A: N/ Hi Everyone! Miss me? Maybe yes? maybe no? It doesn't really matter because I have returned! Yes, I am still alive and I finally got around to writing the first chapter of this sequel(writer's block really stinks). For those of you who are new to my stories, I would highly recommend reading Titanic: Anne Hockley's Journey , first. It will really help tie up some loose ends this chapter has. I have some ideas for this story but I would really love to hear some of your suggestions! Feel free to PM them to me. I hope you all like the chapter! Afterwards, please review. They really help me become a better writer and will help me determine whether this sequel is even worth pursuing. Please excuse any grammar errors. Well enough with my blabbering. I now present to you….Chapter One!
Disclaimer: Anne is the only thing from Titanic that is mine to claim. Everything else belongs to James Cameron and their rightful owners.
This chapter is dedicated to all of my readers! I hope you enjoy it! :-)
Chapter 1
"There you two are!" Tommy exclaimed as Rose and Jack finally came walking into the Third Class area. Rose's grin spread across her face. She tightly held onto Jack's hand.
"Careful, Rose." I advised as they sat down at the table where Tommy and I were sitting. "You don't want to get sick."
"Oh I wouldn't care." She smiled. "As long as I have Jack here beside me." Suddenly, a member of the Carpathia's crew came up beside us. He held a clipboard and a wooden pencil in his hand.
"Excuse me ladies and gentlemen. I don't mean to intrude, but, can I have your names?"
"What on earth for?" I asked.
"It's to help us determine who all survived the disaster. The White Star Line is hoping to post it at their headquarters in New York. But we shall hopefully finish sooner so we can show it to the passengers. Now…your names?"
"Thomas Ryan." Tommy pronounced boldly with pride. The man peered at Jack and Rose.
"Jack Dawson and Rose Dewi…"
"Rose Dawson." Rose stated interrupting Jack. Jack cerulean eyes widened in surprise. I was somewhat shocked that Rose had taken Jack's last name. After all, they weren't married. But the gleam in Rose's eyes made me realize that she didn't care. Dawson was the name she would be proud to claim as her own.
In mere moments, the officer finished writing their names when he asked for mine.
"Anne Widener." I answered.
"Thank you ladies…gentlemen." He tipped his hat to us as we all nodded before watching him walk away.
"Anne, Tommy, I wanted to talk to you all about something." Rose whispered. "Yesterday Anne, after I left you, I… I saw Cal." A shiver ran down my spine.
"He survived?"
"Apparently…Cal did." Rose nodded.
My heart trembled at his name. I knew if I ever met him again face to face he would surely curse my name. He had tried to kill me and nearly succeeded in destroying all of my happiness. I could feel beads of sweat pour down my back.
"Are you sure it was him?" Jack asked.
"I'm absolutely certain. I could recognize his awful cowardice face from anywhere."
"Did you talk to him?" I managed to mumble.
"No, I only saw him from a distance. But he didn't see me. Anne….he's looking for us."
My heart began to beat out of my chest.
A plague of consuming fear swept over me. Not again. He was out to destroy me and take me back. Back to the life I now hated, the life I had lived for eighteen years. I didn't want to be held in the chains of society any longer. I wanted to be free, free to make my own choices, my own mistakes, and my own failure.
Escape.
It was what I wanted. I almost wish I could hide and never be found. But it wasn't to be. I didn't even bother to excuse myself from the table.
"Anne?! Anne wait!" I heard Tommy wail from behind me. But I didn't stop. I couldn't slow down. The fear in my heart propelled my body to sail through the corridors. I couldn't go back. I wouldn't go back, never again.
A swarm of air streamed across my face as I slammed the door to the Abbotts' cabin. My legs felt weak and numb and collapsed to the floor. Hot tears burned against my face as the air in my lungs became short breaths that turned into sobs. I was scared, no…terrified. I knew Cal would take me back. But I also knew His rough tendrils would clamp my arms and hold them tighter and tighter. If Cal found me, he would quickly marry me off to some wealthy investor of his. I would be some stranger's trophy wife forever, never able to escape, never to be free.
