Sierra: It's ok. Trust me, this isn't going to turn into a whole angelic meet up thing.
Chosen: Slow down, lil'sis! Take it easy. Just watch and see what happens then, you can decide whether or not I deserve to be strangled.
Keys: I know you wrote this way back in the beginning of the month but what were you so depressed about? Are you ok now?
JG: "After all, they ARE in TLW…" Just keep that in mind, sis. insert wink
Veggie: Thanks so much, Veggie! I'm glad you decided to wander back.
Taya: Ooo, a guy. insert a teasing smile Tell me more, chica.
JLC: Thanks for reviewing! Sorry for the long wait.
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Chapter Seven
Resurrection (bet you're all glad to see that word)
PART ONE
Marguerite had given up hope. She quit struggling and allowed them to sink to the bottom of the river, her back scraping across the rocks as the current rushed them further away. She saw her life flashing by her in a stream of snapshots and she was soothed when they all featured Roxton. If only they had had more time…
Something tugged on her and Marguerite flinched, kicking at whatever she had snagged her self on. Yet, she had lost most of her strength and was unable to shake loss whatever was restraining her. Not that it mattered. She was going to die either way.
And then she was being pulled up, her body limp as she was dragged to the surface. Her face broke the water and she gagged on the fresh air until her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she fainted.
PART TWO
She moaned, her lungs sore and her throat flaming. She felt a warm, pleasing pressure over her mouth. Air blowing down her throat. She felt a swelling rising up and she coughed violently, water squirting out of her mouth. A comforting hand caressed her cheek and she heard a husky voice murmuring gently to her from above.
"John," she wheezed. But no, he was dead. She had held him while he died, fighting to breathe life back into him.
"Shh, Marguerite, it's all right."
She felt light, chapped lips touch her forehead and she sprang up, wincing from the stabbing pain in her chest. Crouched beside her, Roxton was gazing at her worriedly with his chocolate-hazel eyes and concerned frown. "John," she gasped.
A moment of disbelief fell against her.
But he died…but…he is alive!
Overwhelmed with a sea of emotions, she flung herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Caught off guard, Roxton lost his balance and they toppled over into the dirt. "Oh God, John, I don't believe it," she exclaimed, capturing his mouth with hers. She kissed him hungrily, thankful with all her soul that he was alive.
Roxton secured his arms around her waist, pulling her more tightly to him. His lips worked feverishly against hers: their hot breaths and raspy breathing mingling together.
And then gradually it dawned on Marguerite what they were doing and she pushed back, crawling off of him "You had died," she proclaimed, ignoring the desire burning in his eyes.
Roxton gingerly sat up. "I know. I remember dying. I could hear you screaming for me, but there was nothing I could do. And then suddenly…I'm waking up in the river. What happened, Marguerite?"
Marguerite shook her head. "Weird looking warriors showed up and took us to their village. They had taken you into some sort of ritual room built in a cave. And then their leader took me up higher into the mountain to a mating hut."
Roxton crooked his eyebrow. "Mating hut?"
"Yes. It was a big room with only a bed."
His face suddenly tightened. "He didn't touch you, did he," he asked with a sharp edge to his voice. I'll kill him!
"No. I escaped and then got you. I dragged us to the river and I tried floating us down on a branch, but I lost it. And then we went under."
"A ritual room, uh?" Roxton pondered that a moment, but wasn't willing to cave into the idea that the warriors had somehow brought him back to life. Yet…what other explanation was there?
Roxton glanced around them, not recognizing a thing. "So…where are we?"
Marguerite frowned, looking about them, searching for some familiar landmark. "I have no idea."
"The others must've realized by now that we're missing. They'll come searching for us."
"But they won't know where to find us, Roxton. We must be miles and miles away from the tree house by now."
"Well, what do you suggest?"
Marguerite eased herself up onto her feet. "Well we can't stay here, Roxton. Those warriors aren't that far behind us."
Roxton accepted that and crawled up onto his feet. "We'll make a large circle around them and head back up the cliff we originally dropped from. Since I was dead for most of it, why don't you lead the way, Marguerite?"
"Better than nothing," she grumbled and began guiding them through the dense jungle, unaware of the dangers awaiting them.
End Chapter Seven