The Courageous One

This is Love

     Tears trailed down Ruth's face as she gripped her husband tightly, wishing never to let go. She could feel his racing heart and stone cold hands as he clutched her passionately against his chest. 

     Never, in her whole life, had she imagined it would end like this. They were suppose to raise William, the tiny child clinging to her skirt, together! Ruth could see every joyful moment in the life she dreamed of being viciously smothered and drowned, as the "unsinkable ship" beneath her feet slowly sank into the icy grave it had been destined for. 

     She could compose herself no longer. The tears that began rolling down Ruth's face gave way to sobs, and a great heaving in her chest. 

     "I don't want to leave you, John. I don't!" 
"And I don't want to leave you either, my dear," John echoed, gently releasing his shivering wife as he held her hands tightly. "But you must go. Go, and give our darling William a chance to live." 
"Come with us, please John. Please," she begged.
"No." John replied resolutely, kissing his wife gingerly on the cheek. "I can't. And I would never be so selfish as to take another's place simply because I could." 

     A wave of women and children surged forward as Ruth gripped her son's chilled fingers.
"Women and children first!" a man shouted frantically as he ushered an old, frightened woman into a lifeboat. "Women and children first!" 

     Ruth could feel her body being dragged along with the crowd, though she wished to stay at her beloved's side. But she had to go, she had to be strong for William's sake. A forced resolve filled her chest as she took the heavy steps away from the one who loved her so much. 

     It took so much strength for the young woman to turn and leave another to die instead of her. It seemed as if the wind were resisting Ruth and pushing against her, compelling her to lift William up into her arms and cradle the darling child with the last of her waning strength. 

     If she could only get one last glimpse of John, then she might have the courage to continue on without him. But she must not turn back, or she would surely faint! She would surely faint… perhaps only a small glimpse, for William, so she could remember. She looked back and saw him standing there resolute and unwavering, frozen in time. Nodding his head in assurance. John whispered, 
"I love you." 

     Before she could even respond, the crowd pressed in on Ruth and she found herself being pressed towards the lifeboats as her beloved's face faded into the crowd. It was as if she were in a trance, unable to move her own body. 

     The starry sky seemed to mourn for her as she stepped into a wooden lifeboat and set her crying child down upon her lap. The child was crying for his father, unable to understand why he was not coming with them. Ruth clutched her child's tiny body, feeling the same pain, while the tears flowed like a trickling stream down her own flushed face. 

     The boat was lowered into the icy waters. A splash of the ocean's cold tears slapped Ruth across the cheek, as if to jeer at her. But the young woman ignored its heartless affront, and leaned over to protect her sobbing child. 

     The sinking Titanic's stern slowly lurched upwards, as water surged mercilessly over the deck. It was a nightmare come true, a nightmare which every person aboard must surely have had at least once in their lifetime, but never truly believed could be realized. Ruth raised her eyes up toward the sinking giant, searching for just a glimpse of her beloved before he would disappear, forever… for her sake.

Author's Note

I always welcome critiques! Please feel free to express your honest opinion.


---RbG

Reviews

[fiery-san]

This is truly a lovely piece. I always love stories from behind the scenes. Titanic in particular contains more than one story, a lot of people were on that ship. Each one with his or her own story, each one with his or her own form of tragedy as the "unsinkable" sunk into the icy depths.

It's a captivating piece. The words were well placed and the flow was very good that there weren't any pauses for the reader.

One thing I would like to comment is that a couple of your paragraphs appear a bit lengthy that it can be discouraging for the reader. Usually, three to five sentences would do. However, if you're the type to make long sentences (like me) I suggest you try to narrow it down to two to three.

I really can't say the an exact number of words per sentence because that might lead you to counting the words which can be too constricting for a writer. And I usually go with my instincts... that kind of feeling where you just the right words to use and the right moment to stop... that kind of feeling.

And from what I've read, you got good writer's instincts.

Overall, great work. ^_^

[RobbedByGreed]

Thank you! I will fix this piece and work on making sure my paragraphs are reader friendly in the future :)

[Acucena G.]

its beautiful story , I love love stories and this is just fabulous

[RobbedByGreed]

Thank you :)

[Acucena G.]

you are welcome

[jdr / Jennifer]

I have chills after reading this piece. An exquisite write, your portray its emotion perfectly. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent.

[RobbedByGreed]

Thank you! I am honored to have your support :)

[InsanityWriter]

Beautiful. Simply beautiful. Amazing story, although fictional, to come from a trajedy. Great work. :)

[RobbedByGreed]

Thank you! :)

[unsavable_soul]

Very nice write RbG,
Very nice indeed. The Titanic from another perspective. this demonstrates much in the way of honor. More people would get farther with an attitude such as this, we might all seek to help one another more, thus allowing all to be helped. The thought comes to mind of a man by the name of Sir Nicholas Winton that I shall simply say you should watch this I found it ever so profound and tears could not be contained. This I feel relates. Again very nice piece friend very.
Sincerely
Christopher

I beg of you to check this out and see the impact such an action as you wrote about can have. this Man led children out of Nazi Germany during it's great struggles, Wiki it to be sure though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_nFuJAF5F0
Copy and past in web address bar.

[RobbedByGreed]

Thank you :)

And I will be glad to watch the video. I always love to learn new things, it's invigorating!

---RbG

[Marie]

A very moving story. The Titanic brought great courage in people, and surely one of those was John.
I would suggest just one change

"It took so much energy for the young woman to turn and leave another to die instead of her." I believe "strength" would be a better word in this sentence than "energy."

[RobbedByGreed]

Again, I am glad you took the time to point that out to me :)
Thank you!


---RbG

[Imara]

Oh lovely. Romantic, brings be back to the days where there were men like that. I felt the chill and mostly felt sorry for the son who would grow up without a child. "For the sake of the Women and Children." That was just an amazing ending line. Great Job!

[RobbedByGreed]

Thank you!

[Jayden Ireton]

Thank you for a very gripping story. I was drawn in from the beginning as I read on I couldn't wait to finish but at the same time did not want the story to end. I knew from how it was written in the beginning it must be the titanic. The ending was very strong. It was an echo "For the sake of the Women and Children". Very good story. Keep up your writing your doing great. I hope to see many more stories from you.

[RobbedByGreed]

Thank you :) I'm glad you enjoyed it!


---RbG

[Valentine]

Honey this is a beautiful write..I thought Titanic..Valentine

[RobbedByGreed]

Thank you, I'm flattered!

---RbG

[Jack...]

Oh my, this was sad and beautifully written. I enjoyed every line of this story. You have captured the true essence of that horrific night from the eyes of one woman and her child. So very touching.

I know you from bookrix.

[RobbedByGreed]

Thank you very much.
I am glad my words have been able to affect your person.

read moreThank you very much.
I am glad my words have been able to affect your person.


---RbG