They found Roxton standing staring down at the ground his attention captivated. As they followed his gaze the others were startled by the dark, blood stained grass. Veronica had said there was a lot of blood but this much. There was little doubt as to what had happened.

"You think the raptors got to her?"


Malone-

I hope I didn't hear really hear that, surly even Finn knows better than to say something like that at a time like this. God, I hope Roxton didn't hear that. Just looking at him I know that he did that he was thinking it before Finn said it, we all were. That is still no excuse for her to have said it like that. Still I wonder if Marguerite is going to emerge from the bushes unscathed and tell us it was all a mistake. Weirder things have happened here.


Roxton-

This blood can't be hers, there's too much of it. There would be a sign of her being her. Pieces of clothing at the very least, her gun, the knife she carries something. She can't be dead. No matter what happened there would be a sign. There's no dinosaur tracks, no tracks at all. I know she's alive, she has to be. I just have to find her and bring her home.


Veronica-

Now I know what deafening silence is. I actually hope it stays that way. I don't know if I can handle another of Finn's observations let alone the accusations I'm sure the others are withholding. Roxton is tense; his eyes are scanning the ground. I can't imagine what he must be looking for. Ned's just standing there I can't tell if he's focused on anything or not he just seems to be lost in his own thoughts as do Challenger and Finn.


Finn-

I don't like being here. Marguerite died here, obviously eaten by raptors or something, everybody's just standing around like there's no danger, and it's kinda annoying. Like when they ignored me before. All I was doing was wondering if everybody else was thinking what I was thinking and I got nothing. Oh well, I just wanna leave this place before it gets too late.


Challenger-

There is so much blood. What Marguerite must have gone through. What Roxton must be going through now. Veronica is looking at me at each of us, she must be wondering if we blame her for this. I don't, Veronica has placed enough blame on herself she doesn't need any further judgment from me. I only wish I could say the same for Roxton. He is a good man but he has lost the woman he loves and Veronica was supposed to be there. I know Malone won't blame her he loves her too much and knows she feels guilty. Finn has nothing to blame her for. Finn has not been with us long enough to understand the true extent of our family, she didn't know Marguerite as the rest of us did.


"She's not dead" Roxton's resolute tone shook everyone from there thoughts.

"John, I know that you would like to believe that…" Challenger began trying to soften the blow

"Look around Challenger, there's nothing here. Not even raptors would eat Marguerite's gun"

"Maybe it was a T-Rex" Finn helpful as ever received a familiar glare from the hunter before he replied.

"There would be tracks. A T-Rex is too heavy to not leave tracks."

"He's right." It suddenly seemed suddenly possible to Veronica that maybe, just maybe Marguerite was alive somewhere.

Malone looked around as sure as Roxton was and despite Veronica's agreement there was still something that could not be ignored "What about the blood?"

Veronica looked around trying to find a reason for all the blood that didn't involve Marguerite being dead but failed it would have to be one hell of a coincidence for something else to have died here and been carried off…..

"What if the headhunters found something else?" Everyone looked at Veronica. "I mean they're not cannibals, at least not most of the time. They eat meat, animals so maybe they were looking for Marguerite and me and found something else along the way. It could be why Marguerite had to move. They could have butchered it here and carried it off. That would explain the blood."

It seemed to Malone that Veronica was reaching but weirder things had happened here. "So what do we now."

"We have to find her" For Roxton that was truly the only option.

"Agreed, but first we should head back to the treehouse and get some supplies. We can set out first thing tomorrow morning." When it seemed Roxton was about to object, Challenger continued. "Marguerite is wounded and will need medical attention when we find her and we don't really have anything with us. Besides we won't be able to find her in the dark."

Despite the logic Roxton still didn't like the idea of Marguerite out here alone and wounded but he also knew that she could take care of herself and there was a chance that she could be headed for the treehouse right now. That thought alone made him relent. They would find Marguerite they had to.

The End


Authors note: I would like to thank Hope, youte, and barbiedahl for reviewing my story I really appreciate it. Originally, this was going to be a one shot but because of the reviews, I decided to expand it a bit. I'm thinking about writing a sequel about the search or possibly a prequel about the events that lead up Reactions. I haven't decided yet. If anyone has a preference let me know in a review.

Nicole