The British Museum
‘Natural History’
London, England
1910
It was late during the night and the street lights emanated their warm glow to the night owls who were still wandering around London, the museum would normally be in darkness by this time of night but several lights were still on, something was amiss inside.
Carter turned the corner down one of the hallways quickly his grip was firm the rifle, the weapon was a Lee-Enfield bolt-action, short magazine, repeating rifle and was Carter’s favourite he used it on the expedition, Carter although in his mid-40s he was still well built which was needed for hunting game across the world and it was his skills why the museum had hired him. He looked over his shoulder and signalled to the two people behind him “It’s clear” he stepped out and they entered the main foyer and took up a hiding place amongst the glass cabinets near the large stuffed elephants that stood proud to welcome visitors when they arrived during the opening hours, Carter looked to Myra who was also armed with a rifle, she red haired Scotswoman, she was slim but surprisingly strong it’s why Carter worked with her she was excellent in the field. He gave her a nod “You alright?” she nodded back “Of course we’ve been in similar situations before Carter” he gave a slight laugh and stroked the bushy moustache on his face, the situation was very different from hunting the usual trophies in places like India or Africa. Carter looked passed Myra to the dark haired, heavyset man who was sat on the floor cleaning his glasses “Are you alright Ben?” Benjamin slipped the glasses back up on his nose “Yes I’m doing alright, surprisingly” Carter gave a reassuring smile but then noticed that Benjamin’s shirt had blood “Are you injured?”. Benjamin looked to his right shoulder and saw the crimson patch that was soaked into his white shirt he shook his head “Jesus! No…that was George’s” he fell silent, Benjamin thought back seeing George’s terrified look then that inhuman shriek and just blood, a lot of blood.
The three of them heard a noise coming from the main staircase, Carter and Myra spun around and took aim to see the others arriving two men Warren and Sammy fellow hunter’s like Carter led the group down the steps and over to Carter, Myra and Benjamin. Benjamin spoke to a member of the second group Lawrence who was the head of the museum “Did you get the other outer doors locked?” Lawrence was panting slightly running “Yes we did, I’m guessing you three managed to do the storage areas below “We did, there’s no way for that thing to get out now”. A rather well-groomed and smartly dressed man spoke abruptly “But what about us we are still stuck inside!” Carter turned to him face him “Your saw that thing, that bastard is one of the quickest things I’ve ever seen and it’s already killed several people!” Benjamin also added “We have no idea what would happen if that creature gets out into the public, we can’t let it get out”, the man turned to Benjamin with a snooty look “I don’t think you really understand who I am, Charles Barkley my money was paying for this whole freakshow before all this shit happened!” Carter shuffled over towards Barkley “I don’t a fuck if you’re King’s arse wiper, shut the fuck up or I will shoot you before that thing hears you” Barkley was taken aback and Carter’s crass insult but he shrunk down and remained silent. Before anyone could speak a loud shriek followed by an unusual chittering noise echoed out from somewhere deep in the museum, Carter took his rifle and aimed up to the upper levels he looked around he slowed his breathing to make an easier shot if he needed although already missed the animal twice, another shriek rang out but this one was the definite desperate albeit futile cry of another human Carter lowered the rifle “Another poor bastard” Lawrence spoke softly “There must be people still in the building after everyone else fled, Christ almighty”. Carter knelt back down and waved to the two other men “Warren, Sammy come over here” they were men of a similar profession as Myra and Carter, Warren was from Australia and Sammy from South Africa, Carter spoke softly “Alright with the doors sealed the next part of the plan in to kill this thing, we need to go through each area and close them off as we go that way we limit where this thing can go. Once it’s cornered we can put it down” he wiped the sweat from his brow “Myra, Ben and I will take the East Wing, Warren take his majesty Mr Barkley and take the West Wing and Sammy you take Lawrence and Mrs Kensington start the First Floor once we’ve finished below we’ll come and meet you as soon as we can“ Carter looked to the very middle aged lady still dressed in her finery. Lady Emma Kensington was another benefactor who had funded the expedition and also the exhibition, when the creature escaped she made sure that people got to the exits safely before trying help contain it Carter pulled out a colt 1903 handgun “My Lady have you ever used a gun before?” Emma gave a coy smile “Oh dear boy I’ve shot many a game animal over the decades, this won’t be my first hunt” Carter passed her the gun “This would make a fine trophy for the drawing room my lady” Emma gave a slight grin at the thought Carter continued “OK let’s get to it” the groups separated.
Carter, Myra and Benjamin entered the East Wing and closed the entrance door behind them, the East Wing was the Palaeontology exhibit this was Benjamin’s field of expertise he looked around at the skeletons of a Megatherium, Smilodons and Irish Elk, Carter kept the rifle raised all of them trying to keep their footsteps as quiet as possible “So Ben what’s at the end of this passage?” Ben had each floor of the museum memorised “This is Fossil Mammalia, straight ahead is a small chamber for Edentata, marsupials and birds but that can easily be sealed then we take a left into Fossil Reptiles” Myra had her rifle lowered she looked to Ben “Have you had much experience in the field Ben?” he nodded “I been on many expeditions but the animals I work with and study have been dead for a very long time” Carter added “And aren’t currently hunting us in the hallways” Benjamin agreed with him “Yes that too” Carter looked over his shoulder “Although you have the most knowledge in this situation so anything is valuable”. Ben appreciated being acknowledged for his work but this was something he had never come across before “We’ve never seen anything like it before I mean it has feathers but is reptilian? it goes against everything we know” Carter caught the glimpse of excitement in his voice “Is that exhilaration I detect Professor?” Ben gave a slight bashful shrug “Despite all the terror I am finding this quite fascinating” Carter laughed “We’ll make a hunter of you yet Professor” they carried on through the wing.
