August 12th 1938

## 5/12/1938

Atticus woke up just the same as any day. Looking over to his uniform; though, today was different. His eyes were dry and his thoughts were jumbled. He got up out of bed, walking to his uniform with a little jolting feeling in his neck that would spike through his whole body. With his wife and daughters absence, he felt no need to worry about it. He knew continuing to work was the only way to distract himself from the loss of his son.

      He sighed as he put on his uniform that he once wore with great pride, but now he couldn’t help but wear it with heavy burdens.

       Upon walking into work he was met with a harsh stare from Officer Stanley, “Atticus, Brightman wants to see you. He’s just in his office.” Atticus found this strange, but assumed he would just be hearing the same thing he’s always heard. ‘I’m sorry for your loss’, ‘You’re welcome to take a break’, all of that sappy bullshit.

      He nodded anyway, “Thank you, Officer Stanley.” he said. Atticus didn’t have any second thoughts, though he did feel a slight pain in his stomach as he started to make his way to Cyrils office. The scene of his son replaying in his head as he walked past the main deck. Eventually he reached the office and knocked on the door, before opening it and peeking in. “Brightman? You needed me?” Atticus asked as he noticed Cyril smoking a pipe, Cyril looked over and nodded. “Come on in,” he said in a calm and collected manner.

      Him and Cyril didn’t get on well, but the way Cyril was looking at Atticus made him feel a little uneasy.

“Take a seat, Everhart.” Cyril says. The smoke that he blew from the pipe drifted slowly around the room, seemingly forming itself into a shape that could only be described as an awaiting doom. Atticus sat down, only knowing this had to be important. It didn’t take long for Cyris to start talking. He stood up biting his cheek before saying, “Well Atticus, people seem to die around you quite often. Hm?” He says pacing the room, glancing at Atticus. The man quickly got defensive, “Who? My son?” he questions, clenching his teeth.

      “Well, yes. Your son, and.. well, does Victor Manson sound familiar?..” Cyril looks up at Atticus, almost as if he was proud that he had finally caught Atticus.

        Atticus clenches his fist, but shakes his head. “I don’t know who that is..”

      “Oh, please. Don’t act stupid, me and you both know you aren’t.” Cyril says, laying his pipe down.

       “In fact, I think you’re pretty smart Atticus. You almost got away with it.”

       “I did not kill my son.” He said, his face going red with anger. Cyril shakes his head.

       “Atticus Everhart, you are under arrest. Anything you say can and will be used against you.”

        As Cyril put hand cuffs around his wrists, he couldn’t help but feel that this was a dream. He stared down at the cuffs, then at Cyril.

       “How could you accuse me of killing my own son? You know better! Get me out of these!”

Cyril's demeanor remains impassive as he gazes coldly in Atticus' direction. Showing no signs of remorse for recognizing him as a murderer, Cyril nonchalantly reaches for a cigar. "I need some fresh air. We will address this matter upon my return," Cyril sternly states, prompting Atticus to growl in disdain. "You are nothing but a monstrous individual," Atticus accuses, to which Cyril simply responds with a dismissive glance. Briefly stepping out, Cyril leaves the room. As Cyril takes a puff of his cigar, he swiftly finishes it, driven by his eagerness to return to work and conclude the Atticus case. Stepping into his office, Cyril's anticipation is abruptly interrupted by a sudden forceful blow to his face. The impact knocks him down, rendering him unconscious. When he regains consciousness, it feels as if he's trapped in a surreal dream. As he opens his eyes, Steadway appears before him, kneeling down and expressing relief at his awakening. "Brightman, we're fortunate you've regained consciousness. We must act swiftly now. Atticus has unleashed an unprecedented wave of violence, putting everyone at risk." Steadway's heavy breathing conveys both shock and exhaustion.

