KDC: I have to leave you hanging: it's my trademark! Lol.
Windsor: wrinkles nose Poor Marguerite, too! That would stink (in more ways than one).
Barbie: Hey! How'd you guess? Anyway, she must've ruined it by just being herself. I highly doubt she's the greatest gardener. J
Taya: Oh no, I love my handsome Roxton! He can't die! I won't let him! (But will he defy me? Will he die anyway? Most likely not in this story.)
Sierra: big smile Luv ya, too! Speaking of which, when are you going to pump out another story?
ChosenOne: laughs hysterically Should I warn my family that if I go missing they should hunt down TheChosenOne3 because I'll probably be slaughtered pieces in your cooler?
Fab: I would say probably mid-Season 3. And thanks for enjoying these stories. I would hate to go stale! Lol.
MMJ: Lol. Hey! I'm older than you! (Or, at least I think I am? pauses to ponder).
I know I'm missing someone, but I can't seem to access the 9th review. Sorry if it's yours. Maybe I'll get it the next time around.
NOTE: I'm typing this at 4:00 in the morning. There's bound to be plenty of mistakes. Sorry.
Chapter Two
Down River
"Could this day get any better," Marguerite mumbled as she scanned the tree line for any sign of the T-rex. And then she shrieked when a spurt of water sprayed her face. She snapped her attention down to the man in her arms and gasped when his eyes flew open and he released a hearty laugh. Marguerite dropped him and he momentarily disappeared beneath the water before quickly resurfacing.
"What the hell's the matter with you," Marguerite screamed, splashing him angrily.
Roxton chuckled. "I couldn't help it, Marguerite."
The dinosaur roared again – cutting off the heiress's haughty reply – and they simultaneously snapped around, peering into their surroundings with trained eyes. The T-rex couldn't be far.
"I think we should get going," Roxton stated, glancing around. "I think he's heading this way. Probably searching for a water supply." He waded away from her toward the riverbank where they had first fallen in: or, more where she had pushed him in. "You coming," he called over his shoulder.
Marguerite tossed his back an evil, scathing glare before trekking after him. "You're a cruel man sometimes, you know that? And for someone who is usually so honest and honorable, brutality doesn't become you."
"No, Marguerite, that's your department," he said as casually as though he were discussing the weather.
Her mouth fell open at his blunt and unexpected reply. Yet, above all else, she was secretly hurt. Did he mean it? Did he sincerely think she was a cold hearted, malicious fiend? No, she told herself. We've been through so much together. He knows I'm not as uncaring as I make people believe. Doesn't he?
"Oh shit," she heard him mutter, instantly putting her on alert. He turned around, grabbed her hand, and began rushing them down the river. Marguerite tugged against his grasp, but he held on tighter. It wasn't long until she knew why he had led them away. Behind her, she heard the frightening sound of the T-rex crashing through the trees. Marguerite glanced behind her out of morbid curiosity; more annoyed than anything else when she saw the giant dinosaur reach the water's edge and sniff, searching for their scent.
"Roxton," she said with her usual air of arrogance. "Shouldn't we just cross the river instead of going down it?"
"He'll lose us in the water. Besides, it's not that deep. I doubt he'll mind crossing it."
"Or chasing us in it," Marguerite cried as the T-rex finally saw them and leapt into the river.
"He won't follow us for much longer," Roxton shouted back, noting that up ahead the river turned choppy with increasing rapids and large rocks. The current was also getting stronger, pulling the two explorers further down the river. Roxton kept a solid grip on Marguerite's hand as he felt her lose her footing; and sighed in relief when she regained her balance.
"I think it's time to get out," Marguerite yelled, dragging them toward the riverbank.
Roxton shook his head, yanking her to a stop. "But he's still behind us. The moment we get out, he'll kill us. Let's just go down a little further and hang on to one of those rocks. He'll eventually give up."
"Yeah," Marguerite grumbled, "after we drown."
Roxton ignored her and pulled her further down the river. The waves crashed into them, sweeping them off their feet and rushing them out into the rapids. Marguerite screamed, squeezing Roxton's hand as though her life depended on it, fearing that if he were to be torn from her grasp then she would never see him again.
Roxton reached out and latched onto the corner of a giant boulder. His other arm snapped as Marguerite was sharply pushed passed. He groaned against the strain, hauling Marguerite back until she was able to grab onto the rock. "Climb up," he ordered. "We'll wait up top until he leaves."
Marguerite struggled to crawl up the slick side of the huge rock. "Let go of my hand, Roxton," she snapped. "I can't climb up one handed!"
Roxton reluctantly released her.
Marguerite hoisted herself the rest of the way up and then leaned down to offer the Lord a hand. "Come on, Roxton. This was your brilliant idea. Don't leave me up here by myself."
Roxton rolled his eyes and began hauling himself out of the water. "I didn't hear any plan B," he retorted.
"You're the survivalist," Marguerite pointed out, smiling.
"And what? You're not always desperate to save…" his answer was cut off as a large wave crashed into him, knocking him off the rock and sweeping him out into the river. He could hear Marguerite screaming as he struggled to stay above water. Tumbling, he smashed violently into a rock, howling as it dislocated his shoulder. Unable to swim, he was slammed under the water by the powerful rapids, striking his head on a rock.
Marguerite, a top the boulder, watched in horror as Roxton's body was tossed like a rag doll along the choppy waves. He didn't even appear to be trying. And then it dawned on her – he's injured – and without hesitation, she jumped into the river after him.
End Chapter Two