Claimer: I own Deanna J. Fox, and Sir Robert A. Blake not to mention this
whole story line. So please no copying.
Disclaimer: I don't own Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World, or any of its story's or characters. So don't sue cause I never said I did and you'll lose.
Author's Pre Notes: AH!! I missed the last episode!! AHHH!! The one after Trapped!!! AH!!!! RL is clearly crazy or I would never have done such a heinous thing!!! OH!!! *Hits herself with something heavy* oW!!!! AH!!! How could I have done that!! DRAT!!!! *sigh* oh well I'll have to wait for the repeats. But could someone please summarize the previews for this week. Pretty please!!! *bats eyelashes*
Ok well back to why you actually came in here. Next chapter is up, it's a little bit of a filler but I figured you guys deserved something, for being so very wonderful to me with your reviews. FOR those of you who didn't review you get a freebee apparently, but don't feel good about it, feel guilty, guilty guilty guilty!!! LOL jk. But if you haven't reviewed please do and for those who did you know what to do, look for you name . . . .
Wdge ~ Hello there!! Thank you so much for coming and reading my story!!! And thank you even more for reviewing it, it means a lot to me!!! Sorry about the commitment thing. I'm the same way, ironic I would write one like that but unavoidable and good I hope. I'm glad your excited please keep reading cause I'll keep writing and we'll get to the end eventually, LOL. Thanks so much again!!!
~#~
Veggie5 ~ Sorry about the A/n thing but your right you didn't review I was so sad. But I can understand the getting kicked off the computer thing. Happens to me all the time. Not to say that I'm guiltless of doing the kicking sometimes *looks away almost innocently*
I'm glad you liked the Roxton/Blake stuff lol, I thought it would be a nice touch. And I REALLY LOVE that you loved chapter 20 I read it over and over and over again!!! LOL
Sorry about Legacy but I'm in the same boat now with the epi I missed 8hits herself with something heavy again* OW!! Anyway I'm so glad you got to see Trapped doesn't it just make you giddy!!! LOL
Did I scare you with that Daknet thing, yeah I kinda caught some people off guard with that. YES!! Lol jk. So don't worry your not slow. And don't worry I hate to admit it but I think the end is kinda confusing to, me sorrys!!!
Oh and thanks I'm working through my writer's block. The magic thing was nice to, although I did have hundreds of furry creatures popping out of my computer screen for a while, was that suppose to happen? LOL It did help me though, with my writer's block and I made a nice profit off the little furry things. *Che-ching!! Fans herself with a fist full of cash!!* LOL No I'm perfectly sane, well moderately sane, LOL anyway thanks for your support it means a lot.
Thanks a ton!! Hope you like this chapter little bit of a filler but I think it will do!
~#~
Ascamelien ~ First off, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW!! THAT WAS ONE LONG FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC REVIEW!!!!! my new word fan- bloody-tastic, hehe . . LOL
Anyway wow I was like all excited when I saw your review seriously!! I loved it!! You are so great!! So good to lil' ol' Evil me!!!!
Sorry if I scared you with Daknet, but it had to be *sad face* I totally agree more noble than words.
Yes down with Haiton and ALL WEATHERMEN!!!! Well at least ours, I've got bad weather again!!! GRRRR, I hope yours has gotten better, or I'm coming back up there and me and him are having another little 'Talk' Hehehe * Sharpens blade on grinding stone sparks flying, looks up noticing the look you're giving me, lol, kicks objects to the side* yes now where was I? Ah yes.
Challenger and Ned, gotta love 'em, so cute!!
I'm glad you liked the couple's reunion, there is more with that coming up in the next chapter. This one is a bit of a filler, perfectly good, but not much "action' per say. Sorry if I disappoint you. *Whimper, sad face, whimper*
And Hey maybe I should make the chain things D's trademark, lol. She's got skills, lol. (Ah I hate to have to bring it up but, my friend brought me to the new Star Wars movie and there was a chain fight part, I was laughing so hard, my friend was like 'what is the matter with you?! It was so funny. And YODA!! OMG!! Ok I'm going to get back to topic now . . *blushes* )
LOL, anyway yeah, You have to keep reading to see what goes on with Mr Grouchy Pants, Lol I like that, Mr. Grouchy Pants haha . .I'm sure a Deanna and the explorer's would appreciate that name for Haiton, I can just see Marguerite shouting it at him, ok, I'm done well not really but yeah.
Oh yeah and * closes lap top strapped to legs and reaches over grabbing Ascamelien's hand and swings her up to safety, * Sorry about that, cliffys are a pain. But you know I wouldn't leave a good friend like you hanging, not endanger of falling like that, not ever!! Well at least not for very long, LOL.
By the way I'm still hanging here!!!! *You look down and sees me hanging upside-down, laptop still strapped to my legs, as I hang from your story in suspense* All the blood it rushing to my head!!! Ah help me!! Please hurry your story is so great I can't wait!!!! Really I think I'm going to black out!! Ah!! Help!! ASCAMELIEN!!!!!
Oh and did you see 'Trapped' did you tell me!! AH!! *almost loses balance * ah I did mention the whole I'm hanging here!! Please keep up the amazing work and get going on your next chapter!!! Please!!! For the sake of me health!!! *Looks down at the bazillion mile drop and gets a bit dizzy *
And THANKS SO MUCH!!!! YOUR ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST!!! LOL TRUTH!!!! Until next time my friend.
~#~
Lixta (Lixta@hotmail.com) ~ Thanks so much for reviewing I was worried you left me!! I was so sad!!
Anyway I love your thoughts on this chapter, Very insightful. I like your perception of new dimension in Deanna and Robert's relationship. They both are capable of things the other can't imagine whether they know it themselves or not. Very good. And of course Challenger and Ned, so cute!! LOL. Thanks for reviewing, I hope to not disappoint you with this next bit, a type of filler, I think, but I suppose it will do just fine, for now. Thanks so much for Reviewing Again!!
~#~
That's all for now, like that's not enough for author's Pre notes !! LoL
Onto the words . . .
Blake pulled Deanna close to him putting his arm around her shoulders, holding her hand helping to guide her foreword.
'Oh the way she must be suffering!' he agonized in his head.
Then they heard a gasp, a thud and anxious voices in front of them.
----
A streak of curse words came forth from Marguerite's mouth as she sat herself up.
"Marguerite!" said Malone vainly looking for her in the dark.
"Marguerite are you alright?!" said Roxton leaning down to where she had tripped and fallen.
"Oh hell!! If I wasn't busted up enough already! I think I've twisted my bloody ankle!!" she growled rubbing it gingerly with her fingertips.
He frowned in the dark remembering and feeling guilty about how already injured she was.
"Let me see it-- so to speak," said Challenger hobbling over in the dark.
"Challenger?" came Robert's questioning voice
"Over here!" said Malone
"Marguerite what happened?" said Deanna kneeling or rather falling to her knees next to her friend.
"I tripped over some-some- I don't even know what the hell it was!"
"Well calm down, can you walk on it?" asked Deanna exhausted
"I-" she started but Challenger interrupted
"I don't think she should try yet, I can't get a good look at it in the dark."
"There is a-a grouping of caves over that way, they go pretty deep, we could start a fire in one and no one would know" said Robert pointing and then realizing no one could really see him and shrugged replacing it at his side.
"Sounds like a good as place as any" said Roxton scooping Marguerite up into his arms.
"Wow!" she said a bit startled by this action.
"Don't worry Marguerite I won't drop you" he tried to jest.
She just sighed and laid her head against his shoulder trying to relax.
"Come on Deanna," said Robert sweetly moving to help her up.
"I'm alright Robert," she replied in a soft sympathetic tone.
She grabbed hold of the tree that she could feel next to her, and pulled herself to her feet. Robert looked at her worried as she wavered. She didn't seem to notice or didn't care. She was very disoriented and dazed so he slipped his arm around her waist and led her in the right direction. She stayed silent all the time staring down at the ground.
"Robert- where is this bloody thing?" came Roxton's impatient whisper.
"Wait a sec-ond! I can't even see you, let alone know where you should go!" he whispered back into the dark as he moved toward their voices.
"Alright, let me see" he said calmly looking around squinting into the dark.
Deanna leaned against him her eyes closed staying perfectly still. She just wanted to lay down and die!!! She hurt so much and she was so tired!! But they have to get out of this, 'When everything is all right and everyone is ok, then! Then I can lay down and die' she thought cynically, having no intention of actually dying.
"Robert," she sighed motionless, not even opening her eyes.
He turned his head down to her.
"What do you see?" she said in the same exhausted tone staying still.
"Wh-what," he said looking from her to the forest "Well there are hills to our left I can see them with the reflection from the lightening-"
She flinched at the word; he looked at her a second and then continued.
"Then there is a group of trees-" he squinted "right in front of us. The biggest tree is shaped kind of like a giant v? Yeah a v."
