Chapter Twenty-Four
Journey Home
Part One
Challenger, who was standing the closest to Marguerite, snatched Lillian from her mother's arms as Marguerite plummeted to the ground. Roxton was instantly at her side, cradling her body in his arms. "Marguerite," he whizzed. "Marguerite, darling…" he peered up at the professor. "What should we do, George?"
Veronica looked around. "I don't know about you two, but I think we better get out of here before the sorcerers wake up."
Roxton gathered up Marguerite and carried her down the platform while Challenger, with Lillian, followed close behind. Veronica held up the back of the line, her eyes scanning for trouble. From the corner of her eye she saw someone stir. She whirled around in time to see Klor crawl to his feet. "Trouble!" she shouted to the others.
Challenger dashed as fast as he could from the square, his body covering Lillian. He would die before he let anything happen to the little girl he loved no less than he would his own granddaughter. He raced into the town, heading for the gates.
Roxton, torn between getting Marguerite to safety and seeking his revenge, hesitated, waiting for someone to make a move. He glanced over at Veronica who screamed at him: "Get her out of her, Roxton! She's vulnerable! I'll take care of him!" Feeling he didn't have much of choice, he sprinted off.
Veronica glared at the sorcerer. "You shouldn't have endangered my friends, Klor."
"I never would have if your mother had not cast me away in the first place!" A jolt of electricity flew from his hands and hit Veronica square in the chest, knocking her over. "I will kill you, Veronica. Then I will hunt down your friends and kill them. Lillian will be mine!"
Veronica staggered to her feet, her eyes flashing with rage. "My mother was right in banishing you here, Klor! Now I will keep you here!" She rushed forward, her mind focused on destroying him. She lunged at him, knocking them both to the ground. A wave of fire zapped from her hands into his shoulders and he screamed.
Veronica leapt to her feet, stunned by the act of power. She watched him wither in agony, the fire consuming him from the inside until he went deathly still. Still in shock, she hurriedly went to catch up with the others.
Part Two
Gently rocking his daughter, Roxton gazed at Lillian with open adoration. He slowly wandered to where Marguerite lay against a tree and dropped to his derriere. They had been traveling for four days, finally making it out of the desert, but the heiress had yet to revive. Challenger checked her vitals every couple of hours, but reported no change. It was as though she were only sleeping…trapped in her unconscious.
"Marguerite," he whispered, bouncing Lillian. "You need to wake up, darling. We are all getting tired of carrying you."
In the desert they had no choice but to take turns carrying Marguerite on their shoulders. Yet, thankfully, now that they were back in the forest, Challenger had been able to make a stretcher out of branches, thick leafs, and vines. Nevertheless, they were all anxious for Marguerite to wake up; no one more than Roxton who feared that he may have to raise their children on his own.
Part Three
They were only a day or so away from home and Marguerite hadn't so much as stirred. Lillian was growing ever more fussy and Roxton was at his wit's ends. He couldn't care for both Marguerite and his child and his failure was waning on his psyche. Veronica volunteered to alternate the responsibilities with him. Though he was grateful, he was still frustrated. Why wouldn't Marguerite wake up?
Part Four
His spirits lifted as they took their last steps toward the tree house. The elevator ride was a welcome routine that he had missed over the last weeks and he sighed with relief when they staggered into the kitchen. Roxton had had to carry Marguerite up and he now placed her gently in her bed, wiping away the strands of hair that had fallen over her face. He kissed her forehead before retreating.
Malone came out of his room, holding William protectively. "Your back," he said with delight upon seeing his friends. "I was really starting to worry about you." He gladly handed William to Roxton. "Your son missed you."
Roxton planted kisses all over the baby's hands and face. "Hey, little lad. I missed you while I was away, but we got your sister back." He walked over to where Veronica was holding Lillian and took his daughter tenderly in his other arm. "See, now you have to share that crib again, Will."
"Not really," Malone piped up. "I took the liberty of building another one. It doesn't have designs carved on it, but it'll do."
Roxton peered up at the young journalist, appreciation shining through his eyes. "Thank you, Malone."
Part Five
Marguerite could feel the presence of something powerful straining to gain control, but she refused to let it have her body. This shell was hers and nothing was going to use her as a host. Yet, she was tied. Drowning. Falling. Imprisoned. She struggled to free herself of her bounds. She struggled to swim to the surface. She struggled to grab onto something that would stop her plummet. She struggled against what held her a hostage in her body. She struggled to survive.
End Chapter Twenty-Four
Ok, ok, it's not THAT much longer than Chapter Twenty-Three, but I'm doing the best I can. Thank you for the kind reviews. I'll try and get this thing wrapped up shortly.