Off The Coasts Of Ireland (Septiplier)

~ Chapter 35 ~

The journey was so dreadful, so painful, I just couldn't take it... There was a long and terrible silence surrounding us all as we swam terrifyingly through the sea towards the laboratory. It's suppose to be the same laboratory that Signe had said she was held in briefly before being transferred to Galway. As of this morning to now, she has been guiding us in the direction to it.

With no sound or unique scenery to distract myself, I found my thoughts feasting hungrily on possibilities of what the frightening future might hold for Mark and I, even my family. As a way to banish the crud thoughts, I took a swift glance over my shoulder to look behind myself. Suddenly, I saw the whole group of Merrow all huddled together, their eyes wide with sheer terror as their jittering gazes flickered constantly to and fro from very rock and coral patch we swam past. Rapidly, I felt my heart squeeze painfully for them and my own eyes immediately avoid them, it was so agonizing to glance at their terrified faces. They must feel so scared, to be swimming around a place they haven't dared to be in for years... To be so nervous about this one threat that could just take you at any moment...

I gulped harshly as I looked towards Mark, who was swimming right beside me, and noticed quickly that his head was bowed and his eyes were strained in deep thought. Gentle sounds of mumbling came from him and as I curiously tilted my head closer to observe him, I could hear them more prominently. The more I inspected Mark, I could see that he was quietly forming stressful mumbles from his tight lips as his eyes fidgeted from each piece of coral to rock below us, as if he was looking beyond the sand below him into his own thoughts. The more I stared at him, I could feel my own eyes narrowing with concern as my heart pounded fiercely within my chest, eagerly urging me to talk to him. Worries for Mark grew quickly inside me just like the increasing downpour of rain battering the surface of the sea above us.

Something is wrong with him... I concluded anxiously in my mind as I gazed to Mark with sympathy. As we swam, I softly placed a hand onto Mark's shoulder and moved closer next to him.

"Mark?" I asked nervously as my heart begun to bend passionately for him when his head shot up in surprise and sharply turned towards me. "Hmm?" Mark said absently, blinking his wide brown eyes repeatedly as surprise filled his gaze wholesomely. His shoulder flinched rapidly under my gentle touch as he brought himself out of his daze. "Are... Are you alright?" I questioned worryingly as my tail started to flop with a new sense of concern, sending nervous shivers to fly up my scales as I searched his widened gaze for any type of answer. Mark glanced away from me quickly before he hesitantly spoke again. "Yeah...yeah, I'm fine..." Mark murmured dismissively as a hint of distraction and discourage lurked in his lowered gaze. Instantly, I felt my facial gills begin to tremble along the sides of my face as my heart started racing with horrific terror for Mark.

Something clearly isn't right with him... I thought as my eyes rounded and my lips quivered worryingly. Something was bothering him and I just couldn't simply ignore it, not in any way. Although, he tried to push me away when I asked him if he was alright, he doesn't want me to get involved... But I can't just let him shove his own troubles away, as if there nothing! I can't just let him fight his own problems alone, that's why there nagging him; He needs help, my help! He can't expect his problems to be solved and disappear by themselves without help.

"Mark," I sighed deeply, giving his shoulder a coddling nudge with a tender grip. "I can tell something is bothering you, please tell me." I attempted to encourage Mark as I gave him a weak smile. Flares of hope sparked within Mark's gaze suddenly as he glanced reluctantly to me, his eyes peering up to me innocently with a mix of fear brewing deep under the depths of his warm eyes. "Well... I-It's just t-that..." Mark shook his red hair with his fingers vigorously as he slowly turned his head to me. "I-I'm just really scared. I've been trying to figure out what exactly I'm going to say to them." He closed his eyes as a stressful sigh breathed from his mouth in a flurry of bubbles. "They're not going to be very pleased to know that I'm the one who took you..."