LOGINShare
Vibration
Last Updated:
2021-02-25 04:33:58Meg had gone to bed fairly early that night. After returning to the cabin, she’d gone over everything with Kelly, cried some more, and then read for a bit before falling asleep around seven o’clock. Her exhaustion from the night before had caught up to her at last. A few hours later, a strange sensation jarred her from sleep, and even though she had been resting quite some time, she was suddenly wide awake.
She glanced around the darkened room and realized everyone else was still sleeping soundly. The idea of rolling back over and returning to sleep seemed like a good one, but the uneasiness in the pit of her stomach stayed with her, and she decided to go out and investigate.
Taking the extra time to change into clothes, she pulled her shawl around her as well and went out into the hallway. There were a few other passengers out and about, all of them with curious expressions on their faces. “Did you feel something, too?” she asked another woman,
Related chapters
Ghosts of Southampton Vanished
Once Kelly realized she was slowing their progress by continuing to fight her husband, he was able to get her through the crowd and up the Boat Deck much more quickly. He was quite surprised at how few people were actually present atop the Boat Deck. Though there were quite a few First Class passengers, particularly women, he saw very few Second or Third Class passengers at all.They were approaching the bow of the ship on the starboard side when Kelly spotted Jonathan and Charlie, who were walking quickly toward them, as if they had already seen the family from afar. “Charlie! Jonathan!” she yelled. “Thank God we found you. Do you know what’s going on?”“Apparently, we’ve struck an iceberg,” Charlie replied. “We were told to make our way up, but it really doesn’t seem to be all that serious. Where are Meg and Ruth?”“Ruth took off again, and Meg went back to find her,” Daniel explaine
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Gentleman
Jonathan stood near the lifeboats with Kelly, his arm around her in an attempt to keep her and Baby Lizzy as warm as possible. He frequently checked his pocket watch and looked around for any signs of Charlie, Meg, or Daniel. At 12:45, a flare illuminated the sky above them, with the bursting sound of a firecracker, causing many of the children to squeal in delight. It was a sure sign to Jonathan that this was no drill. The ship was going down. “Let’s scoot forward a bit, Kelly, shall we?” he asked, guiding her closer to the nearest lifeboat.Upon reaching a location nearer what happened to be Lifeboat Number 6, Jonathan saw a familiar face. “Molly,” he said, getting her attention.“Well, if it isn’t my favorite valet,” she smiled. She was dressed in a fur coat and gloves with a hat to match. “Where’s Charlie?” she asked, glancing around.“Looking for Meg.”“And my daughte
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Saved
“Charlie!” Ruth yelled.“Let’s get you out of there,” he said.“It’s locked,” Meg reminded him. The water had risen so high, she could no longer even see the keyhole.“It’s a good thing I have this, then,” he replied, pulling the gate open and showing her the key he had used to do so.“A key! Where did you get a key?”“Come on,” he said, taking Ruth out of her arms and pulling her back the way he had come. “We need to get you two to a boat immediately.”The water on E Deck was rising, but they were able to walk out of the deepest part fairly quickly. Charlie seemed to know exactly where he was going, and Meg held onto his hand and let him lead her.“I need to go back to the stairwell and see if I can find Daniel,” she explained.“No time for that,” he said dismissively.“But I promised him I
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Row
Several crewmen aboard Lifeboat Number 16 were rowing them away from the Titanic, afraid it might suck them down when it went under. The further away they got, the more obvious it became that Titanic was floundering quickly now. At this distance, one could easily see just how much of the bow was underwater. Though the water was rising in the stern portion as well, from where Meg sat, it looked as if the frigid Atlantic were about to reach the Boat Deck near the front of the ship.She had come to the realization pretty quickly after being placed in the lifeboat that there was very little chance that Charlie would survive the sinking, particularly if he refused to get on a lifeboat. She had been counting the launches the best she could from where she sat, and it appeared as if only the collapsibles were left. Though her body had begun to shut down, and therefore her tears had dried up, occasionally, she would shutter violently, and if it weren’t for the
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Rescue
Meg had lost consciousness somewhere between the dispatch of the two rescue lifeboats and the arrival of the Carpathia. It wasn’t until Mrs. Appleton shook her softly to let her know it was their turn to mount the ladder to the new ocean liner that she fully came to. Her dress was stiff with ice particles, as was her hair, and as she began to move just to straighten up, every part of her body protested. She glanced over at Ruth, who was sleeping on her father’s shoulder, and Daniel managed a small smile. Her initial thought, her continuous thought, was a simple one. I’ve lost Charlie again. This time, it seemed, it would be for good.Getting aboard the Carpathia required a lot of help, but she managed to do so. Once aboard, the survivors were immediately ushered away from the Boat Deck to the interior of the boat where several public areas had been prepared to receive them. At first, Meg insisted on being allowed to stay on th
