Chapter Eighteen
Feeling the Enemy
Part One
The night was humid and did nothing for Marguerite's declining spirit. They had been wandering in a figurative circle for three weeks without any sign of Klor or her precious daughter. Barbeties, a Zanga hunter, had admitted to have hearing stories about the Malia. He claimed the devious sorcerers were to the North, but if that were true, they were far beyond the region anyone had dared to explore before. The search party had reached the outer limit of the jungle. Beyond was a vast, forlorn and barren desert. The group had set up camp just within the tree line, facing the stretch of sand.
Roxton glanced up from cleaning his rifle – which didn't need to be cleaned – and his eyes softened as they fell on Marguerite. She was perched on a fallen tree gazing out into the nothingness with despair. Slowly, he put his weapon away and drifted over to her, taking a seat beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "We'll find her, Marguerite. We have to."
"She's slipping away, John." Marguerite sighed, tears pooling in her eyes. "I used to be able to feel her, but I can't now. At least not as strongly as before. Do you think she's forgotten me? She was only two-months old. What if she doesn't remember me? What if she does, but she thinks I abandoned her? What if she doesn't think I love her anymore? What if she's crying for me right now and wondering why I'm not rushing to soothe away her fears?"
Roxton pulled the brokenhearted mother closer, resting his chin on the top of her head. "She hasn't forgotten you, darling. She loves you so much and knows that you love her, too. Lilly may not be able to recall your face, but she'll know you when you hold her. When you sing to her. When you love her in that unique way only a mother can love. Don't you worry, love, Lilly will remember you."
"Oh, John, you can be so sweet when you want to be."
He smiled bashfully. "Yeah, well, don't get to comfortable with it. I'll be me again once we're all back home."
"That's fine with me. I love you just the way you are."
He tilted his head slightly and looked at her oddly. "My God, Marguerite, did you just profess your love to me? Quick! Find Malone! He has to write this down so there'll be proof!" His smile melted away as he gazed down into her eyes. They were murky and misted over with lust.
She watched his Adam's apple quiver and she licked her lips in anticipation. His warm lips were soft and firm and she yearned to feel them once again. She slowly leaned closer and captured his mouth with hers. It was a passionate, needy kiss that ignited the fire within her. She wrapped her arms around him and tangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer.
Then she felt it. The dark shadow didn't creep up on her, but washed over her in a thundering wave that took her breath away. Marguerite's eyes flew open and shoved Roxton back, scrambling to her feet and swinging herself around. She was alert and frightened, her eyes darting every which way. When they settled on the shocked hunter, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Who are you?"
"What?" Roxton exclaimed. "Marguerite, what's wrong?"
"Who. Are. You."
"Lord John Roxton." He took a step closer. "Now what is this…"
"No!" Marguerite stumbled back. "Don't come near me!" She whipped her head around looking for the others. "Where are the others? What did you do to them?"
Roxton glanced around. "They must not be back from their perimeter check." He paused then, softened his voice as much as possible. "Marguerite, please, tell me what's wrong." He cautiously inched closer.
"Stay back," she screeched. A high-pitched crackle erupted in her ears and she clasped her hands over them and screamed. "Stop it! Stop it!" When she saw Roxton coming closer, she turned and bolted. "Leave me alone!" She glanced back to see Roxton chasing after her and she cried out in frustration. Stumbling over a root, she fell onto her hands and knees. Then she regained her strength and leapt back to her feet, facing Roxton dead on. "Damn you, Klor. I've had enough! Give me back Lillian and leave us the hell alone!"
Roxton's expression turned from confusion to bewilderment. "Marguerite, I'm not Klor. It's me…John."
"You may have used your devilish trickery to cast an illusion over me, but I know you're not him. I felt you when I kissed you. I felt your evil. Now, what will it take to get my daughter back?"
"This way."
She felt her breath hitch as the familiar command echoed through the jungle: its raspy voice ringing in her head. She stared at Roxton as realization dawned. This man before her wasn't Klor, but the sorcerer was out there lurking in the shadows. "John, did you hear that?"
"No." Roxton hesitantly approached her, worried that she would run away again. "I guess you accept that I'm not Klor."
"I…I thought you were because…when we kissed…I felt him."
Part Two
Veronica and Challenger returned to find the couple anxiously waiting. Marguerite told them what happened – leaving out certain details – and Challenger voiced his opinion that they should all get some sleep and head out at the first sign of light. They would take turns in pairs of two being lookouts. Veronica and Challenger took the first watch. A couple hours slipped by before Marguerite and Roxton were nudged awake for their turn.
"I was hardly sleeping," Marguerite admitted to Roxton once the professor and Veronica settled in. "How could I sleep with what happened?"
"I know what you mean. I had just drifted off when Challenger kicked my boots."
Marguerite peered off to the side, then glanced back at Roxton. "I have to…um…use the ladies' room. I'll be right back." She slid off the stump she had been sitting on and scurried off a couple yards away to relieve her self. At times like these she wished she were a man.
"Marguerite," Roxton hissed a few moments later. "Keep talking to me so I know you're all right." When he didn't get a response he sighed and trudged over to the bush he had seen her go behind. "Marguerite, I said talk to me so I know you're all right. Otherwise I would have to do a very ungentlemanly thing and come around this bush…Marguerite? Marguerite!" He rushed around the bush and felt fear constrict in his throat.
End Chapter Eighteen
Since writing Trusting Danger, I've gotten around to reading a handful of Lost World fanfiction. I must say: you are all doing an awesome job. In case I haven't read anything of yours: hopefully I will get around to it.
Anyway, I know lately I've been lacking on getting these chapters posted, but please be patient with me. My brother is getting married in Arizona on September 20th and I'm swamped with responsibility. I'm in charge of the reception! And I live in Pennsylvania…2,500 miles away! AHHH!