Brightman quickly stands up, gently supporting his head. "Well, it's time to proceed without delay," Brightman states, driven by urgency as he nearly shoves Steadway aside. His webley pistol is gripped firmly in his hand. He addresses Steadway, "Alright, our priority is to ensure the passages are free of danger and guide all passengers to the bow of the ship for evacuation. Any individuals trapped amid the chaos must be rescued promptly. And, above all, we must apprehend Atticus by any means necessary." Brightman takes a deep breath and proceeds towards the lower decks. Descending, he quickly becomes aware of the eerie silence enveloping the ship, almost as if everyone onboard recognized its commanding presence in their current situation. Arriving in a passageway, he cautiously navigates while maintaining his guard, pointing his Webley down the corridor. In the course of his movement, he steps on a wet substance. Curiosity compels him to glance down, only to discover a pool of blood at his feet. To his right, the source appears to be emanating from one of the passengers' rooms. With a hint of hesitation, Brightman cautiously opens the door, prepared and with his Webley still aimed. What meets his gaze confirms his worst fears - three lifeless bodies lie within the room, all appearing to be high-class gentlemen.

While witnessing the gruesome aftermath caused by an axe, Brightman instinctively takes a sharp intake of breath before cautiously shutting the door. In that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps reaches his ears. Alert and ready, he points his Webley gun towards the noise, only to discover that it was a woman, drenched in blood. In a desperate plea, she vehemently denies any involvement in the murder. Sensing her distress, Brightman lowers his Webley and approaches her with urgency. Speaking anxiously, he demands, "Where is the culprit?" Covered in blood, the woman struggles to articulate her words. Finally, she manages to blurt out, "In the dining hall!" Acknowledging her response, Brightman nods and swiftly instructs, "Thank you, madam. Now, listen carefully. Make your way to the front of the ship and await assistance. An officer will soon be assigned to ensure your safety until you can be evacuated. Go now!" With determination, he swiftly bypasses her, clutching his Webley firmly. The silence returns as he resolutely heads towards the dining room.

In the midst of his surroundings, Steadway found himself in the bar, clutching his Webley in hand. Surveying the desolate area, he discovered the lifeless bodies of nine individuals, realizing he was the only person present. A heavy silence filled the bar, except for the sound of the relentless wind and storm outside, which rang the bell on the main deck. Warily, Steadway cautiously scanned his surroundings, only to hear the abrupt shattering of glass. Reacting swiftly, he swiftly pivoted and fired, unintentionally hitting an innocent bartender who was seeking refuge. Rushing to the injured man, Steadway earnestly expressed his deep regret, maintaining a calm and sympathetic demeanor. He promptly retrieved a cloth and applied pressure to the wounded area, instructing the bartender to keep it pressed against the wound. Offering a glimmer of hope, he assured the bartender, "Once we apprehend this assailant, I will return to provide further medical assistance." The bartender, in visible agony, nodded uncertainly, his face contorted with pain. The tranquil aura is abruptly shattered by an alarming shriek that sends shivers down the spine. Piercing through the stillness, the words "HELP, DONT DO THIS!" echo through the air. Reacting swiftly, Steadway cautiously seizes his wooden truncheon and swiftly maneuvers through the narrow corridors. The cries persist, but abruptly cease, leaving Steadway perplexed as he encounters a pool of blood on the ground. He is now disoriented, unaware of the source of the distressing screams.

In contrast, Robertson was situated in her office with the door securely locked. Gripping her Webley, she anxiously aimed it towards the entrance. Her hands trembled slightly, and her breathing was unsteady. Suddenly, a knock jolted her, causing her to jump. Startled, she cautiously questioned, "W-who is it?!" To her relief, Stanley's sweet and calming voice replied, "I-its only me..." He pleaded, "P-please let me in..." As a maternal figure to Stanley, Robertson swiftly opened the door, pulling him inside.