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Search
As Meg took her first few steps, overwhelming pain shot through her feet and up through her legs. She wondered if, perhaps, she didn’t have some frostbite. But with each step, the pain dulled, and soon she was able to make some semblance of a normal gait. Jonathan had offered his arm, and she could tell he was growing a bit impatient with her as she struggled to keep up, but as she grew stronger, her speed increased, and soon he began to tug on her less as they made their way through the throng of people.“Do you want to speak to Kelly first? She’s just over there?” he asked gesturing across the crowd.Meg could see her friend and her family off in the distance. Though Daniel was very pale, Ruth was dancing around her mother’s feet, and Baby Lizzy was cooing at her. She caught Kelly’s eyes and held them for a second, a small smile flashing between them. “No,” she replied. “Later.”Jonathan seemed reliev
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Found
“You what?” Meg asked, not sure she’d heard correctly.“I found ‘im. I found Mr. Ashton, like you asked. I’ve been lookin’ everywhere for you,” she continued.Meg looked from the woman to Jonathan and back again. “What? Where? Are you sure? Is he….”“Come along, then,” she said leading the way out of the crowd and back the other direction toward the First Class passengers’ cabins.“Most of the crew don’t know the doctor arranged for a few of the more critical, higher priority patients, if you will, to have their own cabins. The doctor’s been so busy, as you can imagine. The whole medical crew has been….”Meg was hurrying to keep up with her. “Are you saying he’s alive then?” she asked once again.“To the best of my knowledge,” she replied, “though the gal I talked to said he wasn’t doin
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Forever
Meg stared down at Charlie through tear-blurred eyes, her body heaving, each breath a struggle. “I’m so sorry, Charlie,” she whispered. “I should have made you get on the boat. I should have prayed harder.” She began to realize there was nothing more that she could say, nothing she could do, and the feel of Jonathan’s hand on her back indicated he thought she needed to go. She couldn’t imagine walking away from Charlie again. She didn’t think she could do it. She began to wish she’d stayed aboard the Titanic as well.“Come along, Meg,” Jonathan said quietly. “Ruth will be missing you.”Of course, there was Ruth. She needed to be strong for Ruth. She nodded, though she still could not tear her gaze from his handsome face. Even in death, his skin pale, his lips blue, he was still so very handsome. “I can’t let go yet, Jonathan,” she said quietly.“All rig
Last Updated : 2021-02-25
Latest chapter
Ghosts of Southampton Love
She’d been in Charlie’s bedroom a few times before, but this time was certainly different. Butterflies fluttered around her stomach, some of the nervous variety, but most of them fueled by excitement.They were sitting on the edge of his bed, the door closed and locked, the drapes pulled tightly. She knew that there were a few servants elsewhere in the house, but they would leave the couple undisturbed at least until mid-morning. Glancing up at him, she could see that he felt much the same way that she did.“It turned out quite well, don’t you think?” Charlie asked, clearly meaning the wedding.“Yes,” Meg nodded.“Even though a few guests certainly had too much to drink.”She giggled, thinking of one older gentleman who had made quite a spectacle of himself trying to climb atop one of the tables to dance. He had been escorted out, but Meg was thankful for the diversion. For once, everyone wasn&r
Ghosts of Southampton Married
Ruth looked adorable in her pink dress, which hung to the floor, nearly tripping her as she danced around her parents. Kelly had stood beside Meg, along with Grace, and Charlie had been proud to have both Walter—who turned out to be every bit as silly as Charlie had described—and Quincy on his side.Now, it was all over, except for the reception. Then, Meg would return to Charlie’s house—the house they would share together—and embark on a new adventure, that of being Mrs. Charles Ashton.“Meg Ashton,” she said aloud, once the last of the well-wishers had moved along. “What do you think?”Charlie was already grinning from ear to ear, but his face brightened even more. “I think it sounds remarkable.”“That’s my name now, you know? Meg Ashton.”“What about Mary Margaret Ashton?” he asked, leaning close to her ear.“Heaven’s no. That&rsquo
Ghosts of Southampton Progress
Sitting next to Meg alone in the overly opulent dining room, Charlie couldn’t help but smile. Even though the voices still clung to him, he had a feeling Dr. Morgan could actually help. For the first time since he’d arrived back in New York City, he felt hopeful that he could return to his former self.“You look awfully chipper this evening,” Meg said, as she took a sip of her soup. “I suppose that means Dr. Morgan was helpful?”“It does,” Charlie admitted, noting how lovely she looked in the light blue gown she wore. It made her eyes sparkle. “He really does know precisely what to ask and how to ask it.”“Are you studying him as much as he’s studying you?” she asked, amusement pulling at the corners of her exquisite lips.He looked at her for a moment, his head tipped to the side a bit, seeing if she would break into a giggle. She did. “And what if I am?”&ld
Ghosts of Southampton Help
