April 15 1912 1:53 am
"Dr Magnus!" Helen turned as a familiar voice called her name. Out of the vast sea of pale frightened faces emerged a pair she recognized. "Have you seen Maggie?" Mr Astor asked and looked back at the disapearing bow. There are so many people running about, it's almsot impossible to keep track of anyone."
"We havent seen her in an hour." Madeline sighed.
"Maddie saw you and thought perhaps you knew where she was?" Astor asked hopefully.
"I hope she didnt go below deck." Maddaline sighed. "Do you think we could go look?"
Joughlin shook his head. "Theres no 'below deck' no more, maam. everywhere is flooded. Saving perhaps the swimming pool, from what I heard."
"I saw Maggie get placed on a lifeboat about an hour ago." Helen replied.
Astor put on a brave smile. "There you see, Maddie. youve been fretting over nothing. Maggie is a survivor. She'll be fine." He took Madaline by the elbow and wrapped the other arm over Helens shoulder. "Come on, ladies lets get to the boats." He said, leading the pair along.
Helen saw a group of men and women from thirdclass fighting to get out to the lifeboats. As they passed, a woman with a small child caught Helens sleeve.
"Please." She begged in serbian, "Take my son. I know they are only loading first class right now but at least let my son on with you?"
Helen latched onto her and pulled them both along with her.
"Please, my son Palve is only a child. Let him on the boats wont you?" Helen placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Youre both going on the boat." Helen promised.
Astor stopped and pulled another woman forward. "Quickly now. Come on. " he said, loading Palve and his mother into the boat. He lifted Madeline carefully into the boat. She turned and took his hand.
"Come on Darling, the boat is almost full."
Lightoller shook his head. "Women and children only."
Astor nodded. "Ill find you later Maddie. Ill come bac for you" He promised and leaned close for a kiss.
Helen turned away to afford the pair some privacy. and looked out to the ocean. The overwhelming number of floundering people was almost nausiating. She spotted a lifeboat not far off.
"Over there, why arent they collecting people from the water?"
Lightoller barely looked up. "Too many. They would flood the boats and swamp them."
"But the boat is so empty!" Helen argued. "Theres only a dozen or so people aboard."
"The theory was to lower it to second class and load it with more people. But we werent sure of the weight limits. Once the boats get organized, we can send some back to pick them up."
Helen looked at him in disbelief. "They dont have that sort of time. Hypothermia sets in under 30 minutes in water that cold! The human body loses heat to the water about 30 times faster than it does to the air. When the core body temperature falls to approximately 89°, a decrease in consciousness occurs. If the core temperature cools to below 86°, then heart failure is a major problem."
"All due respect, miss. We understand But there isnt anything else we can do. We are doing all we can to save as many as possible."
Astor nodded. "Then I shall aid you any way I can. Godspeed, Mr Lightoller."
Helen sighed and followed Astor into the chaos. Ahead there was a loud barking noise.
"Kitty!" Astor exclaimed and began running in a particular direction. Helen followed Astor to find the kennel.
"We need to help them." Helen gasped, looking at the dogs pawing desperately at thier cages.
"My Airendale Kitty is here. I now where the keys are kept" Astor nodded and handed her a set of keys. Helen began unlocking the cages on one side as Astor unlocked the other side.
"Do you supose theres anyone left in the top suites?" Helen asked. Astor shrugged. "Might as well check. It would be dreadful to think we just left them to die."
Helen lead the way up to the cabins of Deck B, knocking on the doors as she passed.
"Hello?" she called, trying to open one of the doors. "This door apears to be locked"
"This one as well." Astor nodded, trying the next door.
"Pardon me, but the pair of you shouldnt be in here." A steward lead the pair back out. "The area has been evacuated and sealed off to keep people from trying to sneak back in. "
"What about the lower decks?" Astor asked. The Steward shook his head. "Flooded. Nothing left."
"There must be some airtight places-" Astor began but the steward shook his head and blanched. "I hope not. once the water took over the air pockets would build so much atmospheric pressure, the human body would implode."
"Dear God." Helen breathed. Astor bowed his head. A loud scream was heard from above, jolting them back to the present.
"God speed. I have to get back.." the steward touched his hat and sped off in the direction he came.
Helen looked to Astor and pointed to where the scream resounded. "Should we investigate?"
Astor nodded and shuddered. " I hate to say it. Drowning dosnt sound so bad now." he sighed and lead the way up to the stern.
"well we arent dead yet." Helen said determinedly.
Astor nodded with a grim smile. "Thats in our favour."