(Sequel) John Laurens X !Mermaid! Reader

°Chapter 14: Guilt°

The gatekeeper looked in horror as he saw the ship that was fine a few minutes ago, suddenly go up in flames. When did that happen? He was so in shock, that he didn't notice the entrance of the bazaar open. There was Hercules who had just come back from his shopping spree together with his team. Just as confused, if not more, Hercules stared at the flame that was dancing on the water.

"The f*ck happened here?" Was his first reaction until he realized what this actually meant. "Wait," He slowly said as he stared at the shape of the flame. "No," He breathed as he dashed toward the wooden dock that was catching on fire as well.

"No, no, no," He repeated, trying not to step on a flame while keeping his eyes fixed on his burning ship. "How did this happen?!" He yelled as the rest of his team trailed behind. "Where is everyone?" He asked the gatekeeper who shook his head absentmindedly. 

Through the crackling of the fire, a sudden scream emerged from the boat. Now everyone's eyes were fixated on the flaming mess. The scream was a scream of agonizing pain. The agonizing pain of being burned alive. It sent chills up Hercules' spine. 

The scream died down almost as quickly as it appeared which seemed more unsettling than anything. It shook everyone to their core. Did all of this happen when Hercules was gone getting produce from the underground market? Why? Why now?

It gave him a headache, so he diverted his unblinking eyes to the side. When he did so, he spotted a figure floating in the water. Narrowing his eyes a bit, he almost immediately recognized the figure. "John?!" He yelled, his lungs fueled with nothing more than hope. 

The figure looked up and as he expected, it was indeed John holding a very unconscious Y/N. He was floating around the water, also distracted by the fire. But when he noticed Hercules, he tightened his grip around Y/N and immediately went ashore. 

First getting on land himself to then pull Y/N out, he regained his legs and kept Y/N's tail. While wobbling toward Hercules, who also sprinted toward where they came out, he fell to his knees. When near to John, Hercules fell to his knees beside John and hugged him tightly. "I thought you guys were dead!" Hercules choked, showing a rather emotional side John hadn't seen in a while.

Was it a good time to tell him they were the only survivors?

Who's fault was this even?

Was it his? 

He couldn't warn anybody because of that stupid tail so he just grabbed Y/N and left. 

John thought about that as he lowered himself on the sand. While hugging John, Herc noticed Y/N's comatosed body. "Is she alright?" He asked letting go of John who never even hugged back. Incapable of giving any verbal answer, John nodded his head ever so slightly. 

Still, Hercules went to check on her and she was indeed still breathing. He picked her up off the floor bridal style and turned to look at the fire again. "Who did this?" Hercules asked as John turned his head to the flame on the water. You could feel the warmth. It was chilling. 

"And why didn't anyone jump into the water like you two?" Hercules asked, looking down at Y/N. "I-" John said. "I tried to wake them up but I was incapable. I could only grab her and leave," He uttered out.

"Why didn't they wake up? Why is she still sleeping?" Hercules's mind filled with questions, wanting to know the answer but not being able to choose which one to figure out first. "They were all sound asleep, their clothes caught fire yet they... They kept sleeping," John said, his head starting to pound, cold sweat running down his back. 

As much as Hercules wanted an answer, he had to think about the others. As their captain, he should think about his crew first. Or at least, what remained of it. "Let's just," He inhaled. "Find shelter and think about it tomorrow," He sighed before looking down at John who was intently staring. "Let's go," He told John who was stuck in a daze. 

"I-I'll catch up," John said. Concerned but understanding he went through hell and back, he left him alone, rounding up the rest of his staff. "We'll be on the right side of the shore near the cave," Hercules said to John before leaving with Y/N and the rest.

John was unable to feel the dryness of his eyes or the hoarsness of his throat. Just like Hercules, questions roamed his mind.

Could he rewind time just a bit? Just a moment? Could he have seen this coming? Why was everyone asleep? Was it the liquor? Everyone drank before they fell asleep, right? What was in there? Did someone plot this? Who? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why him? Why did he have to be awake? Would he have rather died with the others than live with this guilt of being alive?

Of course.

John never did leave the shore to go to the others and warm up at the fire they had started. He remained at the shore, motionless.