Sacagawea tried to see the fading sun through the leaves, hoping to use it as a compass. Daylight was fading fast, and the cold air was beginning to settle over the forest fast. The basket of fish she carried began to bear a much greater weight than it had before, her energy being lost as they continued to walk in circles. She'd lost the path they were following, thanks to Larry and Teddy arguing, and they were now who knew how far from the camp. And the yelling from the two men didn't help.
"Lawrence, for the love of Gideon would you just stop panicking and listen!" Teddy yelled, just about loosing his normally well kept temper.
"No you listen Teddy! Ahkmenrah and the miniatures are alone and we're lost in who knows where! They don't have water or protection or food or anything!" Larry shouted back, on the verge of a meltdown.
"Lawrence they're fine lad! Octavius is capable! He can look after them!"
"No he can't! He's only three freaking inches tall!"
"Then why did you leave him?"
Now Larry was ticked. "I left them!? Huh!? I remember it was YOU Teddy who convinced me to leave in the first place!"
"If you weren't sure then why did you listen to me!"
"Because you're Teddy Roosevelt! You were president for crying out loud! You're always right!"
At this, Teddy stopped, and a small sigh escaped his lips. "That means nothing, Lawrence." He said in a much softer voice. "It doesn't matter I was once president. I am not always in the right, Lawrence. Nobody is. Even the presidents."
Larry didn't know how to reply to that, and just kept silent, finally giving Sacagawea a rest from their bickering. As they walked on, she began to recognize a few trees, and a recognition swept over her.
"There is no need to walk on," She said, her eager smile restored and her strength suddenly returning. "I have found the path."
Hurriedly, led by Sacagawea, the two men followed the trail, relief falling over them like a refreshing rain on a hot day. They were smiling. And then, suddenly, Sacagawea stopped.
"Are you alright, my dear?" Teddy asked, slightly concerned.
She didn't answer, and just at the ground. Something had caught her eye. As she set the basket down and knelt to see better in the dimming light, she gasped.
"What's wrong?" Larry asked, struggling to see with the lack of light.
Sacagawea stood with something cupped in her hands. She turned, and Larry saw upon closer inspection the object was Octavius...and he was too still.
"Oh...gosh..." Larry breathed, taking him from Sacagawea's hands. He was still...very still...and it was hard to tell if he was alive. But he could feel a barely noticeable, minuscule stream of air against his thumb every half second or so, so he thought he was breathing. He very gently nudged the tiny Roman, and he opened his eyes slightly, inhaling sharply.
"Ahkmenrah...spider...Jedediah...help..." Octavius whispered, fighting to stay awake.
"Octavius what's wrong?" Larry asked, not understanding.
"Camp...attacked...not...awake….."
"Not awake? What does that mean?"
But the Roman didn't answer, and fell unconscious a moment later, leaving Larry completely lost and confused. Without hesitation they ran down the path and back to the cave, their hearts fearful of what they might find.
Finally, after another heart pounding twenty-five minutes they made it back to the cave.
"Jed? Ahk?" Larry asked through the darkness, listening intently for a reply.
Sacagawea quickly started another fire, and its glowing light cast around the cave. Ahkmenrah was unconscious on the mattress, and Larry could just make out the tiny shape of Jedediah, who looked to be just as still. His breath caught in his throat, and he quickly went over to the miniature while Sacagawea saw to Ahkmenrah.
"Jed?" Larry asked, kneeling on his hands and knees to be better leveled with the cowboy.
Quiet, almost undetectable sobs reached his ears, and he noticed the tiny cowboy was crying.
"Hey...shhh...hey it's okay..." Larry whispered reassuringly. Since picking him up could cause more injuries, Larry settled for very gently laying his hand over the cowboy, in an attempt to still his shaking. He was afraid.
"Octavius...left..." He whispered through his tears, trying to stop.
"Shh...I know Jed, I know."
Larry stayed beside the miniature, reassuring him and gently comforting him. After a few moments the cowboy feebly wiped his eyes, and sniffed. He went to say something, then suddenly stopped, his eyes widening in horror at what Larry held in his other hand.
"Oh my gosh...Octavius..." He whispered, unable to say a word more. His eyes began to tear up again. "Gigantor...is...is Octavius...dead...?"
"Hey, hey, no he's not." Larry said reassuringly,
"It was the spider," Jedediah whispered, sniffling.
Larry looked thoughtful for a moment. "He said something about a spider. Did it hurt you?"
"No," The cowboy whispered miserably. "It hurt Octavius."
Larry could have kicked himself for being so stupid. He should never have agreed to leaving them behind. He then looked closer at the Roman, and noticed the two small puncture wounds on his arm. He sighed once, then spoke.
"I'm...sure he'll be alright in the morning,"
"But what if he ain't? What if he's dyin' Gigantor?" Jedediah said worriedly, tears still in his eyes.
"He's not, Jed. I'd tell you if he was. Now what's wrong with Ahkmenrah?"
At the mention of the Egyptian, Jedediah's eyes filled with a new kind of fear...a more dreadful feeling.
"Lawrence..." Teddy said, a solemn look on his face.
Larry braced for what was coming.
"About Ahkmenrah..."
"He is fine," Sacagawea cut in from where she sat. To the astonishment of everyone, the pharaoh was awake, and even managed a weak smile. "His fever is now gone. With rest, and some water, he will be fine."
Larry sighed in relief, feeling part of the weight of his worry receding from his conscious. But it was short lived. In saving Ahk, another had been lost.