Dare

Chapter Three-Horror

John was right. The haunted house was still terrifying. That meant Alexander was wrong.

"You're still thinking about him." Hercules said out of the blue, distracting John from thinking about Alexander's shiny brown ponytail.

"Hmm? Oh, sure, whatever. Whatever helps me block out the scary stuff, I mean!" John said, covering his ears as they turned a corner and a ghost popped out. "It's not real, it's not real, it's not-"

"Alexander is very real, man. You have to at least admit that. You can keep your undying love to yourself." Hercules laughed, and petted John. "Go ahead, admit it."

A vampire jumped out, and landed in front of John. "IT'S A FIGMENT OF MY IMAGINATION, IT'S A FIGMENT OF MY IMAGINATION!" John shrieked, attempting to run away.

"Shut up, kid." Thomas groaned, covering John's mouth. "Sheesh, kids these days."

"Shut up, Thomas. You don't even know French." Lafayette shot back, pushing Thomas off of John.

"Yeah, but I've been to France." Thomas crossed his arms, sweat stains appearing on his shirt. "Keep moving, it's too hot over here."

"Wait..." John's eyes flew open, and he sniffed the air. Something was burning. "Out! Guys, get out! Something's wrong!"

Lafayette sprinted out, Mulligan hot on his trail. Thomas attempted to drag Laurens away. "No, the Schuyler sisters are in here!" John protested, clawing to get to them.

"We have to go." Thomas picked up John, and ignored John's wails like a dying giraffe. Thomas ran to the exit like his life depended on it, because frankly, it did.

Angelica was waiting outside. She was fidgeting a lot, and she kept glancing around, tear-filled eyes. Her hands were shoved deep in the pockets of her pink sweatshirt, and her hair was knotted and tangled. The moment she spotted John, she grabbed his arm. "Do you know if Peggy's alive?"

John's heart sank, and he averted his eyes, chest tightening. Angelica burst into tears, pushing past the crowd to find the firemen. John coughed, trying to escape the smoke, and collapsed on the floor. It was easier to breathe down there. John closed his eyes. It was peaceful.

One thought sprang out of nowhere, hitting him hard. John stood unsteadily, eyes burning through the crowd. Unease began to fill him, as he knew two people were missing. Peggy Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton.

~~~

"I... can't believe she's dead." Angelica's red-rimmed eyes betrayed her stoic expression, revealing a world of sadness and guilt inside. "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have bothered with Thomas."

Eliza sniffed, pushing her hair out of her eyes. The smoke cleared, though it left John wondering. Did she die from the smoke or the fire? It was a horrible thought, but he couldn't bear to ask.

"Peggy would forgive you." Eliza started to think to herself, a burst of pain starting from her chest and spreading throughout her body. Did Peggy feel trapped inside? Did she spend her last moments pleading with Death to leave her on Earth? Did she feel furious with her sisters?

Angelica stumbled away, thoughts consumed by grief. They faded in and out, her thoughts. She would think of one, but just when she thought she had it in her grasp, there it was, an ocean away. How could she even have thought of bitterness about Alexander and Eliza, when her sister is dead?

Peggy, her sister... what would become of Eliza? What would become of the Schuyler sisters? Is life just a game? To be played, and if you make a wrong choice, others must suffer? No, life is a beauty. It is a gift to be appreciated.