In the distance, the gentle slopes of a low mountain fall away to a pristine lake, its miniature waves sparkling like liquid jewels in the afternoon light. At the water s edge, a gangly giant with pillar-like legs cranes its long neck to reach the fruit of a towering date palm. The rest of the Seismosaurus herd grazes lazily in a sprawling meadow. Beth frowned, but handed the book over the seat, pointing to the place where she had left off. Abruptly, their songs fade, then die away as an ominous silence sweeps across the valley.
Branches rustle as countless birds take flight, squawking a shrill warning to the animals below.
An adolescent Velociraptor springs from its hiding place, darting gracefully toward a nearby field like a gazelle evading a lion. A horrible roar arises. To the left, trees part like stalks of grass and a forty-ton Tyrannosaurus rex stomps and snorts into view. Tail parallel to the ground, it takes up chase, narrowing the distance with long, confident strides. Lunging forward, it snaps its powerful jaws, clamping seven-inch, serrated teeth around its victim.