Author's note: Sorry for the delay! I work two jobs so don't have much time to write. I had sometime so I wrote a short chapter to appease those that are reading this story. Have no fear I am still around and intend to finish this story. Thanks for your patience.
Chapter 7 First Night Terror
Close to Dawn
Ugh, that smell ... GOD ... what a way to wake-up ... NAUSEUS!! Maybe burrowing back into Roxton will help!
That's funny ... no Roxton ... OHHH GOOODDD ... MARI ...!!
"Roxton?"
" Mari?"
" ROXTON!!"
"MARGAUX!"
"Roxton wake-up Mari's missing!" I shriek. I jump up quickly from my resting place, not a great idea, but I have to find my BABY ... GOD TO FAST the blood rushing quickly, blinded by fear, sudden hyperventilation, all physical reactions that are typical when you fear for your child's sudden disappearance. "Where's Tribune? He took Mari ... oh, god I can't do this again! Roxton where are you? I need you!!"
What's that smell? Look past the tunnel of fear, Marguerite! Okay, okay, calm down ... oh that smell ... oh god BURNING FLESH!! Keep it together, keep it together ...
"ROXTON! ... MARGAUX! ... CHALLENGER! ... ROXTON! ... VERONICA! ... FINN! ... MARGAUX! ... NED! ... ROXTON!"
"Mummmmmyyyy ... mummmmyyyy ... mummm ... "
"MARI ... it's okay baby ... mummy's coming ..." I begin to run ... GOD ... why can't ... move any faster ... "Mummy's coming Mari ... Mummy's coming ..."
Oh, god NOW WHAT ... LIQUID!! GUSHING DOWN MY LEGS ... ARGH! ... GOD! ... SEARING PAIN ... OH GOD NO! This can't be real! I'm not this far along ... this can't be happening ... OH GOD MY WATER!! CONTRACTIONS!! WHAT THE HE..!!
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Marguerite, you mustn't use such foul language around children, AND from a lady?! Or should I say a woman only pretending to be a lady to catch her man?!" wickedly exclaimed the cloaked figure that restrained a struggling Mari against his body. The atmosphere had turned much colder and emotionally darker, than before!
"Marguerite, I'll make this short, you have two choices, join forces with ME or watch you children die! I'm not a patient man but for you I will give you a minute to decide, tic toc tic toc tic toc!"
The robed figure slowly pulls out a dagger and places it close to Mari's juggler. Then he gradually pushes the blade into Mari's flesh.
I know I need to speak, but my vocal folds are paralyzed all I can muster is a croak! Dear God help me!
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, 'cat got your tongue,' to late for this one!" as he drug the knife across Mari's neck, and ALL I COULD SEE WAS RED ... THEN DARKNESS ...
"Marguerite, shhh, Marguerite wake-up!" urgently whispered Roxton. "Marguerite, love, wake-up your having a nightmare. It's only a nightmare." As he and Mari lovingly stroked and reassured Marguerite to wake from her horrible dream. They had only left for a few minutes because Mari needed to relieve herself.
Marguerite's eyes flew open, as she gasped for air. "Oh god … oh god … your alive!!" sobbed Marguerite as she grabbed Roxton and Mari in a death grip. Her whole body shook from the pain the dream caused of loosing all her loved ones and watching Mari's throat slight in front of her.
"Shhhh …. Shhhh … it's alright Marguerite it was just a dream," soothed Roxton as he rubbed her back and planted butterfly kisses on her right forehead and temple, because inadvertently Mari was doing the exact same thing on her left side.
"Jooohhhnnnn …"
"Shhhh … we're here … it was just a dream."
"Oh, Mari … my …"
"Shh … we're here and we love you and we're not going anywhere."
"John! Let me up I'm going to be sick …" As Roxton and Mari pulled away from Marguerite, they were able to see the green tinge that now colored her face.
Marguerite stumbled up with the help of Roxton giving her a push-up and guiding her to the edge of camp. He pulled back her hair as she expelled what little was left in her stomach from last night's dinner.
Even during this time of concern for Marguerite, Roxton could not push aside all of his amusement of HIS daughter's participation in helping console Marguerite. As Marguerite empties her stomach again, I watch as Mari continues to run her small hands up and down her mother's back to sooth her. Don't most children walk away when something like this happens, but not OUR Mari. We make a great team she is so "darn" cute, at least in my mind. I feel such pride and unconditional love within my heart when I think how life my life has changed so much and so quickly, but for the better because of my little girl and her mother.
Before Roxton could continue his musing, Marguerite slowly began to rise as the nausea began to ease up a bit. He pulled out his handkerchief to gently cleaned Marguerite's face, he did it also as a reassurance gesture that all was alright. In return Marguerite gave a weak smile, to show that she was going to be alright, but Roxton could tell that she was still shaken from her dream.
Roxton pocketed his handkerchief and as he did so he glanced around the camp to see if anyone else had stirred, only Finn was up because it was her turn for watch. She gave him a brief nod to let him know she had witnessed the whole scene, but the knowledge was safe with her. He bent and picked up Mari then pulled Marguerite in for a family hug.
This is what I need … I don't know how John knows just what I need. Not just the big gestures that he does but the little things that seem so small insignificant but mean so much more. For instance, the fact he glanced around the camp to make sure no one else would see us hug because he knows that I get self-conscience displaying affection in front of others. "I love you both so much!" I just had to say it to them because they are my world. "Thank you! I needed this!" I say as a tuck my head under John's chin and draw Mari forehead to mine.
"Let's go collect some berries I saw over yonder. Dawn is almost here and the others will soon be rising for breakfast and an early start. I selfishly do not want to give-up this family time right now and share you both with the others, so ladies shall we head over there for a bit to collect our breakfast?" Oh, how I love this man! Mari and I both nod our heads. John turns with me tucked under his arms and Mari on his other hip. Could this really work out in the end or are we just coasting along before the next tidal wave hits us? Lord, please, keep my family safe, I love them to much to loose them now!