My Story: R.M.S Titanic [Completed]

61: The Inquiry

I awoke with a start. It was the middle of the night the night before we were to testisfy in front of the American Inquiry. I rubbed my face as Scott moved slightly but didn't wake up. I slid out of bed and found my robe to put around me.

I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. I found a glass and filled it half way with water. I closed my eyes to think about the dream that I had.

I heard the screams of everyone in the water. I could see the Titanic lifting out of the water and people falling off of the ship. I could see the pain that everyone was in as I got further away. They were yelling for me to help them.

"Mae," someone said as they touched my arm and I gasped dropping my glass. I stepped away from the glass and into someone's chest that held me to their chest. "Are you okay, Mae?" the person, who was Scott, asked. I looked at him and sighed.

"I am fine. I just couldn't sleep," I stated and he studied my face. I looked away and he touched my arm.

"Would you like to talk to me about it?" he asked. I shook my head and he sighed.

"We have a long day tomorrow so we should get some sleep. I will get the maids to clean this up," he said. I nodded and headed back up the stairs. I took off my robe and laid on the bed, facing the door.Scott walked in and sat next to me. He rubbed my arm and I sighed.

"I can still hear their screams. It scares me," I whispered to him. He laid next to me after he moved me over a little and held me in his arms.

"It will be like that for a while, my darling, but I am here for you whenever you want to talk about what happened," he said and I just put my head on his shoulder.

***

I looked at the building that the inquiry was suppose to take place for us. Transcripts were to be written and sent to the board. Scott held my arm as we looked up at the building that suddenly frightening for us.

"Don't worry. Everything will be easy and we will be down before you can say tea and crackers," Scott said. I looked at him and he smiled a little. We started walking in and immediately directed to a private room.

"Good morning, Miss Morgan and Mr Sire. I am Lucas McCarthy, the transcript writer and I have questions that I am suppose to ask you each and I will type it right here," the man in the room stated as Scott helped me sit down.

"Thank you, Mr McCarthy," Scott said as he took a seat next to me and I held Scott's hand.

"So both of you must answer the questions unless it is directed to a certain one of you," Mr McCarthy stated. We nodded and Mr McCarthy set his typewriter to write. "What lifeboat did you get on?"

"5," Scott said and looked at me. I nodded.

"Miss Morgan, I need you to use your words as well," Mr McCarthy stated.

"Lifeboat number 5," I stated and Scott squeezed my hand.

"What caused the Titanic to sink?" Mr McCarthy asked. I looked at my lap.

"An iceberg," Scott and I said together. Mr McCarthy nodded and typed the answer.

"How did you get on to lifeboat number 5?" Mr McCarthy asked.

"Fifth Officer Harold Lowe told me to follow him and I brought Miss Morgan with me to ensure that she would be placed in a lifeboat. Lifeboat 5 was a bride and groom lifeboat and we were loaded in with Miss Morgan's maid and my manservant," Scott stated. I waited for Mr McCarthy to finish and look at me.

"Miss Morgan?" he asked. I took a deep breath.

"My final moments on the ship are a blur but I remember Scott pulling me and people trying to help me get on the lifeboat. I slipped and grabbed onto the edge of the lifeboat. Officer Pitman was able to pull me aboard the lifeboat," I told him. He finished typing and looked at us.

"Tell me about the sinking. How did it sink?" Mr McCarthy asked.

"It was the darnest thing I ever seen. It went completely vertical before going into the water. It ripped in half as well," I stated. Mr McCarthy stared at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Miss Morgan, need I remind you that you must speak the truth?" he asked. I was taken aback by his response and was utterly speechless.

"Why would she tell you a lie?" Scott asked. Mr McCarthy looked at him and shook his head.

"Women and machinery do not mix well. Now Mr Sire, will you please tell me the truth?" Mr McCarthy asked. Scott stood up and grabbed the paper out of the typewriter and ripped it up.

"Tell them that we never showed up because my fiancée is having night terrors from the event we went through," Scott said as he helped me up. I looked at Mr McCarthy who was staring at us dumbfounded. "Come on Mae." I followed Scott and he took his hand.

"Scott..." I muttered. He shook his head.

"Our time is much better spent doing something. Ever had a cheeseburger?" he asked. I looked at him and shook my head.

"What is that?" I asked. He laughed and held me close to him.