun.

The Cryolophosaurus stepped out of the tunnel and into a jungle. There was a bit of a path leading deeper into this unknown place. There appeared to be some footprints still there, though not as many and washed away. Did it rain here? She stepped forward, on the lookout for anything as she continued deeper and further into the jungle. What was this place? Little did she know, this place was referred to as Atlantis.

Herring didn’t know how long she’d been walking now. Some time has definitely passed. She looked up at the sky. Was it actually the sky? It couldn’t be, could it? Surely she was underground. There was no way that was truly the sky yet at the same time, what else could it be? It appeared like the sun was setting though. Herring shook her head. Perhaps she should find some place to curl up for the night before it gets too dark. 

As she walked, adventuring around at a slow pace, she eventually heard a snap. Herring bent down, sneaking her way through the brush and peeked through some leaves. There, a few yards ahead was a small mammal, a rabbit, munching away at the plants. Herring licked her snout, tongue running along her teeth as her gaze narrowed in on the creature. She made sure to stay as quiet as possible as she inched around, getting a little closer to the creature. She didn’t want this chance to slip between her claws. Plus, with the sun setting, it’d be more in her favor. This little creature wouldn’t realize what hit it. It had been a little while since she had caught something last. She wouldn’t lie to herself, she was hungry. 

Soon enough, Herring lunged forward out of her hiding place, racing across the landscape in record time. Jaws open and at the ready to snap down on the creature. Said creature glanced in her direction the moment the Cryolophosaurus burst through the bushes. Its eyes widening in fear and adrenaline thrumming through its veins in an instant, bolting in the opposite direction away from the charging Cryolophosaurus. The two creatures ran full speed, the thundering of Herring catching up with each step. Three steps, two steps, one step, and snap! Success! Herring snatched the rabbit in her jaws, breathing heavy, heart pounding against her chest, shaking slightly from the experience. Hunting was always a thrill for her. She closed her eyes, silently happy that she managed to catch this creature. She was so excited and thankful. 

Now, to find a nice place to eat this. The Cryolophosaurus turned, walking off into the jungle to the right. She made her way through the foliage until she found a nice indent in a trunk of a tree. It was hollow in the middle. It seemed like a nice place to eat her meal and even stay the night. As it was fairly dark now. She sat down in the little cove, eating away at the rabbit, munching on it and honestly enjoying the meal to the fullest. She was happy. Maybe this place wasn’t so bad. It wasn’t long until she had finished it all, gnawing away at the bones now. She licked her snout, her tongue soaking up the blood that was smeared across her face. As she sat there, fighting against the lull of sleep. In the quiet of the night, she could hear the trickle of what sounded like a water source. Hmm, perhaps she could go and get something to drink before she goes to bed.

She followed the sound, with each step it got louder and louder. It wasn’t long before she found a small creek. It reminded her of home. She bent down, slurping up the water. She then paused, hearing something move. Herring sniffed the air, eyes wide as she scanned the area in front of her. Nothing so far. She didn’t see anything nor did she smell anything that could cause for alarm. It was then that something grabbed at her leg and she jumped, crashing into the water. She looked up in horror. Roots of a nearby plant were reaching out for her, the plant and its roots glowing a soft blue. Herring scrambled up to her feet, racing to the other side of the creek, only for another plant to glow. Another pair of roots reaching out for her.

Herring clacked as she dodged, her heart beating fast. Oh gosh, what had she gotten herself into? What was with all the plants in the place? They were alive. Alive like an animal. Not the general alive like a plant. But actually alive. They were trying to eat her! The young Cryolophosaurus couldn’t believe what she was experiencing. What was happening? What caused this place to make the plants want flesh? Herring had to do something. She had to get home. It wasn’t safe here. What plants were safe and what ones wanted to eat her? It felt like her mind was running a mile a minute. What could she do? What can she do? She had to get out of here.

Herring fled, dodging and scrambling as plants tried to grab her, some even trying to bite hers. Where would she stay? Where would she be safe? So many thoughts raced through her mind as she silently hoped for her to find a place to be safe throughout the night. The Cryolophosaurus slipped, accidentally crashing into a plant, the thing lunging down at her. She reached out, trying to kick at the “mouth” of the plant as she roared, thrashing as she wrestled to get away from the plant. This can’t be how it ends! Herring grabbed ahold of one of the petals and pulled hard, tearing some of the plant’s “mouth” away. She scrambled as she spat out the petal, managing to escape as the plant had loosened its hold on her. She ran away, seemingly faster than before. 

Ok, she took back what she said before. This place was bad! So bad! Little did she know what else the future held. This was only the beginning.