Chapter Five

Unwelcome Visitor

In the darkness of her room, Marguerite sprung up in bed, her heart racing.  Something woke her up.  Something that was sinister.  She sat still for a long minute, her ears straining.  Not picking up anything, she slowly slid her feet to the ground and pulled her weary body up out of bed.  Slipping on her blouse, she inched her way through the tree house debating with her self whether or not to wake up the others.

They would only think you crazy, she thought bitterly.  They didn't believe you then, so why would they believe you now?  She grabbed a rifle from the gun stand and continued to explore the tree house.  This is what's crazy.  Me wandering around at night with a gun looking for what isn't there.  She growled and chastised herself.  But it IS there.  I feel it.

A breeze fluttered the leaves and brushed past her causing her to shiver.  A creaking from behind her sent her whipping around, ready to fire.  Yet, no one was there.  She heard the squeaking of floorboards come up from the other side and she twirled on her heels, but again saw nothing.  Her ears pounding she sensed a presence run past her and her stomach caught in her throat.

"Who-who's there?"  She croaked from her constricted throat.  "Show yourself and I may not shot you where you stand."

The rocking chair began to sway back and forth.  Marguerite trained her weapon on the piece of menacing furniture.  "What do you want from me?"  The floorboards groaned as if under strenuous weight.  "That's not an answer.  Show yourself!"  Little butterfly whispers erupted in her ear.  The volume grew louder and louder until it was ear shattering.

"Stop it," she cried.  "STOP IT!"

"This way," murmured a scratchy voice.  "This way."

A hazy hand reached out and gripped her shoulder.  It was made of ice and dripping with scarlet blood.  She screamed and rammed her elbow back, but didn't connect with anything.  She began flailing her body, shrieking and firing her gun blindly.  "Leave me the hell alone!  Let me go!"

Roxton came darting into the room and tackled her to the floor, the gun flying out of her hand and sliding across the wood.  He hastily glanced around the room, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.  Terror still residing from her screams, he gazed down into Marguerite's enraged face.  "Marguerite," he choked.

Challenger, Veronica, and Malone were now standing poised for a fight through out the room.  Challenger eased himself over to the fallen couple cautiously.  Veronica peered down over the railing, here eyes scanning the area for danger.  Malone was examining every nook and cranny without results.

Roxton slowly began prying himself up, his arms securely wrapped around her slim waist.  Kneeling, he peered into her eyes.  To his horror, she began weeping.  It wasn't often that one witnessed her tears and knowing this made the situation more grim and terrifying.  He clasped her shaking body to his, burying his nose into her hair.  "Shh, Marguerite.  It's all right.  I won't let anything happen to you."

"He was here," she sobbed.  "He was here."

"Who," Challenger gently inquired.

Marguerite shook her head, pressing her face deeper into Roxton's shoulder.

All four glanced at each other questioningly.  Challenger bent down to be more level and grimaced at the cracking of his knees.  "Marguerite, my dear, there is no one here…at least not now, so you'll have to describe him to us."

"But he was here," Marguerite moaned.  "I just couldn't see him."

Roxton stroked her hair as she cried.

End Chapter Five

Once again, I thank you for the reviews.  They are what keep me motivated into finishing this story.  If no one liked it, then it would just be a waste of time.  So, thank you so much for the encouragement.