A hard fist pounded the door. Its vibrating hum rumbled through my eardrums. It wasn't someone pounding out of anger, but out of…desperation.
"Anne? Anne, I know you're in there. Open the door." It was Tommy.
"Just leave me alone."
"Anne don't do this."
"I'll…I'll be fine." I croaked desperately trying to conceal my sobs.
"Nice try."
"Oh for once in your life leave me alone!" I shouted. I found my fingers skewering through my tangled curls.
"Anne, please. Please open the door."
"I just want to be alone."
"You and I both know you don't want that." I didn't answer.
"Anne, if you don't open this door, I'll break it down myself." I realized he was speaking the truth. I coaxed myself to stand up. My trembling fingers slowly turned the brass knob opening the door.
There Tommy stood. His eyes filled with fear. He didn't hesitate to step into the room. It was probably due to the fact he thought I would close the door again in his face. But I felt too weak to do that.
It didn't take long for me to find myself clinging to Tommy. His mighty arms held my frail trembling mass.
Agony
It was what I felt in the moment. My stomach's contents turned to bile at the thought of Cal.
"I can't go back." I shuddered burying my face deep into his chest. I felt the soft gentle beat of his heart brush against my tear stained cheek. Tommy held me tighter.
"You won't."
"He'll find me. And when he does, he'll kill me."
"I'm not going to let that happen."
"You don't know Cal, Tommy. He doesn't stop until he gets what he wants. He'll drag me back to that wretched life and marry me off to be someone's trophy wife."
"He thinks you're dead."
"And he'll exhaust every option to be sure of it. I'm frightened Tommy, help me not be." I found myself encasing myself deeper into Tommy's chest. The rustling of the waves was all that could be heard as we both fell silent. Tommy's gentle fingers ran through my curls as he stroked my head.
"Anne….I want you to know that…you…you are safe in my arms. And I will never, ever, ever, let you go. I promise you I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. And he will never lay a finger on you if I have anything to say about it." Tommy's embrace was unwavering. His gentle soft touch helped to assuage my fears.
"I'm scared Tommy, so scared of him and what he might do to us."
"I'm not." My eyes gazed at him with confusion.
"Why? He nearly killed you."
"True," Tommy nodded. "But I can't let someone like him rule my actions and control my thoughts for the rest of my life. You can't be afraid of him Anne."
"But…I am."
"Oh Anne…"
"He nearly destroyed everything Tommy! Everything that I have ever loved. And now he's threatening to do it again. I can't help but feel terrified." I shuddered as tears continued to pour down my face.
"Anne, you have to let go of the past, the hurt, and the pain he has caused you." He whispered. "If you try to do everything to stop Cal from destroying the things you love, you'll only end up destroying yourself. And I don't want to lose that Anne." I sadly smiled.
Tommy's face gently leaned closer to mine. Our lips touched and sent a calm relief through my shivering bones. The kiss was a promise, Tommy's promise to never ever let me go.
"So…what are we going to do when we dock?" Jack asked. At Tommy's urging, he and I rejoined Jack and Rose. I had left a note to Mrs. Abbott telling her that I would return and explain the situation to her in more detail.
"Well we could always try to make it in New York." I suggested.
"It's not the best place to make a living." Jack answered. "There's lots of competition and violence in the area. How about somewhere down south?"
"Well it can't be Pennsylvania." Rose stated. "I would be recognized in an instant. It wouldn't take long for Cal to find us."
"No, no, it's got to be somewhere Cal wouldn't even think to look for us." I exclaimed. "It can't be a major city. It's got to be somewhere we could all make a livelihood."
"How about the beach?" Jack inquired. We all glared at him with wide eyes.
"You're joking."
"I'm serious. We should go to California. The economy is booming over there. The climate is warm. It's good for farming."
"I didn't quite see you as the farming type, boyo." Tommy laughed.
"Well I did grow up on a farm. It's not something I particularly care for, but it's an option. I would much rather be an artist.