Dr. Morgan’s office was on the third floor of a five story building, nestled between two similar looking offices, and Charlie attempted to be discreet as he slipped inside for the first time. He knew that the field of psychiatry was growing in acceptance, yet he didn’t necessarily want to make an announcement to the world that he needed help. However, the accompanying chorus of voices that stepped off of the elevator with him was a reminder that he hadn’t been capable of getting better on his own.The receptionist was an older woman with a nice smile. She asked Charlie to wait one moment while she informed Dr. Morgan that he was there, and though there were a few leather bound chairs to choose from, Charlie chose to stand instead. He peeked beneath the curtains at the few autos and pedestrians traveling about below and wondered if any of those people belonged in here as much as he did.“Mr. Ashton!” Dr. Morgan said, his quiet voice still s
Ghosts of Southampton Gown
Meg sat on a plush sofa in Maurice’s shop near Columbus Circle. From here, she could see the people outside bustling by on a warm June day, and she wondered where they were going and if any of them would mind if she went along. She’d rather be just about anywhere else.“I like the taffeta,” Grace was saying, “though with that tulle underneath, it seems a bit too… poofy, don’t you think?”It wasn’t Meg she was speaking to, so she remained silent, watching a plump, older woman proceed down the sidewalk with a little boy who she believed might be the woman’s grandson. He seemed reluctant to walk, and Meg imagined they must have had a disagreement. Perhaps he wanted a snack from one of the many street vendors, and Grandmother had said no….“Meg? Are you listening?”She turned her head to see Pamela addressing her. “I’m sorry—were you speaking to me?”
Ghosts of Southampton Analysis
“The brain is still quite a mystery,” Dr. Morgan was saying as he sat across from Charlie in a plush velvet chair, Dr. Shaw seated nearby. Circles of smoke lingered around them from the cigars of several dozen gentlemen seated in similar groupings, discussing business and other inconsequentialities. Jonathan and Edward were sitting across the room, and Charlie glanced in his friend’s direction every once in a while, noting that he seemed unusually amused about something.“I’ve been reading Freud’s theories of psychoanalysis,” Charlie said with a nod. “Do you think there’s any truth to his findings? Particularly regarding the unconscious mind?”Dr. Morgan nodded. “I can’t say that I completely agree with all that Freud has to say, but I do with his theory that the unconscious mind plays a larger role in our actions than we previously understood.”“Do you believe memories can be tr
Ghosts of Southampton Encounter
The First Class dining experience aboard the passenger liner they’d booked the next day to take them home was nothing compared to Titanic, and the ship was much smaller, which made the rocking more obvious, but as Meg sat next to Charlie at dinner, she was just happy to have him with her. She had been right in thinking he’d be more at ease on the way home.They’d insisted on having Jonathan and Carrie accompany them, and no one had objected. Dr. Shaw belonged there with them as much as anyone else, but Meg enjoyed watching Carrie’s face as others served her for a change, and Meg thought she looked lovely in one of her gowns.They’d spoken at great length about all that had transpired, and yet, from time to time, someone would still muse aloud, bringing the most astounding topics back to the conversation. Meg hadn’t allowed herself to shed a single tear for either Bertram or her mother, and she was hopeful that Ezra would get
Ghosts of Southampton Over
Mildred only raised her eyebrows at Charlie but didn’t say a word about his blunt statement of what Meg certainly saw as the truth. “I shall go upstairs and fetch Bertram for you,” Mildred said, glancing at the detective before she turned to ascend the stairs. “It will give me the opportunity to say goodbye to him privately.”Meg was certain that last comment was a jab at her, her mother implying what Meg had always known was true, that the relationship between her mother and uncle was more than either of them were ever willing to admit to, but Meg ignored it. The emotions running through her mind were too much, even for her carefully guarded compartments, and she felt like she might begin to crumble at any moment.“Miss Westmoreland, we are prepared to take your statement whenever you are ready,” the detective said quietly, a weak smile pulling at one corner of his mouth out of politeness.“Give her a few moments,
Ghosts of Southampton Considerations
They began to make their way through the kitchen, and Meg noticed Tessa had moved on to some sort of baking. She offered a smile but said nothing as they passed through. Meg made a mental note to make sure that Tessa received enough money that she wouldn’t have to work anymore. It was the least she could do for the woman who’d served her mother and put up with her uncle for so long.Mildred was standing in the foyer speaking to an officer Meg didn’t recognize. The other officers Det. Weber had mentioned must have arrived, because several men in uniforms stood both inside the entryway and on the porch. Officer Brown was speaking to the ones on the porch, and Meg decided to wait for him to notice her rather than announce her presence and be forced to get on with her report of what happened with her uncle any sooner than necessary.“Mary Margaret,” Mildred said, turning to face her daughter. “You’ve returned. Did you get everythin
