Already Gone-Chapter 1
Characters:Charles Lightoller,Eliza Derry,Elizabeth Rochenford.
Maybe I'm Amazed
Elizabeth
When I was a little girl,my grandmother,on my mother's side used to tell me stories about her sister,Eliza.She said that I exactly look like her and maybe,it runs on the blood.We share many similarities like our love for nerdy stuffs,our face and our attitude.
When the day her sister died,the Derry family held a special funeral for their daughter.My grandma,of course was there who witnessed all of what happened to her dear sister.
"It was a fine day of April 10th.Eliza and I were very excited,gushing about almost anything.Laughing there and everywhere.There,on the Southampton docks,the magnificent Titanic stood."grandma started,while I was writing something on a notebook my mother gave me years ago. "Eliza and I were so close,really.We did'nt have a day without each other."she continued. "That can explain why your mother was named Elisa,and you,Elizabeth."
Me,tired of listening to grandma's story,was still fascinated after all of this years.It was somewhat amazing,but yet I was kind of tired hearing it.
"And of course,on how she met that dashing Officer." That Officer was the 2nd Officer Lightoller.Unfortunately for dear Eliza,Lightoller got married after they we're separated for a long time after the sinking.Not knowing what will happen to her since Lightoller's promises was broken,she became so sick and died one year later after the sinking.
While at school,I've decided to visit my other grandmother's grave,Eliza.The cemetery is just a walking distance from school so it would be easy for me.
While I was there,I looked around to make sure if anyone would hear me talk for a minute.As I placed the flowers at the top of her plaque,tears started to came down from my eyes.Am I crazy now?Why do I even cry for a person I've never met.
At home,I saw my father opening loads of boxes from above.It was a portrait of a lady I could easily recognized.Eliza.
"Dad?"I said,looking at what he's holding.It was kind of a dusty one but I dont care,Eliza still is pretty.He looked at me and maybe he can guess what is in my head.
"I know what you're thinking.We're only cleaning up,dear.And of course,aunt Eli looks just like you."he said,looking at the old picture then glanced next to me."I should go."
June 15th.
School is ending and a ball is coming.I suggested to the coordinators to change the theme from "The 21st Century" to the "Edwardian Era".I was really excited since I now have a dress to wear and I can actually feel like Im in that time.
When I arrived at the venue,almost all of my schoolmate's were barely recognizable as if they were really historical.I was wearing a peach colored dress with laces on the chest part which really looked like the dress my other grandmother had.My hair was styled in a "chignon" way,which my grandma called.
I never really have someone to join me since I like to be alone at parties.I dont like someone talking to me,especially when I'm enjoying the moment.
"It was now the time,when we announce who is the best dressed of the night,so women and gentelemens,shall I start?"the emcee said,while others were clapping like fools.I can feel my eyes slowly shutting on its own.The place was now getting darker and darker in my sight.
"Elizabeth?"a voice called behind,I looked around and I was on a place with white all over it.White walls,white poles,white ceilings,white everywhere.I was sitting on a bed,which is also white.
"Where am I?"I asked.Not knowing what is happening.
"I dont want you to be scared so I won't tell my name,I think you could call me "the lady in white" "she replied in the softest voice I've ever heard. "Your grandmother needs you,Eliza needs you.Now,I want this to sink in on your head,every mistake you'll made will affect the future,which where you are.You should,change the past in order to go back.You should change your grandmother's past,you should make her get away with that sailor!"her voice changed on the ways she said "sailor".
"You should make Eliza Derry not fall in love with the Titanic's 2nd Officer,Charles Herbert Lightoller!You should keep her alive.Now,if you failed,the future might change and you'll never be able to get back."I listened on every word she says,and my mind was analyzing it every second."Elizabeth,you're her only hope."she continued as she disappeared like a bubble.
As soon as I began to understand things,I closed my eyes and when I opened it,a new background was around me.The ceilings were mahogany and gold as if Im on a ship.I looked around and noticed a girl who looks exactly like Eliza's sister,my grandma.
April 11 1912
"Grandma?"I mumbled while still my head hurts.When I finally caught her attention,she looked directly at me,I'm a hundred percent sure she was really grandma Fely,my other grandma Eliza's sister.
"Eliza!Thank God!"she said,checking if I was okay.As soon as I felt a heavy thing on my waist,I touched it and realized it was a really tightened corset.
"Grandma Fely?"as soon as I said that,she looked at me in amazement. "Eliza are you okay?"she asked. "This is me,Felicity,your sister."I recognized that name and that was my grandma Fely's real name.The thought of the words the lady in white spoke earlier came into my mind You should change the past,in order to get back.Am I really on the so called ship of dreams?
Grandma Fely,or should I call Felicity,since she was my sister now, helped me to remove the corset even she said that "our" mother will be angry.I dont care.That thing may be the one that would kill me.The idea of changing the past is beyooond ridiculous since I can't even be a proper lady in that era.The last thing I remember is me,on the ball falling down and that was it.Am I on my grandma Eliza's body?Am I her reincarnation?
"Eliza!"a voice stormed in,as me and grandma Fely,(I can't even call her Felicity,or maybe I could try.) were talking about what really happened.
Fely stood up and spoke,"Mother,Eliza is fine now,don't worry."I looked at the woman who is supposed to be my great grandma,her face was scary as hell and her eyebrows were perfectly plucked in.
"Thank God,Eliza dear.I shouldn't let you strolling around the ship alone"her voice kind of sounds just like my mother's.It was cold,yet relaxing.
She then went outside and me and grandma Fely were left alone."Felicity,May I ask what day is it?"I asked,making sure the events I'll make would change Eliza Derry's future.
"It's the 11th day of April,Eli.And of course,the 2nd day of the Titanic in the ocean!Later,the ship will dock on Queenstown and we should see it!"she replied in amazement.Her face when she was excited looks exactly just like grandma Fely have now,only she was way younger back then.
"That would be great!"
The mooring line from the ship is now released,and the horns can be heard,making a horrible sound especially for the steerage passengers.The ship is now on the docks of Ireland,waiting for more passengers to come aboard.
Me and Fely walked down the corridors as we see other elites do the same.Some are gushing about Ireland,some are just excited.
When we are now on the boat decks,we see myriads of people looking at the ship and others were now stepping out from their cars.The feeling was so real that I dont even have the urge to tell myself that Im just on another person's body.
I saw the whole crew of Officers below,helping all the passengers in need.There were 7 of them actually.Then I noticed a rather familiar face maybe I was destined to see.It was Charles.
"Eliza?"Felicity asked,looking at me with a curioused look on her face.She then looked at the direction I was looking,and giggled,"Oh,Wherefore art thou,dear Officer".
"That's nothing."I said,hiding the fact that Im scared for may I make the same mistake again."That's absolutely nothing."
As passengers from Queenstown are all aboard,the ship was now closing all the entrances and it will set sail in just a minute.
"Oh,Eli!Dont you dare hide a secret from me.I know you!"Felicity was teasing me over and over while walking towards the A deck promenade. "I know all your interests,reading,ice fishing,horses,gooses--"I never knew my grandma was this crazy when she was young.I thought Im the one who can't cope up with the era,guess Im not."So,do you like him or not?"
At that point,I questioned myself.Am I really going to do the same just like Eliza? "You're crazy!He's too old."I did'nt know what to reply since I was captivated by the beauty of the ship,ignoring the fact that maybe I was really attracted to him. No Elizabeth,you're absurd!