Veronica walked out of the small cave and stretched. Her muscles felt cramped. The cave they had found just before the storm hit had kept them dry and warm. The storm had been very violent last night. She could see broken tree limbs scattered about. The sky was still overcast.
Veronica smelled the fire and some kind of meat roasting. She walked over to where Roxton was cooking their breakfast.
�Good morning Roxton,� Veronica said as she approached the hunter.
�Good morning Veronica,� Roxton replied. �Is Challenger up yet?�
�He was awake when I left him,� Veronica said. �He�ll be along shortly.�
�So how do you feel this morning?� Roxton asked, trying to sound cheerful. The truth was he was a little worried about Veronica. The run- in with the raptors had seemed to really upset the young woman.
�I�m fine Roxton,� Veronica replied. �I didn�t sleep all that well.� She had not told him of her premonitions. She knew he�d only worry. And to be honest she hadn�t had any more, but she still couldn�t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
�Well we should be home by lunchtime or a little after,� Roxton said. �Hopefully there won�t be any incidents this morning.�
�I hope you�re right,� Veronica replied, looking up at the sky. �It looks like we could get some more rain.�
�Yes well as long as we don�t get another storm like we did last night, it won�t be too bad,� Roxton replied. �That was a bloody awful storm. I hope Marguerite and Malone fared alright at the tree house.�
�I do too,� Veronica said. �The tree house has stood many a storm so I shouldn�t worry, but I just feel that something is wrong.�
�You two are fretting over nothing,� Challenger said, walking up to the fire. �Both Malone and Marguerite are quite capable of taking care of themselves.�
�Well we all know how Marguerite is,� Veronica said, shaking her head. �Who knows what kind of trouble she could have gotten poor Ned into?�
�I�m sure Marguerite did as I asked and returned to the tree house yesterday evening, long before the storm hit,� Roxton said adamantly.
�As I recall Roxton, you didn�t ask, you ordered,� Veronica said with a smirk, �and we all know Marguerite doesn�t take orders very well. She is more likely to do the opposite, just for spite.�
�I think you both underestimate Marguerite and Malone,� Challenger said, giving Veronica and Roxton a stern look. �Marguerite would not do something foolish that would endanger Malone or herself. And Malone is not as easily manipulated by Marguerite as he used to be. He stands up to her when he needs to.�
�I must admit though,� Challenger said, rubbing his beard seemingly lost in thought, �the two of them seem to have grown closer since Malone�s return from the spirit world.�
�What do you mean George?� Roxton asked. �Closer in what way?� Roxton knew his jealously was showing, but he didn�t really care.
Normally Veronica would have indulged in some good natured teasing at Roxton�s expense, but she was also concerned. Like Challenger, she had also noticed little things, like Malone defending Marguerite yesterday morning or volunteering to go with her. Logically she knew it was Roxton Marguerite loved, but she couldn�t help feeling a twinge of jealousy because she was so unsure of Ned�s feelings for her.
�What I mean,� Challenger said, shaking his head at Roxton�s obvious jealousy, �is that the bond between those two is stronger. Though Marguerite may tease Malone, it�s all good natured now and Malone is very quick to defend her, when the rest of us tend to think the worse of her. �
Veronica and Roxton did not reply. Both were lost in thought. Veronica knew she was always quick to jump to the wrong conclusion where Marguerite was concerned. She couldn�t seem to help it. Veronica knew that Marguerite would not willingly endanger them, but she always seemed to be suspicious of the of the dark haired woman�s motives.
Roxton was lost in his own thoughts. He knew Malone and Marguerite�s relationship was not romantic, but he had noticed the two growing closer, the friendly banter they often exchanged. He should be happy. Marguerite had come a long way. But deep down inside was the fear that Marguerite would choose Malone as her confidant instead of him. Roxton knew he was being foolish. No matter how close Marguerite and Malone became, she would never forget he was a journalist. The hot tempered beauty guarded her secrets. She would never risk their exposure by telling a journalist.
Roxton and Veronica ate in silence while Challenger rambled on about all the plants they had found. They would be able to fight infection, pain, colds, even stomach upset. The scientist went on and on expounding on the ability of the plants to improve their quality of life.
Veronica nodded occasionally but she was only pretending to listen. Her thoughts were elsewhere. She couldn�t put her finger on it, but things were different between her and Ned. He had changed since his return to them. Veronica had been so eager for his return but now it seemed they were drifting apart. Malone who had always chased behind Veronica like a lovesick puppy dog was no longer doing so. He seemed more mature and Veronica was no longer sure of his feelings. Maybe it would be best if they just remained friends. Why ruin a great friendship when they were both so unsure of their feelings for the other?
Roxton heard Challenger talking but he wasn�t really listening to his hero. His thoughts were on the woman he loved. He was so sure of his feelings for Marguerite. He wished he could tell her but he didn�t want to push her away when he wasn�t sure she was ready.
