Titanic: April 1912 by Kathleen Duey Read Free Book Online

metal stairs. The murmuring got louder as he passed the C-deck landing and continued downward. Voices, he realized; it was the sound of frightened voices.
    As he passed the D-deck landing, he could see people milling in the corridor and he could hear more clearly, but it made no difference. Many of them were speaking languages he didn’t understand.
    Without warning, an old man lunged at Gavin. His wrinkled face was shadowed with fear. He held Gavin’s forearm tightly with one hand, talking earnestly, repeating the same few words over and over.
    Gavin shook his head. “I can’t understand you. I’m sorry.” He struggled to get away as the man made a wide, paddling gesture with his free hand, all the while shaking his head violently from side to side. It suddenly made sense to Gavin—the man was explaining that he could not swim.
    Gavin shook his head helplessly, trying to step away. He finally managed to break free and bolted, afraid the man would grab him again. Angry shouts followed Gavin as he started downward once more.
    Where the stairs opened onto E-deck, Gavin leaped off the landing, running down a passage he knew would take him through the third-class cabins to the crew’s quarters—foremost in the bow.
    Here, the passageway was crowded, and Gavin had to make his way through frightened people—as well as stacks of clothing and trunks that nearly filled the corridor. The men were mostly silent, their faces tense and worried. Mothers were holding their children tightly, bundles of belongings clutched beneath their arms.
    Where the crowds thinned, Gavin sprinted, sliding around corners, his own thoughts a fearful tangle. Without slowing his pace he turned to the left, heading for the next set of stairs. He started downward. He had to get his wallet and he wanted the picture of his family. Beyond that, he had only two sets of clothes and he could wear them in layers to keep out the freezing air. Or was it foolish to take the time to dress?
    Gripping the handrail, he neared the bottom of the stairs and tensed himself to leap again. Midmotion, just as he was leaning forward to jump, he saw, for the first time, the landing below him. It was flooded with water.

Chapter Six
    Karolina was still running. Down here, the roaring was distant, not even loud enough to waken someone from sleep. The stairways and the corridors were empty, all the cabin doors closed for the night. The sound of her own footsteps seemed rude, out of place, in the peaceful midnight silence.
    Her stateroom door was shut tight. Aunt Rose had not awakened. Karolina turned the handle and went in. The stuffy little room was quiet except for Aunt Rose’s gentle snoring. Karolina was about to shake her aunt awake. Then she paused. What if it was all a false alarm?
    Karolina stood breathing deeply in the darkness, still unsure what to do. She stepped back and knelt down, feeling for their life belts beneath her berth. It took a moment for her to find them. “Aunt Rose,” Karolina said quietly. There was no response. “Please wake up.” Her aunt turned beneath the blankets, sighing. Karolina reached out to touch her shoulder.
    â€œWhat?” Aunt Rose said thickly. “What’s the matter?” Karolina turned on the light. Aunt Rose sat up, blinking. “Whatever in the world is the matter?”
    â€œWe have to put these on now.” Karolina held out the life belts.
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Aunt Rose sat up straighter, pulling the blanket along with her. “Where have you been, young lady? I waited for a long time. I must have dozed, but I—”
    â€œWe’re supposed to put on our life belts,” Karolina said once more. She knew she should explain, but it was hard, here in the bright light, looking at her aunt’s irritated face. “There was an iceberg,” she began. Aunt Rose’s expression changed, and Karolina began telling her about