Over in the West Wing the other hunter Warren and Barkley, this area was Recent Zoology and the two of them had closed over the long passageway and were passing through an area filled with numerous shells and corals Warren checked the aisles and there was nothing but a loud metallic bang caused both men to jump Barkley muttered angrily “This is ridiculous, the board will be hearing about this fiasco!” Warren rolled his eyes “A fiasco that you paid for didn’t you?” Barkley became more irate “Exactly! If word got out about this then my reputation is going to be tarnished!” Warren gave him a glance “Yeah people dying from a beast on loose can be a right inconvenience…prick” Barkley stomped forward and stood in front of the rough looking Australian “What the hell did you just call me convict?!”. Warren stopped immediately “Look ‘PRICK’ call me that again and I’ll feed you to that fucking thing myself, got it? Now get out of my way!” Warren barged passed to carry on and finish searching the rest of the wing.
Upstairs Sammy, Lawrence and Mrs Kensington stood by the exhibition room that was going to be used for the special event that the museum had planned for showing the specimens that had been collected on the expedition from an unknown region in Africa. They wandered inside the room it was a passage filled with signs of information and illustrations on the exhibition there was also a trail of blood smeared along the wooden floor, at the end it opened up into a large viewing area filled with multiple stadium styled seating. In the centre of the room was a large wooden crate which the animal had been kept, next to the crate was the body of Andrew Darius the man who discovered the information about the unknown region in Africa and sought The British Museum to help him fund a fully manned expedition, his body lay on the ground utterly torn to shreds from when the creature erupted when the box was opened and pounced on him and began ripping him apart. Emma looked down at the body she knew Darius very well and was saddened that he had suffered such a horrific death “Poor soul” she looked and saw a few other people two men and one woman who had all suffered similar fates she paused for a moment to show a sign of respect. Sammy had checked all the area and shook his head “It’s not here” Lawrence nodded “Then we can close this part on and check the rest of the floor” the left the room and closed the double doors behind them. They wandered down the hallway as Emma began to question Sammy “Would it be rude to ask Samuel? But you lived in Africa for most of your life have you ever seen anything like the specimens brought back from Mr Darius’ expedition?” Sammy shook he head although he could speak English it was broken slightly due to his accent “No Miss, I never seen anything like that”. As they walked deep footstep suddenly rushed towards them and Emma let out a yell as something grabbed her leg and she was pulled down the hallway, Lawrence and Sammy turned to see the lady being dragged away towards where the main staircase was “SHIT!” they both charged after her. Emma dropped the gun and began clawing at the ground she yelled desperation and screamed from the intense pain stinging through her leg as the creature pulled her along, she reached out and grabbed onto one of the openings in the stonework of the balcony and held tight, the creature growled and began to shake violently, the beast was so strong that Emma felt the bone in her lower leg snap she screamed again, Sammy and Lawrence managed to reach her and saw the beast in its full.
It was four feet in height, the creature raised its head up showing the long blood covered snout, it’s flesh was darkened grey in colour and its skin was similar to that of a reptile, the body was short but muscular with two clawed forearms and two thick powerful legs. Although reptile in appearance along the creature's neck, back all the way to the tip of its long tail and along the bottom of its arms were beautiful orange coloured feathers, it hissed and shrieked as it stood over Emma who was semi-conscious from the attack. Sammy raised his rifle but Lawrence came up on his right “Wait! You could hit Mrs Kensington” Sammy looked down to her and to Lawrence “We need to lure it away, so we can get her” they began shouting at it and stomped their feet and the creature let go and snarled at them, it stepped over Mrs Kensington its clawed foot clicked against the floor which revealed something unusual it had two toes but its inner toe was larger and more sickled in shape but it was upright and could move in a slashing moving if needed. As it moved away from Emma Sammy was readying his weapon but was caught by surprise the feathered creature lunged onto Sammy knocking him hard onto the ground which caused the rifle to fire which struck Lawrence in the chest, Lawrence from the force of the impact flipped over the edge of the balcony.
