APN: Well, well, well, so we are here again! Let me start off by saying .
. . YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!! OH YES YOU ARE!!! I was soooooo pleased with
the reviews I received—it was much better than last time! Let's just hope
it keeps up! Now, ahem, before we begin, here are a few comments to a few
of your reviews:
Evil Irish Eyes: LOL, thanks for becoming so involved! I didn't mean for your room to become an indoor pool . . . sorry! And I have to apologize AGAIN for misspelling your name! ARRRRGH! WHERE is my brain these days?!?!?! Please forgive me for my stupidity!
Audrey: Yup, Challenger is my 2nd fave character. But I'm sure other people around here like him too! Sorry I kinda made you nauseous about that bullet extracting scene . . . I didn't think it was that explicit. But oh well!
Jaclyn: Ah, yes . . . I just love the M/R stuff goin' on. And yes, more is to come! Much more! And don't mention anything about my reviews . . . I LOVE reviewing stories, esp. well-written, exciting ones like yours! Thank you for reading from the start!
TO EVERYONE ELSE: thank you for the reviews! AAAAAHHHH! And don't worry; this chapter reveals the 'mystery stalker man'. Finally, eh? (yes, I AM Canadian by the way!) Keep reading and reviewing! And now, back to the story!
Chapter Ten—An Old Enemy Found
The next day was a great day of improvement.
Challenger was almost fully well. He insisted on getting out of bed to go outside and get some fresh air.
"Absolutely NOT, Challenger," said Veronica, her eyes sternly gazing at the scientist, "that psycho with a gun might still be out there. It's too dangerous."
"Veronica," Challenger protested, "this is insane. We cannot spend our whole days hiding inside of the treehouse fearing some unknown phantom! Eventually, out supplies will run short. What would you suggest then? That we let ourselves starve or die of thirst because someone might be watching us?"
Veronica went silent. Her gaze softened. "Still, Challenger. What if they still are outside, waiting for us? What then?"
Challenger smiled and looked down at the jungle beauty. "We can't hide forever, Veronica. And to tell you the truth, I seriously doubt they would be out in broad daylight." He paused. "Please, Veronica. I really need to get some fresh air." He passed by Veronica and grabbed his rife, heading towards the elevator.
"Wait!" Veronica cried. She walked to the table where two, sharp daggers were waiting. She took them, and turning to Challenger, she said, "You can't go by yourself, Challenger. So I'm going with you."
Challenger smiled. "Very well, then."
"Who's going where?" Roxton asked, suddenly walking into the kitchen from his room. He eyed the two of his fellow roommates, looking at them questioningly. "Feeling better already, Challenger?" he queried.
"Yes Roxton, much better," came the reply, "better enough to go outside, take in some fresh air, and walk about for a while. Veronica here insists on coming along with me."
Veronica stepped forward. "And maybe it would be a better idea if Roxton joined us," she suggested, nodding convincingly towards the hunter, "the more protection, the better."
Now, Veronica—" Challenger began. But Roxton interjected.
"No George, she's absolutely right," he said, "that person still very well might be out there. Maybe it is better if I were to come along."
Challenger shrugged. "Well, if you insist. The more, the merrier, after all!"
"Great," sighed a relieved Veronica. "While Roxton gather's his things, I'll go write a quick note to Marguerite and Ned."
"A good idea," said Roxton, and went off to grab his rife and extra ammunition. Veronica ran to get a pen and paper.
Challenger just stood there, shaking his head. He gazed outside. "The sun is
shining, the birds are singing, the dinosaurs are silent . . . it's a perfect day," he sighed, "and what could possibly go wrong on a perfect day like today?"
A wild turkey casually roamed the jungle, searching for something to eat. Suddenly, it sharply looked down and caught sight of something on the ground. It looked tasty enough. It quickly pecked down and caught the succulent morsel in it beak, and swallowed hungrily. The turkey gulped and shook it's feathered head, and then continued its search for food, until. . . .
