I know. Another story... But I am hoping that this one might be... read more.

The Lancastria is a real ship; The biggest Maritime disaster in history. More people died on it than the Titanic. My grandfather survived it, and passed away two years ago. The man in the story isn't my grandfather.

God bless the souls on board who perished.

My main OC isn't a Mary Sue. I don't own Narnia.

The song lyrics used is from the song Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2, but The lyrics I have got from Paramore's version. The song has made me cry several times because it does talk of war.

Well... enjoy.

sas x

Oh, I can't close my eyes, to make it go away,

The last supper. It was ironic. Before we boarded the boat, we had a meal. I can't remember what it was, but I enjoyed it. The atmosphere of soldiers and of the few families made me smile. They were so full of life in their final hours. They didn't know it, of course. But we expected something bad to happen with the Germans getting closer to us with every second.

We had to board the boat, but there were so many people. The first boat was filled with soldiers and civilians then it set off. Then it was our turn.

The ship was beautiful; an Ocean Liner in St Nazaire; France. When the Germans invaded, we had to escape, and we had to get on this boat. Dunkirk has been cut off by the Germans, so we had to move to the west coast of France. Thousands of people were packed on this boat like sardines. The ocean liner was originally named the Tyrrhenia. But then The Americans who boarded it couldn't pronounce it, so they renamed it the Lancastria. Some say it was bad luck to rename a boat.

It was. Especially what happened the night of the 17th June 1940.

I can't remember much; it was such a blur. A bomb went down the chimney of the boat, and fire engulfed it. People were on fire, and I could smell burning flesh. I… I remember my parents and I being pushed off of the ship as soon as the fire engulfed the ship's chimney. Oil was now leaking too. Soldiers were getting the women and children off; they were prepared to die to save us. Other who couldn't swim were told to hold the hand rail by the deck. The anger and sorrow which filled their eyes will never go away.

The cold water hit me as I jumped in. I began to swim with my parents away from the ship; but I'm not as strong as them. I'm not even that tall. I swam to keep up; but I couldn't. I shout after them, but they can't hear me.

Them suddenly, I'm sinking.

Water. Water.

It was filling my lungs. I couldn't breathe. My eyes were stinging so I shut them. The ship was pulling me under with it, like a vacuum. It must have taken 20 minutes for the Lancastria to sink.

BOOM.

More bombs. I'm drowning. Help me; please.

A hand grabs mine and my eyes open more sharply than any time, than anything that's ever happened to me. The salty water stings my eyes, and I see a soldier; attempting to pull me up.

Where are my parents? Are they dead too?

The soldier is pulled below the water too. He is kind faced and strong. His grip on my hand is extraordinary. He's trying to save me. I can't take in what's happening. He pushes me up as he sinks. I breathe a gulp of fresh air.

I coughed for a few seconds, and I try to make out what has happened. I'm in a state of shock and I'm probably going to get hyperthermia or… or… pneumonia.

I can hear singing from the boat; the women, children and the soldiers are singing as the ship goes down. It reminds me so of what happened to the Titanic. I see below the water, the man is still pushing me. I keep the grip of his hand with me and I pull him away from the boat. I carry on swimming; I'm so cold, I'm going to freeze. His face was now above the surface. He blinks at me and I feel my feet being dragged under again.

Machine guns. I can hear screams from the boat as the final few above water are shot at and murdered by the Germans. How could they? They are human beings, just like them. And yet; there are fine with murdering them. Children. Babies. Just like me.

They are doomed.

Women who won't see their husbands; who will be on the Missing lists forever.

Soldiers who will be forgotten in two years time.

The Crew who won't be remembered at all.

Shots were getting closer. "Duck!" He shouts as I look at him. He ducks too under the water; where the impact of the bullets is slowed.

As we rise again above the surface, the ship was sinking faster now. And I'm being sucked down again. The man reached for me, but I was going down rapidly, and he was being sucked down too. I can't believe it. I'm going to die. A gripped his hand, but I was slipping away. The ring on his finger was slipping too. A caught it and I sank, and I was holding his ring.

I could feel tears welling in my stinging eyes.

I'm going to die.

I'm never going to have a family. I'm never going to get married and see my grandchildren. I'm going to be a tombstone in a cemetery in England somewhere.

The man; my saviour for a couple of seconds… I never knew his name. I owe him so much for those few seconds. I've got his ring; was it a wedding ring? I don't know, I'm losing consciousness and he attempts to save me one last time.

He shouts at me, but I curl into a ball. I grip the ring of my saviour tightly, and I pray.

I've never felt so cold.

Water fills my lungs, and I sleep.

Forever.