Part 10: Floating
Jack
Jack was scared. He could feel it in his toes, or maybe that was just the cold. Either way he had a bad feeling about everything. The tiny lifeboat they were on was being filled with mostly men. Alma sat between Ennis and a woman who smelled like piss.
Jack held tightly to Ennis as the boat was lowered the rest of the way into the water. Ennis was holding his breath, Jack could see. Just because they were in a boat didn't mean they were safe. Jack scooted closer to Ennis and held on even tighter.
"Eh, none of that, now," said the man steering the boat, "I'll 'ave ye arrested when he get rescued if you keep it up."
"Oh let them be in love, you half wit," said a woman, "We might all die anyway. Best die in a warm embrace."
The man shut his mouth. Jack wanted to thank the woman, but he couldn't. He was shivering. It was very cold. Jack couldn't shake the cold feeling as he snuggled up with Ennis. He planted a kiss on Ennis's lips.
Ennis
Jack was cold and there was nothing he could do about it. The temperature was still dropping. Pretty soon they were all going to freeze, but he knew as long as they weren't in the water, they would have a better chance than those who weren't.
They got their boat away from the ship and kept rowing as they watched horror unfold. The stern rose into the air. Ennis felt his heart drop into his legs. He gave Jack a squeeze, but never took his eyes off the ship.
"Christ Almighty," Alma said with her hand over his mouth.
The bow was completely submerged in the water, and the ship was pulling apart at its seams. It was a ghastly sight. The screams were what caused Jack to put his hands over his ears. The screams of the ship and the people, were enough to haunt anyone. Ennis couldn't decide which was worse.
Finally the ship broke apart. The stern came back down and floated in the water for a few minutes before finally sinking right behind the bow. There was nothing left but people bobbing in the water. Tiny little figures screaming for help.
"We should go back for them," Ennis said.
"Mind your business, degenerate."
"He's right," said a frightened teenager.
"We're not going back. There is barely enough room as is," he said.
And they rowed on. Jack was drifting in out of sleep and Ennis was trying his best to keep him awake. He knew if Jack went to sleep there was a chance he wouldn't wake up. It was not a chance Ennis was willing to make.
"Take this," said the man paddling the boat. He handed Ennis a blanket. The lifeboats were pre-stocked with blankets. It seemed to warm Jack up a bit. They continued to paddle on. The voices in the distance were dying down. It sent a shiver through Ennis's spine.
"Why did we survive?" Jack asked.
"We're not out of this yet, Jack."
Jack
Ennis was right. They weren't out of it yet. Jack felt himself slipping. It was very cold. He couldn't handle it any longer. The blanket was helping, but not fast enough. He needed more warmth. Ennis began to strip. Jack was curious about what he was doing.
"No. I will throw you overboard," said the man paddling.
"Calm down, I'm using my body to warm him up," Ennis said.
Ennis was almost completely naked. He began to strip Jack. They pressed against each other to stay warm. Jack felt Ennis' body heat, as well as heat in another area, rising. He leaned into Ennis's warm embrace and nuzzled his head into Ennis's neck.
"I love you," Jack whispered.
"I love you too," Ennis said.
Jack stayed in Ennis's arms for a while. They were able to go to sleep. Ennis woke Jack every so often to make sure he was still alive. They were met by a rescue ship and pulled on board. Men laughed and forced Ennis and Jack to put their clothes on. They were going to arrest them, until the man paddling the boat explained the situation.
"He saved his life that one did."
He saved me in more ways that I can count. Jack knew they would be leaving together. He knew they would be starting a life together once they got to New York. He couldn't wait.