BANG!!!!
Several feathers flew into the air. The turkey screeched and dropped to the ground. Smoke hovered above.
"Ah," Roxton sighed contentedly, smiling and lowering his rife. "I believe we've found tonight's dinner." He walked into the small clearing and grabbed the dead turkey by its legs, holding it up proudly.
"Nice shooting job, Roxton," commented Challenger. He sighed, and stretched out his arms. "Ah, how nice it is to be back outside once again."
Veronica stood silently, listening intently. "Water," she said. The two men also listened for a while. In the distance, not too far off, was a small, babbling stream.
"Excellent," said Challenger, suddenly taking notice of his parched throat. He grabbed a waterskin that Veronica offered him. "It's empty," she said much to his disappointment, "but we can go fill it up at the stream."
"A good idea," replied Challenger. He turned to Roxton. "Are you coming, John?"
Roxton, still holding his latest prize, nodded his head. "Of course." He moved to grab his rifle, which he had rested up against the trunk of a tree, when suddenly, he paused in his tracks.
Suddenly, time seemed to pause for Roxton. The hairs on the back of his neck pricked up. He stood there, completely frozen and listening warily.
He sensed a presence nearby. Someone was watching them. He could feel it.
"Roxton?" Challenger asked suspiciously, raising his eyebrows at the still form of the hunter and clutching his rifle.
Veronica grabbed her steel daggers from her boots. She also felt the presence of someone close by. She cautiously gazed around her.
"Shh," whispered Roxton, his dark eyes focusing on the area surrounding them, "make not a sound." He began to turn around cautiously.
Someone was definitely watching them. He was aware of their knowledge of him, but he didn't care. He was too desperate for revenge. He raised his rife high and carefully took aim at his target—the jungle girl.
Oh, how he wanted to kill Roxton, right there and then. But no . . . he would wait. He would wait so he could first make him suffer. And he would definitely make him suffer . . . by killing all of his precious friends first.
But not even after that would he kill John Roxton. Not yet. For this crazed man had a secret . . . a deadly secret, kept from Roxton for years. He would tell him this secret first, and then. . . .
Revenge would be his.
Smiling, the man began to press the trigger.
But unluckily for him, Roxton had seen a small glint of light coming from the lense of the sniper scope as the stalker raised his rifle high. "GET DOWN!" he screamed loudly, as he dove bravely and tackled a surprised Veronica to the ground. Challenger suddenly leaped and ducked behind a thick trunk of a tree nearby.
BAM!!
A bullet missed the top of Veronica's head by mere centimeters. It shot by and pierced a tree ahead.
Roxton growled and leaped off of the ground. Scowling angrily, he ran towards the direction of the sniper. Before the enemy had enough time to reload, Roxton had found him and roughly tackled him to the ground.
The unknown enemy struggled greatly. But Roxton, completely enraged, held strong to his grip, and sat on the person's back.
"You son of a bitch," he growled angrily, pinning him down with all his strength and weight, "you tried to kill my friends!"
"Roxton!" cried Veronica, getting up off the ground and ran towards the two men, both struggling on the ground. She helped to pin their attacker down, grabbing his flailing arms and fastening them to the ground. Challenger quickly joined them. "Who is he?" asked Challenger, narrowing his eyes.
Roxton scowled. "Well now, why don't we find that out?" He cautiously turned the stranger over . . . and gasped as he looked upon his face.
It couldn't be possible. . . .
Roxton's breath came out in heavy gasps. His eyes went wide surprise, as did his mouth. His mind flashed back to a few years ago . . . to home, back in London. To his younger years. To his family.
To his brother, William.
Roxton's eyes narrowed deeply. His open mouth closed and turned into a deadly scowl. "YOU!" he suddenly cried, his voice pouring out angst as it ripped out from his heart. "Brett Jenkins!"