"And the valley where the river is to the right" Veronica added having earlier come from the direction.
"A- V?" Deanna groaned opening her eyes, looking up a second groggily. "We go straight ahead but watch your step there's a steep slope on the other side," she sighed closing her eyes again.
"Oh the v! I remember! How smart you are!" he smiled down at her.
Usually a comment like that from him would have put her on cloud nine, but she was just to tired, to angry, to injured, to frustrated and to emotionally disturbed to register the compliment correctly or think of how remark on it.
She just groaned and wondered on in front of them toward the trees. The others followed. Robert frowned slightly concerned; he looked around and then followed the group.
-----
Deanna hadn't been kidding that the slope was steep Roxton holding Marguerite with the rest of the explorers with the exception of Deanna and Veronica, had stumbled over the edge and slid or rolled down the long slope to the bottom. Hitting probably every object or unleveled piece of the land on the way down.
Deanna looked expressionlessly at Veronica who shrugged and they walked down the slope after their friends.
-----
"How graceful Lord Roxton!" Marguerite snapped whacking him with his own hat.
"Hey-hey easy!" he said putting his arms up to protest his face.
"Easy like what!?! How easy it was to walk off the slope that you were told was steep!" she said whacking him again, then seemed to calm down.
"Well it's not like I did it on purpose, besides Malone, Challenger and Blake went first" he said motioning to his friends who'd been dusting themselves off, they lifted their heads suddenly noticing that Roxton had shifted the unwanted attention on them.
"That's right!" she said whacking them repeatedly with the hat.
"Hey!"
"Roxton!!-Traitor!!"
"Marguerite!!"
"I'll tell Deanna! I swear! Ow!"
"Marguerite lay off!!"
"Hey watch it you'll wreck the hat!" said Roxton again bringing the focus back onto himself.
"I'll wreck you John!" she scolded swinging her arm from the other three men back to him.
"Hey!- Marguerite- Now stop that!!-I-"
"Having fun are we?" came Deanna's amused voice as she and Veronica came from the brush. Robert looked up a bit relieved at her smile.
Marguerite just huffed and Roxton sighed in relief only to be whacked again second later when Deanna turned her back.
"Alright children" said Veronica helping Malone up
"So where are these caves?" asked Challenger getting up dusting his hat off looking around.
"There" said Deanna pointing.
They were on another slope above the caves, but they weren't hard to see and they were huge. It was a huge mountain with many fissure entrances and exists they assumed. It was clear why this would be a good place to hide while they regrouped.
"Oh great" Marguerite groaned "Another slope"
Roxton moved to pick her up.
"Oh no! Not with your sure footing" she protested sarcastically pushing his arm away. " I'd rather have Ma-" she looked around realizing all the men had fallen with dear Roxton "have -Deanna carry me," she said knowing full well that she wasn't serious.
"Marguerite" Roxton said with the 'you're being ridiculous' voice and face (OH SO CUTE!! LOL)
"In your dreams sugar" said Deanna smirked walking past them starting to descend down the slope.
"Come on Marguerite" said Roxton picking her up
"Oh don't you touch me! -Put me down this minute Lord Roxton!!" she demanded kicking her legs. Then she settled down with a soft snort crossing her arms tightly as they walked down toward the caves.
Deanna walked down the hill silently squeezing her eyes shut trying to focus on what she needed to do and block out the darkness that wanted to overwhelm her. In her attempt to control herself and suppress her pain she almost ran into a small tree. She jerked her head up completely rousing herself to alert consciousness.
Robert furrowed his brow at the little scene, he jogged down next to her.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah of course"
"Are you sure?" he asked again knowing she was not letting on how badly she was hurt.
"Yep I'm just peachy," she said plainly and then almost tripped over a stone sticking out of the slope. This time the others noticed.
"Are you ok?" asked Veronica
"Yeah fine, just a little dark for my liking" she smiled rubbing her sandaled foot and continuing on.
'Dark?' thought Robert 'when has the dark ever bothered her?' Which was true more often than not he found Deanna doing something in the dark, not because she was up to something, she was just perfectly comfortable doing things that way, she always said she could see perfectly fine that she was just to lazy to turn on a light if she didn't need it.
"You're catching on to the guys knack for walking Deanna," Marguerite quipped
"Hardly, besides who's the one with the twisted ankle" she laughed looking back smugly
Marguerite just pursed her lips knowing she had a point.
"I hadn't thought of that," teased Roxton looking down at Marguerite who just glared knowingly up at him.
"Well then I'd say we're even now" she was quiet a minute "Although I wasn't the one to take someone else down with me"
Roxton just rolled his eyes.
------
"Over hear" Deanna called leaning against a cave entrance, or rather grasping onto it for dear life. She was panting and really needed to sit down. She wiped the sweat from her brow as the others approached.
"This one?" asked Veronica
"I don't really think it matters," said Robert looking into the dark cave
"Well provided there is nothing living in it," said Marguerite her arms around Roxton's neck as he carried her over.
"Well we should find out I think," said Malone
"Well since you're offering-," said Veronica slyly
"Wait? What? Oh-um" he said looking around
"Don't worry Malone I'll go" said Roxton
"Nah," said Robert "You stay and hold-Marguerite" he couldn't help a grin as he turned away
Marguerites looked up at the hunter's grin and then back to Robert.
"Did I miss something?!" she said irritated looking at them suspiciously. "Well?!"
"Well we better get going eh Malone?" said Robert quickly grabbing a torch and running into the cave, Malone at his heels holding in his laughter.
Deanna shook her head breathing heavily and then laid it back against where she was now sitting at the entrance of the cave.
So they waited, the plan was the guys would get far enough in so that they couldn't see the entrance and light the torch so it's glow wouldn't shine out the mouth of the cave. If everything was ok they would leave the torch inside to light the way and come back for the others.
"What's taking them so long," asked Veronica impatiently feeling bad about volunteering Malone to go inside first.
"Don't worry Veronica I'm sure there is a perfectly good explanation-" said Marguerite now sitting somewhat on Roxton's lap as they waited for the others to come out. When she had protested he said it was so he could pick her up easier later.
'Yeah right' Marguerite thought wryly but all the same she stopped fussing and sat contently in his arms, that is until-
Deanna's head shot up from where she had been resting it against the fissure's entrance. But it wasn't her unpleasant thoughts that had caused her sudden jolt back to reality.
"Did you hear that?" she asked
"Hear what?" said Challenger
"Shh I hear it to," said Roxton looking around with his eyes, Marguerite watched him silently her eyes wide with apprehension.
Veronica stood listening.
"It sounds like rumbling?" she asked cocking an eyebrow.
Roxton nodded.
Then a horrid screeching sound came to Deanna's ears she jerked back in alarm.
"What?!" said Marguerite before she heard it to, "What the hell is that?!"
"A bat?!" offered Challenger as the sound slowly began to get louder.
"I've never heard a bat make a sound like that?!" said Roxton turning around getting a bit startled holding on a bit tighter to Marguerite as they suddenly heard shouting coming from inside the cave.
-----
"I told you those weren't stalactites!!" said Malone running along full speed toward the mouth of the cave looking back.
"Awful lot to go through to prove a point, don't ya think!!" Robert yelled back sprinting down the tunnel, throwing the torch back at their assailants.
------
All of a sudden Robert and Malone came running out of the cave, the screeching sound louder than ever.
"Run, run, run!" said Robert quickly stepping back and grabbing a confused Deanna by the arm then continuing to run pulling her along with him, but it didn't take her long to figure out what was going on and run on faster ahead of him, a burst of adrenaline making all indications of fatigue and pain disappear.
Right behind them hundreds of creatures came scrabbling and flying out of the cave, all of them different shapes and sizes but all seeming to come from the bat family. They had large wings and some large haunches for walking, one incredibly large creature bashed into Veronica with it's haunches knocking her face down into the dirt. She tried to stay as still and flat as she could covering her head with her arms.
The creatures were screeching and screaming as they flapped about bumping into the explorers getting tangled in their hair and clothes, scratching and biting at what ever they thought was threatening them, then flying off to escape retaliation.
The larger ones (about 4-7ft) who seemed to be more aggressive than scared came down and struck out at the explorers. They had long talons on their feet and wings and sharp translucent teeth that glistened with saliva that only brought more notice to their fearsome neon green eyes.
------
"Roxton!" Marguerite shouted as one came up behind them.
"Wha- AH!!" he said spinning around and ducking down as the creature soared right over their heads. He turned back pulling out his gun as it started to circle back.
-----
"Veronica!!" yelled Malone realizing she was gone and saw her on the ground by the cave. One of the large bats came diving down toward her preparing to strike.
-----
Veronica heard the wings and the screeching coming closer she was hoping she was imagining it, that it was just flying over her like the hundreds of others were still doing. But she turned over to see this huge black blur with horrifying eyes coming at her, she cried out and then it fell down to the ground next to her. She stared at in horror.