"How about Santa Monica? You told me you liked it when you were living there Jack." Rose suggested." All of this conversation was making my head spin.
"Can we figure this out later? I'm awfully tired."
"Very well, we'll talk about it later. But we will eventually discuss it." Jack mumbled. "Meanwhile, if you will excuse me." Jack rose from his seat and began to saunter off. It seemed odd to me that Jack was inspecting every inch of the area.
"What is he doing?" I asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Rose replied. Confusion still littered my face. "It's Fabrizio."
Fabrizio
The lovable, energetic Italian who was Jack's dearest friend. The last time I saw his face was two days ago waiting at the lifeboat I was supposed to have boarded. I had felt too tired to worry about it earlier. But now, a gut wrenching feeling pained my stomach.
He had to be here. He had to. I knew Fabrizio was strong. I prayed to God that he was alive, for Jack's sake. But as almost all of the living masses around me appeared to be women and children, my hopes grew dimmer and dimmer.
"How long has he been searching for him? Tommy asked.
"As long as it's been since you two left. He hasn't given up hope of finding him."
"Is it possible he could be in the upper classes?" I questioned. "Perhaps he's being cared for by someone, like I was."
"It's not likely Anne." Rose replied.
"Well, it's worth looking. He could be in the medical bay."
"The only problem is they're not letting anyone in there."
"They'll let me. Captain Rostron gave me permission himself." I stared at Jack. I could see that his hopes were fleeting. "I'm going to have a look. I'll be back soon."
"Let me come with you!" Rose cried.
"No, you shouldn't." I replied. "You'd stick out like a sore thumb to Cal. I have a better chance of finding him if I look for him on my own." I started to saunter away.
"Anne," I turned around to Rose's gaze locked to my eyes. "Be careful."
"I will, I promise." It was all that I said, before I made my way to the medical bay.
"Fabrizio?!" I whispered. I had fruitlessly been searching for him for the past several minutes. I searched room after room in the medical bay, desperately trying to find my dear friend.
With each room showing no signs of him, my hopes started to fade. Oh please! Oh please God, let me find him! I started to make my way back down the hall when I heard an all too familiar voice ringing through my ears.
Cal
I ducked inside a nearby patient recovery room, one that was similar to Jack's. I locked the door and held it tightly. I could barely breathe. My ears shuffled against the crack of the door to listen to the conversation taking place outside.
"Sir, we have no record of either Miss Dewitt Bukater or Miss Hockley. "
"That isn't good enough!" I heard Cal shout. So he was looking for us. I scooted up closer to the door. From what I heard, I wasn't sure whether the other man was an officer or a doctor. But I did know he was exasperated with Cal's behavior.
"Sir, I've showed you every passenger that has come even close to their descriptions. I even offered you a look at the list of survivors. You and I both know that Rose Dewitt Bukater and Anne Hockley are not on there!"
"Sir, you don't understand. That is my fiancée and dear cousin you are talking about. What am I to tell my Aunt, that her daughter died on the unsinkable ship?" My eyes rolled. Was Cal now feeling guilty? Or was he trying to be a faux concerned man who was only fabricating his story to cover for his actions.
"I'm very sorry sir, truly I am. Many people have experienced a tragedy similar to yours. If there is anything we can do…"
"I've already told you what I want."
"Yes sir, I am quite aware of that. But…I'm not sure how I can say it any clearer. They. Are. Both. dead."
"Then tell me why I have a gut feeling that they are not?"
"I…I don't know sir,"
"Exactly!" Cal shouted before taking deep breaths. I could have sworn I could feel his fumes burning, sending a chill down my spine. In moments, Cal reclaimed some of his composure. "You just be sure that you do everything in your power to ensure that they are both dead as you claim. Otherwise, I will have to file a lawsuit against the Cunard Line for the treatment I have received and the handling of this disaster. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir," the man replied. Thundering footsteps echoed through the hallways. I hid in the room for several minutes afterward. I knew disembarking the ship now would not be easy. Cal would surely be watching everyone disembark the ship like a hawk looking for us.
