Ch. 38

The trip back to the ship was…sickening.

We lost three children, a man and two women. After we lost the first child, I had to walk with my head down; lest I risk seeing the grieving faces of the families that carried the deceased. The wind blocked the sound of the cries, but the wailing of the mothers that lost their children could not be silenced. Their pain surrounded us as we pressed forward, and concentrating on my own pain was I could do to keep myself from trying to go back and comfort them.

It was not as though we could control the situation. Those strong enough to withstand the cold had given up their coats to the weaker. I myself was in bare minimum, with only a rag over my face as extra protection from the cold. Poor Henry had only a thin shirt around him! Everywhere, I could feel everyone suffering, and it was suffocating.

Captain froze, and I stopped beside him. From a pocket inside his blue coat, he pulled a flare, and without reservation or warning shot it into the air. I watched it sail to the sky before disappearing into the white world, before looking at Captain in questioning. His eyes were on the sky, and when a second flair flew not more that a few hundred yards away, I realized why.

"I asked Vishal to try to find a closer entry," Captain explained before heading towards the flair. The rest of the crew followed, and I hurried to move to Captain's side, for I could once more hear the mothers' cries.

When I saw the top of the Nautilus I could have cried for joy. I felt ice dripping in my very veins I was so cold, while my throat burn like fire in my neck. As we approached I saw the door slam open through the haze of snow, and there was Vishal lumbering out. Under his arm was the rope ladder, and by the time we had made it to beneath the railing, Vishal was signaling the all clear.

"Marina, go first and lower the ship," Captain ordered, and I looked at him with wide eyes. He wanted me…to work the Nautilus? I nodded as vigorously as I could through my chill, and scurried up the ladder as fast as I could.

As I began to climb over the rail, Vishal reached down and pulled me across. Wrapped in his arms I accepted his warmth with gratitude before pushing away and smiling. "We were getting' worried, girl," he told me and I signed my apologies quickly before hurrying inside.

Though the door I ran, and the warm air of the halls comforted me as my body temperature slowly rose. I passed several men, and their faces told me they were surprised at my return. Though many called out to me, I could not stop for them. I had a mission, and I intended to complete it.

At the helm, I suddenly doubted myself. I had done this before, but it was so important now. Taking a deep breath, I took hold of the lever and clutched it together. Pulling it required great strength, and despite the definite force I felt against me, I managed to set it without much difficulty. Reaching up, I placed one hand on the wheel and the other on the hanging lever.

Clenching my teeth, I pulled down, and the Nautilus began to sink. The ship shook, stemming from the right, and I quickly turned the wheel until it ceased. When I had counted sixty seconds, I released the lever and the Nautilus shuddered to a stop.

Grasping the split lever, I moved it to a neutral position and let go of the wheel. Turning away I hurried back towards the deck. When I made it to a hall away, I started to hear the hushed voices of the German's.

Turning the corner I saw that several German's had already been shuffled in and were huddling together. As I made my way down the hall, their eyes rose from the ground and each other and gazed at me. I tried to reassure them with a smile, but their uneasiness would not be calm.

Several men who had stayed behind came with blanket-loaded arms, and started to hand them out. Those in the hall took them gratefully, as did I, as I headed back through the door.

Wrapped in the warm comfort of the blanket, the cold was not such a threat. My throat still ached, not even the heat had helped, but it was tolerable. I smiled slightly to see that my sixty second count had been correct and the bottom of the railing was now at ice level. I sighed in relief before moving to huddle next to Vishal's side as he help the German's over the rail.

They scurried away from him and through the door in fear, and I watched half-amused by his side. His large girth blocked the east blowing wind, and I reveled in happiness at its loss.

A flash of red and black. Mina stood beside me, and I let out my held breath as my heart sped from the surprise. She looked down at me soberly before walking into the ship. I watched her go, and then quickly followed as the first child's body was lifted.

It seemed almost unfair that they had not survived their rescue, when I had…

Inside, Ranjan was speaking with the German's in a soothing voice. Several women had begun to cry in relief. In their native tongue, our goal to save them was now laid out clearly, and they could finally relax. I was grateful for my crew once more as I watched men comfort their wives, and they comfort their excited children.

Ranjan stopped speaking and looked up at me. "We'll bring them too the upper floors now, yes?" He asked me in his native Hindi. I nodded my head and waited for the families too assemble in groups that would share rooms. When they were done I motioned for a group of three to follow me before heading for the nearest stairwell. I heard them plodding behind me slowly, and I understood their hesitation. When I had first arrived, it was Vishal who had lead me too my room, not Captain. I had wanted Captain, but he was busy with the ship, so no luck.

These people wanted Ranjan, not Marina, to lead them. They wanted a man who spoke their language and could reassure them, not a mute girl half-frozen and suffering from a throat ache that takes her attention away from them. I smiled as I thought on it, and held in a sigh as I reached their room.

Opening the door for them, they looked at me uneasily. I motioned with a smile for them to enter, and they scurried in quickly. The door slammed closed behind them, and I shook my head, rolling my eyes heavenward.

I smiled at my men as they lead their own families into their rooms. They smiled back, but I felt their frustration at the Germans' manners. Though I sympathized, I could do nothing more for them and headed back down the stairs quickly, hugging the blanket tightly around me.

Footsteps.

I looked up and my eyes grew wide. Men who had stayed behind on the ship were now carrying Skinner down the hall. Henry led them, no doubt going towards the infirmary. Without thinking I took after them, worry causing my heart to speed.

Most burn victims do not survive…

He was not taken to the infirmary. Instead, a room had been turned into an operating room. That is, several crisp white beds occupied the area, and a cabinet of medical supplies stood in a corner. The men left the room after lying Skinner on the ground, and I kept my head down as they passed.

I shuffled in quietly as Henry began to prep. I watched him dig through the cabinet in search of supplies. I grimaced at what he brought out, for I knew the grisly task he would have to perform. All the dead, blackened skin would have to be scrapped off. I felt the bile rise as the full realization of what would happen to Skinner hit me.

Oh, Kali.

"Marina?" Henry looked at me questioningly, and I met his gaze hopelessly. He looked at me pityingly before my gaze flicked to Skinner as he mumbled my name. I walked to his side to hear, and I heard the crisp skin crack as he looked at me.

"Ya shouldn't be in'ere for-" his voice cracked, and I looked to Henry for help. It was useless, as he said, "I know you want to be here Marina, but he's right. You need to be as far away as possible during, the uh, procedure."

I looked away from him and back to Skinner, trying to find his eyes. I could guess where they would be by the burns now…

"Com'on Marina, out now. Think'a it as a last request," he tried to laugh, but I could hear the fear in his voice. His fear made it real for me. I felt tears in my eyes and before I could embarrass myself I leaned over and kissed a patch of his unburned flesh.

Pulling away I turned to Henry, who was holding a block of wood. Wood for him to bite, so that he did not bite his tongue off in pain.

With no reservation I ran from the room, slamming the door behind me, but I did not run. Instead I walked across the hall and slid my back down the wall, feeling the salty tears burn my face. Henry would put him to sleep, and then the treatment would begin. He would be alone with a doctor; going through a hell on earth.

I wish I could be there to comfort him.

Side Note:

Hey everyone so very sorry this took so long! I'm really sorry, but I have a weekend job now and it's been absolutely killing me *dies* lol, so I'm sorry about the uploading, I'll try and be good about it ^^