There are certain things people think about before they die. Odd things really; things that one would never expect to be on the minds of those drawing their last breath. Instead of dreaming about loved ones, thinking back on past regrets, or praying for your future, your mind remains in the present.
You think about how relaxing the silence is, or how the rose you are holding is so brilliantly red. I can see things more clearly now than ever before and it leaves me with a sense of peace. I'm not scared or even worried for I know in a few hours my friends will find me and bring my body home to be buried. Oh no, I won't be forgotten.
"The rain just isn't going to stop, is it George?" Marguerite said, looking over at her companion. The duo had walked out to the balcony at the first sign of lightning and watched the ensuing downpour as it unfolded.
"It appears that it won't, at least not for awhile. I am so sorry Marguerite… I know how much you were looking forward to today."
Words were never the scientist's strong point, although his abilities to comfort had increased since his journey onto the plateau. He was not used to being a consoler. After all, not many scientists allowed themselves emotional outbursts, and Jessie, well Jessie was never one to complain. He wished he could say something to bring back that smile to her face, but as luck often has it, words never come when you need them.
"It's okay George. Really it is. We can go again another day; there will be another full moon next month." With one last look at the rain, Marguerite turned on her heel and left for the sanctuary of the tree house.
Veronica panted as she ran to the tree house. The cold rain was streaming down her body, mixing with her blood. She was being chased by a raptor. She had lost her knife – it had struck the raptor but the blinding rain made her miss any important organs. The wound only served to enrage the beast and she knew it wouldn't give up the chase. Her long blonde hair flew behind her, like a beacon of light the raptor was able to follow. She knew she would be faster without the added weight of her satchel, but leaving it on the ground would have made the trip worthless. She refused to be chased by a raptor for nothing. Besides, the treehouse was in sight. I can make it, she thought, just as she tripped on a rock causing her to fall to the ground.
She clenched her jaw trying to ignore the pain and come to terms with what just happened. She was mad at herself. "Damn it! I should have been more aware of the situation!" she thought to herself.
She tried to get up, but the mud bogged her down. The raptor was in front of her now. Sensing it had won, the raptor slowed its pace. She raised her hands in front of her, as to protect herself from the inevitable pain. When she was sure she could smell the raptor's breath, she finally allowed herself to scream, but instead of hearing her own voice she heard the raptor's own death rattle.
In shock she saw the raptor collapse on the ground in front of her. Before her mind was able to process what had occurred, a man appeared from the rain, took a hold of Veronica's shaking hands and slowly lifted her up.
"Don't worry, you are safe," the man said as Veronica stared at him dumbly. She wasn't sure if it was the near death experience, or the romance of being rescued by a stranger but her eyes refused to leave the man's face. She took in all of his features, the rugged outline of his jaw, how his long brown hair fell neatly on his shoulders. And his shoulders, dear god his muscles seemed to want to burst out of his shirt.
"What? How? What happened?" Veronica managed to sputter as the rain continued to pound her skin.
With a smile, the man pointed to his bow and arrow draped across his chest. "A bit primitive, but they do the trick, don't you agree?" When Veronica still didn't react he looked at her with concern, "Are you hurt? Did the raptor bite you anywhere?"
"No, I'm fine. Really I am. I usually don't act this way," Veronica said as the last of the cobwebs cleared her brain.
"It's quite understandable; you've had quite a fright. Is there anyplace we can go to clean you up?"
"Yes, my home is not far from here." Veronica reached down to retrieve her knife from the deceased raptor and prepared to lead the way back to the treehouse. Before she managed to walk two steps a shooting pain radiated from her ankle and she winced in surprise.
Without saying a word, the man looked down at Veronica's swollen ankle and effortlessly picked her up.
"Oh no, you don't have to do that," Veronica protested, "I'll be fine. I've sprained my ankle before."
"What kind of hero would I be if I let the person I just saved dredge through the mud on a sprained ankle? I might as well have left you for the raptor!"