"Veronica!!" Malone called reloading his rifle from the last shot.
"Ned!!" she shouted turning her head upward looking for him, she was afraid to move there were so many bats in the space around them now that the black sky looked like water moving with the little dark haired creatures that now flew through it's vast skies and terrorized the explorers.
"Hold on Veronica!" he yelled hesitating then running into the cluster of oncoming bats. Halfway there one of the creatures latched onto his face knocking him over.
"Malone!"
"I'm alright hold on," he said angrily ripping the creature off his face. He scrambled over to her on his stomach, he grabbed her, holding her a second shielding her from the creatures as he tried to think.
"Ned-" came Veronica's shaken voice
"What?!" he said turning to her.
"Tell me that –thing! Did not just move," she said regarding the huge creature lying next to them. Her eyes wide in alarm.
He looked at it a minute when suddenly it did move, it tried to sit itself up and struggled to get up onto it's large haunches. It opened its horrid eyes and stared at them, suddenly it struck out with its taloned wing. Ned pulled Veronica just out of harms way.
"I say we run for it" he said jumping to his feet helping Veronica do the same and took off ducking and dodging the mass of vicious creatures toward the jungle.
-----
"Roxton!!" Marguerite shrieked grabbing for her gun holding onto his neck with her other arm. She shot the large bat creature dead.
"Thanks" Roxton panted looking down at her. Then two of the monsters came soaring down over them. Roxton held to Marguerite stepping back cocking his pistol.
The creatures dodged in around them coming closer and closer flapping their wings and snapping at them with their razor-sharp teeth.
"Kill it!" Marguerite shrieked clinging to Roxton.
"What do you think I'm trying to do!" He snapped reloading his rifle.
"Ah!" he yelled as one swung down right into their faces and moved to attack when it shrieked out and dropped to the ground, it quickly got up to it's haunches spinning around annoyed.
"Deanna!" cried Marguerite.
Deanna threw another large rock at the creature that then lashed out at her irritated.
"I am SO not in the mood for you right now!!" she yelled at the creature. "Run!" she said looking at Roxton throwing another rock at the creature keeping it's attention on her and running the other direction as the creature pushed off the ground taking flight again soaring after her. It came up behind her and pushed her down then began to circle back diving down for her.
----
"Roxton," said Marguerite looking at him seriously.
He nodded quickly and set her down cocking his rifle.
----
Deanna gasped raising her arm in a protective manner over her head as the creature touched down onto the ground looming over her delicate body a large haunch on either side of her, it's wings stretched out wide, threatening to encircle her as it roared throwing it's head back. It jerked back down looking straight into her eyes, she froze a second, and then it moved to strike but stopped short falling over on top of her.
"Ah!" she cried startled if not disgusted.
"Deanna!" cried Robert coming out of nowhere he had clearly been looking for her.
"Get it off me!! It's heavy!!" she yelled annoyed.
He sighed relieved 'normal sassy self' he thought. He reached down and grabbed the creature by one of its wings and twisted it rolling the creature off. "Well there's a date gone bad," he remarked sarcastically.
Deanna kind of gasped a bit out of breath from being crushed by the large animal and glared at him slightly about his remark.
"Are you alright?!" asked Robert concerned
"Yeah" she said a bit unsteady
"Is she ok Robert?" yelled Roxton reloading his rifle from killing the bat creature.
"Yes and thank you Roxton!" said Robert relieved
"Hey she threw the rock at it"
Deanna rolled her eyes as Robert pulled her to her feet "Yeah and how would you have liked it, if I hadn't," she quipped back
"Point taken" Roxton chuckled helping Marguerite up her arm slung over his shoulders, she stood on her good foot not wanting to put any real pressure on the other one till someone looked at it.
"You threw a rock at it?" said Robert concerned looking back over at the size of the creature
She looked at him her brow furrowed with a 'yeah and?' expression.
-------
Challenger swatted at the hundreds of annoying creatures clinging onto his pack and body. He was trying to get into the jungle but ran into something hard and fell back knocking the creatures off, they flew away frightened.
"There" said Challenger getting up and turning around to see what he had slammed into.
"Oh my" he said staring up into the startling eyes of a huge bat-creature. It opened its mouth saliva dripping from its transparent fangs.
-----
Malone pulled Veronica behind a large rock formation by the cave entrance, dodging and swatting at the annoying creatures clawing at them.
"What do we do now?!" said Veronica curling up against Ned shaking.
"Hey" he said softly looking down at her "Don't worry,"
Veronica smiled slightly and nuzzled into his shoulder.
He grinned to himself and then heard a sound.
"What is he doing now-" said Ned annoyed looking around the rock at the large bat creature he had shot moments before.
It was flailing about trying to fly or find a better way to move but kept slumping back to the ground with an unceremonious thud every time it tried. Suddenly it threw its head back and started to make the most horrid yelping sound.
"AH!! What is it doing?!" said Veronica pressing her hands over her ears to block out the sound.
"Actually I think- you mean- who is it calling!!" said Ned holding his ears.
Veronica looked at him her eyes wide a 'your joking, please tell me you're joking!' look on her face
But it didn't matter the shrieking sound died down and they heard a strange cluster of sounds coming from inside of the cave.
Most of the bats around them as well as the ones still flying out of the cave circled around and flew back inside while the others landed in trees, on rocks or the ground.
Veronica and Malone's eyes widened as they listened to the noises inside of the cave. There were extremely low almost surreal growls, then a scratching sound like something was brushing up against the sides of the cave, the last noise was a thumping sound that came in a rhythm and that slowly got louder and clearer.
"Those are footsteps," said Veronica hushed
"From what?"
"I don't really think I want to find out, it sounds like it's huge!!"
"Yeah" he nodded taking a deep breath hugging her tight a second.
He leaned foreword watching a huge head came out from the cave. From the size of the head it was hard to image that the whole creature could fit in that 'little' cave.
"Oh my god" gasped Veronica watching as the creature pulled a wing out of the cave and rotated it's body to give room to bring the other out.
"That things almost as big as the tree house!!"
"If not bigger" said Veronica not taking her eyes off it
"It most be the mother or something," said Ned reaching for his pouch and digging through it.
Veronica nodded still looking at the creature in awe, then she glanced at Malone.
" What are you doing?!"
"We can't let that thing get out of the cave," he said throwing something, having it clearly not be what he was looking for.
"You're kidding right? That thing is huge; it- it can't even get itself out of the cave. What can we do? What can we possible use to-even hurt it?!"
"Dynamite?" said Ned taking it out of the bag surprised
"Yeah Dynamite might do it," said Veronica sarcastically looking at the creature
"No, really dynamite" he said turning to her holding it.
"Why do you have that?"
"I don't know it was here with Deanna's stuff"
"Why does Deanna have—Actually I don't want to know" she said looking back "it's almost out of the cave," she said warily "Is it enough?!"
"And I'm suppose to know-" he said sarcastically
"Ned!"
"Sorry-yeah I think-it should at least cause the cave to collapse on it."
"How are we going to get it over there"
"Run"
"Nice"
"Tell me about it but we don't have a choice" he rationalized
"I know who knows what that thing will do when it gets out, it will lead Haiton right to us- Wait what about the noise- from the explosion?!"
"I know, I think we're pretty far from the clearing now though plus it's still thundering, then there are all the slopes it should muffle the sound"
"I really hope your right,"
"Me to" said Ned taking a deep breath and running out into in front of the cave. Veronica covering him holding her knives ready.
"Hey-over here!!
-----
"I heard something," said Roxton raising his rifle.
"Wait, it's Challenger," said Robert easing the rifle down
Challenger was running at them full speed, but he didn't stop he ran right past them.
"Shoot it!!! shoot it!!!" he screamed
"What?" said Marguerite who then looked back "AH!"
"Oh my g- Ah!" said Robert cocking his rifle ducking as the huge creature after Challenger soared over them.
"Challenger come back this way?!" Roxton called
---------
"Right-away!" he panted spinning on heal and ducking under the haunches of the creature flying after him.
"Haha got ya!" he snickered and then picked up his pace again as it started to circle back growling irritably.
---------
"Ready Robert!" called Roxton taking aim
"As always," he said mirroring Roxton's stance
Challenger came running back "Just kill it already!!" he said grabbing his hat keeping it from flying off his head.
The creature dove down for him, Roxton and Blake shot, Challenger tripped falling on stomach, the creature falling to the ground behind him and sliding into his feet.
"Challenger!" cried Deanna running over the others behind her.
Roxton eased Marguerite over to lean on Deanna.
"You alright old boy" said Roxton picking Challenger up by the collar
"Relatively" he panted swaying a bit dizzy.
"Good, but no more excuses about slowing down because of your age, George" Marguerite quipped
Roxton chuckled "Right I'd say you might be able to outrun Veronica at the speed you were going"
"Yeah, put a man eating bat behind somebody and they can do anything," Robert laughed
Deanna was looking at something in the distance "Speaking of which, what the hell is that-" she said her voice holding a annoyed and tired tone.