As Carter, Myra and Benjamin emerged from the exit of the East Wing Lawrence’s body fell against one of the glass cabinets, shards of glass erupted everywhere Carter yelled as he shielded his face “FUCKING CHRIST!” the trio headed up the stairs and up the right side to see the creature tearing at Sammy’s neck, Sammy screams were gargled by blood filled the inside of his throat causing it to spurt out of his mouth. Myra fired the first shot which struck the fiend in what would be classed as its shoulder, it recoiled away from the body of Sammy and hissed with that chittering shriek as Myra cocked the rifle and fired again the beast leapt forward and sprinted down the hallway. Carter bolted up the steps he glanced down the hallway but it was gone he looked to Myra “That was a fine shot lass” Myra shook her head “Wasn’t a kill shot though” he gave a comforting expression when he crouched to the floor and saw the trail of blood it had left behind he wiped a finger in it and showed it to her “But we have a chance now”. Benjamin stood up and passed by Myra and headed towards Mrs Kensington who was struggling to get up “Mrs Kensington don’t move!” he crouched down and saw the nasty bite on her ankle and foot it was bleeding but not at great concern at the moment although her leg was already showing signs of swelling and bruising, Benjamin managed to sit her upright against the wall she winced from the pain “Slippery bastard…snuck up on me, you should have told me they could do that young man” Benjamin gave a slight chuckle “My apologise my Lady although I’ve been studying them for over ten years, there is my first real-life dinosaur” she smiled back, Benjamin looked to the others “Do we have anything to cover this wound?” both of them shook their heads leaving Benjamin a moment to think “Carter can you help me lift her?” Carter shouldered his rifle and wandered over “What do you have in mind?” Lawrence’s office is close by we can put Mrs Kensington there and lock it to keep her safe, but we need to get her out of here soon to medical attention” Carter agreed but as they were about to lift her Warren and Barkley showed up at the top of the stairs. Barkley recoiled at the grizzly sight of Sammy “What the hell happened here?!” Carter glanced to Barkley “It would appear this thing is smarter than we thought, it snuck on them” Barkley looked worried “Impossible it’s a dumb animal!” Carter and Benjamin carefully lifted Emma onto her good leg but she still howled with pain from the move “Easy boys” Benjamin and Carter apologised “Right where to now Ben?” the academic pointed down the hall “This way, come on”.
The door to Lawrence’s office opened Myra stepped inside and held the door as Benjamin and Carter carried the injured Mrs Kensington inside, they placed her onto a large leather-bound chair Myra looked to the others “So what do we do now?” Carter pointed to Warren “Warren I need you to stay here and keep the good Lady safe, once we leave barricade the door and keep quiet hopefully you will be safe” Warren nodded and stood by Mrs Kensington giving her a wink and smile “We’ll be fine, won’t we my lady?” she nodded and smiled back “Although I dropped my firearm outside” Myra had picked it up and placed it on the desk “Here you go Mrs Kensington” the Lady gave a polite nod of appreciation “Thank you my dear” Carter looked to the others and gestured to the door “Alright let’s get to it shall we” Carter, Myra and Benjamin walked out along with a hesitant Barkley into the hallway. Carter walked passed Sammy’s body he looked at the bloodied mess and he felt a slight lurch in his gut, he had worked with Sammy before on numerous excursions so seeing him dead hurt slightly, but he also knew the dangers of hunting something that can hunt you back and he carried on. Benjamin knelt down and looked at the blood trail that was going down the hallway Carter came over and stood next to him “Where does this lead Ben?” Benjamin looked up to the hunter and adjusted his glasses “Looks like the blood is headed towards rocks and minerals” Carter nodded and lead the way with the others following close behind him.
They arrived at the rock and minerals display room, inside was row upon row of oak wood cabinets filled with a variety of earth stones like quartz and granite, there was a small smear of blood on the floor and one of the cabinets on the right side was broken part of the wood was cracked and the glass had been smashed Carter spoke softly “Looks like he slipped running into here” down at the far end of the large hall was a set of double doors Carter spoke to Benjamin “Hey what’s through those doors?” Benjamin saw the doors ahead and started to panic “Oh shit! Shit, shit, shit!” Carter looked to him with concern “What? What’s wrong?” Benjamin began to explain “Those doors are the staff stairwell” Myra was feeling confused just as much as Carter “What’s wrong with that?” Benjamin looked at Myra “That stairwell has access to the entire museum, so every floor and back passage which means…” before he could finish Carter interrupted when he to realised “Which means that it can get passed everything we’ve closed up and be anywhere in the museum” Benjamin nodded in agreement. Myra was worried that it could be anywhere after everything they had done “Well let’s hope we find it quickly” Carter agreed “Exactly it’s wounded so it may need to rest, we follow the blood and it should lead us right to it but we need to hurry” Barkley began to interject “This is pointless we need to go and get the police!” Carter turned to him “And tell them what?! Excuse me officer can you help us track down a live dinosaur that’s running loose in the museum? I’m sorry but a cell in an asylum is not my idea of fun” the group opened the door and looked over the railing and down into the dark of the lower levels, the creatures chittering noise echoed from somewhere below. Benjamin tried to see if there was anything “It’s close, sounds like it’s down in the archives” Myra asked, “What are the archives?” Benjamin replied “It’s where we house the majority of the museum’s collection but the public don’t have access to it” Carter saw on the steps that there was more blood leading down “Come on let’s go” they proceeded down to steps.
‘Natural History’
London, England
1910
It was late during the night and the street lights emanated their warm glow to the night owls who were still wandering around London, the museum would normally be in darkness by this time of night but several lights were still on, something was amiss inside.
