Strong Love and Strong Will

Ch.4: The Slide

Maddy clung unto the railing, Bailey and Cody right next to her doing the same action. They were all frightened but still remained calm unlike the others who kept building up the ongoing panic, even the officers had no control of this situation. Maddy looked at Cody.

"Reminds me of the Titanic," Maddy said. "Like I said before, much like it"

Cody nodded.

"Not as cold though" Cody said.

"Damn right," Maddy said with a nod. "The only thing we should fear for is drowning"

Bailey looked at the two.

"Lord," Maddy said. "I don't think I can hold on much longer"

"Just hang in there Maddy" Cody said. "We'll survive this"

Bailey looked at Cody.

"There aren't any boats Cody" she told him.

"I know that," Cody said. "But we can try to figure out something if we work together"

The ship shook and there came a huge cracking sound. The trio looked down and saw the ship splitting right in the middle of the sky deck! The three were right near the splitting as well, the rising aft of the ship soon crashed down and landed in the water, like normal. Maddy's hands began to slip and finally she lost her grip.

"No! Maddy!" Cody shouted. He grabbed her by the hand, holding onto the railing with his remaining hand. Maddy hung onto his hand and tried to pull herself up. Cody glanced at the railing then at the girl. "Hang on Maddy!"

Then Cody's hand began to slip.

"Cody!" Bailey alarmed. Cody tightened his grip on the railing as he tried to pull Maddy up. Maddy looked at him.

"Don't worry Maddy," Cody assured her. He looked down at his best friend, his sister. "You'll be alright"

There was a moment of silence, Maddy knew what needed to happen, to save her friend's life. She knew what the cost was of this but she rather have the blow then both of them having it at the same time. She looked down and then back up, the boy was staring at the railing trying to pull himself up.

"Cody," Maddy said, boldly over the screaming people, she tried to remain as calm as possible. Cody looked at her. "Release my hand"

"What and let you slip?" Cody questioned.

"Please just do it" Maddy told him, still calm.

"What if, what if I don't see you again?" he asked her.

"Just do it," Maddy ordered him. "To save yourself"

"No," Cody said. "I won't let go, I can't"

"You have to," Maddy told him. "You need to survive, you and Bailey both need too."

"You need to too Maddy" Cody told her. Bailey watched in horror as the two argued the point. "I can't lose my best friend"

"There are times when a best friend's life does not count" Maddy stated. Cody was silent. "Cody please, just let go of my hand. For your sake and for Bailey's sake"

Cody looked at Bailey and then back down at Maddy. He closed his eyes and nodded, slowly.

"Promise me something Cody," Maddy told her friend. Cody looked at her, looked at the girl once last time. "Promise me you'll save yourself, save you and Bailey."

"I promise" Cody said. "I promise that I'll save myself…and Bailey"

"That's my lad" he heard Maddy reply with a grin. Cody had to force the next words out of his mouth.

"Good-bye Maddy," he told her, saddened and devastated that this was the last resort. "I'll always remember you"

"Good-bye Lad," Maddy replied. "I'll always be with you,"

And with that, Cody opened his hand and Maddy let go, free falling into the crack of the ship, not trying to save herself. Maddy accepted the fact she wouldn't survive as she began to plummet towards the sea, after being hit by debris that followed her. She finally slammed into the water.

Fate would determine what would happen next.

To be continued.