Mlle Bertha Antonine Mayné
It was such a beautiful night. I remember thinking about what my life would be, had I stayed in Belgium. If I had, then I would not have seen the horror I saw…
It all started that late Sunday night. I remember seeing the moon disappear in the midst of all the clouds. I saw the last cabin light flicker out. I was swallowed by darkness. Then, I peeked up and saw it. It was a huge…block of ice! I saw it and started to panic. I looked up at the crow's nest and watched those filthy lookouts falling asleep! I whimpered helplessly and wondered what to do. Then, I heard a shout. One of them was waking up! Oh joy, that'll help! Then I saw him climb down and ring the warning bell. I ran, no, sprinted to Quigg's cabin. I knocked on the door, but he almost certainly asleep. "Wake up!" I screamed, desperate for him to wake up and calm me down. But my voice was drowned out, as hundreds of people ran out of their cabins, wanting reassurance. I glared at the lookout. It was all his fault! The stupid, lazy b-
"Bertha!" I heard Quigg scream, but even though I searched frantically, I couldn't see him. I sighed and remembered. Of course! The lifeboats! Surely I would see him there. But even as I squinted feebly at the water, now filling slowly with the luminous yellow of the boats, I couldn't see him. "Quigg! Quigg where are you?" I screamed, feeling every ounce of my body tire. "Quigg!" I screamed. My eyes filling slowly with tears, I broke down. I ran inside to try and save the brooch he gave me for my 24th birthday. I wanted something to remember him by. I ran past the plush carpets, past the velvet curtains and radios, past every-one, fighting against the tide of people trying to escape.
"Bertha!" I heard some-one shout. But as my heart leapt, it fell again. It was a woman's voice I heard, not Quigg's beautiful husky one. "Bertha!" I heard the voice scream again, but I ignored it. I ran and ran, but then a cold hand grabbed my wrist. "Stop it you crazy woman!" The person made me turn sharply. It was that silly woman Maggie Smith, who was glaring at me, her hair askew and little beads of sweat on her upper lip.
"What?!" I snapped, glaring at her even more.
"Quiggy is very upset that you didn't see him behind you. He's waiting for you now in lifeboat 6," she scowled. "And next time some-one tries to help, don't be rude to them, or I might just tip you overboard…" She grinned menacingly.
"Fine, you old bat, now go!" I muttered, quietly but loud enough for her to hear. I raced out and saw Quigg waiting for me. "Quigg!" I cried and thrust myself into his arms. "Quigg, you would never-" I started, but he cut me off.
"Bertha, you have to get on that boat and save yourself…please just go!" He said and looked away. I stared at him, not bearing to hear what he had just told me.
"Right, well you are obviously not feeling yourself, so just get in and-" I stopped at the look on his face. "Quigg, you are coming?" I asked, the terror now dawning on me. "What-?" I asked, but he interrupted. "No, you have to go."