Titanic Bound by Destiny

Chapter 28: Forever Changed

April 18th, 1912

It had been three days since the Titanic sank, and the RMS Carpathia was now sailing westward with determination, carrying the survivors towards the promise of New York and dry land. Initially pouring down in torrents, the rain had finally tapered off to a gentle drizzle as if the heavens were mourning the lost souls. There was no thunder or lightning, just a steady, persistent rain that seemed to mirror the sombre mood of the passengers onboard. Nicholas stood by the railing, looking over the grey, choppy waters. The emptiness he felt inside was profound, a hollow ache that had settled in his chest and refused to leave. He had spent the past few days in a state of numbness, the shock of the disaster gradually giving way to a deep, lingering sorrow. The loss was overwhelming despite his efforts to stay busy and help where possible. His thoughts drifted back to the events of the past few days. In the immediate aftermath of the sinking, there had been so much to do, so many tasks that required attention. He had thrown himself into the work, partly to keep his mind occupied, partly out of a desire to help his fellow survivors. If he had not kept himself busy over the last three days, he was sure his mind would have collapsed inward forever.

One thing that kept creeping into his mind was compiling the survivors' list. It was a grim task, documenting the names of those who had made it onto the lifeboats and those who had not. Each name was a reminder of the lives lost, the families torn apart, and the futures that would never be realised. The process was slow and meticulous, but it was necessary. The world needed to know who had survived and who had perished. And it was through this list that he learnt the horrible truth. Johanas, Basil, Murdoch, Conner, Sebastian, Hartley, Anthony, and Lady Adelaide had perished with the Titanic. Edward had survived, and thankfully, so had Chestier; he could go on to fight for communism. Dora had lived, but Johnathon had not. Rose, the steward who had worked tirelessly to keep the second-class library running smoothly alongside Sebastian, had also perished. All The bellboys, none older than 15, had perished as well. The truth was horrible; they knew so many had died, but to see the names of his friends missing from the list sent a new wave of emotion over Nicholas.

Thankfully, the Survivor's Committee had kept him busy. Alongside Edward and other dedicated individuals, Nicholas had worked to organise resources, provide support, and ensure that those in need received help. Maggie Brown and Karl Behr had taken the lead, and their strength and resolve inspired those around them. Nicholas admired their ability to remain composed and focused in the face of such immense tragedy. Yet, despite the sense of purpose, Nicholas couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness. His thoughts often wandered back to Sebastian, the man he had loved and lost in the cold waters of the Atlantic. The letter Sebastian had given him remained unread, tucked away safely, waiting for a moment when Nicholas felt ready to face its contents—but that moment had not yet come. The pain was still too raw, the wound too fresh. Standing on the deck, Nicholas watched as the Carpathia cut through the water, the faint lights of the horizon just visible in the distance. New York was drawing closer, a city that represented both a new beginning and a daunting unknown. What lay ahead was uncertain, but Nicholas knew he had to keep moving forward for his own sake and the memory of those who had not survived.

As the RMS Carpathia sailed into New York Harbor, the early morning light cast a soft glow over the ship. The rain had ceased, leaving a cool, damp freshness that seemed to cleanse the sorrowful atmosphere. Nicholas and Edward stood on the deck among the other survivors, their faces turned towards the horizon. Under the shared protection of an umbrella, they watched as the Statue of Liberty emerged from the mist, a symbol of hope and freedom after days of darkness and despair. The sight of Lady Liberty was poignant, stirring a mix of emotions in Nicholas. The statue stood as a beacon of promise, welcoming them to a land where they could begin to rebuild their shattered lives. As the ship drew closer, Nicholas's thoughts drifted to the people he had met on the