Sorry it took me so long to update! I've been getting ready for Christmas! And thanks for all the feedback, everyone! I'm glad you're enjoying this! I surely am. And to answer the questions--up to this point, the story has been almost entirely based on the dream. This chapter won't be as much, because the dream got a little fuzzy then, and I'm going to smooth it out and make a smooth transition from one clear scene to the next. If that made any sense to anyone…

Chapter Three

I ate supper with the Driscolls, Englehorn, Preston, and Jimmy in the tree house. It consisted of fresh fruits, bread, and fish. We drank fruit juice. I suspected that everything but the bread had come straight from the jungle.

We engaged in small talk, and the Driscolls asked me polite and sincere questions about myself and my background. I answered as much as I could without revealing to them that I came from another dimension. I knew that eventually, they would have to know the truth, but it was not yet the time for that. Preston and Jimmy also asked questions. Englehorn just ate quietly, glancing curiously at me on occasion.

Suddenly, I remembered that I needed to get back home. Miss Lucy's sentiment about time taking care of itself flashed in my mind once again, and I wondered if time between worlds would be like in the Chronicles of Narnia. Hopefully, not much time had passed since I had entered the Jungle Room. And hopefully, not much time would pass between visits.

"There's a little room that's not quite finished yet that you can have," Ann was saying. "We were getting it ready for the babysitter. You kind of surprised us by showing up so early."

"Yes, you did," said Englehorn, finally speaking up. His cool blue eyes trapped mine. "Who was it who recommended you to us?"

I hesitated, taking a deep breath. Then, hoping that Miss Lucy had been here before, I said, "Miss Lucy."

There was a moment of silence. All eyes were on me.

Then Jack broke into a grin. "I kinda figured you were from the other dimension."

I stared at him, green eyes wide. "You know about all that?"

"Yes. Miss Lucy's been here before."

I sat back in my chair, extremely relieved. "Well that works out! I was so worried about how to tell you where I'm from!"

Everyone smiled at me--even Captain Englehorn.

After supper, Jack and Ann gave me a grand tour of the elaborate tree house, including the room that I would be sleeping in. It was a big, round room, like the others, with two windows and a hammock for the bed. It lacked a roof, however.

"Sorry about that," Jack said.

"No problem," I replied. "I just kinda popped out of the jungle with no warning."

"Don't worry. It doesn't rain that much out here," Ann explained. "And if it does, we can just cover the top with a tarp."

"Sounds fine with me," I said.

"You don't have to worry about rushing back home, either," said Jack. "The time flow between worlds is a bit strange. You can stay here in this world for days and go back to your own world five minutes after you left…" He scratched his head. "Did I say that right?"

"I got the point," I said. "But… is time like it is in the Chronicles of Narnia? Will I come back here to see you guys all old?"

They both looked at me with confused expressions.

I realized that C.S. Lewis had not written his books yet--and wouldn't for another twenty or thirty years. "I mean, time goes the same either way, right? I stay in my world for days, come back, and only a couple of hours have passed here. Right?"

"Yeah. That's it," said Jack.

"Okay."

We all sighed at the same time, then laughed.

"Wow! That was confusing!" I exclaimed.

"What would we have done without Miss Lucy?" Ann said.

"By the way, when are you going back?" asked a low, German-accented voice from behind us.

We all turned around to face Captain Englehorn.

"I suppose I'll stay the night, then return home in the morning," I said. "I do have things to do at home."

"You need to get your rest, then," Ann said kindly. "Go ahead and go to sleep. We'll wake you up in the morning."

I gave her a grateful smile. "Thanks, Ann."

I went to sleep that night looking up at the stars.

And I awoke the next morning feeling refreshed and energetic. The very air of the jungle seemed to flow through my veins, green and new and alive. I gathered up my weapons and equipment, then walked down the tree on the winding wooden staircase, careful to cling to the rope banister.

"Good morning, Marina!" called a voice from below.

"Good morning!" I called in reply.

It was Preston. He was walking around under the tree house, carrying little Joseph on his shoulders.

"How was your first night in the jungle?" he asked as I descended from the tree.