So the man being pinned down was a stranger no longer. His facial expressions went from anger and surprise to sheer wickedness. "We meet again, Lord John Roxton," came his deep voice, as he smiled evilly.
TBC. . . .
Evil Irish Eyes: LOL, thanks for becoming so involved! I didn't mean for your room to become an indoor pool . . . sorry! And I have to apologize AGAIN for misspelling your name! ARRRRGH! WHERE is my brain these days?!?!?! Please forgive me for my stupidity!
Audrey: Yup, Challenger is my 2nd fave character. But I'm sure other people around here like him too! Sorry I kinda made you nauseous about that bullet extracting scene . . . I didn't think it was that explicit. But oh well!
Jaclyn: Ah, yes . . . I just love the M/R stuff goin' on. And yes, more is to come! Much more! And don't mention anything about my reviews . . . I LOVE reviewing stories, esp. well-written, exciting ones like yours! Thank you for reading from the start!
TO EVERYONE ELSE: thank you for the reviews! AAAAAHHHH! And don't worry; this chapter reveals the 'mystery stalker man'. Finally, eh? (yes, I AM Canadian by the way!) Keep reading and reviewing! And now, back to the story!
Chapter Ten—An Old Enemy Found
The next day was a great day of improvement.
Challenger was almost fully well. He insisted on getting out of bed to go outside and get some fresh air.
"Absolutely NOT, Challenger," said Veronica, her eyes sternly gazing at the scientist, "that psycho with a gun might still be out there. It's too dangerous."
"Veronica," Challenger protested, "this is insane. We cannot spend our whole days hiding inside of the treehouse fearing some unknown phantom! Eventually, out supplies will run short. What would you suggest then? That we let ourselves starve or die of thirst because someone might be watching us?"
Veronica went silent. Her gaze softened. "Still, Challenger. What if they still are outside, waiting for us? What then?"
Challenger smiled and looked down at the jungle beauty. "We can't hide forever, Veronica. And to tell you the truth, I seriously doubt they would be out in broad daylight." He paused. "Please, Veronica. I really need to get some fresh air." He passed by Veronica and grabbed his rife, heading towards the elevator.
"Wait!" Veronica cried. She walked to the table where two, sharp daggers were waiting. She took them, and turning to Challenger, she said, "You can't go by yourself, Challenger. So I'm going with you."
Challenger smiled. "Very well, then."
"Who's going where?" Roxton asked, suddenly walking into the kitchen from his room. He eyed the two of his fellow roommates, looking at them questioningly. "Feeling better already, Challenger?" he queried.
"Yes Roxton, much better," came the reply, "better enough to go outside, take in some fresh air, and walk about for a while. Veronica here insists on coming along with me."
Veronica stepped forward. "And maybe it would be a better idea if Roxton joined us," she suggested, nodding convincingly towards the hunter, "the more protection, the better."
Now, Veronica—" Challenger began. But Roxton interjected.
"No George, she's absolutely right," he said, "that person still very well might be out there. Maybe it is better if I were to come along."
Challenger shrugged. "Well, if you insist. The more, the merrier, after all!"
"Great," sighed a relieved Veronica. "While Roxton gather's his things, I'll go write a quick note to Marguerite and Ned."
"A good idea," said Roxton, and went off to grab his rife and extra ammunition. Veronica ran to get a pen and paper.
Challenger just stood there, shaking his head. He gazed outside. "The sun is
shining, the birds are singing, the dinosaurs are silent . . . it's a perfect day," he sighed, "and what could possibly go wrong on a perfect day like today?"
A wild turkey casually roamed the jungle, searching for something to eat. Suddenly, it sharply looked down and caught sight of something on the ground. It looked tasty enough. It quickly pecked down and caught the succulent morsel in it beak, and swallowed hungrily. The turkey gulped and shook it's feathered head, and then continued its search for food, until. . . .
BANG!!!!
Several feathers flew into the air. The turkey screeched and dropped to the ground. Smoke hovered above.
