Chapter Nine
Challenger's Theory
A month rolled by without a sign of Klor, but the members of the tree house didn't fall into the rouse. Marguerite's claim that she could feel him hovering in the distance kept Roxton on high alert. He had managed to talk the women into allowing him to move his bed into Marguerite's room with the condition that he left whenever Marguerite wanted space, which was frequent. The stress of waiting for Klor to make his move was wearing on the six-month pregnant woman.
It was mid-afternoon and the heiress sat, plump as a pear, pushing the contents of her plate around in circles. Lately she had been experiencing cramps; and the urgent need to pee every five-minutes was pissing the dark haired beauty off. She snapped at anyone who looked her way and refused to accept anything someone offered. Veronica eventually went for a much-needed walk. Challenger disappeared into his lab. This left Malone and Roxton at the mercy of Marguerite.
Malone was positioned at the opposite end of Marguerite furiously scribbling down his every thought. His tactic was: avoid her and she would avoid him. "Malone, would you quit that," she snapped. Apparently his technique failed. "You're driving me crazy!" She pushed her plate away, her face scrunched in disgust. "This is driving me crazy!" She hoisted her self up and staggered out onto the balcony. "No wonder I never had the desire to have children," she grumbled. "I hate being pregnant."
Malone glanced at Roxton who nodded and approached Marguerite. "But you're going to make a wonderful mother, Marguerite. You're strong, capable, and stubborn." He rubbed her arm. "You're also brave and…beautiful."
"What does that have to do with anything?" She barked before slowly facing him. "You…you still think I'm…beautiful…even though I'm as big as a T-rex?"
"Sure. You can be as big as a T-rex and beautiful at the same time."
She glared at him. "Jerk."
"What? What did I say?"
From the table, Malone chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.
"Malone, Roxton, Marguerite," Challenger called. "Come here quickly!"
The three gradually made their way below, Marguerite's condition slowing them down. "What is it, George?" Roxton asked anxiously. "Please tell me you discovered or invented something useful; perhaps a three-month long sedative."
"Hey," Marguerite whined angrily.
"No, no, Roxton, nothing like that. Actually, I've been thinking out a relatively new theory of mine about telepathic projection." He paused, waiting to see if he had their attention. "What if Klor wasn't visiting Marguerite in the flesh? Well, we already know that. He comes in the form of nightmares and visions. We've all agreed that his ability to torment lies in the mind. Yet, what if it's because he isn't able to physically torment her? What if he is more like a dream? Nothing more than a twisted form of a nightmare. He's sending her images in her sleep, right? Well, what if he can only do that while he himself is sleeping?"
"It's a fascinating theory, George," Roxton pointed out, "but what good does it do us?"
Challenger's eyes lit up. Roxton had asked the right question. "He is vulnerable while using his power."
"That's great," Malone said. "Yet, there's one problem. He hasn't invaded Marguerite's mind in a month."
"Oh, but he will eventually," Challenger answered.
"How can you say?"
The professor gestured towards Marguerite. "When's the best time to strike? When she's at her most helpless stage." He stared down at her stomach. "He wants her baby and she's due in two and a half-months. He'll show himself then."
Marguerite instinctively wrapped her arms around her belly. "Well, what if your whole theory is wrong?"
Challenger frowned. "Then I'm not sure if there is a way to stop him."
End Chapter Nine
Sorry it took a while to post this chapter. I don't know about the rest of you, but I couldn't access Fanfiction.net for a few days. Anyway, thanks a million for the reviews. And Brainfear, I'm honored that you placed me under favorites. You're the first to do so! I hope I continue to meet your expectations.