They all turned and looked, a giant bat creature more fearsome looking than the one Robert and Roxton had just shot was squirming its way out of the cave entrance
"My word-" said Challenger "That's fascinating"
They looked at him with 'your kidding right?' faces
"Yeah like the one Roxton just shot down," Marguerite said sarcastically nudging the dead creature with her good foot
"Oh! Yes –well –er- quite" said Challenger looking down at the creature who seconds ago wanted him for it's dinner.
"I don't know but that's huge!" said Robert taking a step ahead of Deanna and Marguerite.
"Where's Ned and Veronica?!" said Marguerite looking around suddenly worried
"Over there!" said Roxton
Veronica and Ned were running toward them the large creature finishing its exit from the cave stretching out its large razor taloned wings, their span almost covering the mountain of caves behind it.
"Ah!" they said warily as it roared.
"Run hurry into the jungle!! Hurry!!" they called to their friends.
"What? why?!"
"Dynamite!" panted Veronica reaching them and running past.
Roxton swept Marguerite up and ran, Challenger on his heels.
"Oh bloody hell, if Haiton wasn't enough trouble!!" Deanna cursed throwing her hands down at her sides in a aggravated and fed up manner, turning and running for the jungle Robert and Malone behind her.
---
Robert and Malone jumped as the cave exploded behind them.
The hundreds of creatures scattered taking flight scrambling the get away. They flew over the explorer's head scratching and getting tangled in some of their gear but then thrashing about and getting away. There was a horrid roar that almost over powered all of the creatures shrieking as they flew into the dark sky.
In a few moments it was silent the last few bats flying over their heads and into the jungle.
Malone and Robert looked up as the dust settled.
Roxton clutching Marguerite to his chest looked out from behind the large tree they were sitting against.
Challenger poked his head out from a log her had dove into when he heard the explosion. Veronica sat up on the opposite side of the same log, soaking wet from having jumped into a small rain run off at the bottom of a hill.
"Wait where is Deanna?!" said Robert looking around instantly panicked.
"Relax" came Deanna's voice
Robert looked around.
Deanna swung herself down from a tree.
"Ah! there you are, are you alright?!" he said coming over to her
"Yeah, how is everyone else?"
"Fine"
"Just fantastic"
"We're Alright"
"I'll live"
"Good, now lets find a cave that's not inhabited by a horde of man eating bats!!!" she said putting heavy frustration on the last part smacking Robert and storming off in the other direction.
"Wait?! How is this my fault!" he said walking after her.
The others followed.
They passed the collapsed cave and could see the dead creature under all of the rubble.
"Such a waste," Challenger muttered
"Think of it this way Challenger, to aid it's survival it would have had to eat something which most likely would have been you, would that not have been a waste?" said Deanna with almost no expression, the adrenaline she had been running on was wearing very thin and she wasn't sure how long she could go before blacking out.
Challenger stood a bit surprised, and actually had nothing scientific to say, he smiled.
"Yes I do believe losing one of the scientific geniuses of our age would be a waste indeed," he chuckled as they walked up part of the 'mountain of caves' to get to a different fissure.
"Who did he learn his humility from, you?" Deanna joked pointing to Marguerite
"I think not," she laughed "He's more like Lord Roxton in my opinion"
"Excuse me?" said Roxton looking at her, she just laughed
"This looks alright I think," said Malone a few feet ahead at another cave entrance.
"Yeah, but I'm going in with you this time, bub" said Veronica taking the unlit torch from Robert, who shrugged at Malone grinning innocently.
Malone rolled his eyes (his 'oh boy' face) and followed Veronica into the cave.
About 30 minutes later . .
"They should be back soon," said Marguerite looking into the cave a bit worried
"Hey, as long as they don't come back screaming and being followed by hundreds of vicious little- whatever they were- I'm not complaining" remarked Deanna not moving from where she was leaning up against the cave in a standing position.
"Point taken," said Marguerite leaning back against Roxton. He grinned down at her, she blushed slightly looking away.
"Maybe you should sit down Deanna," said Robert looking at her intently from where he was sitting on a fallen tree.
"No I'm fine" she lied, in reality she was afraid if she sat down she wouldn't be able to get back up, she was thankful that he couldn't really see her in the dark, she could only imagine what she looked like, if it was anything like the way she was feeling it was pretty bad.
Robert was about say something else when Veronica and Malone came to the mouth of the fissure.
"All clear" Veronica sighed shivering slightly.
"Let's go," said Deanna letting Roxton carrying Marguerite follow first.
----
It was a long way down and Deanna could feel that she was losing her reserve, she stumbled once or twice and this time she couldn't blame it on the dark because after passing the mouth of the cave they had lit another torch.
The last time she tripped she almost fell into the wall, she held herself there leaning into it, trying to ease her rapid breath, and letting the cold cave walls cool her burning body, sweat rolling down her brow. She closed her eyes tightly trying to will all the darkness and pain away.
"Deanna?" said Challenger who had been walking behind her with Robert. He passed in front of her and stopped turning to face her. "Deanna are you alright?"
"I'm all-right" she panted her face grimacing in pain.
Robert jogged up to them, "Deanna what's the matter? What's going on? Challenger?!"
"I-I-I'm fine" Deanna panted pushing herself up, she began to turn but her knees gave out.
"Oh no your not," Robert said concerned and partially angry with himself, catching her and picking her up.
She just groaned holding onto the back shoulder of his vest gripping it tightly.
"What's going on?!" Ned called from ahead putting an arm around seeing her trembling, Robert swept by her carrying Deanna.
"Deanna!" said Marguerite instantly concerned "Robert?! Is she alright?! Robert?!"
"I'm fine!" came Deanna's stubborn answer.
Robert glared down at her, "just a little dizzy " she said weakly placing her free hand on to top of her head, then resting it on his shoulder.
His anger at her obstinacy faded and he looked down at her pain in his eyes. He picked up his pace and headed for the light of the torch Malone and Veronica had placed deep in the cave before.
-------
Marguerite looked up at Roxton worried.
"Don't worry Marguerite," he said softly into her ear "I'm right her"
She nodded gently laying her head on his shoulder. She looked ahead and saw Veronica shivering for her earlier mishap with jumping into a pool of rainwater, her were teeth chattering, and she wrapped her arms around her bare midriff in attempt to keep herself warm. She couldn't wait till they could build a fire.
Marguerite looked back down at her knees a second. She motioned for Roxton to stop.
"Are you alright?" he asked concerned about why she would have him halt.
"Stand me up real quick," she said softly
"Marguerite?"
She just glared at him; He stood her on her good foot holding her steady around her waist.
He was startled at first when she started to unbutton the heavy raptor vest Deanna had given her to wear and more so when she pulled the rest of it open with a sharp tug.
"Are you hurt?!" He said alarmed looking her over seeing no other reason for her doing that.
"No- no!" she snapped slapping at his hand that was probing her stomach for a wound. She pulled off the vest.
"Then?-" he started but was cut off.
"Veronica!" Marguerite called.
The freezing blonde turned around.
"Here!" Marguerite threw the vest to her friend.
"Marguerite?" asked Veronica puzzled
"Put it on your going to shiver that little stomach of yours into nothing,"
Veronica looked at it a second, "Thank you Marguerite"
"Don't worry about, besides I wouldn't be able to stand it if you actually got thinner than me," she remarked smirking her customary nature coming back.
Veronica smirked back, 'Same old Marguerite' she thought putting the vest on, and she noticed how heavy it was.
---
"Now you may carry me Lord Roxton," Marguerite announced break off his stunned gaze.
"What- oh yes" He smiled lifting her back up and following the others as they moved closer to the large part of the cave where Malone and Veronica had left the other torch.
"That was really kind of you Marguerite," he remarked casually but sincerely.
She smiled softly "Thank you John," she whispered tenderly back. There was a moment of silence. "Besides anything to make sure she doesn't get sick and leave me to do all of her chores!"
"Oh Marguerite!" he playfully scolded knowing she was kidding.
She laughed and he dipped her back as they moved through the end of the tunnel into the large pit of the cave where the others were.
-----------------------
Author's Notes : GRR I still can't believe I missed that episode. Ggggrrr . . . .
Anyway how was that Ladies and gentlemen of the readers, was that all right? Sorry about all of the typos and it was kinda long for a filler, opps. *Innocent face * But I hope you all enjoyed it.
There will be more plot-oriented things in the next chapter I. . . . hope . .lol. . .
Anyway, Please tell me what you thought. You know what to do, and if you don't,
Push the little button down there, yes the 'click here to submit review button' don't be afraid you can do it!! Even if you haven't before please do.
And to all my loyal readers I luv ya and I look foreword to hearing you input!!!