Roxton hoped Veronica was wrong and that the dark haired beauty had listened to him and returned to the tree house before the storm. Even though he knew she would be safe at the Zanga Village, he would feel better if he knew she was at home.
Several miles away in a cave, were the subjects of both their thoughts. Malone stood up and walked to the cave entrance. He began to stretch his sore aching muscles. He had slept sitting up, what little he did sleep. Marguerite had spent a restless night, waking up several times in pain. Malone had given her the willow bark tea and it seemed to help ease the pain some.
Malone walked outside of the cave. The sky was still overcast and there was a chill in the air. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, pushing the guilt and the hopelessness out of his mind. He could not afford to wallow in either at this point. Marguerite was depending on him. He had already let her down once but he wouldn�t make that mistake again. They would be rescued today; he had to keep believing that.
�Malone, are you there?� Marguerite called out softly.
Malone turned and walked away from the cave entrance. He walked over to Marguerite and sat down beside her.
�How are you this morning?� Malone asked.
�I�ve never felt better Malone,� Marguerite said sarcastically. �How do you think I feel?�
Rather than being upset with Marguerite, Malone actually relaxed and smiled.
�What�s so funny Malone? Marguerite asked.
�Nothing,� Malone said, �But I figured you must be feeling better. You sound like you�re back to normal.�
Marguerite couldn�t help but smile a little at Malone�s remark. The truth was she was in pain, but it did seem a little better than yesterday; of course she hadn�t tried to move yet.
�I�m going to fix you some willow bark tea,� Malone said.
�Oh joy,� Marguerite replied.
Malone got busy fixing the willow bark tea. He let it cool for a few minutes then took it over to Marguerite.
�Let�s see if you can sit up a little. It�ll make it easier for you to drink.�
He took everything out of Marguerite�s pack except her blouse and towel. He then slid his arms under Marguerite and gently put her back into a reclining position. He then lifted her head and slowly eased her pack under it.
�How�s that Marguerite?� Malone asked.
�It�s okay,� Marguerite said. She tried turning her head. The sharp pain made her stop.
�Take it easy,� Malone said.
�This is better,� Marguerite replied. �It doesn�t put as much pressure on my head. Thanks Malone.�
�You�re welcome. Now how about taking a few sips of this tea?�
Marguerite managed a few sips, but couldn�t help making a face. �That�s dreadful Malone. I�d rather have real tea.�
�Well drink the rest of this and then I�ll fix you a little tea, along with some bread,� Malone replied.
Malone fed Marguerite the rest of the medicine. He then began to brew some tea for the two for them. When it was ready he poured it into the two cups. Malone broke off some of the bread Assai had given them and placed it on a piece of his torn shirt. He took the bread and the tea over to Marguerite.
�Feel like eating something Marguerite?�
�Not really Malone,� Marguerite said. �I�m not really hungry and I feel a bit queasy.�
Malone tried not to show he was worried. Marguerite was exhibiting signs of a concussion. He really wished Challenger was here.
�The tea and bread will help settle your stomach,� Malone replied, hiding his concern �You need to keep your strength up. We could be rescued today.�
�Malone I�m not a child,� Marguerite replied, quickly becoming exasperated. �There�s no need to sugarcoat our situation. I know the bridge was destroyed and we�re stranded. The Zanga can�t reach us. We may not be rescued.�
�Marguerite you don�t know that. Anyway if the Zanga don�t come today, Roxton, Veronica, and Challenger will be here tomorrow,� Malone said with confidence.
Marguerite didn�t believe that but decided to let it pass for now.
Malone broke off a small piece of bread and handed it to Marguerite. He then put her cup to her lips and gave her a small sip of tea.
�It hurts to chew,� Marguerite said.
�Chew slowly,� Malone replied. �Here have another sip of tea to wash it down with.�
Malone managed to get Marguerite to eat a few bites of bread and drink most of her tea. He then began to check her bandages to make sure there wasn�t excessive bleeding. Her head wound, arm, and side all looked okay. Malone went to raise her skirt to check the wound on her thigh.
�Malone quit that!� Marguerite cried out. �Just what the bloody hell do you think you�re doing?�
�I�m just trying to check your wound,� Malone said, turning a deep red.
�It feels fine, thank you. It doesn�t need to be checked.
�Marguerite I have to make sure it�s not bleeding. Please may I check your leg? I promise my eyes will only be on your wound.�
Marguerite looked at the reporter and saw that he was a deep red. He was obviously very embarrassed. Any other time Marguerite would have had fun teasing him, but now it just hurt too much.
�Alright but make it quick,� Marguerite instructed. �And make sure you don�t reveal anything but my wound.�
Malone raised Marguerite�s skirt and quickly checked the bandage on her thigh. Although there was a little blood, it wasn�t anything to be concerned with. He quickly lowered Marguerite�s skirt. One thing Malone noticed while checking her bandages was that Marguerite was feeling a little warm. She was probably running a low grade fever. Malone figured it was probably normal considering her injuries but he needed to keep a close eye on her. Infection was a real threat. He decided it was best not to worry her at this point.
