I don't own them.
The explorers sat in a stunned silence unable to believe what they had just heard.
Veronica-
I slowly lift my head; I know my eyes are still red from the tears so recently cried. As I look at my friends, I have to wonder what is going through their minds. When I look at Roxton, I realize that I don't want to know. The misery on his face sends a sharp pain through my heart. He's lost the woman he loves because of me. I left Marguerite to die. How are any of them ever going to forgive me? How will Roxton ever be able to so much ads look at me again? I let my head drop as I feel new tears form. If I hadn't left her, Marguerite would still be alive.
Finn-
As I look around the table, I don't know how I am supposed to react to what Vee has just told us. It wasn't as if me and Marguerite had been good friends. I barely knew her even though we lived in the same treehouse. I look at Vee who is crying again and I'm glad it was Marguerite and not Vee. As terrible as I guess that is, I know I would miss Vee a lot more than I will miss Marguerite. Besides, from what Vee said Marguerite brought it on herself.
Challenger-
I sat there allowing the information to sink in. I feel as if I've lost child. Perhaps two, I have to wonder if Roxton will ever be able to deal with losing Marguerite. Unshed tears stung my eyes as it finally sinks in, we've lost Marguerite. Marguerite who had saved us so many times in the past and yet never once received so much as a thank you from the rest of them. I always had a feeling Marguerite had an unhappy childhood and the incident with Callum had proved it. Her time here had been the only experience she had ever had with a family and we never truly made a real effort to except her. Well, most of us hadn't Summerlee and Roxton made the effort and both we're graced with Marguerite's softer and more compassionate side. Of course, I benefited from Marguerite's compassionate side as well on more than one occasion, though I doubt I deserved it.
Malone-
She's gone! How could Marguerite of all people be gone? I always figured Marguerite was resourceful enough to survive anything. I figured she would at least out survive me. As I look up at the others, I'm greeted with overwhelming despair. Veronica looks guilt ridden and so does Roxton. He probably regrets not going with her. Challenger is on the verge of tears, which is surprising, but at the same time, it isn't. Challenger loved Marguerite, we all did. I had my problems with her but she was still like family, like a sister. As I continue to look around, I find Finn devoid of emotion and feel inexplicable anger take over. How can she sit there feeling nothing when one of the members of their family was dead? I calm myself quickly by rationalizing the fact that Finn hasn't been here that long. It doesn't make me feel any better, it just makes me wonder if Marguerite knew she was part of our family. Did she know that we loved her?
Roxton-
My Marguerite is……I can't even think the word. I should have been with her, I should have insisted even after she said she needed time to think. Maybe I should never have asked her to marry me. If I hadn't she wouldn't have decided to go with Veronica to the Zhanga village. She would be here right now and I would be able to hold her and tell her I love her. What am I going to do without her?
Veronica's sudden sob brought everyone's attention to her. Malone abandoned his chair to go to her, he gently ran a soothing hand up and down her back trying to comfort her. It only seemed to upset her more.
Veronica lifted her head too look at them all and whispered what she knew they all had to know "I left her to die, it's my fault she's dead."
