"Sarah, wake up darling... Sarah? Your father's waiting for you outside."
Her mothers face swam before her, and she blinked up at her from the floor.
"Mother?"
"Come on darling, get up." Her mothers voice sounded faint, pillowed, as if Sarah's hearing wasn't working. Everything was heavy and foggy, she couldn't move an inch. She stared up at her mother, who was leaning over her.
"Hurry up, Miss O'Brien!" Another face appeared above her. Thomas. "You're taking your bloody time, now get up!"
She gasped loudly, her eyes flickering open. She winced as a searing pain shot through her, the side of her face thumping hard against the wooden panels of the deck floor. She blinked, trying to regain some sense of reality. Painfully, she rolled herself onto her back, coughing as the cold air picked at her throat. O'Brien lay still for a moment, trying to ignore the swirling and thrashing in her skull. She could taste blood in her mouth, and she tentatively lifted a finger to her lips. She groaned in irritation and her fingertips brushed across the swollen, throbbing wound, evidence of where her head had crashed into the floor. The coldness of her own touch seemed to awaken her slightly, and she was suddenly aware of how cold she was. Her toes felt like blocks of ice...
She suddenly came rearing back to live, like as if a small fire had been relit in her brain. The iceberg! Panic shot through her, and she rolled over onto her stomach. Cora was laying feet away, still waiting unmoving. O'Brien could see blood running down her cheek, now dried in the freezing night air. She pushed herself against the hard floor unsteadily, staggering as she got to her feet. She stumbled towards Cora, careful this time not to trip over the stray pieces of ice that littered the deck.
"M'lady? Can you hear me?" she croaked as she took hold of Cora's head. She ran a finger over the dried stain of blood, which didn't seem to be as bad as she thought. She gently tapped her ice cold fingers on Cora's face, using all the strength she could muster to shake her sleeping mistress awake. Cora stirred, though only slightly. A small mumble escaped her darkening lips.
"O'Brien..." Her head lolled to the side again, and O'Brien shivered helplessly. How long bad they been out here? Judging by the temperature of her fingers and Cora's cheek, too long. She looked around desperately. The couldn't stay put here any longer if they wanted to keep their toes.
"Come on, m'lady, let's get you inside..." She pulled one of Cora's arms over her shoulder, and grasping the railing for balance, pulled Cora to her feet unsteadily. The sudden movement caused Cora to awaken further, and she groaned in pain as she tried to steady herself against O'Brien. They slowly made their way across the deck, but O'Brien was finding it increasingly difficult to navigate them. Every step seemed slightly unbalanced, and she felt dizzy trying to focus on the door. She heard Cora whimper as she pulled the door open and they both staggered into the suite. The dizziness didn't go away as she carefully put Cora down on the couch. She crouched down to catch her breath, looking up to Cora's face. The Countess closed her eyes, a shaking hand resting on the side of her head where the bloodied trail led. Their small journey seemed to have knocked her back into the moment, and she glanced up at her maid through half closed eyes.
"I'm going to get some help, m'lady, alright?" O'Brien muttered, standing up. She felt Cora's hand wrap around her wrist quickly, stopping her from turning away.
"Don't... Stay here, I don't want to be alone-"
"I'll be as quick as I can, m'lady, you need a Doctor. I promise I won't be long." There was a pause, and Cora's terrified face simply stared back up at her. O'Brien squeezed her hand gently, hoping it was enough to reassure her. "I promise I'll be back." Cora nodded, and O'Brien felt her fingers slip from her grasp. She staggered over to the door and flung it open. She almost stumbled into the opposite wall. She must of really hit her head... She still felt unbalanced and dizzy, and she inhaled deeply in hope that the air would align her mind and her feet again.
She looked up and down the corridor, but it was deserted. It was late, so she assumed the other passengers were asleep in their beds. Where would she find a doctor at this time? She took another deep breath and made her way down the corridor, keeping a hand on the wall for extra balance. The was a slight panic building in her stomach with every step she took. The wound on Cora's head didn't seem too serious, but she was still worried and determined to find someone to help.
Her thoughts were cut short, and she stopped in the corridor, a frown on her face. Her fear had caused her to completely miss the several open doors along the way. She doubled back, carefully glancing inside one to find it empty. One of the chairs, identical to one she herself had sat at only a few hours ago, lay toppled over on the floor. Her stomach churned as a strange, uneasy feeling fell over her.
"Miss! What are you doing here?" She spun around to see a steward half running towards her. "All passengers are required to go up to the top deck immediately!"
"W-what? No, you don't understand-"
"Why haven't you got your lifejacket on? There should have been some in your room. Put your life jacket on and get to the top deck!"
He was hurrying past her, in a somewhat panic, and O'Brien felt her words fail her. She stood against the wall, her heart hammering in her chest. The steward disappeared down the corridor, and again she was alone. Why would she need a lifejacket on? Why would they need to get to the top deck? Then she felt as though a huge weight crashed into her stomach. She pushed herself off the wall, running down the corridor back to their suite. She burst through the door, and Cora gasped in surprise.
