I awoke the next morning tired, as did most everyone else

I awoke the next morning tired, as did most everyone else. We had all pulled guard duty that night and everyone was less than refreshed because of it. The night been uneventful, and after a small breakfast, we had to discuss what we would do today. "We're going to find the expedition, of course." Said Ashley. "Actually, I think the treehouse would be our best bet." Stated CalGal. "That's what I meant." Countered Ashley. "How are we going to get there?" I questioned. "The bus." Replied Tigs. "What if the bus can't make it?" said a suddenly frightened Sarah. "Good question." Said CalGal. "Tigs, scout ahead and see if we can get through the brush."

As luck would have it, the brush was too thick for the bus to get through. So we unloaded as much as we could carry, and set out on a path we had found, leaving the bus in the cave. We heard strange noises every step of the way. We also saw odd creatures and plant life.

After walking for a couple of hours, we had made little headway through the thick brush. We stopped to rest and eat lunch in an open area. While we ate, I watched some of our group. Caitlin was taping away on her camcorder. Ashley was writing in her journal. CalGal was trying to figure out how far we had to go. Everyone else was eating like me, checking their gear, or just resting.

Soon after we had started again, the brush became thinner. We had been following what appeared to be a path for about half an hour, when our scout, Tigs, came down the path screaming, "RAPTORS!" The foliage around us rustled. Everyone looked about frantically. Suddenly, one jumped out in front of me. It looked me straight in the eyes. I stared back. Right then and there, I almost ran in terror. Then it did the unthinkable and charged me. I instinctively raised my rifle, thought "Oh man, do I hate raptors, pulled one of my two triggers, and closed my eyes. "BOOM!" echoed throughout the jungle. Then Lisa tapped my shoulder. "It is dead, you know." I looked upon the body lying a few feet away. "Of course." I said in my most macho voice while I reloaded my empty chamber.

The next few hours were uneventful. We were semi-lost and couldn't find the treehouse. Darkness would be coming soon. Finally, Ashley suggested that someone go up a tree and search for it. Since it was her idea, we suggested that she go do it. She did, and when she got to the top, she excitedly called out, "There it is! Only a half mile or so away!"

A half-hour later, Tigs was heard exclaiming, "Ouch!" She had run in to something near a clearing. Running to see what happened, everyone else nearly tripped also. Kimmy looked at what it was. "It appears to be a fence of some type." We looked up, and lo and behold, the treehouse! Everybody cheered.

After our little celebration, we decided to check it out. We found the elevator and decided to go up in small groups of two or three. ASIG and I went first. It was nearly dark, so we wore the NVGs and braced our rifles for anything we might have seen that shouldn't have been there. As soon as we reached the top floor, we cautiously took a step out. Nothing. We did a quick search and found nothing out of the ordinary. "Nobody's home!" yelled ASIG to the others.

Once everyone was up there, we began exploring. After we had explored to our heart's content, we posted two lookouts with the NVGs. Then we waited. We had waited for about an hour when Rissy said suddenly, "Oh my God, its them." I borrowed the other pair from Lex, and sure enough, there were five figures headed for the treehouse, two of whom were carrying what appeared to be a raptor. I grinned widely and said, "Lets give them a little surprise party. No one say or do anything until they get up here."

We could hear voices from below. Marguerite said, "Now, could you boys just carry that upstairs?" "That's easy for you to say,"said Roxton,"you didn't have to carry it here." "That's what men are for." She retorted. "Now hurry up already. I'm becoming hungry."

Shortly after that, the elevator started coming up. Roxton and Malone both had their backs to us and were dragging the raptor from the elevator. Then Malone said, "We were out a long time hunting raptors. Now it's dark. I'll light some candles." Good idea." Roxton said in his Australian accent. "That way we can figure out where to put this damn raptor so Marguerite can have her precious dinner." Malone chuckled and lit a couple candles. When he looked up and saw 16 people, he fumbled for his gun and whispered, "Roxton…you better see this…" Can't you see I'm busy Mal…" He stopped in mid-sentence and drew his pistols. "Who the Hell are you?" "Lord Roxton and Mr. Malone, I presume?" CalGal said with her feet propped on a table. "Who wants to know?" asked Malone. "We're an expedition from the future sent to rescue you." CalGal explained casually. "Challenger!" Roxton yelled. "You'll want to see this!"

The rest of the group was ecstatic at the sight of us. Our group was just as excited to see them. Kimmy went straight to the lab with Challenger. Ashley refused to take her eyes off of Malone. Nearly everyone else ogled over Roxton. Danielle and some others talked with Marguerite, who kept trying to keep an eye on poor Roxton. ASIG talked with Veronica a while before she excused herself to go outside. I followed her.

She was looking up at the stars. "They're beautiful no matter where or when you come from." I commented as I looked as well. She only gave me a half-smile. "Is something wrong?" I ventured. "No," she started," its just that, well, now my friends have what they have been wanting for so long, but I've been waiting for 12 years for what I want, and it still hasn't come." "What do you want?" I asked. "Closure." She said. "I'm sure you'll find your parents." I said trying to comfort her. "I don't know." She said. "Sometimes I doubt that I'll ever find out." "You know what?" I began. "Lots of people thought time travel was impossible too." She smiled and then gave me a hug. "Thanks." She said. Then we both went back inside.

Eventually, we all needed to set up camp, since the one guest bedroom couldn't hold 16 people. It was a storybook ending to a near-perfect day. Little did we know that someone in the jungle had been watching the whole thing. And he didn't like storybooks.