Ch. 37

I blinked through my headache, and then squinted as my mind seemed to retaliate with another painful wave. I blinked again as I realized Prabir was holding me. What in Earth or Sea had prompted him to hold me?

I slowly pushed away from his chest with a raised brow, hoping he would explain. He did not, instead he looked hopelessly passed me. My brows moved together, two footsteps behind me had me turning, before Maitreya's arms were around me.

Had these boys lost their minds? Were we not supposed to be looking for Captain and Henry? What was this, hug-a-Marina day?

I glared into Maitreya's chest until he began to slowly walk me in the direction we had come from. Sighing in annoyance, I pushed away from him and turned on them both. "What is the matter with you two?" I asked crossly, "We're supposed to be looking for our missing comrades, not cuddling!"

I turned on my heel crossly, ignoring their looks of shock. Did it really shock them so much that I did not want to be held? Hymph! Apparently, I am too affectionate for my own good. Oh well, that is nothing I can fix now. Not that I would, I do enjoy hugging those I care for, but still…

I stopped, and turned again to the boys. They were at least twenty paces behind me, and I glared again. Stomping to them I signed, "Get your thick heads out of the clouds and back to earth! We're going to back to wait for Skinner. If we haven't found them by now, they're probably waiting on us!" I told them, my reason making sense to me. My Captain was amazing, and so were Edward and Henry. They together were unstoppable. I smiled as I turned, for Captain would most likely chastise me for being late!

I heard the boys walking slowly behind me, and rolled my eyes heavenward, leaving my annoyance at that. I could feel something between them, but I could not imagine what. Perhaps they were scared now? No, the danger was over, so that made no sense. They could have been scared for Captain…

I turned to them slowly, and gave a small smile. "Captain is fine, you guys. Don't worry; you know he'll probably be waiting with Henry to chastise us for being late, don't you?" I smiled wider, hoping my grin would set them at ease. It had the opposite effect though, and the anguish on their face was undeniable.

Their worry made me worry, and without meaning to, I sped up my walk. We were getting close, and I could hear the men's frantic voices in a dull hum as we approached. Worry took over and I began running.

In the chamber, Mina hovered in a small circle as the men mulled around frantically. As I skid into the room, the men stopped and looked at me. I smelt it before I saw it. Burnt flesh that was fresh and close by. My eyes widened in fear when I saw him. I slowly moved towards his burnt body, and cringed as the others moved to allow me access to its full sight.

Most of his body was burnt, and for the first time without makeup or clothes, I could see Skinner as he was. I swallowed hard and leaned down beside him. The burnt flesh crinkled as he turned his face towards me, and I cringed. So burnt, his chances for recovery were slim. He would never be the same, even if he did live through the ordeal that faced him.

"Don't look so happy to see me, love," his voice shook and cracked. I could have cried, and I did. Only two, one from each eye, but the small release helped. "C'mon love, don' cry," Skinner's voice cracked again, then he sighed. He did not speak again, and I panicked. Gathering my hair so it would not touch him, I leaned over him and put my ear to his mouth, unwilling to harm him by touching his burnt chest.

His breath was shallow, but it was there, and I sighed in relief. Leaning back onto my legs I looked up at the others. "Has Captain and Henry returned yet?" I asked frantically. They needed to return, Skinner needed help now!

Chintu answered in a panic, "You went to find them!" I shook my head and signed, "We looked, but couldn't!" The men's faces fell, and I felt their fear. Before I could comfort them, I heard Nalin give a yelp. I heard Maitreya say my name cautiously as I stood and rushed towards the sound, a few men behind me. I saw Tom and hurried forward, wrapping my arms around his torso quickly. He did not respond except to start. I pulled away, turned towards the men, and gasped in horror.

Nalin, Ojas, and Teerth were walking with their heads down. In their arms they supported Allan. I stared at his placid face in horror. He was not moving, he was not breathing. One-shot Allan, the grumpy old toad, was not breathing.

My mouth was dry, and I swallowed several times as the small group moved past me. Why did he have to die? Why did we have to loose him. He might have been annoying, but he was…

I managed to turn and watch the small group disappear. I swayed in my spot before forcing myself to stay still. Breathing deeply only seemed to worsen the situation, and caused my throat to ache.

He was suppose to live. He was suppose to continue to fight me for his hat. He was suppose to grow to like me. He was suppose to come back to visit.

He was suppose to be my grandfather…

I reached up and wiped my eyes of their tears. This was almost as bad as losing mother. No, it was just as bad, only it was bad in a different way.

I took a few moments to calm myself, then rubbing my eyes with my sleeve I headed back to the room where the crew waited. Janak and Gadin were back, and they were taking off the two jackets they had donned out in the snow. I walked over to them and pointed to Skinner. "Be very careful when you're putting those on him," I ordered, and they nodded in response.

Tom and Mina had pulled away from the group, and Tom looked in a daze. I realized I had not been paying much attention, but no doubt he and Allan had become close. I would have to ask about it later, when we were all safe in the ship.

I wished Captain and Henry would hurry. Perhaps they had gotten forced into a room and were stuck. I sighed, knowing if they were not back soon, I would have to bring in more men to search. I did not want to do that to the men, for I could tell they were now wary of this place, and wanted nothing to do with it.

