Chapter One

Malone stares from the woman to Veronica in total shock.

MALONE: I didn't mean to...I...

VERONICA: It's not your fault.

She lays a reasurring hand on his shoulder but through all the warmth he shivers. Neither new what to say to each other and Malone felt nauseous.

MALONE: We should find her family, tell them...

Veronica stands beside him when a light appears around the woman's body, Malone jumps back in suprise. The light turns into a glowing haze, then darkness surrounds her.The woman opens her eyes in shock and pain then disappears from sight.

MALONE: What the hell just happened?

VERONICA: I don't know...Lets get back to the treehouse, somethings not right about this place.

They take one last look at the spot where the woman once lay then begin to walk back home.

* * * * * *

Roxton, Marguerite and Challanger make their way over the hill and finally after 5hrs walking stopped in a clearing. They lie against a tree that shades them from the overpowering sun.

MARGUERITE: I don't see why we had to do this today. Challanger you said yourself this wasn't important.

CHALLANGER: Not important no, but still today is just as good a day as any.

MARGUERITE: Of course it is, because all your specimens are suddenly going to disappear by tomorrow.

Challanger gets up to look at an unusual plant a couple of hundred yards away.

ROXTON: Marguerite, the heat is getting to all of us not just you.

MARGUERITE: We haven't even passed a stream that I can use to cool off...It's all right for you at least you can take your shirt off to cool down.

He smiles at her.

ROXTON: Well it wouldn't bother me if you decided to do the same.

MARGUERITE: I'll bet, let me tell you R...

Challangers shout caused them to stop their talking.

CHALLANER: Hey you.

MARGUERITE: Who's he shouting at?

ROXTON: I can't see from here.

He picks up the rifle and they make their way to where's he's standing. In the distance they see a woman shouting at two men. One of the men takes out a gun and aims it at the woman.

The trio make their way to the group guns aimed at the men.

ROXTON: It'll be better for you if you put down that gun.

WOMAN: Peter please, do as he says.

PETER: Why don't you folks mind your own business.

The woman turns to the other man pleadingly.

WOMAN: Robert talk some sense into him.

ROBERT: He's seeing nothing but sense right now Jena.

Jena turns to walk away when Robert grabs hold of her and throws her to the ground. Marguerite aims the gun at his head.

MARGUERITE: Now that wasn't very nice.

Another man around 30 runs out of the trees towards them waving his arms frantically.

JENA: Not again! No.

She shakily stands to her feet and starts to run to the man. Peter puts his hands up in defeat.

PETER: Okay you win, I'll leave no harm done.

Roxton, Marguerite and Challanger lower their guns but keep hold of them. Jena stops and waits for the man to reach her they embrace happily. Peter turns to look at her with rage, he shoots the man from where he's standing and laughs.

PETER: Your mine.

Roxton hits him over the head with the butt of his gun knocking him to the ground. Robert turns to run when Challanger trips him up sending him sprawling on the ground. They run to where to where Jena is sobbing next to the fallen man.

CHALLANGER: We're sorry...

JENA: There's nothing you could do, it was fated to be.

Jena turns to Peter who's starting to get to his feet, she pales and starts running into the trees. Peter see's her and gives chase with the trio not far behind.

* * * * * *

Malone and Veronica begin to run in the direction of where they heard the gunshot.

VERONICA: The others might be in trouble.

MALONE: They'd be at the treehouse by now...Look!

He stops Veronica from running any futher. He points in the direction of a fleeing woman.

MALONE: That woman...It's her.

She looks at where he's pointing.

VERONICA: Impossible, she died Malone.

MALONE: It looks just like her.

VERONICA: Ned your still in shock.

Jena stops and looks around frantically .

MALONE: She can't have died.

Jena looks around and see's Malone and Veronica she runs towards them shouting, Peter follows her close behind. Roxton, Marguerite and Challanger watch as the man aims his gun at Jena. They are too far away to do anything.

ROXTON: (Shouts) Malone, stop him.

Before he can react Peter shoots Jena and she falls in front of him. Peter laughs.

PETER: Until next time.

Peter disappears. Malone for the second time that day kneels beside the fallen Jena.

MALONE: I had a second chance and I failed.

VERONICA: It's not your fault.

MALONE: You said that before.

The others catch up to them.

MARGUERITE: Where did the man go?

ROXTON: Before? What do you mean before? Do you know this woman?

MALONE: I should do, I killed her before.

CHALLANEGR: Impossible!

VERONICA: That man disappeared like she did before.

ROXTON: Your talking in riddles.

CHALLANEGR: How can a woman die twice in one day? It's not physically or even scientifically possible.

MALONE: No it's not...But this is the plateau anything could happen.

To be continued…