The cabin was dim, lit by two oil lamps hung near each bed. Vivian had slept quite soundly, but Sonia was still wide awake, rolling left and right on a few occasions, finding a comfortable position so drowsiness could overtake her. 

This was supposed to be the trip where she could enjoy herself. 

A clap of thunder could be heard faintly. In a typical voyage, this was a minor nuisance, a sign of rough waves at worst, but soon they came in a series of piercing booms; winds picking up and the rain pouring like pebbles hitting the decks and walls alike. 

They were caught up in a storm, Sonia wanted to believe in the captain and his crew's expertise and curled up with her blanket and waited for everything to be over like any other passenger would, but the wobble was getting violent and the wooden structure began to creak and vibrate in every oscillation. 

Sonia made a great effort tumbling towards her roommate's bed, who apparently had woken up. "What's going on?"

The creaking turned into a crack, a real crack as if the ship had broken its spine. Sonia reached the door, followed by the elf. Everyone else had already panicked, running about to god knows where. Water! There was water breaking in from every direction, and the wave was still merciless. 

Then came another rumble, and suddenly the entire ship was rolling sideways, throwing everyone off their balance and thrashing them to the side of the ship. Many were injured while the others were fortunate enough to have water cushioned their impact, but this amount means they would be in a sinking cage in a few minutes. 

The ship now listed to its starboard, the lower decks had already been filled with water and there was no floor anymore to tread. Sonia swam to look for Vivian, but she couldn't find her. Instead, her duffle bag was found floating near the door and she used it to help her float better. 

"To the exit! Everyone! Swim for the exit!" the crew yelled. Only a few helped the evacuation, and only a few passengers were sane enough to do as instructed. Some were crying and others struggled to stay afloat. Sonia was among those who managed to reach the bow of the ship, while the stern had begun to sink behind her. 

Outside now, the state of the ship was even more horrifying, It was demasted, half sunk, and nearly broken in two. Even for those who have escaped its doomed interior still had to fight the treacherous waves and wind. And Sonia was one of the many who couldn't win against nature; a violent wave blasted the bow of the ship and engulfed her.  

The last thing she remembered before being taken away was a strong pain in her chest and the decision she had to make between holding the halyard or her duffle bag. She chose the latter.