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on.
    They watched an Internet broadcast of the helicopter going down in solemn silence.
    “Well, listen,” Manly said. “The authorities—”
    “They’re not equipped,” Eric said in a low voice. A dozen more terrible scenarios of failed rescues raced through his mind.
    “Neither are we,” Amanda said.
    “My dad’s out there,” Josh said. “You said those things feed at night. It’s almost night right now. All those people—it could have been any of us!”
    “There might be a way,” Alan said, looking at the map and describing some ideas that had been forming in his mind.
    “Okay,” Amanda said. “New plan . . .”
    Trapped within the tram, the Pteranodon with lightning markings struck the same spot on the transparent wall over and over. Slowly, finally, a tiny crack appeared. The longer and harder he hit it, the more hairline fissures stole out from the central point of impact.
    Soon he would be free.

CHAPTER 16

    Eric felt the pressure of Josh’s gaze as the group prepared for what was ahead. Josh expected so much from him—but what could Eric do?

    “Josh, listen,” Eric said. “I know you had a lot of ideas in your head about me from reading my book, but you have to understand—I didn’t do what I did on Isla Sorna because I wanted to be a hero. I wrote the book because I had to get this stuff out of my head. I was having nightmares like every night. And so many people had questions. That’s why I did it. But I’m not—”
    “You don’t have to say anything else,” Josh said. “I already figured out you’re nothing special.”
    Anger sliced through Eric. “Fine. Just remember that you were here for those three summers straight, which means you know more about this place than most of us. That puts the responsibility on you.”
    “Right,” Josh said. He turned away from Eric and went back to the park manuals.
    Eric sat in a corner and watched the others.
    “I’m coming with you,” Manly said as Alan snapped on a pager set to vibrate.
    Alan stared at him with contempt. “Give me one reason I should trust you.”
    Manly’s smile was thin. “I’m a coward. I want to live. And I don’t think that’s going to happen if there’s no one out there watching your back.”
    “That’s two reasons. Fine. But the camera stays here.”
    The reporter hesitated, then agreed. Alan looked at the three who would be staying behind.
    “You’re sure you know what to do?” he asked.
    “Between the three of us, we’ll manage,” Amanda said, nodding at Josh and Eric.
    The time came for Alan and Manly to leave. Manly looked over at his camera. “Just one thing before we head out.”
    He turned the camera around, aimed it toward the floor, and stripped off the flannel shirt Alan had let him borrow. He lay down on the floor. “Josh, buddy, see if I’m in frame.”
    Josh checked. “Yeah.”
    “Okay,” Manly said. “So here it is. My ‘just in case.’ My parting gift to humanity.”
    He began a complicated series of sit-ups and other exercises. “People, what you’re looking at is the perfect ab crunch. It’s taken me a lifetime to get this down, but look at the results. And I’ve never been to a chiropractor or a back doctor in my life. Now the secret’s yours.”
    Grinning, he got up and turned off the camera. He aimed it toward Josh. “Got anything you want to say?”
    “Who’d want to hear it?” Josh asked.
    Manly waited.
    “No, nothing,” Josh said, hanging his head. “I don’t have anything to say for myself.”
    Manly looked at Alan, who shook his head and said it was time to go.
    Eric knew he might never see his mentor again. The same thought seemed to flicker before Alan, at least for a moment. Then he frowned.
    “Don’t do anything stupid,” Alan said.
    Eric’s gaze narrowed. “Look who’s talking.”
    Alan nodded sharply and went to the door. He opened it slowly, peered out, and slipped into the corridor with Manly right behind him. The moment the door closed,