Carter turned the corner down one of the hallways quickly his grip was firm the rifle, the weapon was a Lee-Enfield bolt-action, short magazine, repeating rifle and was Carter’s favourite he used it on the expedition, Carter although in his mid-40s he was still well built which was needed for hunting game across the world and it was his skills why the museum had hired him. He looked over his shoulder and signalled to the two people behind him “It’s clear” he stepped out and they entered the main foyer and took up a hiding place amongst the glass cabinets near the large stuffed elephants that stood proud to welcome visitors when they arrived during the opening hours, Carter looked to Myra who was also armed with a rifle, she red haired Scotswoman, she was slim but surprisingly strong it’s why Carter worked with her she was excellent in the field. He gave her a nod “You alright?” she nodded back “Of course we’ve been in similar situations before Carter” he gave a slight laugh and stroked the bushy moustache on his face, the situation was very different from hunting the usual trophies in places like India or Africa. Carter looked passed Myra to the dark haired, heavyset man who was sat on the floor cleaning his glasses “Are you alright Ben?” Benjamin slipped the glasses back up on his nose “Yes I’m doing alright, surprisingly” Carter gave a reassuring smile but then noticed that Benjamin’s shirt had blood “Are you injured?”. Benjamin looked to his right shoulder and saw the crimson patch that was soaked into his white shirt he shook his head “Jesus! No…that was George’s” he fell silent, Benjamin thought back seeing George’s terrified look then that inhuman shriek and just blood, a lot of blood.
The three of them heard a noise coming from the main staircase, Carter and Myra spun around and took aim to see the others arriving two men Warren and Sammy fellow hunter’s like Carter led the group down the steps and over to Carter, Myra and Benjamin. Benjamin spoke to a member of the second group Lawrence who was the head of the museum “Did you get the other outer doors locked?” Lawrence was panting slightly running “Yes we did, I’m guessing you three managed to do the storage areas below “We did, there’s no way for that thing to get out now”. A rather well-groomed and smartly dressed man spoke abruptly “But what about us we are still stuck inside!” Carter turned to him face him “Your saw that thing, that bastard is one of the quickest things I’ve ever seen and it’s already killed several people!” Benjamin also added “We have no idea what would happen if that creature gets out into the public, we can’t let it get out”, the man turned to Benjamin with a snooty look “I don’t think you really understand who I am, Charles Barkley my money was paying for this whole freakshow before all this shit happened!” Carter shuffled over towards Barkley “I don’t a fuck if you’re King’s arse wiper, shut the fuck up or I will shoot you before that thing hears you” Barkley was taken aback and Carter’s crass insult but he shrunk down and remained silent. Before anyone could speak a loud shriek followed by an unusual chittering noise echoed out from somewhere deep in the museum, Carter took his rifle and aimed up to the upper levels he looked around he slowed his breathing to make an easier shot if he needed although already missed the animal twice, another shriek rang out but this one was the definite desperate albeit futile cry of another human Carter lowered the rifle “Another poor bastard” Lawrence spoke softly “There must be people still in the building after everyone else fled, Christ almighty”. Carter knelt back down and waved to the two other men “Warren, Sammy come over here” they were men of a similar profession as Myra and Carter, Warren was from Australia and Sammy from South Africa, Carter spoke softly “Alright with the doors sealed the next part of the plan in to kill this thing, we need to go through each area and close them off as we go that way we limit where this thing can go. Once it’s cornered we can put it down” he wiped the sweat from his brow “Myra, Ben and I will take the East Wing, Warren take his majesty Mr Barkley and take the West Wing and Sammy you take Lawrence and Mrs Kensington start the First Floor once we’ve finished below we’ll come and meet you as soon as we can“ Carter looked to the very middle aged lady still dressed in her finery. Lady Emma Kensington was another benefactor who had funded the expedition and also the exhibition, when the creature escaped she made sure that people got to the exits safely before trying help contain it Carter pulled out a colt 1903 handgun “My Lady have you ever used a gun before?” Emma gave a coy smile “Oh dear boy I’ve shot many a game animal over the decades, this won’t be my first hunt” Carter passed her the gun “This would make a fine trophy for the drawing room my lady” Emma gave a slight grin at the thought Carter continued “OK let’s get to it” the groups separated.
Carter, Myra and Benjamin entered the East Wing and closed the entrance door behind them, the East Wing was the Palaeontology exhibit this was Benjamin’s field of expertise he looked around at the skeletons of a Megatherium, Smilodons and Irish Elk, Carter kept the rifle raised all of them trying to keep their footsteps as quiet as possible “So Ben what’s at the end of this passage?” Ben had each floor of the museum memorised “This is Fossil Mammalia, straight ahead is a small chamber for Edentata, marsupials and birds but that can easily be sealed then we take a left into Fossil Reptiles” Myra had her rifle lowered she looked to Ben “Have you had much experience in the field Ben?” he nodded “I been on many expeditions but the animals I work with and study have been dead for a very long time” Carter added “And aren’t currently hunting us in the hallways” Benjamin agreed with him “Yes that too” Carter looked over his shoulder “Although you have the most knowledge in this situation so anything is valuable”. Ben appreciated being acknowledged for his work but this was something he had never come across before “We’ve never seen anything like it before I mean it has feathers but is reptilian? it goes against everything we know” Carter caught the glimpse of excitement in his voice “Is that exhilaration I detect Professor?” Ben gave a slight bashful shrug “Despite all the terror I am finding this quite fascinating” Carter laughed “We’ll make a hunter of you yet Professor” they carried on through the wing.
