"And Nancee didn't know more? She didn't ask her parents about it?"

"Yes, she did. I suppose in fact she knew far more than she told me. At first she hesitated and then… her auntie came home and interrupted us."

Marguerite recalled the amazement in aunt's eyes. Maybe she recognized Marguerite and didn't know how to behave: Who knows?

"Tell me, why I am still losing everything I get?" she broke death-like silence.

"You mean Nancee?"

"I mean everything; my parents, childhood, all my friends… chances! My life is like a swing… ups and downs… and downs and downs… Oh you can't imagine how much I hate gravitation!" she said with sarcastic smile.

"Oh I'm sure it isn't so bad."

"Isn't it?!"" opposed Marguerite and quietly, tearfully added:

"Damn it."

This was the crash-point. Marguerite couldn't stand it anymore so she started to cry. Roxton caressed her hair and without a word took her to his arms like he'd never wanted to let her go. He kissed her forehead and at last said:
"Everything will be all right. I promise you that!"

"Thank you," whispered Marguerite and closed her eyes…

--

The next morning Roxton and Marguerite woke up underneath one blanket. Marguerite was rather cold so she welcomed his presence there.

Challenger surprised all of them with delicious morning soup and fresh water. What a wonderful awakening!

Then they packed their things again and continued in the way. Everything was going well. Birds accompanied them with a great chirping with the help of nearby bubbling stream and on the background of that scenery there were leafs which happily rustled in three-tops. For a while it seemed like an ideal time for a trip.

Roxton and Finn were leaders of the tree house group. Their role was to find the right track and be infallible and fast.

"Are you sure where we are going to?!" asked Marguerite who just caught up with them,

"I think we are walking in circles and…"

"Shhh…" Roxton hissed. At first he stopped Marguerite and Finn and then showed pre-agreed gesture to the formation far behind them. Vee, Ned and Challenger came closer and after it Roxton pointed on the provisional settlement straight in front of their eyes; the 'Shark's' camp.

At last! They were waiting for that moment for so long although when they already reached so near it seemed like they weren't ready yet. The plan was bursting to the camp with guns and to force them to betray the way off the Plateau. But something was wrong. The camp was abandoned.