Part 7.
"It was a hallucination". Challenger later explained to Roxton.
"But what if it meant something?" Roxton was shaken that he'd heard Marguerite tell him that they would never be more than friends. He'd been thinking lately that maybe, just maybe Marguerite would allow him to really prove how much he was head over heels in love with her.
"It meant nothing, Roxton". Veronica agreed with Challenger.
"Guys, something's happening".
Malone's voice broke in before they would continue their conversation. On the bed Marguerite stirred once again opening her eyes.
"She's delusional again". Veronica said noticing the vacant expression, the green eyes unfocused on anything.
Her face devoid of any emotion Marguerite began talking.
"I don't understand why we're even having this conversation. No, don't talk back at me! You think I care? As if, you are nothing". Marguerite paused, then her voice dropped a few notches. "It's your fault. She'd still be alive if you hadn't been so bloody pig headed. Listen to yourself, always shifting the blame onto me. Well not this time! You killed her. I will never for give you!" Marguerite's eyes closed as she went back to sleep, but not before the other explorers noticed the solitary tear running down her temple. Gently Roxton touched his finger to the tear, wiping it away.
"I wonder what she was talking about". Malone thought out loud. He tried to think back to issues in London involving a death linked to Marguerite somehow. Nothing came instantly to mind.
"I wonder who died". Veronica added.
"Must have been someone close, she was crying". Malone said. "You have any idea?" Malone pointed his question towards Roxton.
"Not off the top of my head". Roxton told him, and then he looked down at Marguerite who was asleep once again. "She's still burning up".
"We'll keep up the cold compresses and try to get her to drink some water or tea". Challenger put in. "It'll have to break soon"
Veronica turned to go out the door. "I'll get some breakfast ready".
"I'll help you". Malone scooted off after her. Challenger also left so Roxton was alone again with Marguerite.
"Baby you have to fight this". Roxton told her. "Would you mind if I called you Baby? I hope not, and if so then you have to wake and tell me yourself". Roxton picked up one of Marguerite's slender hands. He looked at it, tears nearly blinding his eyes. Her hands were so pale, so delicate. They looked so fragile like they'd shatter into a million pieces if dropped. With his pointer finger he traced lines down over each of her knuckles to her fingertips. The nail was smooth and tapered to a gently curve at the end. She'd always been so picky about keeping he nails in good order.
"Fight it Marguerite and come back, back to me". Roxton looked down at her face. She looked peaceful enough, but he couldn't be completely sure. "I love you Marguerite. I love you".
"It was a hallucination". Challenger later explained to Roxton.
"But what if it meant something?" Roxton was shaken that he'd heard Marguerite tell him that they would never be more than friends. He'd been thinking lately that maybe, just maybe Marguerite would allow him to really prove how much he was head over heels in love with her.
"It meant nothing, Roxton". Veronica agreed with Challenger.
"Guys, something's happening".
Malone's voice broke in before they would continue their conversation. On the bed Marguerite stirred once again opening her eyes.
"She's delusional again". Veronica said noticing the vacant expression, the green eyes unfocused on anything.
Her face devoid of any emotion Marguerite began talking.
"I don't understand why we're even having this conversation. No, don't talk back at me! You think I care? As if, you are nothing". Marguerite paused, then her voice dropped a few notches. "It's your fault. She'd still be alive if you hadn't been so bloody pig headed. Listen to yourself, always shifting the blame onto me. Well not this time! You killed her. I will never for give you!" Marguerite's eyes closed as she went back to sleep, but not before the other explorers noticed the solitary tear running down her temple. Gently Roxton touched his finger to the tear, wiping it away.
"I wonder what she was talking about". Malone thought out loud. He tried to think back to issues in London involving a death linked to Marguerite somehow. Nothing came instantly to mind.
"I wonder who died". Veronica added.
"Must have been someone close, she was crying". Malone said. "You have any idea?" Malone pointed his question towards Roxton.
"Not off the top of my head". Roxton told him, and then he looked down at Marguerite who was asleep once again. "She's still burning up".
"We'll keep up the cold compresses and try to get her to drink some water or tea". Challenger put in. "It'll have to break soon"
Veronica turned to go out the door. "I'll get some breakfast ready".
"I'll help you". Malone scooted off after her. Challenger also left so Roxton was alone again with Marguerite.
"Baby you have to fight this". Roxton told her. "Would you mind if I called you Baby? I hope not, and if so then you have to wake and tell me yourself". Roxton picked up one of Marguerite's slender hands. He looked at it, tears nearly blinding his eyes. Her hands were so pale, so delicate. They looked so fragile like they'd shatter into a million pieces if dropped. With his pointer finger he traced lines down over each of her knuckles to her fingertips. The nail was smooth and tapered to a gently curve at the end. She'd always been so picky about keeping he nails in good order.
"Fight it Marguerite and come back, back to me". Roxton looked down at her face. She looked peaceful enough, but he couldn't be completely sure. "I love you Marguerite. I love you".