May
2020
Dinosaur Hunter Diaries #033: The Night People
Turok: Son of Stone #20
All it takes is one volcanic eruption and the idea of fair play goes out the
window.
A volcano erupts and traps our heroes beneath rubble, but they're quickly saved
by Galt and his travelling tribe. They're in search of a safe cave to hide from
the choking volcanic ash, but all the good spots are taken by the dinosaurs!
They try to flush them out with arrows, but that gets them nowhere. And if
arrows accomplish nothing, it's down to their second most reliably fallback —
fire! They smoke out the cave-dwelling honkers, prodding them along so they
don't get second thoughts, and soon the cave is theirs!
Another tribe see all the commotion, and realise they could do the same thing to
claim a cave for themselves. Not the smoking-out-honkers bit, that's too much
like hard work. No, they beat up Galt's tribe and kick them out, while keeping
Turok and Andar for themselves. There's more than enough room for everyone in
the cave, but the new tenants aren't having it; Galt and his friends can choke
for all they care.
Then the honkers return to retake their cave. Quick, set up the fire again! This
keeps the dinos at bay, and also serves as an excuse to smoke out the place
again, allowing Turok and Andar to escape their captors...
... and signal for Galt's tribe to return, slipping by while the tormentors are
still stumbling out of the smoke. Once they're safely in, he extends his hand to
the other tribe, welcoming them in on the condition they cease their attack.
They survive the night, and come morning the air is safe to breathe once more,
putting an end to this game of cave hot potato.
The next night, however, they awaken to find Turok's knife missing from their
new camp. While he blames this on Andar's carelessness (HE'S JUST
A KID DON'T BE MEAN), the next morning their freshly-caught food is also
stolen, and he certainly can't blame that on his young comrade.
They ask around the local tribes, and though they all consider the pair to be
their friends, they're all tight-lipped on the subject of stolen goods. Only one
person is willing to reveal the secret — the night people! The tribes leave
offerings to them in the night, and if they are not appeased, they take what
they want. The one man who dared follow had his sight taken from him! Turok
deems this ample reason to leave well enough alone, but try telling that to
Andar. He sneaks off to guard the offerings during the night...
... and witnesses strange glowing men approach it, but is knocked out and taken
with them. Turok follows the trail and uncovers a hidden entrance in a rock
wall...
... leading to a vast cave coated in bioluminescent gunk! He soon spies Andar
being held captive by the night people, also coated in the glowing goop to give
them their mysterious sheen. For spying on their transaction, they aim to punish
Andar so he never sees again!
Turok gives them a taste of their own medicine, as the night people were so kind
as to announce they've a debilitating weakness to bright light. He takes Andar
and flees, holding back their pursuers once more by exposing them to the natural
daylight from their cave entrance; Turok demands they cease stealing from the
tribes before he shuts the door, and they give in. You could say the night
people won't be...
darkening their doorstep anytime soon!