Return To Primordial Island, Rick Poldark [top non fiction books of all time .TXT] 📗

the crowd, its head and shoulders a head above the others. When it reached the front, Peter recognized what could only be the Simian King. On his right was his queen, and on his left was his daughter.

Peter leaned into Tracey and murmured. “I think I did it again.”

Tracey nodded, stunned. “You woke up another race.”

“So much for not interfering in the natural order,” quipped Mary.

The Simian King regarded Peter, Tracey, and Mary, studying them with eyes that were all too human. He then shifted his gaze to Nazimaa. His expression changed when he looked upon her. His face contorted with anger, and he grunted. He slammed the butt of his spear into the ground and pounded his chest with his free hand.

Nazimaa froze, paralyzed with fear. Her humanoid face bore an expression of disbelief at history about to repeat itself.

The Simian King looked back at Peter, Tracey, and Mary, his expression softening. When his eyes settled on Peter’s life orb, he bowed his head in reverence. The Simian Queen and her daughter, who had only been watching, stepped forward, extending their hands.

Peter felt a tugging sensation within his chest, but he didn’t fight it. The life orb drifted out of his chest and floated across to the Simian Queen. She took it in her hands and pushed it into her own chest, her body absorbing it effortlessly.

Nazimaa cried out from behind them, but Peter didn’t dare turn around. He already knew what had happened. The death orb drifted past him and Tracey. The Simian Princess reached out, accepted the orb, and absorbed it into her chest.

“The orbs have been returned to their rightful owners,” murmured Peter.

The Simian King gestured for Peter and Tracey to leave the chamber. They all understood what he wanted.

“What about Nazimaa?” asked Mary.

Peter looked back. “She’s toast. Let’s get out of here.”

As they walked to the back of the room where the staircase led up to the statue, Peter heard the Simian King grunt orders. The crowd erupted, rushing Nazimaa. Peter turned around in time to see them fall upon her, tearing her powerless mortal body apart.

Chapter 16

Having just survived the battle with a demon and having awoken yet another species on the “island,” Peter and the two ladies walked along the river, back towards base camp. It was a long walk, and they currently slogged in silence, but the silence had nothing to do with exhaustion.

He and Tracey had shared a moment. The two had momentarily become one, and the intimate experience had left his mind reeling. It was the closest he had ever felt toward Tracey, and he still felt the wake of her presence in his mind.

However, since the temple, Mary was understandably quiet—not quite sullen, but withdrawn. She only looked ahead as she walked to his left, while Tracey on his right shot him furtive glances and smiles. A couple of times she walked close, and their fingertips touched on the verge of hand-holding. However, they each thought better of doing it with Mary present.

Peter broke the silence. “It’s strange not having the orb inside me anymore. I feel detached from the island, cut off. Yet, it’s a relief. Too much power and responsibility. I think it’s in the right hands now.” He hoped that was indeed true.

“Why do you think the Simians went extinct?” asked Tracey.

Peter shook his head. “I don’t know. I hope we did the right thing by bringing them back.”

“I guess that makes you the selection pressure for their return,” said Mary, breaking the ice. “A selection pressure can be anything, really.”

“Or anyone,” added Peter. “Nazimaa brought me here. So, technically she was the selection pressure.”

“It’ll be up to the Simians to adapt and survive,” said Mary. “Either they will, or they won’t.”

“Their very presence will be a selection pressure on the Zehhaki,” said Peter. “Nazimaa was right about that. There needs to be balance.”

“I wonder how the Umazoa are,” said Tracey. “I wonder if Hiu rescued the others.”

“I wonder if the Simians will be allies or competitors,” said Peter.

“Who cares?” said Mary. “At this point, I want off this island.”

“Do you think base camp will still be there?” asked Tracey. “What if the dinosaurs got to it, or they cleared out and returned home?”

Peter couldn’t reach out with his powers to sense Poseidon Tech’s presence because he no longer possessed the orb. He had actually grown accustomed to having access to its powers. A chill shot down his spine at the realization he was no longer ‘indestructible,’ nor could he heal his friends should they come to harm on the way back to base camp.

“Listen, about before…” began Mary, jerking Peter out of his worry.

“Mary…” began Tracey, her tone apologetic.

“No,” insisted Mary, holding up a hand in front of her. “We need to talk about it. I’m not mad. Really.”

“That’s a relief,” sighed Peter.

Mary looked at him for the first time since they had left the temple. “The truth is, you’re a great guy, Peter…but, I don’t know…”

“Maybe we’re not right for each other,” offered Peter, finishing her thought.

“Exactly. And it’s no one’s fault.”

“No, of course not,” said Peter.

Mary smiled at him and Tracey. “You two are obviously meant for each other. I think you two have something special. You always have.”

Tracey smiled, glancing at Peter. “I think I always realized it. I was just afraid to acknowledge it. I didn’t want to mess everything up.”

Peter returned her smile. It was wonderful to hear her say it. “Geez, it only took an interdimensional island with dinosaurs, lizard men, ape warriors, and a demon…”

All three shared a laugh.

However, their revelry was cut short by movement in the jungle to their right. All three stopped dead in their tracks. Peter felt positively