JohnLock 3: Missing Sherlock

On the Trawler

On the port side of the Mariner, the first boat was already pulling the knot of young people into the little boat, seating them in the bottom, and wrapping them warmly in blankets. Adrian stretched his neck to see who else was being helped. Shelby and two other young men were being settled into the bottom of the second boat. He also recognized the crewman and his injured mate sitting in the prow of that boat. Holding his breath, Adrian searched the dark water for Mary's blonde curls.

The boat in which Adrian rode pulled in a young woman and a young man from two separate flotsam batches before reaching a violently shivering Mary. Adrian threw off his blanket and with a sailor's help, reached over to pull a sobbing Mary into the bottom of the boat and onto his lap. The sailors bunched Adrian's blanket and two more around the blubbering couple.

"Oh, Adrian, I was so scared." She snuggled into his chest and wiggled her arms around his waist. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her tightly, his face buried in her hair. The sailors all looked at each other over the couple's heads. A few brows raised among them as they speculated on this relationship.

"I know, Sweetheart." Mary blushed at the endearment, but readily admitted to herself that she was pleased. "I hated to leave you, but I had to see if I could help anyone else." He paused for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice broke. "I could ... could not find Sherlock."

Her voice barely a whisper, she consoled him, stroking his hair back from his brow, "Oh, Adrian, I am so sorry. What will you do?" He just shook his head and bent down to look her in her face. Cupping his cheeks between her hands, she gazed into his eyes. "I know you did everything you could." He gasped a piteous sob, closing his eyes. "Shh ... Shh..." She kissed him gently, tasting his salty tears.

With the pressure of her soft lips, Adrian's eyes flew open, but only for half a second. He closed his eyes again as he returned the pressure of her lips, tangling his fingers in her hair. No one in the boat thought to break up this "reunion."

Actually, the sailors feared they'd see too many such tearful scenes during this going-to-be-a-long night. The three boats made another full sweep of the area farther out to make sure they didn't miss anyone already in the water. Deferentially assisting all their new passengers/guests aboard, the sailors were more than gentle and sympathetic, realizing how much these people had lost this night.

Once aboard the Trawler, the survivors were bundled together in the crews' quarters, settled into bunks and chairs, and were served some sort of fish soup and warm beverages of their choice: Chocolate, tea, spiced wine. Those that knew each other greeted, hugged, blubbered, and commiserated with each other over those that were conspicuously absent.

Adrian, well beyond his strong-willed endurance, was curled, exhausted, in a fetal position in Princess Mary's lap. The two huddled together on a pallet on the floor. Mary was surprised at her growing affection for this man. She dozed off herself, cuddling him to her bosom, a soft smile on her lips.

As they scrambled over the railing of the sinking ship, the sailors in the boarding rescue party decided that they must go below decks to find any survivors. They started moving quickly down the wide staircase on the starboard side, calling loudly, "Can anyone hear us?" No response. "Is anyone here?"

A raspy male voice screamed, "Yes. Help us!"

"Where are you?"

"Stairs! Port side landing. Please hurry. My brother's hurt, and the fire's getting closer!"

The sailors had already started back up the steps to cross over the deck to the port side. There were flames at the staircase entrance on the port side. After a brief conference, they sailors took an axe to the wall in between the two curved staircases, hoping to come at the trapped men from behind them.