A small wagon pulled by a horse was their transportation to the harbor and would take hours. They set out at 7 am sharp and went through the lush green winding roads of the jungle. In Roxton's mind, everything looked the same as the plateau and he could not stop himself from paying attention to the jungle for any raptors. Everyone was so silent during the journey, so lost in their own thoughts. Only Summerlee had a reason to believe that this will all be right. Veronica vainly tried to hide the tears of losing the plateau but Melone knew more as he put his arms around her and embraced her tightly.
'This was all so different in my mind,' Roxton said to himself as he thought about how he had dreamed of returning to England. He dreamed that they will all find it one fine day. Marguerite would throw her hands around him and he would twirl her around. Then they would all pack up Challenger, Melone, Summerlee and Veronica... And maybe Marguerite, as in Melone's dream, would ask him if he is taking anything precious back and he will slowly, gently whisper, 'you'.
Without his knowledge, he had whispered it and Summerlee hearing this, moved towards him.
Summerlee: How are you doing young man?
Roxton: Er...hard...but...
Roxton bit his lip trying hard to fight the pain but as a last resort looked away. Without answering straight, he tried to hint the answer.
Roxton: I am responsible for all your safety. I'll have to look through documents, payments, passage details to England. I will land all of you in England, safe in the hands of your loved ones and then think about me. I can't afford to be...
Summerlee: human?
What Summerlee told was true. Roxton knew that he was trying very hard not to be a human and feel pain but as always, duty and pride came before him.
Roxton: I can't afford to be insufficient.
By noon, they had reached the harbor and Roxton went to the Police station in hope of being able to contact England. It was a swift procedure, as only his name had to be mentioned for the police to get busy as previously, missing persons records had been sent to Brazil.
After verifying each and every detail of their identity, the commissioner was more than happy to send a telegram.
The telegrams are not easy to send because of the distance and the aid of several ships was needed wire the message through.
Roxton: How long will it take for a message to reach us back?
Commissioner: About 4 in the afternoon, Lord Roxton.
Roxton: any ships leaving to England?
Commissioner: You are lucky My Lord, the Victoria harbored yesterday and
will leave to London.
Roxton: Good. Book six...er...book five 1st class cabins for me please. If all are taken, say I'll pay double for each room.
Commissioner: Book it under your name, my lord?
Roxton: Yes. Thank you commissioner.
Commissioner: You are most welcome.
Back in England:
It was quarter past two this wonderful summer afternoon in England as the two boys just lazed around joking when an unexpected telegraph reached them.
Boy: What odd is tat! Not expecting anything!
He listened to the telegraph quietly and his friend saw his face just gape in utter awe at the message. He removed the headphones and looked at the other.
Boy: theyr' back! The Challenger expedition...they made it back...all alive! Theyr' back!
Soon a messenger ran through the streets right to the zoological department of the University, crashing through a lecture.
Lecturer: What utter manner...
Messenger: The challenger expedition is back! They are in South America!
The whole room filled with a sea of voices thanking God, marveling and discussing about the expedition. The heads ran about making arrangements, telegraphing back and most importantly informing the families of the arrival.
The Roxton manner:
Lady Roxton sat at her favorite conservative overlooking the garden where William and Richard used to play. That was all she had left of them now. Today, however was different as a maid came crashing through.
Maid: Mum, Lord Roxton has been found! The whole expedition is!
Lady: What?!
Maid: At about quarter past two a telegraph had come all the way from
South America, Lord Roxton had sent it! The are back mum!
Lady: My son...Richard...Oh thank God!
She felt tears of joy steam down her face as she tried to straighten her mind.
Lady: prepare my clothes, I'm going to London University now.
With that, she went towards the little chapel they had in the manner and looked at the Virgin Mary clenching her son in her arms.
Lady: Thank you so much Mother. Thank you so much!
It was simply a riot at the zoological department as the reporters from all over England flocked to the hall to get the inside scoop of the arrival. The roaring of the crowd died as the Head of the department stepped to the podium.
Head: The Zoological department of London would like to inform the families and all people of England that the members of the Challenger Expedition comprising of Professor George Challenger, Professor Author Summerlee, Lord John Richard Roxton and Edward Melone had safely returned from the Amazon and is now at the Harbor in South America.
The whole hall once again stirred, as the name of Marguerite was not mentioned.
Head: a telegraph... A telegraph was received informing of this pleasant news at 2.15pm Greenwich meridian time. However an another member had been included of the name of Veronica Layton. The group would set off from South America tomorrow and is expected to reach England in 10 days if weather permits.
Reporter: What about Miss Krux?
Head: No information on Miss Krux's location or condition was given.
Thank you for your presence.
Roxton was looking at the silver waves as Melone gave him the news that the message had reached London.
Melone: We are going home buddy, we are going home.
They did board the ship and it set sail to England. Roxton looked at the shore slowly disappearing from his sight and it was once more as if he was leaving Marguerite. He felt now the way he felt when he lost his brother and father and thought this would be same but every pain of losing someone was so different and so deep. It was almost as if someone had dug a hole in his heart.
During the Voyage, the explorers had many serious talks and decided that it was best not to reveal of their findings. It was a very wise decision to make and Summerlee did feel guilty to lie at Challenger's findings and extol his defeat. But nevertheless, a final decision was made.
Challenger: Two years ago, we all set out to find our ultimate dream. A scientist to prove the visionary wrong, a hunter to look for adventure, a reporter looking for the greatest story in the world and of cause the heiress to find her desires. And if you look at it, we all got what we wanted. I proved myself, Author very honorably accepted defeat, John got the adventure of a lifetime, Melone got the story to give Charles Dickens a run for his money...bless his soul...and I do believe Marguerite found her true heart's desire. We found it, we experienced it and we are satisfied. Therefore I do not see any reason why we have to prove it to the whole world. We know it in our hearts.
He took a sip of his brandy and continued.
Challenger: What would happen if we told of the findings? Many, many more expeditions would go some, good some bad. They would rob the plateau of its wonder and destroy it like Applegate would. All those wonderful tribes, the living treasures, will lose its culture. I don't want that to happen.
Challenger: God gave me this gift of experience and the best way for me to preserve it is to let it be. The plateau is like a museum. All the things civilization destroyed are preserved there. I don't want to be responsible for it's death again. Maybe that's why I never got my proof and Melone lost his journal. And I know Veronica that you are going back to England for a reason.
Veronica: I hope so.
Melone: I know so.
Roxton looked at his third empty glass.
Roxton: What...what about Marguerite? What are we going to tell about her?
Summerlee: Nothing to worry. She gave a letter telling that she had gone
away, as soon as she came out, on a holiday. In a disclosed location of
cause.
Roxton: Of cause...I'm...I think I want to turn in early. Goodnight.
Summerlee: John, fortune favors the brave.
The harbor was absolutely packed with reporters, students, professors and family members waiting for this moment after two long years. Anxious murmuring turned to cheers and shouts of joy with the ship harboring in. Confetti blew across the air with the pop of champagne corks and clicking of cameras exciting the crowd more. The explorers waved from the deck and looked around for their loved ones but Veronica, now dressed in a beautiful lined dress, could not share that joy. Seeing this, Melone extended his hand gesturing her to come to him.
Melone: Don't worry Veronica, with me you are never lost.
