Chapter Two
Realm of Nightmares
The rain cascaded in dense sheets and the mist that sprang back up was blinding. She didn't know where she was or where she was going, but she just knew that she had to get there. She squinted her eyes against the blanket of fog. Dark shadows cast themselves over her, but she was unable to make anything out.
"This way," hissed a dangerously husky voice. "This way."
Marguerite collapsed, tripping in the clingy mud, and sprawled frontward, but her hands caught herself before her face landed in the mud. She was shivering violently; her teeth clattering so hard she feared she would chip a tooth. "No," she cried out. "Leave me alone!"
A hand made of ice gripped her shoulder tightly. Its fingers dripped scarlet red blood that smeared her neck and trickled down her chest. "This way." Its breath was feverish and acidic. "This way." The murky figure yanked her to her jelly feet.
"NO!" Marguerite thrashed herself around in the attempts of escaping its harsh hold. "Let me go! Let me go! Roxton! ROXTON!" Unwanted tears of frustration and fright caressed her cheeks. A sob escaped the confines of her throat as she felt herself being dragged backward by the collar of her blouse. She dug her heels into the mud, but it was futile. "NOOO," she wailed. "ROXTON! ROXTON! ROXTON!"
"This way."
Part Two
"Roxton," Marguerite barely murmured in her sleep.
Veronica frowned and soaked the washcloth again in the bowl of warm water. For the last two hours she had been taking her turn at patting dry the cold sweat glistening on Marguerite's face. The heiress had been unconscious since her collapse twelve hours ago. A few hours ago, Veronica had sent Challenger and Malone to the Zanga tribe to bring back a healer. Yet, a misfortunate storm had erupted and she feared that it would keep them from making the return trip.
"Roxton. Roxton."
"Roxton," Veronica shouted. "I think you better…"
"ROXTON!" Marguerite was screaming now; she flailed her arms wildly. "ROXTON!"
Roxton burst into the room with wild, panicked eyes. He was suddenly at Marguerite's side gathering her up in his arms and rocking her gently. "It's ok, Marguerite. I'm here, darling. Shh, it's ok." He glanced at Veronica for an explanation.
"I don't know." Veronica dipped the cloth again into the bowl. "I checked her over again. There are no wounds on her – not even a scratch, except for the bump on the head she received the other night."
"Rox-ton," Marguerite was sobbing. "NO," she screeched. "Let me go! Let me go! Rox-ton!" His name was wailed out in a tone of utter anguish as though she were in desolate despair. It broke Roxton's heart and he held on tighter.
"I'm here Marguerite. It's only a nightmare. Please, wake up."
In defiance to his pleas, she fell into a deeper sleep.
Part Three
Marguerite had lost the fight within and now allowed It to drag her rag-like body through the pouring rain and heavy fog. She squeezed her eyes shut and prayed to whatever god was listening to save her or at least give her the strength to save herself. Yet, her pleadings fell on deaf ears.
It released her and she crumbled into the mud. The shock of the frigid mud against her face snapped her back into action and she leapt to her feet. Run, her mind screamed at her. RUN! She whirled around and fell into a full-fledged sprint.
"This way," she heard It say behind her.
She ignored It and pressed harder. Get away. Get away. Get away.
Suddenly the ground grumbled and shook vehemently under her feet. A wall of lava burst up from the ground and she stumbled backward, landing on her behind. She peered up at the mountain of lava with horror. Then began screaming as the scorching liquid rained down towards her. She squeezed her lids shut and braced herself for the inevitable.
"Do you want to live, Marguerite?"
Marguerite's eyes flew open and she gaped at Klor. "You! What have you done to me?"
Klor casually shrugged his shoulders. "I did not do anything, my dear. You are the one who made a choice." He glanced up at the lava that was now suspended motionless in the air. "Quite a power, would you not agree?"
"This wasn't part of the bargain," she spat venomously. "I was to either get what I wanted or nothing at all. This is…this is…"
"Marguerite, you selected the correct hand. I was giving you what you most desired, but you did not follow me."
"I didn't follow you? What the hell are…you were the creature dragging me?"
"It is not my fault you refused to come."
Marguerite was now standing. "Now what? I didn't follow you, so I get to go back to the tree house?"
"Yes."
Marguerite narrowed her eyes distrustfully. "What's the catch?"
"I am coming with you. You now belong to me."
She barked out a sarcastic laugh. "Sure, the others will really let you stay."
Klor smiled coyly.
End Chapter Two
