Abandon

Charles didn’t see it coming; neither did the captain.

She handed the ring back to Charles, champagne glass and all, untouched.

The captain tried a dangerous maneuver he knew had little chance at success.

Charles stared at the slender stream of bubbles coming up from around the diamond. He was consumed in absolute confusion.

The dining room suddenly lurched and shook violently. The captain prayed.

Charles instinctively reached out to protect her, but she was gone. He watched in horror as panicked people ran in every direction. She had been swept up into the frightened crowd, trying to abandon ship.