Because Remember Reviews are MOTIVATING! . . . .. . . And you want me to be motivated don't you . . . . .
Disclaimer: I don't own Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World, or any of its story's or characters. So don't sue cause I never said I did and you'll lose.
Author's Pre Notes: AH!! I missed the last episode!! AHHH!! The one after Trapped!!! AH!!!! RL is clearly crazy or I would never have done such a heinous thing!!! OH!!! *Hits herself with something heavy* oW!!!! AH!!! How could I have done that!! DRAT!!!! *sigh* oh well I'll have to wait for the repeats. But could someone please summarize the previews for this week. Pretty please!!! *bats eyelashes*
Ok well back to why you actually came in here. Next chapter is up, it's a little bit of a filler but I figured you guys deserved something, for being so very wonderful to me with your reviews. FOR those of you who didn't review you get a freebee apparently, but don't feel good about it, feel guilty, guilty guilty guilty!!! LOL jk. But if you haven't reviewed please do and for those who did you know what to do, look for you name . . . .
Wdge ~ Hello there!! Thank you so much for coming and reading my story!!! And thank you even more for reviewing it, it means a lot to me!!! Sorry about the commitment thing. I'm the same way, ironic I would write one like that but unavoidable and good I hope. I'm glad your excited please keep reading cause I'll keep writing and we'll get to the end eventually, LOL. Thanks so much again!!!
~#~
Veggie5 ~ Sorry about the A/n thing but your right you didn't review I was so sad. But I can understand the getting kicked off the computer thing. Happens to me all the time. Not to say that I'm guiltless of doing the kicking sometimes *looks away almost innocently*
I'm glad you liked the Roxton/Blake stuff lol, I thought it would be a nice touch. And I REALLY LOVE that you loved chapter 20 I read it over and over and over again!!! LOL
Sorry about Legacy but I'm in the same boat now with the epi I missed 8hits herself with something heavy again* OW!! Anyway I'm so glad you got to see Trapped doesn't it just make you giddy!!! LOL
Did I scare you with that Daknet thing, yeah I kinda caught some people off guard with that. YES!! Lol jk. So don't worry your not slow. And don't worry I hate to admit it but I think the end is kinda confusing to, me sorrys!!!
Oh and thanks I'm working through my writer's block. The magic thing was nice to, although I did have hundreds of furry creatures popping out of my computer screen for a while, was that suppose to happen? LOL It did help me though, with my writer's block and I made a nice profit off the little furry things. *Che-ching!! Fans herself with a fist full of cash!!* LOL No I'm perfectly sane, well moderately sane, LOL anyway thanks for your support it means a lot.
Thanks a ton!! Hope you like this chapter little bit of a filler but I think it will do!
~#~
Ascamelien ~ First off, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW!! THAT WAS ONE LONG FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC REVIEW!!!!! my new word fan- bloody-tastic, hehe . . LOL
Anyway wow I was like all excited when I saw your review seriously!! I loved it!! You are so great!! So good to lil' ol' Evil me!!!!
Sorry if I scared you with Daknet, but it had to be *sad face* I totally agree more noble than words.
Yes down with Haiton and ALL WEATHERMEN!!!! Well at least ours, I've got bad weather again!!! GRRRR, I hope yours has gotten better, or I'm coming back up there and me and him are having another little 'Talk' Hehehe * Sharpens blade on grinding stone sparks flying, looks up noticing the look you're giving me, lol, kicks objects to the side* yes now where was I? Ah yes.
Challenger and Ned, gotta love 'em, so cute!!
I'm glad you liked the couple's reunion, there is more with that coming up in the next chapter. This one is a bit of a filler, perfectly good, but not much "action' per say. Sorry if I disappoint you. *Whimper, sad face, whimper*
And Hey maybe I should make the chain things D's trademark, lol. She's got skills, lol. (Ah I hate to have to bring it up but, my friend brought me to the new Star Wars movie and there was a chain fight part, I was laughing so hard, my friend was like 'what is the matter with you?! It was so funny. And YODA!! OMG!! Ok I'm going to get back to topic now . . *blushes* )
LOL, anyway yeah, You have to keep reading to see what goes on with Mr Grouchy Pants, Lol I like that, Mr. Grouchy Pants haha . .I'm sure a Deanna and the explorer's would appreciate that name for Haiton, I can just see Marguerite shouting it at him, ok, I'm done well not really but yeah.
Oh yeah and * closes lap top strapped to legs and reaches over grabbing Ascamelien's hand and swings her up to safety, * Sorry about that, cliffys are a pain. But you know I wouldn't leave a good friend like you hanging, not endanger of falling like that, not ever!! Well at least not for very long, LOL.
By the way I'm still hanging here!!!! *You look down and sees me hanging upside-down, laptop still strapped to my legs, as I hang from your story in suspense* All the blood it rushing to my head!!! Ah help me!! Please hurry your story is so great I can't wait!!!! Really I think I'm going to black out!! Ah!! Help!! ASCAMELIEN!!!!!
Oh and did you see 'Trapped' did you tell me!! AH!! *almost loses balance * ah I did mention the whole I'm hanging here!! Please keep up the amazing work and get going on your next chapter!!! Please!!! For the sake of me health!!! *Looks down at the bazillion mile drop and gets a bit dizzy *
And THANKS SO MUCH!!!! YOUR ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST!!! LOL TRUTH!!!! Until next time my friend.
~#~
Lixta (Lixta@hotmail.com) ~ Thanks so much for reviewing I was worried you left me!! I was so sad!!
Anyway I love your thoughts on this chapter, Very insightful. I like your perception of new dimension in Deanna and Robert's relationship. They both are capable of things the other can't imagine whether they know it themselves or not. Very good. And of course Challenger and Ned, so cute!! LOL. Thanks for reviewing, I hope to not disappoint you with this next bit, a type of filler, I think, but I suppose it will do just fine, for now. Thanks so much for Reviewing Again!!
~#~
That's all for now, like that's not enough for author's Pre notes !! LoL
Onto the words . . .
Blake pulled Deanna close to him putting his arm around her shoulders, holding her hand helping to guide her foreword.
'Oh the way she must be suffering!' he agonized in his head.
Then they heard a gasp, a thud and anxious voices in front of them.
----
A streak of curse words came forth from Marguerite's mouth as she sat herself up.
"Marguerite!" said Malone vainly looking for her in the dark.
"Marguerite are you alright?!" said Roxton leaning down to where she had tripped and fallen.
"Oh hell!! If I wasn't busted up enough already! I think I've twisted my bloody ankle!!" she growled rubbing it gingerly with her fingertips.
He frowned in the dark remembering and feeling guilty about how already injured she was.
"Let me see it-- so to speak," said Challenger hobbling over in the dark.
"Challenger?" came Robert's questioning voice
"Over here!" said Malone
"Marguerite what happened?" said Deanna kneeling or rather falling to her knees next to her friend.
"I tripped over some-some- I don't even know what the hell it was!"
"Well calm down, can you walk on it?" asked Deanna exhausted
"I-" she started but Challenger interrupted
"I don't think she should try yet, I can't get a good look at it in the dark."
"There is a-a grouping of caves over that way, they go pretty deep, we could start a fire in one and no one would know" said Robert pointing and then realizing no one could really see him and shrugged replacing it at his side.
"Sounds like a good as place as any" said Roxton scooping Marguerite up into his arms.
"Wow!" she said a bit startled by this action.
"Don't worry Marguerite I won't drop you" he tried to jest.
She just sighed and laid her head against his shoulder trying to relax.
"Come on Deanna," said Robert sweetly moving to help her up.
"I'm alright Robert," she replied in a soft sympathetic tone.
She grabbed hold of the tree that she could feel next to her, and pulled herself to her feet. Robert looked at her worried as she wavered. She didn't seem to notice or didn't care. She was very disoriented and dazed so he slipped his arm around her waist and led her in the right direction. She stayed silent all the time staring down at the ground.
"Robert- where is this bloody thing?" came Roxton's impatient whisper.
"Wait a sec-ond! I can't even see you, let alone know where you should go!" he whispered back into the dark as he moved toward their voices.
"Alright, let me see" he said calmly looking around squinting into the dark.
Deanna leaned against him her eyes closed staying perfectly still. She just wanted to lay down and die!!! She hurt so much and she was so tired!! But they have to get out of this, 'When everything is all right and everyone is ok, then! Then I can lay down and die' she thought cynically, having no intention of actually dying.
"Robert," she sighed motionless, not even opening her eyes.
He turned his head down to her.
"What do you see?" she said in the same exhausted tone staying still.
"Wh-what," he said looking from her to the forest "Well there are hills to our left I can see them with the reflection from the lightening-"
She flinched at the word; he looked at her a second and then continued.
"Then there is a group of trees-" he squinted "right in front of us. The biggest tree is shaped kind of like a giant v? Yeah a v."
"And the valley where the river is to the right" Veronica added having earlier come from the direction.