Over in the West Wing the other hunter Warren and Barkley, this area was Recent Zoology and the two of them had closed over the long passageway and were passing through an area filled with numerous shells and corals Warren checked the aisles and there was nothing but a loud metallic bang caused both men to jump Barkley muttered angrily “This is ridiculous, the board will be hearing about this fiasco!” Warren rolled his eyes “A fiasco that you paid for didn’t you?” Barkley became more irate “Exactly! If word got out about this then my reputation is going to be tarnished!” Warren gave him a glance “Yeah people dying from a beast on loose can be a right inconvenience…prick” Barkley stomped forward and stood in front of the rough looking Australian “What the hell did you just call me convict?!”. Warren stopped immediately “Look ‘PRICK’ call me that again and I’ll feed you to that fucking thing myself, got it? Now get out of my way!” Warren barged passed to carry on and finish searching the rest of the wing.
Upstairs Sammy, Lawrence and Mrs Kensington stood by the exhibition room that was going to be used for the special event that the museum had planned for showing the specimens that had been collected on the expedition from an unknown region in Africa. They wandered inside the room it was a passage filled with signs of information and illustrations on the exhibition there was also a trail of blood smeared along the wooden floor, at the end it opened up into a large viewing area filled with multiple stadium styled seating. In the centre of the room was a large wooden crate which the animal had been kept, next to the crate was the body of Andrew Darius the man who discovered the information about the unknown region in Africa and sought The British Museum to help him fund a fully manned expedition, his body lay on the ground utterly torn to shreds from when the creature erupted when the box was opened and pounced on him and began ripping him apart. Emma looked down at the body she knew Darius very well and was saddened that he had suffered such a horrific death “Poor soul” she looked and saw a few other people two men and one woman who had all suffered similar fates she paused for a moment to show a sign of respect. Sammy had checked all the area and shook his head “It’s not here” Lawrence nodded “Then we can close this part on and check the rest of the floor” the left the room and closed the double doors behind them. They wandered down the hallway as Emma began to question Sammy “Would it be rude to ask Samuel? But you lived in Africa for most of your life have you ever seen anything like the specimens brought back from Mr Darius’ expedition?” Sammy shook he head although he could speak English it was broken slightly due to his accent “No Miss, I never seen anything like that”. As they walked deep footstep suddenly rushed towards them and Emma let out a yell as something grabbed her leg and she was pulled down the hallway, Lawrence and Sammy turned to see the lady being dragged away towards where the main staircase was “SHIT!” they both charged after her. Emma dropped the gun and began clawing at the ground she yelled desperation and screamed from the intense pain stinging through her leg as the creature pulled her along, she reached out and grabbed onto one of the openings in the stonework of the balcony and held tight, the creature growled and began to shake violently, the beast was so strong that Emma felt the bone in her lower leg snap she screamed again, Sammy and Lawrence managed to reach her and saw the beast in its full.
It was four feet in height, the creature raised its head up showing the long blood covered snout, it’s flesh was darkened grey in colour and its skin was similar to that of a reptile, the body was short but muscular with two clawed forearms and two thick powerful legs. Although reptile in appearance along the creature's neck, back all the way to the tip of its long tail and along the bottom of its arms were beautiful orange coloured feathers, it hissed and shrieked as it stood over Emma who was semi-conscious from the attack. Sammy raised his rifle but Lawrence came up on his right “Wait! You could hit Mrs Kensington” Sammy looked down to her and to Lawrence “We need to lure it away, so we can get her” they began shouting at it and stomped their feet and the creature let go and snarled at them, it stepped over Mrs Kensington its clawed foot clicked against the floor which revealed something unusual it had two toes but its inner toe was larger and more sickled in shape but it was upright and could move in a slashing moving if needed. As it moved away from Emma Sammy was readying his weapon but was caught by surprise the feathered creature lunged onto Sammy knocking him hard onto the ground which caused the rifle to fire which struck Lawrence in the chest, Lawrence from the force of the impact flipped over the edge of the balcony.
As Carter, Myra and Benjamin emerged from the exit of the East Wing Lawrence’s body fell against one of the glass cabinets, shards of glass erupted everywhere Carter yelled as he shielded his face “FUCKING CHRIST!” the trio headed up the stairs and up the right side to see the creature tearing at Sammy’s neck, Sammy screams were gargled by blood filled the inside of his throat causing it to spurt out of his mouth. Myra fired the first shot which struck the fiend in what would be classed as its shoulder, it recoiled away from the body of Sammy and hissed with that chittering shriek as Myra cocked the rifle and fired again the beast leapt forward and sprinted down the hallway. Carter bolted up the steps he glanced down the hallway but it was gone he looked to Myra “That was a fine shot lass” Myra shook her head “Wasn’t a kill shot though” he gave a comforting expression when he crouched to the floor and saw the trail of blood it had left behind he wiped a finger in it and showed it to her “But we have a chance now”. Benjamin stood up and passed by Myra and headed towards Mrs Kensington who was struggling to get up “Mrs Kensington don’t move!” he crouched down and saw the nasty bite on her ankle and foot it was bleeding but not at great concern at the moment although her leg was already showing signs of swelling and bruising, Benjamin managed to sit her upright against the wall she winced from the pain “Slippery bastard…snuck up on me, you should have told me they could do that young man” Benjamin gave a slight chuckle “My apologise my Lady although I’ve been studying them for over ten years, there is my first real-life dinosaur” she smiled back, Benjamin looked to the others “Do we have anything to cover this wound?” both of them shook their heads leaving Benjamin a moment to think “Carter can you help me lift her?” Carter shouldered his rifle and wandered over “What do you have in mind?” Lawrence’s office is close by we can put Mrs Kensington there and lock it to keep her safe, but we need to get her out of here soon to medical attention” Carter agreed but as they were about to lift her Warren and Barkley showed up at the top of the stairs. Barkley recoiled at the grizzly sight of Sammy “What the hell happened here?!” Carter glanced to Barkley “It would appear this thing is smarter than we thought, it snuck on them” Barkley looked worried “Impossible it’s a dumb animal!” Carter and Benjamin carefully lifted Emma onto her good leg but she still howled with pain from the move “Easy boys” Benjamin and Carter apologised “Right where to now Ben?” the academic pointed down the hall “This way, come on”.
