CHAPTER 4

"But my dear Lord Roxton, it can happen."

Roxton looked at the woman curiously. "What can happen?"

"I said I can help you and I meant it. I can help you save William."

Roxton pulled his pistol back out and didn't hesitate to point it at the woman. "How do you know about William? Explain yourself."

The woman smiled. "I have a gift. I know how much you suffer over the loss of your brother. What I told you of the ritual is true. I can help you perform it and you can save him."

Roxton still wasn't convinced. "I'm a stranger to you. Why would you want to help me?"

The woman smiled coyly and moved closer. "Well, you have been so nice to me already, I just want to help. Besides, I know what it is to lose a loved one." She looked down as tears started to form in her eyes.

Roxton regretted his harsh words and cursed himself silently. "Look," he put his gun back in its holster, "I'm sorry. I've learned not to be too trustful of strangers. Not many people offer help without something expected in return."

She smiled as she walked to his side and hooked her arm through his. "Well, you'll see that I can be very helpful," she purred. She reached up and took off his hat, and managed to take off his vest and holster before he knew what she was doing. She put her arms on his shoulders and gently pushed him to the ground. "Sit, relax, pray."

"Pray? I gave up on praying a long time ago."

She looked down at him. "I understand. You prayed and prayed for your brother to come back and you gave up hope. But this time your prayers can bring him back."

Even though Roxton knew that it couldn't be possible for William to be alive again, a spark of hope could be seen in his eyes. He would never forgive himself for causing his brother's death and if there was any chance that he could bring William back he would do it, he would risk anything.

"So, just pray? That's all I have to do?"

The woman nodded.

"Ok, here goes nothing." Roxton bowed his head and closed his eyes. I'm not very good at this sort of thing and I'm not even sure that it will work, but if you are a spirit who can help me, please help me save my brother from dying by my hands.

Roxton opened his eyes and rose from the ground. "I wonder if that did any good."

"John! John, help me!"

A chill ran down Roxton's spine as he turned around and took in the scene before him. It was happening again. The nightmare that haunted him every waking minute was happening again.

"John! Please help me!" William's pleas were heart wrenching to hear again.

In the background, Pierson Rice could be heard. "What are you waiting for? Shoot the bloody thing!"

He felt as if he was watching his actions from outside of his body. He saw himself lift the rifle he hadn't realize he was carrying and slowly take aim at the ape that was mauling his dear brother. He pushed the bullet into the chamber and pulled the trigger. He felt the impact rather than saw it. Once again, he heard his brother cry out as both he and the ape collapsed to the ground. He dropped his rifle in defeat and collapsed to the ground knowing once again that his own hands had been the ones to end his brother's life before his time. Not again, not this nightmare again. Why? Why did--

"Hey, are you going to sit there on your bum all day or are you going to come and get this bloody thing off me!"

Roxton's head shot up quickly to see William squirming beneath the body of the ape. Roxton laughed with joy as he ran over to help his brother up.

"Hey, this is no laughing matter! This goddamn thing weighs a ton, not to mention it smells something awful! Hurry and get it off will you?" Roxton nodded and grinned as he and a couple of the other men ran over to lift the heavy carcass and pull William out from beneath.

"That was bloody brilliant! What a magnificent trophy that will be!" Rice clapped Roxton on the back and walked off to give orders to the servants to make preparations for the carcass.

Roxton ignored Rice and turned to William. "You're not hurt are you?"

William shook his head. "Besides a few cuts and a bruised ego, I'm no worse for wear. That's facing your fears if I ever heard it." William chuckled.

Roxton remembered the words and frowned. William saw his frown, though it was brief. "Don't worry, Johnny, I'm fine. Nothing happened to me. You saved my life. I guess I owe you a drink or something." William jokingly shoved Roxton. "Come along, we're still on safari aren't we?"

Roxton nodded and watched William walk away. No brother, you don't owe me a thing. I'm the one who's in your debt. I'm just happy to see that you're alive and well, however it happened.

"You see, I told you it would work."

Roxton turned and saw that the woman from the cave was standing to his right and was watching William walk off as well. "He's a handsome fellow, it must run in the family." She grinned and winked at him.

"What are you doing here? As a matter of fact, how did you get here?"

"Well," the woman put her index finger on Roxton's arm and started to slowly circle him, "I didn't exactly tell you the entire truth back in the cave."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I wasn't in that cave to pray like I told you. I am actually the spirit that resides in the cave. I felt your suffering and I came to help you and I did."

Roxton raised an eyebrow. "So, you just decided to be a generous spirit and help me out? No strings attached?"

The woman chuckled. "There are no strings attached, my dear Roxton."

"So, what's the catch?"

"Catch?"

"You know, consequences? The part where I pay for messing with the natural course of events?"

The woman smiled. "Oh, that catch. Well, I guess you'll find out when the time comes." She blew him a kiss and disappeared.

TBC

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing, chapter 5 is coming soon! Drop me a line if you can please:)