"A- V?" Deanna groaned opening her eyes, looking up a second groggily. "We go straight ahead but watch your step there's a steep slope on the other side," she sighed closing her eyes again.
"Oh the v! I remember! How smart you are!" he smiled down at her.
Usually a comment like that from him would have put her on cloud nine, but she was just to tired, to angry, to injured, to frustrated and to emotionally disturbed to register the compliment correctly or think of how remark on it.
She just groaned and wondered on in front of them toward the trees. The others followed. Robert frowned slightly concerned; he looked around and then followed the group.
-----
Deanna hadn't been kidding that the slope was steep Roxton holding Marguerite with the rest of the explorers with the exception of Deanna and Veronica, had stumbled over the edge and slid or rolled down the long slope to the bottom. Hitting probably every object or unleveled piece of the land on the way down.
Deanna looked expressionlessly at Veronica who shrugged and they walked down the slope after their friends.
-----
"How graceful Lord Roxton!" Marguerite snapped whacking him with his own hat.
"Hey-hey easy!" he said putting his arms up to protest his face.
"Easy like what!?! How easy it was to walk off the slope that you were told was steep!" she said whacking him again, then seemed to calm down.
"Well it's not like I did it on purpose, besides Malone, Challenger and Blake went first" he said motioning to his friends who'd been dusting themselves off, they lifted their heads suddenly noticing that Roxton had shifted the unwanted attention on them.
"That's right!" she said whacking them repeatedly with the hat.
"Hey!"
"Roxton!!-Traitor!!"
"Marguerite!!"
"I'll tell Deanna! I swear! Ow!"
"Marguerite lay off!!"
"Hey watch it you'll wreck the hat!" said Roxton again bringing the focus back onto himself.
"I'll wreck you John!" she scolded swinging her arm from the other three men back to him.
"Hey!- Marguerite- Now stop that!!-I-"
"Having fun are we?" came Deanna's amused voice as she and Veronica came from the brush. Robert looked up a bit relieved at her smile.
Marguerite just huffed and Roxton sighed in relief only to be whacked again second later when Deanna turned her back.
"Alright children" said Veronica helping Malone up
"So where are these caves?" asked Challenger getting up dusting his hat off looking around.
"There" said Deanna pointing.
They were on another slope above the caves, but they weren't hard to see and they were huge. It was a huge mountain with many fissure entrances and exists they assumed. It was clear why this would be a good place to hide while they regrouped.
"Oh great" Marguerite groaned "Another slope"
Roxton moved to pick her up.
"Oh no! Not with your sure footing" she protested sarcastically pushing his arm away. " I'd rather have Ma-" she looked around realizing all the men had fallen with dear Roxton "have -Deanna carry me," she said knowing full well that she wasn't serious.
"Marguerite" Roxton said with the 'you're being ridiculous' voice and face (OH SO CUTE!! LOL)
"In your dreams sugar" said Deanna smirked walking past them starting to descend down the slope.
"Come on Marguerite" said Roxton picking her up
"Oh don't you touch me! -Put me down this minute Lord Roxton!!" she demanded kicking her legs. Then she settled down with a soft snort crossing her arms tightly as they walked down toward the caves.
Deanna walked down the hill silently squeezing her eyes shut trying to focus on what she needed to do and block out the darkness that wanted to overwhelm her. In her attempt to control herself and suppress her pain she almost ran into a small tree. She jerked her head up completely rousing herself to alert consciousness.
Robert furrowed his brow at the little scene, he jogged down next to her.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah of course"
"Are you sure?" he asked again knowing she was not letting on how badly she was hurt.
"Yep I'm just peachy," she said plainly and then almost tripped over a stone sticking out of the slope. This time the others noticed.
"Are you ok?" asked Veronica
"Yeah fine, just a little dark for my liking" she smiled rubbing her sandaled foot and continuing on.
'Dark?' thought Robert 'when has the dark ever bothered her?' Which was true more often than not he found Deanna doing something in the dark, not because she was up to something, she was just perfectly comfortable doing things that way, she always said she could see perfectly fine that she was just to lazy to turn on a light if she didn't need it.
"You're catching on to the guys knack for walking Deanna," Marguerite quipped
"Hardly, besides who's the one with the twisted ankle" she laughed looking back smugly
Marguerite just pursed her lips knowing she had a point.
"I hadn't thought of that," teased Roxton looking down at Marguerite who just glared knowingly up at him.
"Well then I'd say we're even now" she was quiet a minute "Although I wasn't the one to take someone else down with me"
Roxton just rolled his eyes.
------
"Over hear" Deanna called leaning against a cave entrance, or rather grasping onto it for dear life. She was panting and really needed to sit down. She wiped the sweat from her brow as the others approached.
"This one?" asked Veronica
"I don't really think it matters," said Robert looking into the dark cave
"Well provided there is nothing living in it," said Marguerite her arms around Roxton's neck as he carried her over.
"Well we should find out I think," said Malone
"Well since you're offering-," said Veronica slyly
"Wait? What? Oh-um" he said looking around
"Don't worry Malone I'll go" said Roxton
"Nah," said Robert "You stay and hold-Marguerite" he couldn't help a grin as he turned away
Marguerites looked up at the hunter's grin and then back to Robert.
"Did I miss something?!" she said irritated looking at them suspiciously. "Well?!"
"Well we better get going eh Malone?" said Robert quickly grabbing a torch and running into the cave, Malone at his heels holding in his laughter.
Deanna shook her head breathing heavily and then laid it back against where she was now sitting at the entrance of the cave.
So they waited, the plan was the guys would get far enough in so that they couldn't see the entrance and light the torch so it's glow wouldn't shine out the mouth of the cave. If everything was ok they would leave the torch inside to light the way and come back for the others.
"What's taking them so long," asked Veronica impatiently feeling bad about volunteering Malone to go inside first.
"Don't worry Veronica I'm sure there is a perfectly good explanation-" said Marguerite now sitting somewhat on Roxton's lap as they waited for the others to come out. When she had protested he said it was so he could pick her up easier later.
'Yeah right' Marguerite thought wryly but all the same she stopped fussing and sat contently in his arms, that is until-
Deanna's head shot up from where she had been resting it against the fissure's entrance. But it wasn't her unpleasant thoughts that had caused her sudden jolt back to reality.
"Did you hear that?" she asked
"Hear what?" said Challenger
"Shh I hear it to," said Roxton looking around with his eyes, Marguerite watched him silently her eyes wide with apprehension.
Veronica stood listening.
"It sounds like rumbling?" she asked cocking an eyebrow.
Roxton nodded.
Then a horrid screeching sound came to Deanna's ears she jerked back in alarm.
"What?!" said Marguerite before she heard it to, "What the hell is that?!"
"A bat?!" offered Challenger as the sound slowly began to get louder.
"I've never heard a bat make a sound like that?!" said Roxton turning around getting a bit startled holding on a bit tighter to Marguerite as they suddenly heard shouting coming from inside the cave.
-----
"I told you those weren't stalactites!!" said Malone running along full speed toward the mouth of the cave looking back.
"Awful lot to go through to prove a point, don't ya think!!" Robert yelled back sprinting down the tunnel, throwing the torch back at their assailants.
------
All of a sudden Robert and Malone came running out of the cave, the screeching sound louder than ever.
"Run, run, run!" said Robert quickly stepping back and grabbing a confused Deanna by the arm then continuing to run pulling her along with him, but it didn't take her long to figure out what was going on and run on faster ahead of him, a burst of adrenaline making all indications of fatigue and pain disappear.
Right behind them hundreds of creatures came scrabbling and flying out of the cave, all of them different shapes and sizes but all seeming to come from the bat family. They had large wings and some large haunches for walking, one incredibly large creature bashed into Veronica with it's haunches knocking her face down into the dirt. She tried to stay as still and flat as she could covering her head with her arms.
The creatures were screeching and screaming as they flapped about bumping into the explorers getting tangled in their hair and clothes, scratching and biting at what ever they thought was threatening them, then flying off to escape retaliation.
The larger ones (about 4-7ft) who seemed to be more aggressive than scared came down and struck out at the explorers. They had long talons on their feet and wings and sharp translucent teeth that glistened with saliva that only brought more notice to their fearsome neon green eyes.
------
"Roxton!" Marguerite shouted as one came up behind them.
"Wha- AH!!" he said spinning around and ducking down as the creature soared right over their heads. He turned back pulling out his gun as it started to circle back.
-----
"Veronica!!" yelled Malone realizing she was gone and saw her on the ground by the cave. One of the large bats came diving down toward her preparing to strike.
-----
Veronica heard the wings and the screeching coming closer she was hoping she was imagining it, that it was just flying over her like the hundreds of others were still doing. But she turned over to see this huge black blur with horrifying eyes coming at her, she cried out and then it fell down to the ground next to her. She stared at in horror.
"Veronica!!" Malone called reloading his rifle from the last shot.
