BENEATH THE TITANIC
Chapter Two
"You do have a choice. You
are not my prisoners. But you know where my decision would lie." The
merfolk chieftain folded his arms, undulating softly in the water in front of
them. Rose and Jack were still being held by the merfolk deep below. They could
not feel their bodies, but somehow knew they were still there. They floated in
the ethereal nothingness until the chieftain’s voice penetrated their foggy
minds. He spoke again.
"You must each make your own
decision, for each of you. Do not think so much about the other."
"How do we know we’ll have
good lives if we decide to join you down here?" Rose asked. She glanced
over at Jack, who was passive and thoughtful. The chieftain shrugged.
"You don’t. But you will be
able to start over. Nothing will be the same. This could be a good thing or a
bad thing, depending on what you want. You cannot delay for long. Your bodies
will eventually die. For until you have made your choice, you are forever tied
to the land, and your body will perish here in the water." He flipped his
tail and turned away from them.
Jack’s head was in a turmoil. He
saw his beautiful Rose floating next to him and the life they could have led
together, eloping once on shore. But then he turned and saw the colorful
merfolk and the private life he could have under the water. Rose might not want
the same thing. She had become his life. One of the merfolk swam over.
"I know what you are
thinking. You do not want to stay if she doesn’t. But you must ultimately
decide for yourself. There will be a whole new world, a life for you down here.
Even up there, both of you coming from where you do, could you really be happy
together? Think about that." Jack looked over at Rose.
"I think we could be happy
here, Rose. A new start."
"I don’t think so, Jack.
Think of all the things we planned to do. I know in time my mother will come
around. Think of the children we would have up there, Jack. I feel that’s where
we’re supposed to be. This isn’t supposed to exist. It’ll make us question
everything we’ve ever known. What will be real to us anymore?"
For the first time since he had
set foot on the famous Titanic, Jack doubted Rose. But he couldn’t bear to hurt
her, even in his doubt. So, he said nothing. The chieftain swam over to join
them.
"I think the decision has already
been made in your heart." He stared pointedly at each of them. "We
shall return your bodies to the surface, where you will have a few moments.
Fear not. We will not go back on our bargain."
The colors started to swirl again
and Jack and Rose were lifted up, up, until their heads broke the surface. Air
rushed back into their lungs and the pain returned to their limbs. Jack helped
Rose climb onto a piece of drifting wood. Soon, he felt his limbs grow cold,
and visions of merfolk danced before his eyes. He hoped it would be quick.
Rose was grateful. So grateful.
They would both stay where they were meant to be. They would eventually be
rescued and could begin a life together. But Jack didn’t answer her excited
whisperings. His eyes had closed, and his hands were ice cold. Rose’s
whispering voice cracked.
"Jack? Jack. Come back.
Please. Wake up. Come back. Jack!" But Jack didn’t answer. Rose felt like
cursing the mermaids. They had sent them back here just to die on the surface.
But she still felt glad Jack had chosen to stay with her. She loved him then
more than she ever had.
Jack’s cold body started to slip
beneath the waves. Rose watched, tears streaming down her cheeks. A flash of
green. Jack’s eyes opened, looking up at her apologetically. She gasped. An
orange fin flashed by, and Jack was gone. A watery voice whispered in her head,
"His choice. It was his choice."
The End.