The Deadly Past Read Free

learned one thing about the pterodactyl, they knew it didn’t give up easily.
    â€œBut we’ve got nothing in here that will burn,” Sally complained as she searched the dusty floor of the cave.
    â€œThat’s not true,” Watch said. “We’ve got the stick and we’ve got our clothes. If we wrap pieces of cloth around the stick we might be able to discourage the pterodactyl so that it leaves us alone.”
    Adam began to pull off his shirt. “Good idea. Take mine.”
    Sally shook her head. “Yours is too bloody. Watch, give me your shirt.” Sally pulled out her Bic lighter, which she always carried no matter what. Watch quickly pulled off his shirt and the two of them began to tie it to the stick while Adamheld on to the branch. Cindy was by the door of the cave, watching the pterodactyl.
    â€œHurry!” Cindy yelled. “It’s coughed up the rock!”
    The pterodactyl had recovered. But rather than fly toward the cave, it slowly began to walk in their direction. Perhaps it thought it had them cornered. The sight of the bird monster walking was even more disturbing than its flying and swooping in for an attack. Cindy began to freak out.
    â€œWe’re trapped in here!” she cried.
    â€œWe’re not trapped,” Sally said as she touched the flame of the lighter to Watch’s shirt. “But this shirt isn’t going to burn very long. Cindy, give me your blouse.”
    Cindy stopped freaking out and looked embarrassed. “No. You burn your blouse first.”
    â€œMy blouse is brand-new and cost twenty dollars for your information!” Sally snapped. “Besides, I am by nature more shy than you.”
    â€œI think the dinosaur is more shy than you,” Cindy said.
    â€œGive me the stupid stick and quit arguing!” Adam said as Watch’s shirt began to catch fire. “I’ve got to scare it away!”
    Adam pulled the stick away from Sally andhurried toward the cave entrance. He was just in time to meet the pterodactyl head on. To Adam’s relief the monster recoiled from the flames. But once again Adam was struck by how smart the creature was. It seemed to know that the shirt could not burn long before going out. It withdrew several paces but didn’t fly away. Beside Adam, Cindy began to panic again.
    â€œIt’s not fooled!” she moaned.
    Adam was grim. “It doesn’t matter how many clothes we burn. It’ll wait for us.”
    Watch moved up beside them. “I’ve checked, this cave doesn’t go back too far. It doesn’t even narrow.”
    Sally also joined them. “What if we draw straws or something?”
    Cindy was horrified. “You mean sacrifice one of us so the others can get away?”
    Sally shrugged. “I think it will better that it doesn’t get us all. While the thing is eating one of us, the other three can get away.”
    â€œWould you stop talking about its eating us!” Cindy screamed.
    â€œWell, it ain’t going to play catch with us!” Sally screamed back. “We have to face facts!”
    â€œWe’re not sacrificing anybody!” Adamsnapped, still holding the burning stick. “We need to come up with a better defense. Watch, you always have good ideas. Can you think of anything?”
    Watch sighed. “No. And I’ve been racking my brain. There might be a dozen things that could drive it off, but unfortunately they’re all back in town.” He paused. “Let me take the stick. I’ll try to keep it occupied while you guys try to make it to town.”
    Adam shook his head. “No way. You wouldn’t last long.”
    â€œYou offered to do it,” Watch said.
    â€œThat was just to give you time to make it to the cave,” Adam said. “How about if we try for another cave? A tighter one that the pterodactyl can’t fit into?”
    Watch shook his head. “I know this area better than