"Ned!!" she shouted turning her head upward looking for him, she was afraid to move there were so many bats in the space around them now that the black sky looked like water moving with the little dark haired creatures that now flew through it's vast skies and terrorized the explorers.
"Hold on Veronica!" he yelled hesitating then running into the cluster of oncoming bats. Halfway there one of the creatures latched onto his face knocking him over.
"Malone!"
"I'm alright hold on," he said angrily ripping the creature off his face. He scrambled over to her on his stomach, he grabbed her, holding her a second shielding her from the creatures as he tried to think.
"Ned-" came Veronica's shaken voice
"What?!" he said turning to her.
"Tell me that –thing! Did not just move," she said regarding the huge creature lying next to them. Her eyes wide in alarm.
He looked at it a minute when suddenly it did move, it tried to sit itself up and struggled to get up onto it's large haunches. It opened its horrid eyes and stared at them, suddenly it struck out with its taloned wing. Ned pulled Veronica just out of harms way.
"I say we run for it" he said jumping to his feet helping Veronica do the same and took off ducking and dodging the mass of vicious creatures toward the jungle.
-----
"Roxton!!" Marguerite shrieked grabbing for her gun holding onto his neck with her other arm. She shot the large bat creature dead.
"Thanks" Roxton panted looking down at her. Then two of the monsters came soaring down over them. Roxton held to Marguerite stepping back cocking his pistol.
The creatures dodged in around them coming closer and closer flapping their wings and snapping at them with their razor-sharp teeth.
"Kill it!" Marguerite shrieked clinging to Roxton.
"What do you think I'm trying to do!" He snapped reloading his rifle.
"Ah!" he yelled as one swung down right into their faces and moved to attack when it shrieked out and dropped to the ground, it quickly got up to it's haunches spinning around annoyed.
"Deanna!" cried Marguerite.
Deanna threw another large rock at the creature that then lashed out at her irritated.
"I am SO not in the mood for you right now!!" she yelled at the creature. "Run!" she said looking at Roxton throwing another rock at the creature keeping it's attention on her and running the other direction as the creature pushed off the ground taking flight again soaring after her. It came up behind her and pushed her down then began to circle back diving down for her.
----
"Roxton," said Marguerite looking at him seriously.
He nodded quickly and set her down cocking his rifle.
----
Deanna gasped raising her arm in a protective manner over her head as the creature touched down onto the ground looming over her delicate body a large haunch on either side of her, it's wings stretched out wide, threatening to encircle her as it roared throwing it's head back. It jerked back down looking straight into her eyes, she froze a second, and then it moved to strike but stopped short falling over on top of her.
"Ah!" she cried startled if not disgusted.
"Deanna!" cried Robert coming out of nowhere he had clearly been looking for her.
"Get it off me!! It's heavy!!" she yelled annoyed.
He sighed relieved 'normal sassy self' he thought. He reached down and grabbed the creature by one of its wings and twisted it rolling the creature off. "Well there's a date gone bad," he remarked sarcastically.
Deanna kind of gasped a bit out of breath from being crushed by the large animal and glared at him slightly about his remark.
"Are you alright?!" asked Robert concerned
"Yeah" she said a bit unsteady
"Is she ok Robert?" yelled Roxton reloading his rifle from killing the bat creature.
"Yes and thank you Roxton!" said Robert relieved
"Hey she threw the rock at it"
Deanna rolled her eyes as Robert pulled her to her feet "Yeah and how would you have liked it, if I hadn't," she quipped back
"Point taken" Roxton chuckled helping Marguerite up her arm slung over his shoulders, she stood on her good foot not wanting to put any real pressure on the other one till someone looked at it.
"You threw a rock at it?" said Robert concerned looking back over at the size of the creature
She looked at him her brow furrowed with a 'yeah and?' expression.
-------
Challenger swatted at the hundreds of annoying creatures clinging onto his pack and body. He was trying to get into the jungle but ran into something hard and fell back knocking the creatures off, they flew away frightened.
"There" said Challenger getting up and turning around to see what he had slammed into.
"Oh my" he said staring up into the startling eyes of a huge bat-creature. It opened its mouth saliva dripping from its transparent fangs.
-----
Malone pulled Veronica behind a large rock formation by the cave entrance, dodging and swatting at the annoying creatures clawing at them.
"What do we do now?!" said Veronica curling up against Ned shaking.
"Hey" he said softly looking down at her "Don't worry,"
Veronica smiled slightly and nuzzled into his shoulder.
He grinned to himself and then heard a sound.
"What is he doing now-" said Ned annoyed looking around the rock at the large bat creature he had shot moments before.
It was flailing about trying to fly or find a better way to move but kept slumping back to the ground with an unceremonious thud every time it tried. Suddenly it threw its head back and started to make the most horrid yelping sound.
"AH!! What is it doing?!" said Veronica pressing her hands over her ears to block out the sound.
"Actually I think- you mean- who is it calling!!" said Ned holding his ears.
Veronica looked at him her eyes wide a 'your joking, please tell me you're joking!' look on her face
But it didn't matter the shrieking sound died down and they heard a strange cluster of sounds coming from inside of the cave.
Most of the bats around them as well as the ones still flying out of the cave circled around and flew back inside while the others landed in trees, on rocks or the ground.
Veronica and Malone's eyes widened as they listened to the noises inside of the cave. There were extremely low almost surreal growls, then a scratching sound like something was brushing up against the sides of the cave, the last noise was a thumping sound that came in a rhythm and that slowly got louder and clearer.
"Those are footsteps," said Veronica hushed
"From what?"
"I don't really think I want to find out, it sounds like it's huge!!"
"Yeah" he nodded taking a deep breath hugging her tight a second.
He leaned foreword watching a huge head came out from the cave. From the size of the head it was hard to image that the whole creature could fit in that 'little' cave.
"Oh my god" gasped Veronica watching as the creature pulled a wing out of the cave and rotated it's body to give room to bring the other out.
"That things almost as big as the tree house!!"
"If not bigger" said Veronica not taking her eyes off it
"It most be the mother or something," said Ned reaching for his pouch and digging through it.
Veronica nodded still looking at the creature in awe, then she glanced at Malone.
" What are you doing?!"
"We can't let that thing get out of the cave," he said throwing something, having it clearly not be what he was looking for.
"You're kidding right? That thing is huge; it- it can't even get itself out of the cave. What can we do? What can we possible use to-even hurt it?!"
"Dynamite?" said Ned taking it out of the bag surprised
"Yeah Dynamite might do it," said Veronica sarcastically looking at the creature
"No, really dynamite" he said turning to her holding it.
"Why do you have that?"
"I don't know it was here with Deanna's stuff"
"Why does Deanna have—Actually I don't want to know" she said looking back "it's almost out of the cave," she said warily "Is it enough?!"
"And I'm suppose to know-" he said sarcastically
"Ned!"
"Sorry-yeah I think-it should at least cause the cave to collapse on it."
"How are we going to get it over there"
"Run"
"Nice"
"Tell me about it but we don't have a choice" he rationalized
"I know who knows what that thing will do when it gets out, it will lead Haiton right to us- Wait what about the noise- from the explosion?!"
"I know, I think we're pretty far from the clearing now though plus it's still thundering, then there are all the slopes it should muffle the sound"
"I really hope your right,"
"Me to" said Ned taking a deep breath and running out into in front of the cave. Veronica covering him holding her knives ready.
"Hey-over here!!
-----
"I heard something," said Roxton raising his rifle.
"Wait, it's Challenger," said Robert easing the rifle down
Challenger was running at them full speed, but he didn't stop he ran right past them.
"Shoot it!!! shoot it!!!" he screamed
"What?" said Marguerite who then looked back "AH!"
"Oh my g- Ah!" said Robert cocking his rifle ducking as the huge creature after Challenger soared over them.
"Challenger come back this way?!" Roxton called
---------
"Right-away!" he panted spinning on heal and ducking under the haunches of the creature flying after him.
"Haha got ya!" he snickered and then picked up his pace again as it started to circle back growling irritably.
---------
"Ready Robert!" called Roxton taking aim
"As always," he said mirroring Roxton's stance
Challenger came running back "Just kill it already!!" he said grabbing his hat keeping it from flying off his head.
The creature dove down for him, Roxton and Blake shot, Challenger tripped falling on stomach, the creature falling to the ground behind him and sliding into his feet.
"Challenger!" cried Deanna running over the others behind her.
Roxton eased Marguerite over to lean on Deanna.
"You alright old boy" said Roxton picking Challenger up by the collar
"Relatively" he panted swaying a bit dizzy.
"Good, but no more excuses about slowing down because of your age, George" Marguerite quipped
Roxton chuckled "Right I'd say you might be able to outrun Veronica at the speed you were going"
"Yeah, put a man eating bat behind somebody and they can do anything," Robert laughed
Deanna was looking at something in the distance "Speaking of which, what the hell is that-" she said her voice holding a annoyed and tired tone.
