Chaos reigned over the warped wooden docks. The briny sea air tasted of pain and fear. The Carpathia was moored close by. People were moving without purpose. A zoo of shocked and panicked men, women and chilren wandered in circles, unsure what they wanted or needed. From the other side, people stampeded into the crowds, screaming the names of loved ones. Nikola headed into the thick of it with the others, though he knew even at the top of his voice, Helen would never be able to distinguish his voice from the tumultuous din.
He wandered about for an hour, looking for someone who could help. Anyone. So many cried and called for help. Then he heard a small voice in Serbian. Nikola turned to see a small boy crying out in his native tongue.
"Where is Mama? Where is Mama? I've lost Mama! Please, sir, " he cried, grabbing a passing official. "Help me find Mama?"
The officer growled and shook him off. "I'm busy, kid. Go back to your mother," he muttered coldly and walked away briskly. Nikola sighed and knelt beside the distraught boy. He took his icy hand and tried to smile.
"Ill help you find your mother. My name is Nikola. How about you?" he asked encoragingly.
"Pavle."
Nikola nodded. "Palve. I had an uncle named Palve. Where did you last see your mother?"
"On the boat. We were in the water and Mama pulled us into a boat. But then we were on the bigger boat and I got seperated. Please, Mr. Nikola. I'm all alone, and it's so scary."
Nikola nodded and held out his hands. "May I pick you up? I can walk faster than you. I can help you find your mother. And you can rest your feet."
Palve nodded with a sweet smile and held up his hands for Nikola to pick him up. Nikola lifted him easily and carried him into the din. "Tell me what your mother looks like."
Palve motioned vaugly with his hands. "She is tall. Like you. With hair that's longer than mine. But shorter than others. I don't know where she is. But she's very pretty. And she speaks Serbian. Like you."
Nikola nodded and looked around until he found a flimsy tent labeled 'Family Location.' He walked in and looked to the officer in charge. "Excuse me, I have a young boy here named Palve. He doesn't know English."
"Well, I don't speak his jibberish," the officer said as Palve launched into a description of his mother. Nikola fought the urge to vamp, gave Palve a blanket from a nearby table, then headed back out.
"Palve! Palve!" A woman ran up and hugged Palve as Nikola carried him back out. "Thank you for finding my son! How can I thank you?" she cried and kissed Nikola.
"Do you have a warm place to stay? At least for tonight?" Nikola asked in concern. "It's cold, and you have a child."
Palve's mother smiled and nodded. "Yes. My husband is here. He worked many hard hours at many different jobs to bring us here."
Nikola set Palve down and watched the pair walk through the throng of paniced people. He turned back to his search for Helen when he felt another tug on his sleeve. Palve was smiling up at him. He handed Nikola a small medal and ran after his mother. Nikola watched them disappear into the awaiting darkness.
He looked at the gold medalion in his hand and recognized the Patron Saint of Children.
"Well. Someone's looking after you."