Kat: Hahaha…"Oh cruel one"…I like that!
Keys: Well keep at it. You may just get me all figured out. Lol.
LadyMarg: Is he or isn't he? Are they or aren't they? You'll find out in this chapter! Thanks for reading/reviewing!
ChosenOne: Are you sure you aren't already on the dark side? ducks Hey! I'm only joking! And you're Malone-like skull won't save you forever!
Zeus: Thanks! And don't give up on your story either.
Jessie: Hey, buddy! I read your conversation with TLC on the board. You two crack me up!
MMJ: I'm sorry! I can't help myself! When the ideas start flowing…but I promise I'll finish Resisting Danger. Slowly, but surely. insert smilie
Taya: I'm not angry, silly. Lol.
Cara: Thank you so much for stopping by! And I'm so thrilled you're enjoying it. I really appreciate the compliments!
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Chapter Five
Separated
They trekked through the dense jungle avoiding any possible trails. Marguerite tried fusing every tree and large rock to memory in case she needed to escape back to the river. The warriors kept a vigil eye on her, but didn't appear to be too concerned about her fleeing. She figured they assumed she wouldn't abandon Roxton. And that was true. Unless, of course, it came down to leaving his corpse or becoming one herself.
If it had been any regular jaunt through the forest with any one of the tree house members, Marguerite would've bypassed her cranky, complaining stage and hit – with full force – her stubborn I-am-taking-a-break-now point. Yet, she bit her tongue, eyeing the sharp spears with dread.
Roxton picked the perfect timing to die, she thought cynically, but immediately felt the guilt washing over her. Oh, John, her mind moaned. Why you? Why did you of all people have to die? I never even got the chance to tell you all the things I know you wanted to hear. All the things I denied.
Someone shoved her from behind and she stumbled forward. Marguerite whirled around, her hands raised and her face incredulous. "Hey! Watch it, mister! I'm not on a meat pivot, yet."
He grunted and jabbed her again with his beefy fist. Marguerite, staggering, rolled her eyes. "Obviously your mother didn't teach you manners," she grumbled. "Or is the word chivalry just not in your voca — oh," she gasped, her eyes widening at the sight of a furious man decked up in T-rex teeth and raptor claws. Could this day get any better, she thought sarcastically.
"Hichk ich ekipli fick," the tribal leader boomed, sneering at Roxton's limp body.
Marguerite inched closer, her eyes flickering from the Tribal Leader to Roxton. If only she could grasp the dialect. Marguerite was notorious for using her coy manipulative diplomatic talking skills to get herself and the others out of just about anything.
"Hick hik eki ilpike wepkiti," Leader seemed to be trying to explain something to Tribal Leader.
Tribal Leader narrowed his eyes, a tense hesitation falling over the warriors. He finally nodded and whisked his wrist. Immediately, the hunters carrying Roxton rushed away, disappearing behind a blanket of dangling weeds and elongated grass.
Marguerite jolted forward. "Where are you talking him," she cried out.
Beefy Hands gripped her arm, yanking her back. He dragged her up to Tribal Leader and tossed her to the ground. Marguerite collapsed onto her hands and knees, wincing from the tiny scrapes that sliced her palms. She crawled cautiously to her feet, unsure of what to do.
Tribal Leader seized her up and then stroked her face. "Ich wilk bik," he said gently and then took her hand and led her off from the group, away from where the men who had carted Roxton went. Instead, they trudged over the rocky terrain until they came upon a valley. Below them was a village. Yet, Tribal Leader led them around the cluster of huts and up into the hills where a large building stood poised.
"Yik ik likepiki," he smiled and then pulled her inside.
Marguerite examined the lack of furniture, save for a giant bed in the middle of the room. She eyed it suspiciously and then swallowed, turning to face Tribal Leader. "Oh no, you see…I'm kind of spoken for already. I'm flattered, though. Really. But I think I..."
He violently grabbed her and slammed her onto the mattress with his body. Marguerite struggled vehemently, screeching as he slipped a hand up to the buckle of her skirt. "I said! No. Thank. You," she shrieked, cracking her skull against his. He repelled back from the blow and Marguerite used her spared time to kick out her foot, slamming the heel of her boot into his groin.
Tribal Leader howled and staggered backward, but then lunged for her again, sending them crashing to the floor. Marguerite, pinned, his fingers squeezing her wrist and pressing her arms to the floor, screamed and thrashed around. "Get off of me!"
He laughed and bent down to kiss her.
Marguerite took the opportunity to dig her teeth into his neck, blood seeping around her mouth. He jerked back, yelping. Marguerite managed to bring one of her knees up and slam it into his back, rolling them over. Now at the advantage, Marguerite plummeted him with fists until he laid an unconscious mess on the floor. She leapt to her feet and ran out the door, into the jungle.
And away from Roxton.
End Chapter Five
drums fingers Mmm…what to do, what to do? I think I'll…no, ya'll have my head for that. Um…mmm…Well, be assured my friends that this story won't just be about Marguerite.