Abdelkrim Bahloul - The night of destiny

This is a work of fiction. Except in references to the Lord Jesus Christ, the events and characters
described herein are imaginary and not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

Night Of Destiny
A Titanic Survivor Story
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2012 Kelly Ann Reed
V1.0

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphics, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Mick Art Productions, LLC
www.mickartproductions.com
ISBN: 9781622090402

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OFAMERICA

NIGHT OF
DESTINY

A TITANIC SURVIVOR STORY

BY
KELLY ANN REED

Cover Art by
Craig Reed

This novella is dedicated to my husband, Craig.
You have been a source of encouragement
and love to me for many years.
Thank you for believing in me.
I love you.

Kel

Prologue

I had to keep pinching myself because I could not believe the blessing that was mine. I was partaking in history by being aboard the RMS Titanic on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. How exciting it was to be young, single, and traveling on one of the most spectacular ships ever built.

My joy knew no end the day the boarding pass arrived, permitting me to leave my job at a linen factory in Ireland, and travel to Chicago, Illinois to start life anew with some relatives living there.

How wonderfully delighted and humbled I was to find that they had secured my passage to America on such a fine and grand vessel. The whole situation just seemed too good to be true and that is why I kept pinching myself.

All my life I had dreamt of distant places, of adventure, and of daring exploits. From an early age, my addiction for the written word had me devouring books that dealt with exotic travel and exploration.

One day, I had said time and again, I will be part of a great excursion in which the outcome of that journey will affect others for years to come.

How little I had understood the power and creativity of the spoken word but after the events and happenings that took place on the night and morning of April 14th and 15th, 1912, I have had many opportunities to ponder on the preciseness of my prophesy. My name is Shanna Kathryn. I was twenty years old and this is my story.

Chapter 1

The RMS Titanic was the esteemed pride of the White Star Line. The Queen of the Ocean is how they advertised her on their billings. She had been designed and built in such a way that a magazine article had deemed her practically unsinkable. One look at her graceful lines and solid construction and it was easy to understand why she had been termed so.

I boarded her, as a third class passenger, on April 11th in Queenstown, Ireland. I was among many who were traveling to the United States with big dreams and gigantic hopes of a bright future. The United States was the land of opportunity and the home of free enterprise. It was the place where nobodies could become somebody and the somebodies could become richer. It was a country where dreams really did come true and because of this, excitement was elevated on the third class decks. You could feel a current of expectancy radiate amongst the people as spirits were soaring high and needed little stimulation. Everyone appeared jovial and seemed really to care about their fellow man. I shall never forget this feeling as long as I live. It shall always be one of the high points of my life.

Closing my eyes, even now, I can recall the smells and sounds of that very day. The salty fragrance of the ocean, the different and unique scents of all kinds of people, the distinct odor of a new ship, and the tantalizing aroma of food being prepared somewhere onboard all mingled together to make one unforgettable bouquet of smells. Laughter and shouts of joy echoed through the companionways as we boarded and I could not help but smile. I was giddy, thrilled, and thankful to be alive. I thanked God continually for this adventure of a lifetime and as we cast off from the docks, hope sprung eternal within me and I wept with the joy I felt inside.

My cabin, which I shared with three other women who were from Ireland and traveling alone, was on E deck.

Janice was a small, shy sixteen year old with a sweet smile and creamy complexion. She had curly red hair that framed her face becomingly and eyes the color of a blue sky in summer. She, like me, was traveling to meet up with a family member in the states.

The other two girls were emigrating to America by themselves. Dark haired, gray-eyed Meghan was twenty-eight and had never been married. She was tall, thin, elegant, and educated. It was her desire to teach in a school for girls. She had two interviews to look forward to upon our arrival in New York.

Twenty three year old Eliza Mae made up the last of our foursome. She was the same height as I, about five foot eight, and had dark blonde hair worn in a chin length style and tucked behind her ears. She was a pretty girl, yet I often sensed sadness in her hazel eyes. She was relocating to New York to try to escape the nightmare she relived every time she passed by the remains of the home that once brimmed with the love of her brother, his wife, and their three children. Eliza Mae had been living with them, but had been away, taking care of an ill friend the night the fire broke out that killed the entire family. So many what ifs and could haves clouded her mind that she felt it necessary to move away. She was not sure what she would be doing once in America, but anything would be better than the constant reminder of the family she had lost.

From the moment of our first meeting, all four of us got along quite well. We took most of our meals together and spent a fair amount of time wandering the decks getting to know one another. In the passing of the days a loving friendship was cultivated; nurturing a feeling of goodwill and uniting us in companionship.

Chapter 2

Each day brought us closer to our destination and before we knew it we were in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, only a few hundred miles from the harbor of New York.

The morning of April 14th found me standing in front of the rectangular mirror that hung upon our cabin wall giving my chestnut hair a final pat. Almond shaped brown eyes twinkled in excitement as I secured a cameo broach, which my mum had given me, to the front of my coral dress. The color did wonders for my peaches and cream complexion, and I was pleased with the overall effect of my appearance.

At that very moment, I felt on top of the world. It was Sunday and Janice and I were getting ready to attend a devotional service. I enjoyed going to church and was looking forward to the ceremony at sea.

Meghan looked up from the book she was reading as we were heading out the door. We will wait until you return and then the four of us can go to dinner together. Is that all right with you two?

Janice and I both nodded our heads in agreement. That sounds wonderful. I replied, and then the two of us continued out the door.

Strolling along arm and arm, we made our way to C Deck where the service was getting ready to begin in the General Room.

There was standing room only as Janice and I made our way to the back. A small elderly woman seated at the piano began to play the introduction to the hymn, Amazing Grace.