"O'Brien, what-"
She ignored her, flinging the door leading outside open and running to the railings. She looked over desperately, and an ice cold feeling or terror rose within her. No wonder she felt so off balance! Her knuckles turned white as her eyes raked down the front of the ship, it's nose dipped into the darkness of the ocean. The ship was sinking, and they'd been out here the deck for god knows how long...
"Oh my god..."
She lunged across the deck, almost taking the door off its hinges as she threw herself into the room. Cora sat in shock, confusion etched over her pale face. O'Brien moved beside her, taking her freezing hand in her own.
"Get up, m'lady, quick!" She pulled Cora to her feet.
"What are you doing, O'Brien? Where's the doctor-?"
"We have to go, now! Come on!" She pulled Cora across the room, her fear driving her.
"O'Brien! Stop! What's going on?!"
"The ship is sinking, m'lady! The iceberg we saw - out on the deck!" She stopped to look at Cora, whose face was shining with fear. "The corridor is deserted, they're telling all passengers to go up to the lifeboats!" She let go of Cora's hand, running into the storage room. Cora was silent, obviously trying to comprehend O'Briens words. She rummaged through the closet, her trembling hands flinging dresses and shoes aside, until she found what she was looking for.
"Here, put this on." She threw the lifejacket over Cora's head, who didn't fight. The fear in O'Briens voice terrified her, and she stood in complete shock as O'Brien fastened the material tightly around her. She put on her own lifejacket and took Cora by the hand again. She pulled her into the corridor and turned to look at her mistress. "The steward said to go up to the top deck, that's where the lifeboats are." She pulled Cora up the corridor, the backs of her legs aching slightly as they moved. Cora's grip was tight on O'Briens hands, and she could feel the Countess trembling beside her. O'Brien had a faint idea of where she was going, but most of her journeys had been downwards, towards third class, and she wanted to avoid going down as much as possible.
"Do you know how to get up to the top deck?" she asked, pausing at the end of the corridor, looking hopefully at Cora. She shook her head, and they stood looking down both sides, which were equally deserted.
"The dining room is that way," Cora said timidly, pointing down one side. "Maybe we could find someone down there to help us?"
It was the only choice they had, so O'Brien nodded and they moved down the corridor. O'Briens ears were perked up, determined to catch any sound that would lead them in the right direction. The lights suddenly flickered, and the two women froze as an awful mechanical noise surrounded them. They were plunged into darkness as the ship seemed to groan and heave, and O'Brien could hear Cora's panicked breathing.
"What's that?" she breathed, her grip tightening. O'Brien shook her head, trying to ignore the ball of terror growing in her chest. The lights flickered on again, and the ships cry ceased.
"Come on..." She pulled Cora on, the desperation to get out of the long corridors growing with every step. They came to a pair of doors, and Cora nodded at her. Her ears caught the sound of voices, some shouting, some crying, and she pushed open the doors leading to the dining room. There were a few people dotted around, but O'Brien ignored them, dragging Cora across the room. The tables were leaning slightly, and a few of the chairs had come free from their positions. She glanced at Cora, whose eyes were on the dispositioned furniture. Where to now? Cora's geography of the ship had served its purpose, and O'Brien was lost as to which direction would be best to take.
She caught sight of a staircase through the opening of a pair of glass doors, and tugged at Cora's hand.
"The main staircase," Cora gasped as they burst through. She felt Cora stagger into her as someone sprinted passed them, and a few screams caused O'Brien to spin round quickly. Her mouth fell open in terror. The icy blue Atlantic water was rushing towards them from a corridor just off the main hall. She heard Cora cry out as it hit their ankles, causing O'Brien to stumble over. It washed over her, stabbing at her very soul and shaking her to the very core. It felt like pure ice on her skin, and for a second she was frozen.
"O'Brien!" Cora's cry awakened her again, and she felt Cora pulling at her arm. They heaved themselves onto the first ledge on the staircase, slipping against the marble. Her breath caught in her throat as the water continued to ravage the main hall, and they watched as a couple of bodies disappeared beneath the surface. The water lapped at them again, and O'Brien staggered to her feet, dragging Cora away from rising water.
"Climb the stairs, climb the stairs! Don't stop!" The two women ran for the next set of stairs. They heard more screams from below them, and the rush of water echoed up the centre of the spiral staircase. The climbed and climbed, and O'Brien could feel her freezing dress sticking to her. Her legs seared with pain with every step, and she almost collapsed when they got to the top. Cora leant against the banister, closing her eyes for a second as she tried to catch her breath. O'Brien peered over the staircase, looking down to see the water down the staircase climbing slowly towards them. Cora peered over too, but looked away quickly.
"O'Brien..."