They all turned and looked, a giant bat creature more fearsome looking than the one Robert and Roxton had just shot was squirming its way out of the cave entrance
"My word-" said Challenger "That's fascinating"
They looked at him with 'your kidding right?' faces
"Yeah like the one Roxton just shot down," Marguerite said sarcastically nudging the dead creature with her good foot
"Oh! Yes –well –er- quite" said Challenger looking down at the creature who seconds ago wanted him for it's dinner.
"I don't know but that's huge!" said Robert taking a step ahead of Deanna and Marguerite.
"Where's Ned and Veronica?!" said Marguerite looking around suddenly worried
"Over there!" said Roxton
Veronica and Ned were running toward them the large creature finishing its exit from the cave stretching out its large razor taloned wings, their span almost covering the mountain of caves behind it.
"Ah!" they said warily as it roared.
"Run hurry into the jungle!! Hurry!!" they called to their friends.
"What? why?!"
"Dynamite!" panted Veronica reaching them and running past.
Roxton swept Marguerite up and ran, Challenger on his heels.
"Oh bloody hell, if Haiton wasn't enough trouble!!" Deanna cursed throwing her hands down at her sides in a aggravated and fed up manner, turning and running for the jungle Robert and Malone behind her.
---
Robert and Malone jumped as the cave exploded behind them.
The hundreds of creatures scattered taking flight scrambling the get away. They flew over the explorer's head scratching and getting tangled in some of their gear but then thrashing about and getting away. There was a horrid roar that almost over powered all of the creatures shrieking as they flew into the dark sky.
In a few moments it was silent the last few bats flying over their heads and into the jungle.
Malone and Robert looked up as the dust settled.
Roxton clutching Marguerite to his chest looked out from behind the large tree they were sitting against.
Challenger poked his head out from a log her had dove into when he heard the explosion. Veronica sat up on the opposite side of the same log, soaking wet from having jumped into a small rain run off at the bottom of a hill.
"Wait where is Deanna?!" said Robert looking around instantly panicked.
"Relax" came Deanna's voice
Robert looked around.
Deanna swung herself down from a tree.
"Ah! there you are, are you alright?!" he said coming over to her
"Yeah, how is everyone else?"
"Fine"
"Just fantastic"
"We're Alright"
"I'll live"
"Good, now lets find a cave that's not inhabited by a horde of man eating bats!!!" she said putting heavy frustration on the last part smacking Robert and storming off in the other direction.
"Wait?! How is this my fault!" he said walking after her.
The others followed.
They passed the collapsed cave and could see the dead creature under all of the rubble.
"Such a waste," Challenger muttered
"Think of it this way Challenger, to aid it's survival it would have had to eat something which most likely would have been you, would that not have been a waste?" said Deanna with almost no expression, the adrenaline she had been running on was wearing very thin and she wasn't sure how long she could go before blacking out.
Challenger stood a bit surprised, and actually had nothing scientific to say, he smiled.
"Yes I do believe losing one of the scientific geniuses of our age would be a waste indeed," he chuckled as they walked up part of the 'mountain of caves' to get to a different fissure.
"Who did he learn his humility from, you?" Deanna joked pointing to Marguerite
"I think not," she laughed "He's more like Lord Roxton in my opinion"
"Excuse me?" said Roxton looking at her, she just laughed
"This looks alright I think," said Malone a few feet ahead at another cave entrance.
"Yeah, but I'm going in with you this time, bub" said Veronica taking the unlit torch from Robert, who shrugged at Malone grinning innocently.
Malone rolled his eyes (his 'oh boy' face) and followed Veronica into the cave.
About 30 minutes later . .
"They should be back soon," said Marguerite looking into the cave a bit worried
"Hey, as long as they don't come back screaming and being followed by hundreds of vicious little- whatever they were- I'm not complaining" remarked Deanna not moving from where she was leaning up against the cave in a standing position.
"Point taken," said Marguerite leaning back against Roxton. He grinned down at her, she blushed slightly looking away.
"Maybe you should sit down Deanna," said Robert looking at her intently from where he was sitting on a fallen tree.
"No I'm fine" she lied, in reality she was afraid if she sat down she wouldn't be able to get back up, she was thankful that he couldn't really see her in the dark, she could only imagine what she looked like, if it was anything like the way she was feeling it was pretty bad.
Robert was about say something else when Veronica and Malone came to the mouth of the fissure.
"All clear" Veronica sighed shivering slightly.
"Let's go," said Deanna letting Roxton carrying Marguerite follow first.
----
It was a long way down and Deanna could feel that she was losing her reserve, she stumbled once or twice and this time she couldn't blame it on the dark because after passing the mouth of the cave they had lit another torch.
The last time she tripped she almost fell into the wall, she held herself there leaning into it, trying to ease her rapid breath, and letting the cold cave walls cool her burning body, sweat rolling down her brow. She closed her eyes tightly trying to will all the darkness and pain away.
"Deanna?" said Challenger who had been walking behind her with Robert. He passed in front of her and stopped turning to face her. "Deanna are you alright?"
"I'm all-right" she panted her face grimacing in pain.
Robert jogged up to them, "Deanna what's the matter? What's going on? Challenger?!"
"I-I-I'm fine" Deanna panted pushing herself up, she began to turn but her knees gave out.
"Oh no your not," Robert said concerned and partially angry with himself, catching her and picking her up.
She just groaned holding onto the back shoulder of his vest gripping it tightly.
"What's going on?!" Ned called from ahead putting an arm around seeing her trembling, Robert swept by her carrying Deanna.
"Deanna!" said Marguerite instantly concerned "Robert?! Is she alright?! Robert?!"
"I'm fine!" came Deanna's stubborn answer.
Robert glared down at her, "just a little dizzy " she said weakly placing her free hand on to top of her head, then resting it on his shoulder.
His anger at her obstinacy faded and he looked down at her pain in his eyes. He picked up his pace and headed for the light of the torch Malone and Veronica had placed deep in the cave before.
-------
Marguerite looked up at Roxton worried.
"Don't worry Marguerite," he said softly into her ear "I'm right her"
She nodded gently laying her head on his shoulder. She looked ahead and saw Veronica shivering for her earlier mishap with jumping into a pool of rainwater, her were teeth chattering, and she wrapped her arms around her bare midriff in attempt to keep herself warm. She couldn't wait till they could build a fire.
Marguerite looked back down at her knees a second. She motioned for Roxton to stop.
"Are you alright?" he asked concerned about why she would have him halt.
"Stand me up real quick," she said softly
"Marguerite?"
She just glared at him; He stood her on her good foot holding her steady around her waist.
He was startled at first when she started to unbutton the heavy raptor vest Deanna had given her to wear and more so when she pulled the rest of it open with a sharp tug.
"Are you hurt?!" He said alarmed looking her over seeing no other reason for her doing that.
"No- no!" she snapped slapping at his hand that was probing her stomach for a wound. She pulled off the vest.
"Then?-" he started but was cut off.
"Veronica!" Marguerite called.
The freezing blonde turned around.
"Here!" Marguerite threw the vest to her friend.
"Marguerite?" asked Veronica puzzled
"Put it on your going to shiver that little stomach of yours into nothing,"
Veronica looked at it a second, "Thank you Marguerite"
"Don't worry about, besides I wouldn't be able to stand it if you actually got thinner than me," she remarked smirking her customary nature coming back.
Veronica smirked back, 'Same old Marguerite' she thought putting the vest on, and she noticed how heavy it was.
---
"Now you may carry me Lord Roxton," Marguerite announced break off his stunned gaze.
"What- oh yes" He smiled lifting her back up and following the others as they moved closer to the large part of the cave where Malone and Veronica had left the other torch.
"That was really kind of you Marguerite," he remarked casually but sincerely.
She smiled softly "Thank you John," she whispered tenderly back. There was a moment of silence. "Besides anything to make sure she doesn't get sick and leave me to do all of her chores!"
"Oh Marguerite!" he playfully scolded knowing she was kidding.
She laughed and he dipped her back as they moved through the end of the tunnel into the large pit of the cave where the others were.
-----------------------
Author's Notes : GRR I still can't believe I missed that episode. Ggggrrr . . . .
Anyway how was that Ladies and gentlemen of the readers, was that all right? Sorry about all of the typos and it was kinda long for a filler, opps. *Innocent face * But I hope you all enjoyed it.
There will be more plot-oriented things in the next chapter I. . . . hope . .lol. . .
Anyway, Please tell me what you thought. You know what to do, and if you don't,
Push the little button down there, yes the 'click here to submit review button' don't be afraid you can do it!! Even if you haven't before please do.
And to all my loyal readers I luv ya and I look foreword to hearing you input!!!
Because Remember Reviews are MOTIVATING! . . . .. . . And you want me to be motivated don't you . . . . .