~Chapter Four~



Veronica thought her arm was going to be in pain forever, that is, until her double let the weight up. Veronica clutched her shoulder seeing that her blood was now everywhere around her.

Shots were fired and Veronica was sure that she had been shot, but when she opened her eyes; her double was gone.

The next face Veronica saw was Challenger's. Veronica forced a smile through her pain. "At least…you got here." Veronica forced out of her mouth. "Malone…" She said pointing to the tree house.

"Roxton, help Malone!" Challenger yelled.

Before Roxton entered the elevator, a still shirtless Malone was soaring over the railing of the tree house. He hit the ground with a loud thud and didn't get up.

"No!" Yelled Veronica struggling in agony to get to her feet.

Even with Challenger and Marguerite trying to stop her, Veronica stumbled to Malone.

She dropped to the ground next to Malone and kissed him slightly on the forehead. "Wake up!" She yelled.

To her surprise, Malone's eyes slowly fluttered open. He sat up in pain and looked at Veronica. He had doubts that it was her until he saw her blood. He had suddenly forgotten his pain and jumped to his feet. He picked Veronica up in his arms and carried her past the others and to the elevator.

***

When Challenger, Roxton, and Marguerite finally reached the tree house and stepped out of the elevator, Malone and Veronica were nowhere in sight.

Roxton went into Veronica's room to see Malone cleaning up the blood on Veronica. He could see the clean bandage on her wound.

Spotting Roxton, Malone stood and rushed out of the room.

He grabbed Challenger and pushed him against the wall holding him there. "You said you would watch her!" He yelled in rage. "She could have died!"

Roxton cam and pushed them apart, while Marguerite ran to Veronica's room. "It was a mistake, Malone. Let it go!" Yelled Roxton holding him away from Challenger

"If he hadn't left, this wouldn't have happened!" Malone yelled furiously.

"Malone…I'm fine." Said Veronica as she placed her hand on his shoulder.

He spun around quickly to look at her. He could see the blood on her shirt still, but she did look a little better. "Why aren't you laying down? You should rest." He told her.

"I've rested enough. I'm ready to take out those two imposters."

"Imposters?" Asked Marguerite.

***

It took a little while for Veronica and Malone to explain the whole situation to their friends.

"You don't think this is like the time my dark side came to life, right?" Asked Roxton acting a bit uncomfortable.

Veronica looked at Roxton. "Oh, no, these two defiantly have minds of their own. And they have something they want." She looked at everyone's confused looks. "Ok, my double said something about fighting to the death and winner getting to stay here or something like that. I was kind of out of it."

Challenger looked as though he was pondering. "Perhaps they are from another time?" He added.

"If that were trued, then the double's would be killing themselves." Mentioned Marguerite.

Challenger nodded.

Malone turned to Challenger. "Perhaps another 'dimension' of some sort."

"Oh, that makes sense." Replied Roxton being very sarcastic.

Challenger stood up. "It makes perfect sense. Their world could be dieing and they've found a way to get to a better version. That's the only reason I can think of." He explained picking up a bandage from the table and walking to Veronica.

Veronica looked at him and sighed. "Challenger, my shoulder is fine."

"It's the least he can do, Veronica." Said Malone still sounding angry with Challenger for leaving Veronica.

Veronica rolled her eyes and let Challenger pull off the old bandage. Challenger picked up the rag and cloraseptic. "Wait, why do you need to do all that again?" She asked.

A slight laugh cam from Marguerite. "Don't tell me you're going to be a wimp about it."

"I am not being a wimp. Do you want to see a wimp Marguerite?" Veronica replied defensively as she got to her feet. "Come on, Marguerite."

Roxton grabbed Marguerite as she began to get up, and Challenger placed the rag on Veronica shoulder.

Veronica fell quickly to the chair in pain.

Challenger quickly placed the fresh bandage over the wound.

"I'm sorry, Marguerite. Maybe I do need a little rest." Veronica apologized realizing what she had actually said. "If you all need me, I'll be resting in my room." She slowly stood up and walked to her room.

Malone stood up as well. "I think I'll get some rest too. I trust you'll look after Veronica, Roxton."

Roxton nodded as Malone walked into his room.

***

With the few hours that passed, night had crept over the plateau. The entire tree house was quiet, except for the tossing and turning of Veronica.

Veronica jumped up from her bed with a start. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, and then checked her shoulder. There was little blood on the bandage this time.

She turned to look out the window when she saw Malone. She jumped at first but quickly calmed down. "What are you doing up?" She asked.

"I…uh…just wanted to check on you." He answered.

With a smile she took his hand with hers. "You didn't have to do that."

"Sure I did." He replied sitting on the bed facing Veronica.

She smiled and put her hand to his face. "Thank you." She said in a low voice.

Instead of saying something, Malone leaned towards her and kissed her passionately.

Veronica returned the kiss feeling happier than she had in a long time.

The kiss lasted for what seemed to be forever. Veronica thought she was going to cherish this moment for the rest of her life. That is, until she felt something cold against her stomach.

She stopped the kiss and saw that Malone had a knife at her stomach. She began to speak, but Malone covered her mouth.

"One word, one scream, even one sound and you and your dearest Malone die. You're coming with me." He said holding the knife tighter.

Veronica's eyes began to fill with tears and rage. She couldn't believe she had fallen for his trick.



TO BE CONTINUED…