I finally convinced myself to open the door. I quietly turned the knob before peeking out into the hall. To my relief, it was clear. I plodded back through hallways, my eyes glancing in all directions hoping that Cal was not anywhere around.
When I came into the main area, I decided to ask the nurse about Fabrizio's whereabouts.
"Excuse me, but I'm looking for my friend." The nurse had a confused look on her face.
"Pardon me, but are you allowed to be back here?"
"Yes, ma'am." I replied. "Captain Rostron granted me permission himself."
"What's your friend's name?"
"Fabrizio De Rossi. But he sometimes goes by Fabri."
"What does he look like?"
"He has curly black hair and dark eyes. He's Italian." The nurse scanned through her list. My heart began to beat out of my chest. I prayed that he was on there.
"I do not see him on here. And we do not have any patients that fit his description."
"Even the ones being cared for by passengers?"
"Even the ones being cared for by passengers." She replied. My heart sank. The chances of Fabrizio being alive were all but dim. "Please cheer up Miss, it is quite possible he found his way into another class. The crew is nearly finished compiling all of the names of the survivors. When they do, you can see if he is on there. Otherwise…." The nurse took a deep breath. I had an inkling of what her lips would sound. "He is not on board the ship. I'm so sorry."
My heart groaned with pain as my head began to spin. I nodded in acceptance of the nurse's explanation and sympathies. After our conversation, I slowly sauntered out of the medical bay with my only thoughts about Fabrizio.
"Anne!" Rose greeted when I reentered the Third Class area. We embraced before she asked. "Did you find Fabrizio?" I shook my head no. Rose's seemingly cheerful disposition quickly vanished.
"What did they tell you?" Tommy asked as he came up to us.
"He isn't in the medical bay. They said it is possible he might have accidentally been mixed up in the upper classes. However, only the survivor's list will confirm that."
"Well then, I guess we'll just have to hope." Tommy uttered. I nodded before excusing myself and Rose. I needed to tell her of my encounter with Cal.
"Rose," I whispered. "I saw Cal." Rose's mouth dropped open.
"Did he see you?"
"No, but I do know that he is looking for us. He wants to make sure that we are dead. But he says he still thinks that we are still alive, even after all of the evidence."
"Well…what are we going to do?"
"I don't know." I replied. "I guess we'll just have to…" I wanted to say more, but suddenly an officer made his way into the area.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! May I have your attention please?!" All eyes were fixed upon the officer. "On behalf of the Carpathia and her crew, we want to express our deepest condolences. We all cannot imagine the grief you are going through and the nightmare you have survived. If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to let us know. Now…As many of you know. We have been compiling all of your names and the names of the survivors in hopes of constructing a list that will help us and the government in approaching how to deal with this disaster. Thank you for your cooperation. I will now post the list where you all can see. All names are of the survivors of the R.M.S. Titanic sinking. Feel free to ask any questions. That is all. God bless." The officer retreated back to the upper decks.
The moment the list was posted, swarms of people crowded the area to catch a glimpse of it. For some, their spirits were lifted to see the survival of their friends. But for others, the look of sadness on their faces showed that the list had confirmed their greatest fears.
It was minutes before the pushing and shoving ceased and I could finally catch a glimpse of the list. I saw Molly, Mrs. Ruth, and Cal survived. It was no surprise. I was glad to see that my maid Sarah had also survived.
But as I searched through the list of Third Class passengers, my heart sank. There were too few names. My finger traced line by line searching for Fabrizio's name. In moments, I had my answer. And from the look of Jack's face, I knew that I was right too.
Fabrizio De Rossi had perished on April 15th 1912.
A:N/ Awww :( I was so sad when he died in the movie. Well, Chapter One is complete! I hope you all enjoyed it. As always, please leave a review. It will help determine whether to continue to pursue this. Also, don't forget to favorite and/or follow this story. The next chapter will hopefully be posted soon. So…until next time! –C.M. Singer :-)
