Disclaimer: Don't Own, Don't Sue.
Day II: The Ocean
Matt had returned to The Titanic with great reluctance, but also with the sole purpose of finding Emily and disembarking by the last land stop before the ship was completely surrounded by ocean.
Unfortunately, obstacles had put a wrench in the works.
It had all started with the near collision with the other ship, The New York, when The Titanic had begun its departure from Southampton.
Every available crewman was ordered to help contribute to the effort of avoiding the other ship.
When they docked at the first port of call, Cherbourg, Matt managed to slip away from his duties to attempt to search for Emily.
He searched the third class decks with no success, followed by the Promenade deck, with similar results; before the whistle blew signaling the ship was moving on to the next port of call.
Matt tried to convince himself that Emily wouldn't have gotten off so soon and that he'd still be able to find her in time between now and Queenstown.
Their lives depended on it.
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As Matt descended the ladder back into Boiler Room 6, he found himself unprepared for the sudden attention.
The men had paid him little attention up until now, apart from making a few remarks about his shoes and carrying on with their duties.
"Well, if it isn't Mr. Fancy Shoes Thompson." One of a group of three greeted with a sneer as Matt got off the ladder.
The first looked to be in his late twenties, with auburn hair and blue eyes, fairly bulky. The second seemed to be a younger man, perhaps late teens or mid twenties, with brown hair and brown eyes, and slightly scrawny; the third looked as if he were sporting a unibrow and was around Matt's age, with similar characteristics to the first man; perhaps related?
"Take to wandering again while the rest are us slave and sweat our arses off down below, did ya?" The second inquired with an equal amount of animosity.
"I went to see a friend off." Matt replied evenly.
"With shoes like that, 'tis a wonder you're not a passenger! Or have ya stolen them?" The third accused.
"They're mine. Fair and square." Matt answered calmly from his cornered state.
"Now, now lads, we've all got some work to be doing to get this girl to Queenstown." A fourth said approaching the group. "We've no time to be cornering our fellow crew."
The fourth man looked to be five or more years older than Matt, with dark hair and gray eyes, and a muscular build.
"Aye. We were just making friends is all, Barney." The first nodded.
"Make friends while you're stoking the furnaces, William." Barney said pointedly.
William nodded. "Come on then, lads; the old girl is freezing and we can't be having that."
William and his group headed off and went about their duties.
"Bernard Coll at your service." Barney held out his hand to Matt.
"M—James Thompson." Matt replied, shaking his hand.
"Pleased to meet ya. We best get back to work now." He said quickly before heading off to his station; Matt did the same.
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It was a late night that night, trying to push on to reach Queenstown by midday at the very latest.
Matt was practically asleep on his feet by the time he reached the crew quarters.
He needed to stay awake.
He needed to find Emily and get off this doomed vessel at Queenstown with her.
'A few hours of rest won't hurt.' A part of him reasoned.
He climbed into his bunk without so much as a second thought or an argument.
"Hey, there's Mr. Fancy Shoes." He heard faintly as he sank deeper and deeper into sleep.
"What say we toss 'im overboard?"
A part of him was screaming for Matt to stay awake, but it was no use.
He fell asleep thinking of Emily and how this was somehow his fault.
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When he awoke, Barney was shaking him.
Matt nearly fell from his bunk in shock.
"What's wrong?" He asked groggily before everything came flooding back to him.
"What time is it?" He asked frantically.
"Calm down, man. It's half past four." Barney answered.
"Queenstown?"
"You missed it some hours ago, I'm afraid." Barney shook his head. "We're in the open ocean now. Mr. Bell and Mr. Barrett were looking for ya; but I said you weren't well and covered your shift, which means, you'll be taking up the shift after dinner."
Matt nodded numbly in disbelief that he missed his last chance to get off safely and that he had absolutely know idea if Emily made it off at Queenstown or not.
"Come on then, let's grab something to eat before there's nothing left." Barney broke through Matt's thoughts, as he led the way to the crew galley.
Matt had half a thought to describe Emily to Barney and inquire if he'd seen her at all on the ship, even if it had been to disembark; but realized that there would have been no point as Barney had already said he was down below covering Matt's shift.
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As Matt sat picking at his meal, he was vaguely aware of William and his group across the room.
"Don't mind them." Barney cautioned. "They're looking to cause nothing but trouble in any way that they may."
William stood as if he were leaving with his tray to take it to be washed; but as he passed Matt, he feigned tripping and attempted to drop the remnants of his dinner on Matt, but ended up doing so to the gentleman sitting next to him.
"Look what you've gone and done, now, Mr. Fancy Shoes!" William said chidingly.
Matt ignored him as the man next to him stood to confront William.
"You think that's funny, do you, kid?" The man asked dangerously.
William laughed nervously before answering. "Mr. Thompson, here, is to blame for tripping me."
Matt shook his head.
The man through a punch, which knocked William to his arse. William rose with renewed energy, intent on fighting the man, who was clearly going to kill William. Seeing no other way around this as William's supposed anger was initially directed at Matt, and today had gotten about as bad as it already could have, Matt jumped to his feet and intervened.
"Fight me!" He shouted over the growing cheers and jeers, as the taller man stepped back in amusement.
William through a punch, which Matt easily dodged before throwing his own punch which connected with William's right jaw.
Matt caught William's leg as he kicked, hoping to catch Matt's ribs, which he successfully managed before getting thrown off balance and onto his arse once more.
William was quicker to his feet this time and charged Matt. "I'm gonna make ya beg for mercy!"
Matt dodged William's fist and through a right hook, effectively putting the man down for the count.
Cheers were thrown all around the galley.
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Matt wiped the sweat pouring down his face.
Double shift duty as punishment for 'starting a tussle.'
He could handle it.
At least now, he was safe with the knowledge that William wouldn't be threatening him anymore.
"There he is! The man!" One of William's group came, sauntering over excitedly with two other men.
"Johnny Milner at your service." He nodded. "No one's ever done that to Will! I reckon he'll be looking for a word, ya know, soon's the infirmary lets 'im out sometime tomorrow."
"If he's looking for another fight, he can go search elsewhere for another lesson." Matt replied before resuming his stoking.
"No, no. Everyone's talkin' about how you stopped him from getting creamed by the other guy and taught Will a lesson. You're practically famous!"
Matt gave a polite scoff.
Yeah, famous for a few more days, at least.
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Sorry for taking ages on updates, but I've been incredibly swamped and blocked these last few months! I'll try to finish this up soon!
Please Review! ;D