Part 8

"Psst", someone hissed behind Hunter, Thad and Sebastian. The trio had returned to the gates to see if they were allowed up now but they weren't. They were still locked in. Sebastian was holding one arm around Thad's waist while Hunter held Thad hands in his. Hunter looked around but then shrugged.

"Psst", someone hissed again and this time Sebastian looked around.

"PSSST!" the third his was louder and Thad turned and grinned.

"Wes!" He said and the taller boys on either side of him turned as well and their eyes landed on their friend from first class. He was dressed in what looked like a server's uniform. He smiled gently.

"Wes", Hunter whispered. "What are you doing here?! How did you get here?!"

"No one locks my friends in and leave them to die", Wes growled.

"That still doesn't explain how you got here", Sebastian said. Wes looked around and nodded down the hall before hurrying away. The boys looked at each other before they followed him. Thad ran up to Wes' side and noticed that their friend looked really dirty.

"Wes why do you look like you've been working in a mine", he asked curiously. Wes just smiled and dragged Thad into a small spare area in the corridor and kicked at the bars in front of the air duct. Sebastian, Hunter and Thad stared at him and the whole. Wes looked at them and then measured the hole with his hands and then measured Hunter and Sebastian's shoulders.

"It might be tight", he said. "But I'm sure you can handle it boys."

"You want us to get in there", Hunter asked. "And climb all the way to the deck?!"

"No", Wes said happily. "Just to second class."

"Are you crazy", Sebastian asked as Wes crawled into the air duct.

"No", Wes called back. "I just want my friends and I to be together. Come on boys."

Hunter and Sebastian stared at each other, Wes couldn't be serious could he? Why the heck did he climb down to help three people he barely knew to get out from what would be their tomb? Wes was so strange. But they both felt that they were happy he at least tried to help them. But… both boys had accepted that they would not get off this ship alive. Third class was going to be evacuated last and by then the ship would most likely be sinking too fast. They knew they were dying. They had accepted it. But then both of them were shocked out of their stupor as Thad crawled into the air duct, Hunter's backpack with him. Thad was wearing it on his stomach instead and started to climb up after Wes. His boyfriend and best friend stared after him. They had no idea of what to think.

"Are you two coming", Thad's voice echoed down to them and Hunter nodded. He looked around and patted Sebastian's back to tell the other boy to get into the vent. Sebastian crawled inside and started to climb up. Hunter waited a bit before following as well.

The climb had been very draining and the boys all had to stay and pant a bit as they got up to second class. They were all leaning against the wall by the vent and sat there in silence. But then they heard it… music.

"Who's playing", Sebastian panted.

"It's the Titanic's orchestra", Wes explained. "They want to try to keep everyone calm… they all know they won't get off this ship in the life boats."

"Why", Thad asked and Wes sighed heavily.

"Because they are sending the boats off almost empty", he said sadly. "And there isn't enough room for everyone."

"What?!" Sebastian yelled and flew up. "Are you saying there are too few life boats?!"

Wes nodded. Sebastian started to pace back and forth, looking at his feet… and looking ready to kill someone.

"Where is that Andrews guy", he growled. "I'll kill him myself."

Wes sighed.

"I heard he was seen standing in the first–class smoking room staring at a painting, "Plymouth Harbour", above the fireplace, his lifejacket lying on a nearby table. It appears that Andrews stayed in the smoking room for some time to gather his thoughts, then he continued assisting with the evacuation. I know he did because I saw him."

"So… he's feeling guilty", Thad asked.

"I guess so", Wes said and got up. "Come on… let's go up on the deck."

The scene that met them was horrifying for the three third class boys. Wes had gotten time to get a bit more used to it, he had been there to help women into the boats ever since the evacuation started. Thad, Sebastian and Hunter stared in utter horror at the chaos. It seemed as someone had let the third class people out as well because they recognized a few people from the party. But what was the most disturbing was watching a few men that had been shot… and watching the life boats deploy barley even full. Hunter pulled Thad back as a man ran past them and jumped down into one of the life boats. Other followed his example and didn't back off until the officer in charge shot a man running towards the edge. Thad stared in horror.

"If they jump they risk not only their own lives but the lives of everyone in that boat as well", an officer beside them explained and continued to help some women and children get past. The four boys sat down nearby the musicians and waited, maybe soon they'd get a chance to get on the boats.

"What are you doing when we come to New York Wes", Thad asked quietly as he rested his head on Sebastian's shoulder.

"Well", Wes said. "I was planning on finding a nice apartment somewhere where I can write my music in peace."

"What would it look like", Thad asked and Hunter handed him his sketchpad. Thad smiled at him and put a pencil to the paper.

"Well", Wes said and smiled. "When you walk in through the door the first thing you will see is the big bright living room. There will be a chandelier in the roof, crystal and big windows to let the sun in. There will be a cozy atmosphere from the furniture and in the corner a piano and on that a violin case."

"How many rooms", Thad asked.

"Well one study, one master bedroom, two bathrooms and two guest rooms and a kitchen."

"How about a big dining room where you can host parties", Sebastian said.

"Yes I totally forgot about that."

"And a library", Hunter added. "And a big balcony."

"It would be a loft apartment so that I could have somewhat of a garden on the roof. I need somewhere to sit there because I love the stars."

"And a room where you could just sit in the quiet for a bit", Thad said and the other three smiled. He was drawing real fast. Flipping pages every now and then. They sat there talking for about half an hour when suddenly…

The boys all flew up as they heard screaming and they realized… Titanic was going under. They could all see the water. Hunter noticed Andrews frantically throwing deck chairs into the ocean for passengers to use as floating devices.

"Run", Wes said as people started coming their way as well as water. "Get to the stern!"

The boys started running. Hunter and Sebastian were in front of everyone and both grabbed a hold of Thad's hands as they ran. Before they took off Hunter had managed to put Thad's notepad into his backpack and now wore the pack on his back again. Thad looked back at all the people and the water. The thing that scared him the most though was the screaming from all around him. He squeezed Hunter's hand and then Sebastian's. The ship started to tilt and then the trio realized…

"Where's Wes?!" Sebastian asked. They saw no sign of their friend and people started to catch up to them. They would never get to the stern in time to be among the last to hit the water. In this cold it was important to stay dry for as long as possible. But if they didn't get there in time…

Thad bit his lip. Hunter and Sebastian could get there much faster if they just let go of his hands. But he couldn't ask them to do it. Both of them had promised not to and would never do it. The ship started to lean even more and Thad made his decision. Sebastian and Hunter were big and strong and dressed warmly. They could survive… they could find something to cling to and as far as he knew… both could swim. Thad was a bad swimmer and not very strong so he'd never even survive the force pulling him down as the ship went down. He didn't want Hunter and Sebastian to worry about his survival… they had to worry about themselves. Therefore… Thad made his decision.

"Guys", he said and knew they could hear him. "I love you."

"Thad", Sebastian asked confused and Hunter looked back and then his heart froze. Thad let go of his hand.

"NO!" Sebastian shouted and tried to stop running but the people behind them were forcing him and Hunter on. But Thad disappeared in the crowd.

TBC *run and hides*