April 18 1912 11:45 Pm New York
Helen allowed the tide of human flotsom carry her to the already crowded pier. Along with the rest of titanics refugees. She wasnt sure what she should feel. Fear relief gratitude? Guilt anger shame? Hope? Exaughstion? Over the past two days she had felt them all. Had seen them on the desperate faces the blurred one into the next, 700 faces awash in turmoil. Worse than the frightened unfamiliar faces were the missing ones. Smug Cameron, dangerously charming Kolya. Self assured Mr Guigenhiem. Lillian Goodwin and her brother Charles. The good natured Dr Oloughlin. The solenm but friendly Thomas Andrews. Brave John Astor.
"God almighty I dont believe it Dr Magnus." Helen turned at the shocked brisk voice of Magaret Brown. The tough rugged woman was a pleasant sight for Helens sore eyes.
"Im pleased to see you, up and about. and none the worse for wear so to speak." Despite looking tired and haggard, Maggie gave a small smile, which Helen tried to return. "You were touch and go for a while. Good to see you pulled through."
"Yes well I supose I'm made of sterner stuff than I look" Helen repeated something her father said of her quite often.
Maggie nodded. "Well we women aint so dainty and breakable as men seem to think, are we? We re setting up some relief areas on the docks, blankets food family locatoion... If theres anything we can do for you, come find me there."
"I would like to help with that." Helen replied quickly. There were a lot of people who could use help and she didnt like to sit idle.
Maggies smile broadened. "Much obliged, and Im sure a doctors care would be greatly apriciated."
Steady rain fell over the dock, soaking rescuers and refugees alike. Helen walked through the fine mist that rose, ignoring her own exaughstion to help those around her.
A small boy stood in the middle of the dock, heedless of those around him. he called out in itallian for his mother. Helen knelt down and tried to smile.
"My name is Helen. Im going to help you." she soothed.
"I want my mama." the boy sniffed. Helen nodded softly
"Where is your mother?" Helen asked, looing aroud the crowd. "where did you last see her?"
"On the titanic." The boy answered. " A strange man took me from her and brought me here. Then he left."
"Where is your father?" Helen asked.
"With Mama." The boy sniffed and fellinto Helens arms. She picked him up and carried him to a refugee tent.
"This boy says his parents were both on titanic when she sank." Helen explained. "I dont think they made it off."
"Poor little dear." The woman in charge sighed and wrapped a blanket around the boy. "Hes not the first with a story like that. Best we can do is send out a message to seee if he has any relatives who can take him in. Perhaps an uncle here in New york?" She handed the boy over to another woman, who carried him off. "We ll get him something to eat and clean him up. Then find his family."
Helen ducked back out of the tent and walked aimlessly over the doc. She wasnt sure what she was looing for, or who she mght find. Worse yet who wouldnt she find? Sudden movement caught the corner of her eye. A girl with brown pigtails and a ragged blue dress. Helen held her breath.
Could it be the same girl? Helen turned to follow her. The girl moved swiftly through the crowds. Helen caught a glimpse now and againbut the ner target disapeared. She stopped and sighed as the figure disapeared forever from her life.
Helen sighed turned back toward the pier where Titanics survivors were stranded. after two steps something caught on her heel making her look down.
Tenderly, Helenpicked up the bedragled cloth. It was a silk handkerfchief embroidered with the initials HM.
Her initials.
Helen hugged the precious treasure close and waled slowly bac to the salty drenched dock.
The quay was empty but for the last few searchers. people looking for loved ones that werent there, calling out names that belonged to the wind.
Helen collapsed on a small cargo bin and closed her eyes. she was soaked through and freezing cold. She was sure she would never feel warm again.
Helen found she didnt care. 60 years was long enough. She would stay here and be another casualty of the Titanic Disaster. Something about the anonaminity of that apealed to her. She let her head drop and surrendered to death.
This was how Nikola Tesla found his old friend. "Helen? Wake up love. Come on Helen, get up. We have to go, theres nothing here. Lets go."
Helen was vaugly aware of being lifted up. she moaned weakly in protest. Nikola almost dropped her in relief.
"Thank god! Youre alive!" He sighed and held her close. "Now come with me. I'm going to take care of you." She could hear the signature arrogant smirk in his voice.
"This better be a delusion." Helen groaned. "Im going to kill Watson."
And then she fainted.