Imperfect Pieces

10. the titanic

dedicated to sky because and you're my dearie twin.

this takes place on the titanic. i didn't bother to do any research so if you see something that should be changed or anything like that, please let me know. enjoy!

-------------

As I clung the metal pole, I knew I would die.

The water was rising rapidly and the ship was now almost vertical. I had to wrap my feet around the handrails as well in order not to fall. All around me I could hear screams and cries for help, sobs for their loved ones that fell into the icy water. Furniture was sliding down the hallways, and everything from pianos to silverware was tumbling down into oblivion. I barely had time to duck before a sofa came barreling towards me, probably from the grand hall. How is it possible that just a few days ago I had sat on that sofa with Alex, playing poker without a care in the world....

I shut my eyes at the thought of my little brother, not wanting to let the tears go again. I would never see him again. Ever. I at least hope he and Mother had made it to safety on the lifeboat. Looking around, I could hardly believe that this was the mighty ship we had boarded, the beautiful vessel that had been supposedly "Unsinkable". Everyone aboard was at mercy of the sea, whose frigid ice-cold waters swallowed every living thing that fell.

As I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the anguished screams, little moments in my life replayed in my head, like pictures that you kept on your wall.

"Daddy Daddy! You're back!" little Nadine cried out as her father returned home from work.

"Hey honey," he said and gave her a tired smile. It almost seemed like he was drained of life.

"Are you okay daddy?"

"Don't worry sweetheart. I'll be fine. I'm just tired, that's all."

∆

She crouched behind the stairs with Alex, eavesdropping on their parents' conversation.

"Dorogaya, we have to leave. We can't stay here. You know that I can't find another job."

"I know, I know. I just don't see how we'll be able to afford a ship ticket, never mind four."

He sighed, rubbing his forehead tiredly.

"We'll figure something out. We always do, in the end."

∆

"NO! LET ME GO!" Nadine screamed as her mother tried to restrain her. "YOU'RE LYING. HE CAN'T BE DEAD. HE CAN'T," the young girl sobbed, feeling as if the ground was crumbling beneath her feet. "He can't..."

Her loud sobs reverberated in the small room as her mother wrapped her arms around her.

She saw that tears were streaming down her cheeks as well and suddenly felt so selfish. Not once did she think of her mother and what she was going through, losing a husband.

"Where's Alex?"

"Alexei will be home soon." She couldn't imagine how her brother would handle the news.

She whispered to Nadine, giving her a kiss on the forehead.

"We'll be all right without him, Nadine."

Nadine wasn't sure if she was comforting her or if she was trying to convince herself, because one thing was clear: nothing would ever be the same again.

∆

"Three second-class tickets, please."

The man at the ticket counter looked up suspiciously.

"You have the money?"

Her mother sniffed indignantly and pulled a wad of cash from her purse.

"Is this enough?"

The man's eyes widened as he nodded.

"Yes yes, my apologies m'lady. Three tickets it is."

∆

Nadine frowned in confusion as her mother took her hand and led her aside.

"You have to take care of Alex now, okay? He needs someone to depend on."

She nodded, her head held high.

"I won't let you down."

Now as I was on the brink of death, I felt that selfishness well up in me again. I wanted Mother and Alex to come back for me, for someone to take me away from this nightmare and save me. I wanted to go home, lay in my bed, and take a long nap.

Then I heard music. At first, I thought I was just hallucinating. After all, who in the world wold think of playing music while they die? But then the sound grew stronger, wrapping around the sinking ship and giving the passengers some peace. I turned around and saw the band sitting on top of the First Class Lounge. Their faces were sorrowful, but there was a spark in their eyes. It was determination. From that moment on, I knew that no one was going to save me. I was going to die this morning, at the age of 16, and to my surprise I was okay with that.

As the ship continued to sink, I closed my eyes once again and saw one last memory. My world was crumbling and sinking around me, but I held on to the memory tightly and didn't let go.

In a green meadow, I make a flower crown for Alex as Mother sits beside us on a picnic mat, watching us.

"No! Crowns are for girls."

"Well, you're a prince aren't you? And princes can wear crowns too."

Alex sighed and let Nadine place the crown on his head.

"Come on! I want to look at the clouds!" He dragged her over to Mother and plopped down, lying on his back. Nadine laid down beside him and together, they gazed at the fluffy white clouds.

I felt not as scared as I listened to the violins and flutes join together in harmony.

The last thing I heard when I fell

down

down

interminable darkness,

were the solemn yet sweet notes

of

"Nearer, My God, to Thee".

~

Entry found in a leather-bound journal that was locked in a small wooden box.

Authour of journal remains unknown.

April 10th, 1912

Today is the day our journey begins. We're going aboard the Titanic! As I stepped onto the ship this afternoon, I couldn't help but feel awestruck. Alex was pretty amazed too.

The small round windows were covered with velvet curtains and there was a beautiful crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Music and laughter was present in the room as richly dressed ladies and gentlemen mingled. A long, winding grand staircase led to the sleeping cabins. It was definitely the most beautiful ship I had ever been on, and we haven't even seen our bedrooms yet. Mother called us to go up the stairs, saying "We'll leave our baggage in the room. Then you can go explore the ship."

I ran up the stairs after Alex with my shoes in one hand, not waiting for Mother. I can't believe we're actually on the Titanic! This is going to be such an adventure.