�Marguerite you do realize that I will have to change your bandages sometime today and put some more of Challenger�s powder on your wounds. I also need to check and make sure the stitches are holding.�
�I realize this Malone,� Marguerite said with a sigh. �Do we have enough bandages and powder?�
�We have enough to last today,� Malone replied. The Zanga will probably come this afternoon so I need to do it before then.�
Marguerite slowly turned her head towards Malone. She grimaced with pain. Any movement of her head made the pain worse.
�Malone do you really believe the Zanga will come to our rescue today? The bridge was completely destroyed. I doubt if they even know another way here. It�s been years since anyone has come out here. Face it, Malone. It could be days before we�re rescued.�
�Roxton and the others won�t be back until late today,� Marguerite continued. �They won�t go to the Zanga Village looking for us until mid morning tomorrow. They�ll have to find a guide to lead them here. By the time they make it to where the bridge was, it�ll be late evening. So it will be the day after before they can try and find another way to these caves. At the earliest, we�re looking at a possible rescue in three days.�
�You don�t know that for sure, Marguerite,� Malone protested. �Assai will send a rescue party. I know she will. Surely someone will know another way here.�
�Malone you�re dreaming,� Marguerite said sadly. �The only Zanga who have even been here are the older ones. They won�t come and if they did it�s highly doubtful they know an alternate route.�
�Well if the Zanga don�t come, Roxton, Challenger and Veronica will,� Malone said, with determination. �Hopefully your timetable is wrong. They could be here tomorrow but to be on the safe side, I will have to stretch our supplies some.�
�Good idea, Malone. We could be here a while,� Marguerite said sarcastically.
�It looks like we�re going to get another storm,� Malone said with a worried look on his face. �I�m going to go fill the canteens and get some more firewood. Will you be alright while I�m gone?�
�Of course I will,� Marguerite replied. �Don�t worry about me.�
�I think I�ll check around a little and see if there�s another way down while I�m out,� Malone said. �I won�t be gone long.�
�Take your time Malone,� Marguerite said sarcastically. �I�ll be here when you come back.�
Malone stood up and walked over and picked up both canteens and headed for the entrance to the cave. He walked out and looked up at the sky. A storm was definitely headed their way. He hurried to the stream to fill the canteens. He hooked them on his belt and then started gathering some wood. When he had picked up all he could hold, he headed back to the caves and laid the wood down just inside the cave in case it rained while he was gone. Malone made a couple more trips until he�d finally accumulated enough firewood. Marguerite was right. It could be days before help came. He had to be prepared.
When he had gathered sufficient firewood to last for several days, Malone decided to take a look around and see if there was an easier way down. There wasn�t any clear cut trails. Everywhere he went, the brush and jungle growth seemed to be heavy. He decided to cross the stream and found the terrain a little easier to traverse. Although there were places where the brush was thick, with a machete it could probably be used. Malone wished he had thought to bring it with him. He could have begun cutting a trail. Oh well there was not much he could do now. It was going to rain at any moment anyway. Malone realized he needed to get back to Marguerite. He didn�t want to be caught in a downpour.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
It was early afternoon when Challenger, Roxton and Veronica made it back home. Veronica was quite relieved to see the tree house come into view. She was still having those unsettling feelings that something wasn�t right. Hopefully now that they had arrived safely home, these feelings of dread would go away.
It would be too crowded in the elevator, with the full bags of plants the three of them carried, so Roxton suggested Challenger and Veronica go up first and then he would follow.
When Veronica stepped out of the elevator, the first thing she noticed was how quiet it was. Setting her bags down, she decided to go investigate.
As Roxton stepped into the tree house, he noticed no one was about. Challenger must already be in his lab, he thought. He wondered where Marguerite was. Maybe she had decided to take a nap after lunch, figuring with the rest of them gone, she would not be disturbed. The thought of his lady love sleeping peacefully in her bed bought a smile to the hunter�s face. He turned as Veronica walked back into the room.
�Looks like we made it just in time,� Roxton said. �I think we�re going to get another storm soon.�
�Roxton,� Veronica said hesitantly. �Malone and Marguerite are not here. They must still be at the Zanga Village.�
�What?� Roxton snapped. �Why can�t Marguerite do what�s expected of her? Well obviously we�re going to have to go and retrieve them since they can�t seem to follow simple directions.�
�Really old boy I think you�re over reacting,� Challenger said as he came up the stairs from the lab. �They are both very capable adults, who are obviously having a good time. I say let them be.�
�I agree with Challenger,� Veronica said. �They must have decided to stay for the Zanga festival. I expect they will return sometime in the morning. In the meantime we better prepare for the storm. I know they�ll be safe with the Zanga.�
Roxton wanted to head to the Zanga Village immediately, but he knew he was outvoted. He also knew with the storm approaching it would safer to wait until the morning. But he could not help feeling uneasy. He had a strong protective streak where Marguerite was concerned. He would not be at peace until she was safely back at the tree house.