The door to Lawrence’s office opened Myra stepped inside and held the door as Benjamin and Carter carried the injured Mrs Kensington inside, they placed her onto a large leather-bound chair Myra looked to the others “So what do we do now?” Carter pointed to Warren “Warren I need you to stay here and keep the good Lady safe, once we leave barricade the door and keep quiet hopefully you will be safe” Warren nodded and stood by Mrs Kensington giving her a wink and smile “We’ll be fine, won’t we my lady?” she nodded and smiled back “Although I dropped my firearm outside” Myra had picked it up and placed it on the desk “Here you go Mrs Kensington” the Lady gave a polite nod of appreciation “Thank you my dear” Carter looked to the others and gestured to the door “Alright let’s get to it shall we” Carter, Myra and Benjamin walked out along with a hesitant Barkley into the hallway. Carter walked passed Sammy’s body he looked at the bloodied mess and he felt a slight lurch in his gut, he had worked with Sammy before on numerous excursions so seeing him dead hurt slightly, but he also knew the dangers of hunting something that can hunt you back and he carried on. Benjamin knelt down and looked at the blood trail that was going down the hallway Carter came over and stood next to him “Where does this lead Ben?” Benjamin looked up to the hunter and adjusted his glasses “Looks like the blood is headed towards rocks and minerals” Carter nodded and lead the way with the others following close behind him.
They arrived at the rock and minerals display room, inside was row upon row of oak wood cabinets filled with a variety of earth stones like quartz and granite, there was a small smear of blood on the floor and one of the cabinets on the right side was broken part of the wood was cracked and the glass had been smashed Carter spoke softly “Looks like he slipped running into here” down at the far end of the large hall was a set of double doors Carter spoke to Benjamin “Hey what’s through those doors?” Benjamin saw the doors ahead and started to panic “Oh shit! Shit, shit, shit!” Carter looked to him with concern “What? What’s wrong?” Benjamin began to explain “Those doors are the staff stairwell” Myra was feeling confused just as much as Carter “What’s wrong with that?” Benjamin looked at Myra “That stairwell has access to the entire museum, so every floor and back passage which means…” before he could finish Carter interrupted when he to realised “Which means that it can get passed everything we’ve closed up and be anywhere in the museum” Benjamin nodded in agreement. Myra was worried that it could be anywhere after everything they had done “Well let’s hope we find it quickly” Carter agreed “Exactly it’s wounded so it may need to rest, we follow the blood and it should lead us right to it but we need to hurry” Barkley began to interject “This is pointless we need to go and get the police!” Carter turned to him “And tell them what?! Excuse me officer can you help us track down a live dinosaur that’s running loose in the museum? I’m sorry but a cell in an asylum is not my idea of fun” the group opened the door and looked over the railing and down into the dark of the lower levels, the creatures chittering noise echoed from somewhere below. Benjamin tried to see if there was anything “It’s close, sounds like it’s down in the archives” Myra asked, “What are the archives?” Benjamin replied “It’s where we house the majority of the museum’s collection but the public don’t have access to it” Carter saw on the steps that there was more blood leading down “Come on let’s go” they proceeded down to steps.
The archives were low lit and stuffy, it was numerous passages that weaved in between a mass of metal shelves covered in boxes and large locked cabinets. Carter was feeling cautious there were plenty of places for the beast to hide “Alright keep eyes peeled this thing could be anywhere”, the tension was high but Carter and Myra had their fear under control the other two not so much. Benjamin kept looking in all directions he knew how much of a labyrinth the archives was he keep a tight hold on his gun, Carter had his rifle raised and ready but he questioned Benjamin “Ben is there any other way out of this area?” Benjamin nodded “Yes, on the far end there is another set of stairs that leads to the other side of the building and there is a service elevator for taking larger pieces up to the exhibitions” Carter kept aiming down every corner and passage “Well I doubt it smart enough to use the elevator but we need to see if it’s escaped up the other side”. A shrieking hiss came from somewhere close by followed by footsteps running away, Myra’s heart was pounding “Seems it’s still down here with us” she looked behind to check the rear and saw Barkley looking really distraught “Mr Barkley are you alright?” he snapped at her “What a stupid question! I’m trapped down here with you lot this is ridiculous! I’m getting the hell out of here!” Carter spun around and returned the aggression “Listen this fucker is still down here, we are so close to finishing this just suck it up highbrow and you will be sucking on herbal teas in the Ritz by dawn!” Barkley suddenly aimed his revolver at Carter “I don’t take orders from a scruffy pelt hunter like you!” Carter couldn’t help but laugh “You better be ready to pull that trigger because I certainly am” Barkley’s hand was trembling slightly but he didn’t lower it. Benjamin tried to reason with “Charles we can do this we have to trust Carter he knows what he is doing” Barkley glanced at Benjamin “How the fuck do you know that?! Look at you, we should feed you to that thing and make our escape!” Carter quickly raised his rifle and barked at him “Fucking try it!” Myra screeched at the two of them “Please that thing is going to find us!” she kept looking about to see it was nearby but she was still trying to keep the two men calm.