Addressing Stanley, she queried, "Are you aware of the current situation out there?" Stanley shook his head in response, confessing, "I don't even know if Steadway and Brightman are alive" Robertson was on the verge of responding, but before she could, Stanley interjected, expressing his concern, "Look, we can't just stay in your office. It's only a matter of time before he checks here. We need to relocate." Understanding the urgency, Robertson acknowledged Stanley's point and inquired, "Do you have your Webley?" Stanley hesitated for a moment before confirming, "I do..." He then shifted his greatcoat aside, revealing his Webley. With a nod, Robertson agreed, "Alright, let's move." Together, they exited her office and ventured down the passages. The echoing sound of a bell, pounded by the storm on the main deck, filled the empty hallways. Stanley and Robertson proceeded cautiously down the corridor, unaware of the danger that awaited them. Suddenly, their worst nightmare came true as Atticus emerged, wielding an axe, charging at them from behind. Hindered by the narrow passageways, they were unable to react quickly enough to shoot him. Thinking swiftly, Stanley pushed Robertson from behind, urging her, "Run!" As they sprinted for their lives, the axe-wielding maniac relentlessly pursued them. In a moment of desperation, Robertson abruptly came to a halt and entered the room on their right, swiftly locking the door. However, Atticus began forcefully bashing against the door, trying to break through.

Stanley forcefully shoves Robertson into one of the storage boxes, quickly closing it. In a desperate attempt to escape, Stanley himself rushes towards another storage box, only to find that the door unexpectedly collapses. Realizing that Atticus is closing in on him, Stanley desperately tries to pivot and shoot, but his efforts are in vain. He is forcibly dragged out of the room, leaving Robertson with no choice but to break free from the confinement and pursue Stanley in an attempt to rescue him.

With an intimidating display, Atticus grips his axe and strikes it into Stanley's hand, causing him to whimper and cry out in agony. However, Robertson swiftly turns a corner and takes aim at Atticus with determination. In a sudden move. Atticus swiftly pivots and forcefully kicks Robertson in the chest.

Despite her best efforts to retaliate, she struggles to raise her Webley, Fortunately, Officer Brightman comes to her rescue as he appears around the corner, swiftly firing a shot in close proximity to Atticus's foot. Although the shot misses its mark, it proves sufficient to frighten Atticus. He swiftly dashes through the corridors, emitting a resounding shriek that resonates throughout the halls. However, it is not a scream attributed to fear, but rather one reminiscent of a psychopathic state. It amalgamates maniacal laughter and a profound sense of derangement.

Brightman approaches Stanley and Robertson, promptly instructing them, "Both of you, proceed to the front of the ship without delay. Your safety is at great risk." He attends to Stanley's injured hand, dressing the wound, before assisting him to stand. Gently nudging them forward, he urges, "Proceed to the front of the ship as instructed. Utilize your Webleys to safeguard the passengers already stationed there."

Steadway remained present in the passageways, although he could hear laughter resonating through them. Uncertain whether he was drawing near the perpetrator or not, Steadway gripped his wooden truncheon tightly while wearing his Webley holster around his waist. As he journeyed through the passageways, a terrifying scream reached his ears, originating not too far from his location. Swiftly, Steadway sprinted towards the alarming cries, only to witness Atticus standing over a woman, brandishing an axe. Without hesitation, Steadway hurriedly approached Atticus, wielding his truncheon, and swiftly struck him on the shoulder. Atticus let out a pained grunt, swiftly pivoting to face Steadway. Now, with their faces just inches away from each other, Steadway found himself confronting a deranged individual of approximately 5'10" in height. Atticus brandished his axe, preparing to strike. In response, Steadway swiftly positioned his truncheon to parry the blow. However, Steadway's truncheon, made of wood, proved ineffective as the axe effortlessly passed through it. Demonstrating ingenuity, Steadway utilized the broken truncheon to inflict a self-inflicted wound on his arm. In the wake of Atticus's demented scream, he discarded the shattered truncheon, hurling it to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Atticus forcefully tossed Steadway across the passageway before swiftly making his getaway.

Steadway, with determination, immediately rose to his feet and swiftly approached the woman whom he had fortunately rescued from the axe-wielding maniac. "Madam, please make your way promptly to the front of the ship. Trained officers are stationed there, fully equipped to ensure your safety. The evacuation process will commence shortly."