"But, I don't even know your name," Veronica said trying to free herself from his grasp. It was Marguerite who needed rescuing, not her.
"Rithos. My name is Rithos. But we are in the middle of a thunderstorm and in raptor territory. I don't think this is the time to argue."
"You are right," Veronica replied sheepishly. "My home is over there, through those trees. You can actually see it if you look closely enough."
"That rain came suddenly, didn't it Ned?" Roxton said as he prepared bullet casings. Ned sat next to him as he removed the bullets from the mold and put them in their respective places. They had been making bullets all morning, and refused to stop until they were satisfied there was enough to last for quite awhile.
"Yes, I can honestly say I wasn't expecting it. I hope Veronica found a place to stay dry."
"Well even if she is caught in the middle of the rainfall she should be home soon. The walk from the Zanga village isn't that far."
"And I hope she remembered to bring coffee beans back with her. I don't think I'll be able to last another day without a cup of coffee. Damn it!" Ned exclaimed as he touched a mold that had not quite cooled off. He waved his finger around before putting it in his mouth. "It's not funny," he managed to mumble as Roxton laughed wholeheartedly.
"You have to be more carefully, Neddy boy. Isn't that what you told me when I burned my hand on the pot?"
"That's different-" Ned began to explain when Marguerite stormed into the kitchen.
"Can't you boys do anything besides argue? I am trying to nap and all I hear is your bickering. It makes me want to grab the closest thing I can and jam it down your throat so you won't be able to speak," she steamed as she slammed open and shut cabinets.
"What are you looking for exactly?" Ned asked the fiery brunette in front of him. Although they had been on the plateau for three years together, her bursts of anger always managed to frighten him. He knew that no matter how close they were, it was best not to get on her bad side.
Roxton, on the other hand, had no such qualms, "Do stop being a baby, Marguerite. It's not our fault the rain delayed your little expedition to the cliffs."
"I'm not being a baby," Marguerite replied petulantly before throwing herself into a seat by the table, "Well maybe I am. But I have a right to be! I've planned this trip for two weeks! Four if you count the two weeks convincing Challenger it had a scientific purpose. It wasn't easy convincing him that Incas used emeralds for medicinal purposes."
"Oh so you mean they don't give off an oil that can be used to cure stomach problems?"
"Don't sound so smug Roxton. It was a damn good lie you have to admit. Challenger believed it, didn't he? Now I'm going to have to wait another four weeks before I get the chance to go again. Why can't things ever be just a little bit easier on the plateau? Would it be so wrong to have the emeralds just wrapped up in a box with a nice little bow on them? But no, put the emeralds in a cave guarded by raptors that only leave on a full moon in order to mate." Before Roxton could respond, the sounds of the elevator coming to life brought everyone's attention to the living room. Marguerite pushed her chair away from the table and walked over to the source of the noise. She had never been more relieved for one of Veronica's frequent interruptions; Ned wasn't the only one craving coffee in the mornings.
"Sounds like Veronica is back," Ned said getting up from the kitchen table, "I better go get a blanket so she won't freeze to death."
"You better grab two," Marguerite said with a smile directed at Ned. "One for Veronica and one for her guest."
"Guest?" Ned said walking over to where Marguerite stood. Both Malone and Roxton displayed a look of confusion as Veronica was carried out of the elevator and set on the ground by an unfamiliar man in front of them.
"And what a guest it is." Marguerite said with pure delight. She winked at Roxton as she walked over to the duo. Oh yes, she had never been more relieved to see Veronica.
I once heard this saying that in life there is a painful process between longing for what we've left behind and dreaming of the future. I keep saying it over and over in my head as if it will help make the transition any easier. The transition? That's poetic of me isn't it? I should say dying. It will help make dying easier. I'm truly not afraid, in fact I'm quite curious as to what heaven looks like. Maybe I'll finally have peace. Maybe.