Benjamin tried again to reason with the man “Please Charles we don’t have to…” suddenly a shot rang out and Benjamin felt the force and heat of the bullet hit him in his shoulder, he fell backwards and slumped onto the floor stunned by what had happened Myra yelled “BEN!” she ran towards him and pushed down hard on the wound. Carter was about to fire when Barkley aimed back at him “HOLD IT! Look at what you made me do!” Carter’s eyes glanced down at Benjamin lying on the ground bleeding “How is he Myra?”, Myra was pressing down on the gunshot wound she looked into his eyes which were a mixture of pain and confusion “He’s alive but we’ve got to get him out of here” Carter looked back to Barkley “Are you really going to try and murder us just to get out of here?” Barkley’s hand wasn’t trembling anymore “This whole thing was ridiculous we never have brought those things back here and now this shit storm is going to be in the papers with my name in print, my life and reputation are going to be ruined!” Myra looked up to the man and couldn’t believe how delusional he was being “So killing us isn’t going to do that?” Barkley roared at her “Shut up you stupid cow!”. Carter was ready to put Barkley down like a rabid dog his finger itched on the trigger but there was a flash of orange feathers behind Barkley followed by a growling and hissing sound, Barkley didn’t even have time to react as the creature pounced on top of him. The beast ragged at the man’s suit jacket but the large retractable claws found their way deep into flesh causing the man to scream in pain, Barkley fell to the ground as the animal began to drag him away he thrashed out trying to fight and eventually rolled onto his back trying to push it away, the carnivore’s muzzle of sharp teeth snapped and snarled him but there was more than just teeth that this prehistoric monster had to kill its prey. It’s clawed hands quickly swiped and slashed at Barkley’s arms and chest, the foot claws began to cut into the screaming man’s abdomen causing deep gashes which made the animal swiftly move from trying to bite and his face but began tearing at the man’s entrails that began to spill out, all Barkley could do was scream as he was being eaten alive.
This was their opportunity Carter and Myra took their weapons and unleashed a burst of gunfire, each shot that cracked out hit its mark striking across the beast's body which shrieked and hissed at its attackers, the thing was tough but eventually as it tried to flee it stumbled and crumpled to the ground. There was a moment of silence as Carter looked at the creature that lay dying but first he turned and knelt to Myra and Benjamin “How are you doing Professor?” Benjamin winced as Myra sat him up “I good…but can we please get the fuck out of here” Carter smiled “Let’s go” he reached under Benjamin’s arm and he and Myra heaved up the heavyset man onto his feet and they headed towards the exit. As the passed by the animal they could hear its raspy breath as it struggled to hold on Carter looked down and couldn’t help but feel some level of pity towards it “Poor bastard, just a beast out of its time…come on we need to get the others”.
Myra was holding onto Benjamin as they stood in the ground floor of the main hall, they saw Carter emerge with Warren as they helped Emma down the steps Carter moved cautiously “Easy my Lady” she waved an arm “Oh don’t worry about me boys” they reached the bottom of the steps and made their way to the entrance. Warren unlocked it and pulled the huge door open with a slight bit of struggle, as they made their way out they noticed that there was a large number of constabulary officers and members of the public that where in the street all gathered near the museum. An officer approached them and spoke to Carter “What the hell has been going on in there? We’ve had numerous reports of gunfire and people who fled the museum claiming some sort of monster was on the loose?” Carter nodded “Yeah you could say that we managed to kill it but we have multiple casualties throughout the building”, the officer was dumbfounded at the confirmation “Seriously there’s a dead monster inside?” Emma got the officer’s attention “it may seem unbelievable young man, but we are in desperate need of some medical attention right now” the man realised who Mrs Kensington was “Oh…I’m so sorry my lady, CAN WE GET SOME HELP OVER HERE!”. Multiple officers began to scramble into the museum to clear the building and find if any more survivors are still hiding inside, two officers grabbed Mrs Kensington and another helped Benjamin and began taking them to an ambulance that was parked on the street, Carter placed a hand on Benjamin’s good shoulder “Take it easy Professor, you did a fine job in there for a bookworm” Benjamin laughed “Think I’ll stick with dead dinosaurs rather than live ones” Carter barked out a laugh “Sounds like a safe idea, now get some rest Ben” Benjamin nodded with a smile as he was helped away. Another officer approached Carter and asked “So are there any more monsters waiting inside?” before Carter could reply and deep loud roar bellowed from within the building. The museum's side entrance suddenly erupted in a cascade of wood and rubble as the massive Tyrannosaurus thundered out into the streets, similar in colours the Rex had black reptilian skin but blood red feathers on its head and neck. The huge predator stomped down the street as people ran in terror, one stupidly brave officers tried to kill it but he was snapped up into the Rex’s powerful jaws and with a sickening bone-crushing bite he was swiftly swallowed whole, it emerged at the front of the museum knocking over a police wagon and slammed foot down crushing the wagon and it grabbed one of the wheels and wrenched it clear from the vehicles axel, Carter smiled and cocked his rifle ready for this new hunt as the beast bellowed a blood-curdling roar out into the dark London night.
