Travelling

Chapter 2: On a ship

On a bleak January night, the passengers of the "Golden Rose", a ship crossing the Atlantic, were terrified when they heard of a thunderstorm approaching. They all went inside their cabins and in the "Grand Hall", the area of the ship where parties would usually take place. Discussions erupted inside with people talking about the thunderstorm and how they were longing to finally arrive to their destinations. Only two had stayed o the ship deck and, unbeknownst to them, they were about to experience the 20 most peculiar minutes of their whole life. As Joseph Thorne and Isabella Williams were walking around, wondering where everybody had gone, they bumped into each other. 

"Excuse me. Are you alright? Well, it's funny. I thought I was the only passenger on the deck right now. The others went in, because it will be getting windy in a bit.  But I decided to stay here. After all, who minds a bit of wind?"  

Isabella smiled. "Well, at last, someone courageous enough not to hide inside. I have to confess, I am actually scared a little but it would be a new experience for me. I will tell my friends that I didn't hide during the thunderstorm"

The time was anything but appropriate for a discussion and,  with the thunderstorm approaching, the boat started to move around quickly, giving in to the wind like a tiny ship. Screams were heard from across the ship. Many passengers were feeling unwell. 

They, however, did not seem to bother much. 

"Experiences are always a good thing. I remember a friend of mine asking me to go skydiving without a parachute. I wanted to, but it is only a once in a lifetime experience. First, you fall, then you die. I am a coward, aren't I?"

 He was a funny person, that's for certain. She tried to wipe that ugly grin off her face afraid that it could be misinterpreted or even that her face would look weird.

She answered back."Well, I am scared of heights and of anything too dangerous but I am in love with the sea. It relaxes me and I do not mind a little thunderstorm".

He seemed puzzled. "How does one go about loving the sea? Don't get me wrong, it's not bad but not exceptional either. Just a mass of water shaken and stirred by the win. How can you love that?"

"If you just stayed quiet for a little while, you could understand. Just look at the sea and listen to it. It is trying to tell you something"

They stayed in silence for a little while, listening to the sound of waves hitting the ship and retreating, and then restarting their advance. The sea was anything but peaceful at this moment and they should be returning back to their cabins quickly.

"Well, I can't hear anything. Just waves hitting the boat again and again. The thunderstorm is approaching. We'd better go inside"

"They told me something. They told me that this ship is vulnerable, that they will tear a hole in the ship in a little while. They suggested I take a ship and escape, and even they do not know if that will be enough"

He looked as though he didn't understand. They are sinking! He had to inform everyone. But how could she know? After all, it wouldn't be ok to scare everyone for nothing.

"Are you coming? We must leave at this moment! The ship will sink. I know it! Get inside!"

"Oh, you're mad! Well, here goes nothing."

They got into the boat and started sailing. They had no clue where they should go and how they should survive for so many days or if they would survive. For days, they fought with the waves, desperately hoping they would finally go home.

Who emerged victorious from that fight, we may never know.  If the ship sunk, we may never know either. All we know is that if people want to make something sound plausible and true, they can. They can make their thoughts seem like reality. And so I leave you to imagine the ending of your choice.

The author.