A Tragic Creation 3: At Pepperland's End

Chapter 17: Anger

After a few moments, John began to sniffle, trying to keep himself composed.

"P-Paul... W-why did it h-have to be you?"

Tears rolled down his cheeks as he lowered his head, his colour starting to fade.

The sight made Ringo gasp.

"Y-you too!?"

Taking in a deep breath, John stood up, facing away from the drummer as his colour continued to fade slowly.

"I'm not infected," John stated coldly, closing his eyes.

Randel, pulling away from Ringo, stared at the guitarist with wide eyes.

"A... Are y-you okay?"

The Chief silently walked over to Max, who was still unconscious, and picked him up off of the ground, holding him.

John turned towards him, opening his eyes.

"You..."

The Chief stepped back.

"You're no leader."

Jeremy, wiping away the tears from his eyes, looked up at John fearfully.

"H-he's not to blame, John. N-no one knows what the liquid can and can't do, I don't know what's g-going on."

John, now entirely colourless, took in a deep breath as he clenched his hands up into fists. He turned towards Jeremy, glaring down at him with a look that sent chills down Jeremy's spine.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"

Jeremy winced.

Ringo stepped forward.

"J-John-"

"Just shut up, okay!?"

Ringo's eyes widened at John's words.

Clenching his teeth together, John picked Jeremy up, holding him firmly in his hands.

"W-wait! Y-you like me, not hate!"

"STAY QUIET AND LOOK AT ME!"

Ringo, Randel, and the Chief all looked on in shocked silence.

"YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT CREATURE CAN DO!?"

"I... U-uh..."

"YOU MADE IT IN THE FIRST PLACE!"

The Chief gulped.

"N-now... C-calm down there-"

"You don't get to speak!" John yelled, turning towards the large blue meanie as more tears fell from his eyes.

"If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be in this situation right now!"

Jeremy shivered, tears of fear starting to form in his eyes.

John, mind racing with rage and breath heavy, took a step towards the spot were Paul once was, staring down at the black puddle.

"I didn't want to have to do this, but you left me no choice!"

Ringo gasped.

"Wait! John, stop!"

He began to run over to the guitarist, but it was too late.

John threw Jeremy down into the puddle, glaring at him as his body shook with unfamiliar anger.

"AY!"John yelled as Ringo pulled him back.

Jeremy, who had landed on his back, screamed.

"Ringo! Please help me so!"

Pushing John to the side, Ringo grabbed Jeremy's outstretched arm, taking extra care not to touch the goo himself.

He pulled Jeremy out and put him on the ground, the black goo sticking to his back.

"And, by the way, if that stuff only absorbs things organic, then tell me why it it was able to dissolve both half of the mountains and the submarine!"

Ignoring John's yell, Ringo stepped back, staring helplessly down at Jeremy as colour began to fade from him.

Jeremy breathed heavily, trying to calm himself and prepare for what he knew was coming.

"W-why did you do that?!" Ringo yelled, staring at John.

John blinked turned his head to look at Jeremy, who had his eyes closed.

Only then did he realize what he just did.

"O-oh... I... I w-wasn't thinking! I w-was just s-so mad and..."

Jeremy's colour disappeared completely, and everyone grew silent.

The liquid easily traveled up Jeremy's legs, enveloping the lower half of his body.

Jeremy stayed silent, eyes closed as he maintained his breathing.

When the liquid engulfed the upper half of his body, his breathing slowed to a stop.

The Chief, Randel, and the two remaining Beatles all watched as Jeremy's head was taken over by the liquid, all now only being able to see a small lump of blackness.

Just like what had happened to George and Paul, the liquid collapsed downwards, forming a puddle much smaller than the other one.

Ringo's lips quivered as tears began to fall from his eyes.

John took a step back from him and stared all around.

Everyone was looking at him now.

He lowered his head.

"I... I a-apologize..."

Randel stepped up next to Ringo, bringing the drummer in for a hug.

"I..."

John turned away from them, walking up the small hill towards the bandstand.

"I n-need to... Just be alone for a while."