Sink or Swim

27

Harry's POV

April 15th, 1912 - 1:30am

I didn't have a plan. I knew by the look on Jane's face that she had realized that I didn't have a plan too but I couldn't tell her. The crowds on the deck had gotten overwhelming now and I moved away from the edge of the ship.

I looked to either side of me. Men were saying good bye to their women and children and crying before they let them go. I sighed before I walked around, looking aimlessly for something that could bring me to Jane in one piece.

"Harry!"

I whirled around to see Fred running towards me. I parted my lips and grasped his arm.

"Thank god," I breathed, "where is Millicent?"

"I sent her on a lifeboat," he said, "Jane?"

I nodded, "lifeboat."

"How are we going to find our way off of this boat? The lifeboats are all gone, and there's no other way," Fred exclaimed. I shook my head and looked out to the ocean. I grabbed Fred and ran to the edge of the deck and looked over.

The ship was starting to go under at the bow. Within twenty minutes, the bow would be fully submerged. I looked down at the water. We had a fair distance between us and the water. I bit my lip and looked out at the lifeboats that were now miles away.

"We wait for the ship to reach the water," I concluded, "then we jump."

"Jump?"

"Yes Jump," I shouted, "you can swim right?"

Fred nodded silently. I looked at him. "It'll be alright."

"I know," he said, "I just wish we didn't have to jump."

I smirked and looked out to the sea, looking at one of the lifeboats that could possibly hold Jane. It was too far to tell at this point. But I knew that by the end of this, I needed to get back to her. 

~

1:50am

The bow was fully submerged now and most of the lifeboats had left the boat save two more that were already very full. Many of the passengers had chosen to jump off and Fred and I were standing near the edge of the railing watching as the wind whistled past us, and danced around. I looked down at the sea and back at my friend.

"We need something to help us float," Fred said. We looked around and I spotted some of the chairs on the deck stacked up against the wall. 

The boat was starting to angle now, and I knew that whatever happened, it would have to be quick. The flares were slowly starting to reduce their appearances and the noise from the passengers only grew more louder. 

"Get a chair," I called, "we'll toss one over to see if it even floats!"

Fred nodded and carefully made his way over to the wall before he grabbed a chair. He slipped a bit but steadied himself as he carefully made his way back to me. I took the chair from him and tossed it overboard. I watched as the chair splashed in to the water and submerged for a while before it plopped up to the surface again. 

It floats.

The distance between us and the water was about ten or so feet. It wasn't a bad fall, but it was doable. 

"We have to jump," I said. Fred looked at me.

"Are you sure about this, Harry?" he asked, holding his own chair as he walked over and gave me my own, "I mean, what if we waited until the boat fully capsized?"

"I don't want to risk it," I said, "what if it takes us down with it. You've seen how big this thing is."

"I know but-"

He was interrupted by the ship groaning and jerking forward. The passengers clamored and screamed in panic as the ship lurched forward and I grabbed the railing as did Fred as we tried to keep ourselves upright, as the ship continued to slant. 

"Please, Fred," I said, "let's jump."

He looked at the water and then back at me before he nodded. 

"Wait!" he said, turning around. He ran back as I watched him with furrowed eyebrows and a tight grip still on the edge of the ship. I looked back out at the water, blood pounding through my veins as the realization of what I was about to do finally rushed through me. 

The ship was sinking.

Jane was safe.

I needed to save myself.

Fred needed to save himself.

We needed to survive.

I was interrupted by Fred's footsteps hurrying back to me. He carried two life jackets in his hands and tossed me one. 

"I feel like if we put these around the chair, it might also help us," he said, "they keep us floating so why not the chairs, right?"

I tightened my own life jacket securely around my waist and nodded, setting my wooden chair down on the ground before I grabbed the life jacket from Fred and tied it securely around my chair. I waited until Fred was done with his own before I looked at him and nodded.

We climbed up onto the edge of the ship, chairs in hand as we looked around quickly. It was sad to see this ship halfway under water. So many people, so many of us had such high hopes for this beautiful vessel and now here we all were, fighting and sometimes even killing for a chance at survival.

I sighed and looked down at the cold water, feeling the cold breeze brush against my cheeks. I shivered as I looked at the blue water, some of it illuminated by the light of the ship. I looked to Fred and smiled.

"I won't leave you, mate," I promised, "we'll get through this."

"Harry," Fred smirked, "I've been with you since we were seven. We've gotten through the plague, and the rejection of many fine women."

I chuckled and shook my head, before I looked at Fred who winked at me.

"I know we'll be okay," he said. I nodded and looked back at the water. I took in a deep breath and tossed the chair down to the ocean, watching it splash and bob aimlessly as Fred's soon landed beside mine.

"Jump?" I asked, looking at the chair.

"Jump."

I nodded and took in a deep breath. I let out a couple of short and quick breaths before I finally puffed out my chest, and pushed my feet off and jumped into the cold water below.

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Two more chapters.

I hope you guys still like this story!

I won't say much for the ending but I will ask that you don't lose hope and keep reading!

Love,

S.