She affirms with a nod and swiftly heads towards the ship's front, Steadway examines his fractured truncheon. Without wasting a moment, he swiftly retrieves his Webley and proceeds to trail Atticus's path. While jogging through the corridors, he couldn't help but observe lifeless bodies strewn haphazardly across the hallways. The rooms appeared deserted and an eerie silence engulfed the entire vessel. In the meantime, Brightman would occupy the ship's main deck, clutching his Webley pistol securely. Taking charge of the situation, he would carefully address the apprehensive passengers while maneuvering through the small throng. "Pay heed, and pay heed attentively," he would assert. "Proceed promptly to the ship's forefront and await the evacuation procedures. Rest assured, the officers stationed there are diligently working to guarantee your safety!"

Steadway observed a trail of bloodied footprints leading towards the dining room, prompting him to prepare himself and give chase. With caution, he cautiously aimed his Webley firearm, ensuring his safety while remaining focused on the task at hand. Eventually, he reached the dining room, only to discover overturned chairs and tables scattered about. Tragically, a lifeless woman, devoid of a head, laid motionless on the floor. Officer Steadway perceived Atticus once again, sprinting through the dining room towards the exit. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Steadway decided to open fire in an attempt to apprehend him. Regrettably, he missed both shots but remained resolute in his determined pursuit. And sprints after him.

Officer Brightman reacted swiftly upon hearing the sound of gunshots and swiftly descended from the main deck to the lower decks, securely gripping his Webley firearm. Meanwhile, Officer Steadway endeavored to keep pace with Atticus. As Atticus approached a passageway, Officer Brightman intercepted him from the opposite side and promptly prepared to shoot. Nevertheless, Atticus adeptly evaded the gunfire by swiftly ducking and altering his course around another corner. This maneuver nearly resulted in Officer Brightman unintentionally striking Officer Steadway, who was nearby. Officer Brightman urgently urges, "Steadway, maintain your pace and don't let him escape!" Steadway complies and continues his chase. Brightman remains close on Steadway's heels. However, as they approach a left turn, Brightman decides to take a shortcut in order to intercept Atticus once again. Unexpectedly, Atticus abruptly changes direction and confronts Steadway. Reacting swiftly, Steadway comes to an abrupt halt and promptly apprehends Atticus, forcefully slamming him against a nearby wall. In retaliation, Atticus aggressively retaliates and seizes Steadway by the neck, forcefully slamming him into the wall. Steadway grunts in pain and instinctively employs his Webley pistol as a makeshift weapon, striking Atticus on the shoulder with the butt of the firearm. At the same time, Brightman rounds the corner and fires a shot at Atticus, successfully hitting his hand this time. Atticus lets out another disturbed scream and flees, making his way towards the main deck.

"He's heading to the main deck! Let's pursue him!" Brightman instructs Steadway, while both officers continue their pursuit of Atticus.

Atticus emerged on the main deck, brandishing his axe. Without delay, he seized an innocent lady and lifted his weapon menacingly. Her terrified screams echoed through the crowd of onlookers. Close behind, Enforcement officers Steadway and Brightman swiftly arrived on the scene, witnessing Atticus's alarming actions. Determinedly, they both charged forward to apprehend him. Although Steadway was thrown off by Atticus, Brightman managed to maintain his hold. Skillfully, Brightman forcefully struck Atticus in the chest and forcefully pressed his Webley pistol against his back as Atticus stooped over from the impact. Brightman, on the other hand, experiences an abrupt force that propels him upwards and sends him hurtling across the ship. He collides with the railings and desperately manages to prevent himself from toppling overboard. Unexpectedly, Steadway charges at Atticus from behind and forcefully grabs his greatcoat, causing Atticus to be forcefully jerked backwards. Reacting swiftly, Brightman swiftly retrieves his webley and takes aim at Atticus once again, this time aiming at his chest. However, despite sustaining injuries, Atticus still retains a fraction of his strength and launches an attack towards Brightman, attempting to shove him off the ship. Recognizing Atticus's overpowering presence, Steadway springs into action and realizes that he must act swiftly. He swiftly takes aim and fires a shot at the back of Atticus's head, successfully striking his target.