I heard Skinner groan, and turned on Janak in anger. He looked at me apologetically, before continuing to work on dressing Skinner in a very dejected way. I watched them carefully, and when he was dressed, I clapped my hands together to get the men's attention.

Everyone looked at me now, even Mina and Tom were looking at me expectantly. That was a bit of a waste, since they did not know my signs, but it was all well. Besides, Tom was so gone I do not believe he even aware of what was going on.

"Men, take Skinner and Allan back to the ship. Put Skinner in the infirmary and put Allan's body in the icebox…"

The men stared at me without moving, and I crossed my arms in front of my chest. What did they think they were doing? I gave them an order and until Captain was back I was in charge.

Suddenly Maitreya was beside me, and I looked at him in confusion and he took my shoulders. "Follow your Captain's orders!" he demanded, and the crews eyes went wide. My head whipped around to stare at him in shock as he lied blatantly to the crew. They squirmed before two lifted Allan by the arms and legs and four took one end each of the tapestry Skinner lay on and hefted him up.

Mina took the hint, and lead Tom after the crew as they disappeared into the white world that made my throat ache. When I could no longer see their darkened outlines I shoved away from Maitreya in fury.

"How dare you lie to them!" I fumed, "I am no more Captain than you! Be grateful I will not tell Captain of what you have done you… Blackguard!"

Maitreya stepped forward and grabbed my shoulders tightly. "Snap out of it, Marina! Hyde is dead! Captain was with Hyde! Captain is dead!"

I stared at him in shock. W-what was he-

'Oh Kali,' I thought. The toe. The toe under the rocks was Hyde's. My body convulsed as I lost feeling in my legs. Had Maitreya not been holding me up, I would have fallen to the ground. Captain was dead. Edward was dead. Henry was dead.

My head whirled as I remembered. Kali, my mind had blocked this. It had blocked this for a reason. The pain I felt was overwhelming, and I could have screamed in agony.

Maitreya had lowered me to the ground and cradled me as you would a child. I could hear my sobs as I latched onto the front of his shirt like a helpless infant.

Captain. Henry. Edward. Allan. Captain. Henry.

Kali, why?

"Maitreya," I heard Prabir through my grief. I heard Maitreya mumble something before shifting. "C'mon Marina, time to go," he whispered, pulling me to my feet. "We can't stay here."

I complied, but not willingly. Prabir took to my right and help lead me out of the building. I felt nothing, not even my throat's protest. It was nothing compared to the pain which could not be healed by one of Captain's unpleasant remedies.

I wanted to faint, to die, anything to stop the pain of existing.

Then I heard it.

A faint whistle.

The same signal that I had been taught long ago.

I dug my feet into the snow and wrenched myself from their grasps. I turned in a wide-eyed wonder. Could it be-?

I shoved past the lovers before they could stop me. As I ran I saw it. Hardly, then more clearly. A dark outline. With new tears in my eyes I charged to the figure, and without a care I flung myself at Captain.

Obviously he not expecting it. Captain tripped backwards, and a cloud of snow covered us as we landed together in the snow. Without thinking I kissed his hair covered cheeks over and over as he fumbled in the snow, my arms as tight as I could make them around his neck.

He sputtered for a moment before stuttering, "W-what's come over you, Marina?" I was in no position to answer, and so I did not try. Instead I buried my face into his chest and wept.

"I do believe she's relieved to see you, Captain Nemo," An amused voice chuckled nearby, not quite hiding the fact that his teeth chattered. In shock, I lifted my tear-soaked eyes from Captain's wet chest and blinked, trying to focus on the man before me. I shook my head, for it was impossible. I had seen-

What did it matter?

As Captain sat up I tripped to my feet and launched myself into Henry's chest. He did not trip backwards thankfully, and I do not believe I have ever clung to anyone so tightly. His arms crept across my back, and I heard him mutter something like, " Marina warm," as he did. I had laughed softly through my tears.

"Dare I ask what happened?" I heard Captain ask, and though I had no intention of answering now, I did not have too. "She thought you both dead, we saw-thought- we saw Hyde buried under boulders…" Prabir answered Captain. "Ah," Captain muttered. I heard crunching snow before he said, "Marina?"

I slowly removed one arm from Henry and reached blindly for Captain. I felt his hand take mine, and I pulled him until I had his waist. I sniffled in happiness as I held both men in my arms.

Then I blinked as I realized what I was doing.

Without thinking I dropped both arms and jumped back in a panic, looking around wildly for anyone who could mock me for my actions. Quickly rubbing the tears from my eyes I looked at Captain and Henry with blurry eyes and signed, "I'm glad we've found you, shall we-?" I asked.

I felt their stares as I hurried past them. I knew happiness, and that was it, but it did not mean I had too…

I slowed and nodded for Prabir and Maitreya to pass me. As Captain and Henry fell into step beside me, I reached out and took Captain's hand. He smiled down at me and gripped my cupped hand.

I could hear poor Henry's teeth chatter, and I felt bad I had told the men to leave with the jackets. Hopefully they had left some at the rock for our use. With a quick glance to make sure Captain was looking ahead, I gingerly reached my hand out and bumped it against Henry's.

With my face forward, I smiled softly as Henry laced his fingers in mine…