A/N: Oct 20, 2012: Hey again. Continuing on with the edit. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Lost World.

Chapter 13:

"The end of the caves should be straight ahead," Pietro announced, looking up from his map.

"Thank God!" Chloe and Veronica said in unison; they shared a laugh at their joint relief.

They continued to move towards their destination. The closer they got, the more they noticed a faint light just ahead of them.

"We're almost there!" Lex stated the obvious.

The cave opening appeared before them a minute later.

Veronica exhaled a breath in relief. "I can't believe we made it!"

"We're not out of the woods yet," Roxton said grimly. "This is still cannibal territory."

It wasn't particularly sunny; Veronica would guess it was fast approaching dusk. They'd need to make camp or find some cover if they wanted to make it through the night.

"Veronica do you recognize this area at all?" Roxton asked her.

She stepped fully out of the caves to get a better look at their surroundings.

She grimaces slightly. "A little," she finally said. "I do know that mountain—" She pointed up into the air. "—It's about an hour away from the tree house."

"Excellent," Roxton declared. "Now, all we have to do is stay out of the way of those pesky cannibal's and we'll be just fine."

"Oh is that all?" Lex mused cheerfully, earning a chuckle from the group.

"How's dinner coming along?" Challenger asked Marguerite.

She was standing in the kitchen, stirring a big pot. "Just as well as the last time you asked me," Marguerite said shortly.

In all honesty, Marguerite was a great cook. Being on her own a great deal growing up, she had to learn a thing or two quickly. But, when she first arrived on the plateau, Marguerite had decided to fake her bad cooking skills so that nobody would ever ask her to cook again. Now that there was only the three of them left, she felt that she had to reveal her culinary ability so as to take on more responsibility. She now regretted ever revealing it. Everyone continued to doubt her, despite having several of her delicious meals now.

"Well I think it smells delicious," Malone informed from across the room. "What is it, anyway?"

"Raptor stew."

"Lovely," Challenger conveyed in a tone that said the opposite. Marguerite refrained from sneering at him. He'd eat his words later. "I'll be in my lab. Call me when it's ready?"

The older man walked away even before either of them could answer.

"Of course, Challenger," Marguerite said in a high-pitched mocking tone. "Whatever you say, Challenger."

Malone just laughed at her.

"What's so funny?" she snapped at Malone.

"Whoa, remind me to never suggest you cook again," he said quickly, holding up his hands in front of him in surrender. "I like my head attached to my body."

Marguerite sighed; she knew she was acting out. She tired and frustrated, and she hated that she was taking it out on him.

"I'm sorry, Ned. It's those dreams I've been having," she started tentatively.

"Another one?" he asked, concerned.

"No. It's the last one I had. I can't get it out of my head. You know the one where I dreamed of Roxton and Veronica holding each other. I was thinking… if it were real, if they were alive and together… well I shouldn't be so upset…" she explained. "Does that make sense?"

"I think so." Malone frowned. "You're saying if they are alive and together we shouldn't be mad at them because we're together."

"Exactly!" Marguerite said, smiling. "Even if they were together, I'd take it if it meant they were alive."

"I'd take it too," Malone agreed. "But… it's probably not the case."

She stared momentarily at his solemn face. She could tell he hated saying that. But it was the reality. The two people they loved most in the world were more than likely dead.

"You're right," she conceded.

She looked into the pot, stirring in silence.

With Veronica leading the way, the group of explorer's was making good time. They'd been walking for about an hour and were getting closer and closer to the mountain's base. No trouble had crossed their paths, yet.

"Oh my God. I know this area," Veronica exclaimed. "We're not far."

"I think you're right," Roxton added, happily. "We should be home anytime now!"

"Well, I can't wait to see what this tree house of yours looks like," Pietro commented with interest.

"We're almost there," Veronica announced to the group.

She gestured for them to get moving when, out of nowhere, an arrow whizzed past Veronica's head.

"What the hell?" Roxton called out.

Veronica looked around frantically. "Cannibals! They must have followed us."

From what Roxton could see, there were ten of them, and they were more than ready to attack. They charged out of the bushes, heading straight for the explorers.

Two charged for Rogue, aiming to double team her it seemed. She quickly shot one, but missed the second one as she aimed for him. The second man came at her with a knife. The cannibal lunged at her but she was able to dodge him swiftly. Rogue kicked him down to the ground where he fell flat on his stomach. When he turned over and got to his feet, Rogue was right there, ready for him. She punched him in the face, knocking him unconscious.

Another one of the cannibals went after Lana, this one carrying no weapons. Instead, her attacker aimed punches at her. Lana went on the defensive, dodging and blocking, taking hits, all the while looking for an opening. She found it when she twisted around him; quickly, she kicked the cannibal in the back of the knee. He stumbled, heading for the ground; she used his momentum against him, shoving him, hard, he had no time to protect his head from the hard rocks surrounding them.

Lex was also battling his own knife-wielding cannibal. He pulled out his own, from the sheath at his boot. He tried his best to out maneuver the cannibal. The cannibal came at him with frantic slashes, one of which slicing his forearm. Angry, Lex grew more determined. Waiting for his chance, he lunged for the cannibal, sticking the knife in the man's abdomen.

Chloe was having trouble with the man trying to hack her head off. Being an archeologist, as well as a woman from a well off family, she wasn't a very experienced fighter. She managed to knock the knife out of his hand with her rifle, evening the playing field. Still, he lunged at her, making a grab for her. She tripped him, before he could. He fell to the ground, grabbing at his knife, which lay nearby. Getting up quickly, he grabbed Chloe from behind, holding the knife to her throat.

Clark, who had just punched his cannibal out, witnessed Chloe's current predicament. He quickly went to her aid. Picking up a large rock, he got behind her assailant and smashed it over his head. The cannibal fell, releasing Chloe in the process.

"Thanks," she said breathlessly.

"No problem," he replied, a pleased smile on his face.

Looking around, the two observed that everyone else had been able to defeat their attackers with minimal damage to themselves.

"That's the last of them. Let's get moving before more decide to join the party," Roxton announced.

As those last words left his mouth, an arrow flew out from the trees, hitting him in the chest. Everyone was frozen, watching Roxton crumple to the ground. The only one who took action was Pietro. He saw the one cannibal they missed; taking aim, he shot him square in the forehead.

"Oh my God, Roxton!" Veronica screamed, rushing to his side. Blood was pouring from the wound. "Roxton… John… you're going to be all right, just hold on!"

Those were the last words he heard before everything faded to black.

That's it for this one. Hope you'll take the time to review. Thanks!