"Wonderful!" I exclaimed. "I think I could get used to sleeping under the stars."

"You need to," said Preston with a chuckle. "I think Joseph likes you better than me, anyway."

The little fellow was reaching for me and grinning. I took him from Preston and swung him around, elated that he liked me already. "We're going to be good friends. Aren't we, Joseph?"

"Yes!" he exclaimed, laughing as I swung him around again. He really was a beautiful child, with those big dark eyes and his mother's bright smile.

"Ann and Jack are thrilled that you found us," Preston said, smiling.

I set Joseph down on his feet. "I'm thrilled that I've found all of you!" I replied. "In my world, you guys are my heroes! And you're not even real, for heaven's sake!"

"That's just strange to me," said Preston.

"Miss Richardson, are you ready to go?" asked a voice from behind me.

You'll never guess who.

"Yes, sir. I'm ready." I waved good-bye to Preston and Joseph.

"Stay!" Joseph cried, reaching for me.

"I won't be gone long," I told him. "Just a few minutes." Which was true, and yet, in a sense, not true. Dang it. How confusing…

I followed Captain Englehorn down the little alley between the sharpened poles. I noticed that he was heavily armed.

Of course he was. This was a dangerous, dinosaur-filled jungle, and he was Captain Englehorn.

"So… you're my escort for the day?" I spoke up, trying to make conversation. I am a shy person by nature, and not prone to starting conversations with near strangers, but… This was Englehorn! This was a character from one of my favorite movies (and a very hot character, at that!)!

"Yes," he replied.

"Good," I said. "That makes me feel safe."

He turned and gave me a wry smile, then continued on.

We soon reached the narrow entrance to the pole-lined path. I took a deep breath, a bit nervous about journeying through the jungle again. But oddly, with that breath there seemed to come courage and perhaps even daring. I was suddenly excited, looking forward to another trek through the jungle. Still there was fear, but with it came courage and excitement.

"Are you ready?" Englehorn asked, turning to me.

I nodded quickly, my hand hovering over the pistol on my hip. "I'm ready."

He nodded at me, one eyebrow raised.

I waited a moment, then said, "Onward?"

He laughed abruptly, startling me. "Are you really so eager to be in danger of your life, Miss Richardson?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, sure that I was blushing (and embarrassed by it).

"You look so…" He hesitated, casting about for the word. "Excited. Ready." He pointed at my face. "Your cheeks are flushed, and your eyes are shining, and your heartbeat…" His finger now pointed toward the base of my throat. "I can see your pulse beating, and it's fast."

Needless to say, I was a bit flustered at his sharp perusal of my looks and emotions. And I had no clue what to say in reply. I realized that my mouth was hanging open most unbecomingly, so I quickly shut it and shrugged, trying to imply an air of nonchalance.

"Are you surprised that I noticed?" he asked.

The man was maddening. Maddeningly mysterious, maddeningly perceptive, and maddeningly attractive.

"Should I be?" I replied. "You seem to be an intelligent person." I grinned, suddenly having a witty thought. And before I could stop myself, it was out. "The only thing that surprises me is that you were looking at my face and my throat without me catching you." By the gods, Marina! Must you always be either too stunned to speak or too stupid to stop yourself from doing so!?

The eyebrow went up again. "I should not think that would surprise you, Marina."

I tried not to look at him, but couldn't resist, eyes captured by those of my hero. "Well, it does," I said lamely.

He smiled slowly. "You know, you remind me of the warriors of old."

Wow. That's a compliment any girl would love to receive! At least I didn't say that one out loud. Instead, I said, "How so?"

"I've read that some of them would become excited by battle, that their hearts loved the thrill of fighting." His smile was full now. "You must be descended from warriors."

"Celts on one side, Saxons and Vikings on the other--what can I say?" I replied, finally gathering my addled wits about me.

"Shall I call you Boadicea?" he asked.

"If you like," I said. I was reminded instantly of Enya's song "Boadicea," inspired by the woman warrior of ancient times.

He nodded, then quickly turned to the jungle. "Let's go."

And with that, we headed out into the dangerous green world that surrounded the tree house and its palisade.