Chapter X: The Final Moments
All were shocked to hear what Shinichi said. "Heiji!" he called.
"How did you know my name?" Heiji asked.
"It's not important" Shinichi replied, "get the crew and prepare the lifeboats. We have to get to safety before this bomb explodes"
"Okay" Heiji said.
"When will it go boom, Shinichi?" Inspector Megure questioned.
"An hour", Shinichi replied, "And I am sure this is not the only bomb in the Cruise Ship. Mr. Megure, please get the total number of passengers of the Aphrodite"
"Alright" Inspector Megure said.
Shinichi went to the podium to speak. "Everyone, please listen", he started, "We have an emergency here. We found a bomb hidden behind the clock and I believe there are more bombs hidden in the ship. I want you not to panic. We still have an hour to work out so I hope all of you shall cooperate. Please don't waste any time, ride the lifeboats as soon as you can"
All were frightened. Some were nervous and shocked. Suddenly, a crew officer rushed to Shinichi. "Sir, I have an urgent message to you", the office said.
"What is it?" Shinichi asked.
"The lookouts saw an iceberg right ahead the Aphrodite"
"What!"
"And the steering wheel is broken"
"Everyone!" Shinichi shouted turning to the crowd, "Rush to the boat decks now! We don't have much time"
The people were now panicking. Everyone wanted to get out first to the boat deck. Ran confronted Shinichi, "Shinichi", she spoke.
"Why, Ran?" Shinichi said.
"I-I'm afraid" Ran replied.
"Ran, ride the lifeboats to safety, I need to find Gin and Vermouth. I know they are the ones who made this"
"But I'll not go without you"
"Shinichi" Inspector Megure interrupted, "There are 1,896 aboard"
"How many lifeboats?" Shinichi asked.
"20 lifeboats each with a capacity of 50 people"
"So 20 multiplied to 50 is hmm... 1,000 people! It isn't enough"
"I know Shinichi so you have to get quick"
"No inspector, I have to find Gin and Vermouth. I believe they are the ones who are the mastermind of this"
"But..."
"Go on, Inspector, escort Ran to the lifeboats"
"Allright, Shinichi, good luck"
"And to you"
"Remember this Shinichi" Ran said, "I love you"
And Ran gave Shinichi a soft and gentle kiss. Shinichi was quite surprised but was happy to know Ran loves her too. "Don't waste time, Ran. Go now!" Shinichi spoke.
"Goodbye Shinichi! Take Care", Ran yelled.
Inspector Megure and Ran went to the boat decks. Many were already crowding the decks. They could not come any closer. Finally, they managed to come to a lifeboat. "Ran!" Heiji shouted, "ride this lifeboat"
"Coming" Ran replied.
Ran went to the lifeboat. "Take care, Ran" Heiji said.
"You too, Heiji" Ran said.
The lifeboat was lowered, slowly. Ran is beginning to cry. She thought that what if Shinichi would not make it? What will happen to her? Meanwhile, Shinichi explored through the ship. He was looking for Gin and Vermouth. In the cargo, he saw them, preparing a speed boat. "Oh, there you are Shinichi" Gin said as seeing him.
"How could you have lived?" Vermouth asked.
"Let's say the Apotoxin 4869 did not work out properly" Shinichi said, "And I am here to arrest you two"
"You're too late for that Shinichi" Gin said.
Suddenly, the whole ship shook. It was like an earthquake. Everyone was fearing much more. It was the iceberg. It hit the Aphrodite straight on the bow. Water came in the cargo deck. It was already beginning to flood. Shinichi, Gin and Vermouth were swamped away by the water. Meanwhile, the iceberg hit the lifeboat where Ran was riding on. The boat tumbled and all the people in there were swamped to the water. "Help!" everyone shouted.
The iceberg made great damage to the cruise ship. Seven decks were damaged and are now filled with tremendous amount of water. Shinichi managed to escape from the cargo deck by swimming out of a hole made by the collision. From far away, he saw Gin and Vermouth, climbing on a speed boat; and on the other side, he saw Ran panicking in the water. 'Where should I go? If I go to Gin and Vermouth, Ran would die; and if I go to Ran, Gina and Vermouth would escape' he thought. After making a decision, Shinichi thought to go to the aide of Ran. "Ran!" he shouted.
"Shinichi!" Ran yelled.
Shinichi swam to Ran. "Oh, Shinichi", Ran said, "I thought I'd lost you"
Then a lifeboat came to the rescue. "Ran, go to the lifeboat, I got to follow Gin and Vermouth", Shinichi said.
"But, Shinichi" Ran said.
"Go on, Ran, I love you" Shinichi spoke.
An officer carried Ran to the lifeboat. Shinichi swam to Gin and Vermouth who were having a hard time to ride the speed boat. "Shinichi" Ran spoke as she burst into tears.
Ran closed her eyes, and fell into a deep slumber.
