Never Let Go
Chapter One
"Is there anyone alive out there?! Can anyone hear me?" Officer Lowe shouted into the darkness. Realising that they waited too long to rescue any remaining survivors, it was the worst moment of his life.
"Well keep checking them!" he commanded his men, as they began to lose hope. They manoeuvred their oars through debris from the 'Unsinkable Ship', belongings, and worst of all, frozen, motionless bodies, floating in the freezing water.
"Can anyone hear me?!"
Rose's heart was breaking. Until now, she had been numb to any feeling whatsoever due to the -2 degree water, but now, all she could feel was great pain, soaring through her body. How could she go on without Jack? How could she even imagine life without him from this point onwards?
Jack Dawson, the only man she had ever loved, the man who had saved her, was gone.
Silent tears barely escaped her eyes before they turned to icicles on her pale face. All hope was gone.
She laid her head back down on the wood which had spared her life and cruelly taken Jack's, and stared up at the stars above her. She began to sob, as the realisation of what had happened took hold of her. Images flashed through her mind as she closed her eyes, trying to escape this nightmare.
She would never drink cheap beer in Santa Monica and ride the rollercoaster with Jack until they threw up. They would never be married, nor have children. She would never share her life with him like she had imagined just hours ago.
Suddenly her eyes snapped open. She had made a promise to Jack that she was not going to break. She must do him the honour, and live her life to the full. She wouldn't die tonight.
Lifting her head, she spotted a whistle in Chief Officer Wilde's mouth, who she recognised from the ship. He too was dead.
Will the boats be too far away by now? I have to try, she thought.
Her hand was frozen to Jack's. She breathed on the ice, melting it a little. She unclasped their hands, and kissed Jack's hand one last time.
"I'll never let go. I promise", she whispered to him. Rose was about to let his body sink into the ocean, when the sound of Jack's voice made her stop in her tracks.
"G-Good. I l- l-love you Rose". He had trouble summoning enough breath to speak, but he could feel himself drifting away, feel the bitter temperature take hold, and he needed to tell Rose how he felt before it was too late.
Rose's heart soared! Her body was now filled with ecstasy and hope.
How could I have been so stupid! She thought to herself. How could I have given up on him?!
"There's a boat Jack! But it's getting further and further away!"
"You n-n-need to find help R-R-Rose. Attract their attention somehow, an-anyhow!" he choked.
"I can see a whistle Jack. We'll be ok, just hold on just a little bit longer!" Rose slid off the wood, into the freezing water, and let out a gasp.
Meanwhile, Jack scrambled onto the wood, feeling instant relief from the cold, but only for a moment. The bitter April air chilled his bones and he prayed Rose would be alright. As long as she was safe, that was all that mattered. He would give his life for his beautiful Rose.
She splashed towards the Officer, and snatched the whistle from his mouth. She blew on it with as much energy as she could summon, again and again.
"Come about!!" Officer Lowe screamed, shining his torch in all directions.
Rose kept blowing on the whistle, she wouldn't give up. She had to save Jack, just like he had saved her.
After what seemed like hours, the boats had reached them. Rose turned to look at Jack, he had done what she'd asked, and held on.
She managed a weak smile as she saw his sapphire eyes sparkle and fill with joy, no matter how tired, cold and weak he was.
Officer Lowe helped Rose onto the boat first, where she was met with immediate assistance including warm blankets. She lay down; her heart filled with relief, although she knew it was not over yet. She wouldn't be completely happy until Jack was safe and well.
In turn, Jack was helped onto the boat, where he wrapped a blanket tightly around himself, and sat down next to Rose.
She lifted her head and let it rest against him. Jack showered her face in kisses, while his eyes glistened with tears. He held her tightly in his arms, keeping her warm and wanting to keep her safe and protect her from all the hurt in the world.
Exhausted, they fell asleep with each other, transported to a dream world filled with just the two of them.
Their new life was about to begin, and they would make each day count.