"Come on." Not letting go of her hand, she pulled Cora through the door leading to the top deck. They were met with chaos.
Hundreds of faces, all holding the same fearful expression, were swarming over the deck. She tightened her grip on Cora, trying to look over the many heads for any sign of open lifeboats. There was a sudden push, and they were separated. Their fingers slipped from each other, and O'Brien tried to turn back, but it was pointless. The people between them pushed them further apart, and she fought to squeeze between them. She could hear Cora crying out behind the wall of people.
"O'Brien! O'Brien!" She could hear the panic in her voice, and O'Briens heart erupted into her throat. She growled as she pushed again, trying desperately to get between the crowd and return to Cora's side. It was complete chaos. There were people screaming and shouting all around her. Cora's shouts were becoming fainter and fainter, and the ball of terror in her chest was threatening to explode in her. She clawed through the crowd in desperation, ruthlessly shoving people out the way.
"M'LADY!" She spotted her in the sea of faces, her cheeks tear stained and her lip trembling. Their eyes locked, and Cora desperately threw out a hand to O'Brien, who reached out her own through the crowd. Their fingers locked, and O'Brien pulled Cora towards her. The Countess fell into O'Brien, curling into her chest and grabbing the straps on her lifejacket in a desperate attempt lock them closer together. The shuffle of the crowd had moved them along the deck, and O'Brien backed them into small alcove, just out of the path of the crowd. Cora was crying into her chest, clinging desperately to her. O'Brien wrapped her arms around her, pulling her tightly into an embrace.
"Oh, O'Brien, I thought you'd gone, I c - couldn't see you and - and I was a - all alone-" Cora sobbed into her chest.
"Shh, it's alright, I'm here, it's alright." O'Brien looked around desperately. What now? They were safe in this small alcove for now, but the danger was literally minutes away. Her hope was flickering away with every minute. She couldn't see where they were supposed to go now.
"Miss O'Brien?" She looked up to see the barman from third class looking down at her. He looked a little worse for wear, but he'd managed to get himself a life jacket.
"Sidney?" She pulled Cora up, who watched Sidney timidly.
"What are you doing there? Why aren't you on a lifeboat yet?" he asked, his gaze flickering to Cora for a second. O'Brien shook her head.
"It's a long story."
"Well, you need to get yourselves over to the other side of the ship. You won't find anything of use over here, the last of the lifeboats are on that side. You might be able to board one there!"
"What about you?"
"I'll be alright," he said, flashing her a small smile and showing her a flask in his hand. "Always prepared. Now go on, get going!" He shielded the two women from the crowd, guiding them towards a small set of stairs. Cora went first, and as O'Brien went to follow, Sidney suddenly grabbed her arm.
"Here," he pulled another small flask from his jacket pocket and shoved it into her hands. "If you end up in the water... Try and drink that before you go in."
She took the flask in her freezing hands.
"Thank you."
He flashed her a smile. "You can give that flask back to me in New York." He gave her a small wink, and before she could say another word, he had melted into the crowd. She tucked the bottle into the pocket on her dress and turned back to Cora who was stood waiting right behind her. They joined hands again, and moved across the other side of the ship, where the crowd wasn't as thick. They stood looking over the crowd, scanning for any sign of an empty lifeboat.
"I don't see anything," Cora said to her. "There's no boats, Sarah, there's nothing here!" She gasped suddenly as the floor beneath them jolted. O'Brien turned to look back at the front of the ship, which was now below the surface of the water. The steepness of the wooden floor below them caused O'Brien to grab hold of the railing. She looked over the crowd desperately again.
"Listen..." She turned Cora to face her. "There's no boats left on the ship. We're gong to have to swim out to them, alright?"
"Swim out to them?" Cora echoed, her eyes wide with fear.
"Yes. Here..." She took the flask out and unscrewed the lid. She passed it to Cora, who took it with trembling hands. "Drink it!" She took a swig, and pushed it back into O'Briens hands. She put it to her own lips and took a swig. It burned to back of her throat as she put the flask back inside her pocket. "You're not gong to let go of my hand, alright? I'm gong to be right here, I promise." Cora nodded, gasping for breath. O'Brien tightened her grip on Cora's hand. "Whatever you do, do not let go!"
"Sarah... I'm scared." Cora whispered, curling into O'Briens chest again. She wrapped her arms around her, pulling Cora closer.
"I know... I am as well." Their embrace was cut short when there was another lurch, and the floor beneath them seemed to be melting away. "We have to go now!" They staggered over towards the railing of the ship, pausing only when a deck chair went sliding past them. O'Brien grasped the cold railing, and they didn't have a second to spare to peer over. She looked quickly at Cora, whose terrified eyes were locked on her.
"Do NOT let go!" she yelled as they climbed over the railing. She clasped her free hand on the straps of Cora's life jacket, and with one last look at each other, they plunged into the darkness.