"Ah," Roxton sighed contentedly, smiling and lowering his rife. "I believe we've found tonight's dinner." He walked into the small clearing and grabbed the dead turkey by its legs, holding it up proudly.
"Nice shooting job, Roxton," commented Challenger. He sighed, and stretched out his arms. "Ah, how nice it is to be back outside once again."
Veronica stood silently, listening intently. "Water," she said. The two men also listened for a while. In the distance, not too far off, was a small, babbling stream.
"Excellent," said Challenger, suddenly taking notice of his parched throat. He grabbed a waterskin that Veronica offered him. "It's empty," she said much to his disappointment, "but we can go fill it up at the stream."
"A good idea," replied Challenger. He turned to Roxton. "Are you coming, John?"
Roxton, still holding his latest prize, nodded his head. "Of course." He moved to grab his rifle, which he had rested up against the trunk of a tree, when suddenly, he paused in his tracks.
Suddenly, time seemed to pause for Roxton. The hairs on the back of his neck pricked up. He stood there, completely frozen and listening warily.
He sensed a presence nearby. Someone was watching them. He could feel it.
"Roxton?" Challenger asked suspiciously, raising his eyebrows at the still form of the hunter and clutching his rifle.
Veronica grabbed her steel daggers from her boots. She also felt the presence of someone close by. She cautiously gazed around her.
"Shh," whispered Roxton, his dark eyes focusing on the area surrounding them, "make not a sound." He began to turn around cautiously.
Someone was definitely watching them. He was aware of their knowledge of him, but he didn't care. He was too desperate for revenge. He raised his rife high and carefully took aim at his target—the jungle girl.
Oh, how he wanted to kill Roxton, right there and then. But no . . . he would wait. He would wait so he could first make him suffer. And he would definitely make him suffer . . . by killing all of his precious friends first.
But not even after that would he kill John Roxton. Not yet. For this crazed man had a secret . . . a deadly secret, kept from Roxton for years. He would tell him this secret first, and then. . . .
Revenge would be his.
Smiling, the man began to press the trigger.
But unluckily for him, Roxton had seen a small glint of light coming from the lense of the sniper scope as the stalker raised his rifle high. "GET DOWN!" he screamed loudly, as he dove bravely and tackled a surprised Veronica to the ground. Challenger suddenly leaped and ducked behind a thick trunk of a tree nearby.
BAM!!
A bullet missed the top of Veronica's head by mere centimeters. It shot by and pierced a tree ahead.
Roxton growled and leaped off of the ground. Scowling angrily, he ran towards the direction of the sniper. Before the enemy had enough time to reload, Roxton had found him and roughly tackled him to the ground.
The unknown enemy struggled greatly. But Roxton, completely enraged, held strong to his grip, and sat on the person's back.
"You son of a bitch," he growled angrily, pinning him down with all his strength and weight, "you tried to kill my friends!"
"Roxton!" cried Veronica, getting up off the ground and ran towards the two men, both struggling on the ground. She helped to pin their attacker down, grabbing his flailing arms and fastening them to the ground. Challenger quickly joined them. "Who is he?" asked Challenger, narrowing his eyes.
Roxton scowled. "Well now, why don't we find that out?" He cautiously turned the stranger over . . . and gasped as he looked upon his face.
It couldn't be possible. . . .
Roxton's breath came out in heavy gasps. His eyes went wide surprise, as did his mouth. His mind flashed back to a few years ago . . . to home, back in London. To his younger years. To his family.
To his brother, William.
Roxton's eyes narrowed deeply. His open mouth closed and turned into a deadly scowl. "YOU!" he suddenly cried, his voice pouring out angst as it ripped out from his heart. "Brett Jenkins!"
So the man being pinned down was a stranger no longer. His facial expressions went from anger and surprise to sheer wickedness. "We meet again, Lord John Roxton," came his deep voice, as he smiled evilly.
TBC. . . .