Benjamin tried again to reason with the man “Please Charles we don’t have to…” suddenly a shot rang out and Benjamin felt the force and heat of the bullet hit him in his shoulder, he fell backwards and slumped onto the floor stunned by what had happened Myra yelled “BEN!” she ran towards him and pushed down hard on the wound. Carter was about to fire when Barkley aimed back at him “HOLD IT! Look at what you made me do!” Carter’s eyes glanced down at Benjamin lying on the ground bleeding “How is he Myra?”, Myra was pressing down on the gunshot wound she looked into his eyes which were a mixture of pain and confusion “He’s alive but we’ve got to get him out of here” Carter looked back to Barkley “Are you really going to try and murder us just to get out of here?” Barkley’s hand wasn’t trembling anymore “This whole thing was ridiculous we never have brought those things back here and now this shit storm is going to be in the papers with my name in print, my life and reputation are going to be ruined!” Myra looked up to the man and couldn’t believe how delusional he was being “So killing us isn’t going to do that?” Barkley roared at her “Shut up you stupid cow!”. Carter was ready to put Barkley down like a rabid dog his finger itched on the trigger but there was a flash of orange feathers behind Barkley followed by a growling and hissing sound, Barkley didn’t even have time to react as the creature pounced on top of him. The beast ragged at the man’s suit jacket but the large retractable claws found their way deep into flesh causing the man to scream in pain, Barkley fell to the ground as the animal began to drag him away he thrashed out trying to fight and eventually rolled onto his back trying to push it away, the carnivore’s muzzle of sharp teeth snapped and snarled him but there was more than just teeth that this prehistoric monster had to kill its prey. It’s clawed hands quickly swiped and slashed at Barkley’s arms and chest, the foot claws began to cut into the screaming man’s abdomen causing deep gashes which made the animal swiftly move from trying to bite and his face but began tearing at the man’s entrails that began to spill out, all Barkley could do was scream as he was being eaten alive.
This was their opportunity Carter and Myra took their weapons and unleashed a burst of gunfire, each shot that cracked out hit its mark striking across the beast's body which shrieked and hissed at its attackers, the thing was tough but eventually as it tried to flee it stumbled and crumpled to the ground. There was a moment of silence as Carter looked at the creature that lay dying but first he turned and knelt to Myra and Benjamin “How are you doing Professor?” Benjamin winced as Myra sat him up “I good…but can we please get the fuck out of here” Carter smiled “Let’s go” he reached under Benjamin’s arm and he and Myra heaved up the heavyset man onto his feet and they headed towards the exit. As the passed by the animal they could hear its raspy breath as it struggled to hold on Carter looked down and couldn’t help but feel some level of pity towards it “Poor bastard, just a beast out of its time…come on we need to get the others”.
Myra was holding onto Benjamin as they stood in the ground floor of the main hall, they saw Carter emerge with Warren as they helped Emma down the steps Carter moved cautiously “Easy my Lady” she waved an arm “Oh don’t worry about me boys” they reached the bottom of the steps and made their way to the entrance. Warren unlocked it and pulled the huge door open with a slight bit of struggle, as they made their way out they noticed that there was a large number of constabulary officers and members of the public that where in the street all gathered near the museum. An officer approached them and spoke to Carter “What the hell has been going on in there? We’ve had numerous reports of gunfire and people who fled the museum claiming some sort of monster was on the loose?” Carter nodded “Yeah you could say that we managed to kill it but we have multiple casualties throughout the building”, the officer was dumbfounded at the confirmation “Seriously there’s a dead monster inside?” Emma got the officer’s attention “it may seem unbelievable young man, but we are in desperate need of some medical attention right now” the man realised who Mrs Kensington was “Oh…I’m so sorry my lady, CAN WE GET SOME HELP OVER HERE!”. Multiple officers began to scramble into the museum to clear the building and find if any more survivors are still hiding inside, two officers grabbed Mrs Kensington and another helped Benjamin and began taking them to an ambulance that was parked on the street, Carter placed a hand on Benjamin’s good shoulder “Take it easy Professor, you did a fine job in there for a bookworm” Benjamin laughed “Think I’ll stick with dead dinosaurs rather than live ones” Carter barked out a laugh “Sounds like a safe idea, now get some rest Ben” Benjamin nodded with a smile as he was helped away. Another officer approached Carter and asked “So are there any more monsters waiting inside?” before Carter could reply and deep loud roar bellowed from within the building. The museum's side entrance suddenly erupted in a cascade of wood and rubble as the massive Tyrannosaurus thundered out into the streets, similar in colours the Rex had black reptilian skin but blood red feathers on its head and neck. The huge predator stomped down the street as people ran in terror, one stupidly brave officers tried to kill it but he was snapped up into the Rex’s powerful jaws and with a sickening bone-crushing bite he was swiftly swallowed whole, it emerged at the front of the museum knocking over a police wagon and slammed foot down crushing the wagon and it grabbed one of the wheels and wrenched it clear from the vehicles axel, Carter smiled and cocked his rifle ready for this new hunt as the beast bellowed a blood-curdling roar out into the dark London night.
END
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