Jack ran as fast as his legs could carry him, searching desperately for someone who could tell him where to find Rose. He took a shortcut down the first class corridor to find Mr. Andrews knocking on stateroom doors, trying to evacuate the stubborn folk who insisted that the iceberg was but a bump in their otherwise smooth sailings.
"Mr. Andrews!" yelled Jack, speeding towards him. "Mr. Andrews I need your help. Where would the Master at Arms take someone under arrest?"
Mr. Andrews looked uncertain as Jack pleaded for help.
"Please, Rose was taken. The Hockley's locked her up for something she didn't do."
"Take the elevator to the very bottom; go left, down the crewman's passage, then make a right. Make haste Jack, it won't be long before all of the lifeboats are gone."
Jack thanked Mr. Andrews and followed the directions by memory. He made it down the crewman's passage and saw that the carpets were soaked with water. Knowing there was no time to spare, Jack took off around the right corner to find Nathan Hockley sitting on a chair guarding the door.
"You should have stayed on that boat Jack" Nathan said with disappointment.
"I had other things, better things, to do than sit in a boat and pretend to be happy" replied Jack, his face warm with rage.
"She's none of your concern. Now, you will come with me and get back on a lifeboat and we will make it safely to God knows where. When we get there you will marry my daughter and will spend the rest of your life proving your loyalty to her and your family."
"No" Jack replied firmly, refusing to be treated like property.
Nathan sighed and produced a pair of handcuffs from his coat pocket and a revolver. He pointed the gun at Jack briefly then put his arm by his side, indicating what he would do if Jack did not cooperate.
"I wouldn't argue Jack. A fact you'll do well to remember - the Hockley's always win. One way or another."
Jack looked submissive and made his way towards Nathan but just as he was about to be shackled he knocked Nathan's arm, sending the revolver to the floor. The two looked each other in the eye and both raced for the gun. Jack suddenly felt a sharp pain as he got hit in the back with the chair. Blood slowly ran down the side of his face as he took a piece of the chair and struck Nathan in the head with it. Nathan pushed Jack hard in the chest, sending him stumbling back. Jack retaliated with a punch, landing a hit right in Nathan's stomach. Nathan flew back into the wall and slumped against it, sliding to the ground. Jack turned for the gun and was waiting to be pursued when he noticed Nathan wasn't moving. Jack felt for a pulse and was strangely relieved to find one. Nathan was alive, but he was knocked out cold.
Carefully he searched for keys in the coat pocket. He placed it back and took the gun as he went to search for Rose.
"Rose!" Jack bellowed, unsure of which door she was behind. The water was up to his ankles now and felt as cold as death. The halls were silent except for the sound of splashing water as he walked.
"Jack!"
He turned around, certain that the sound was coming from behind him. He walked towards the door that Nathan was sitting opposite to and pulled out the keys. He fumbled as he inserted each key into the lock, but with no luck. Impatiently, he kicked down the door and saw Rose handcuffed to a pipe in the Master at Arms' office.
Jack waded over to her and kissed her forehead whilst embracing her tightly.
"I'm sorry Rose, I'm so sorry. I should have known they'd bring you here."
"Jack, the diamond, I forgot I had it on. I never would've-"
"I know Rose. I should have known."
Jack fumbled through the keys to see if any would unlock the handcuffs. The smallest brass key slotted into the lock and with a turn, Rose was free.
"Jack, you're bleeding!" she exclaimed worriedly, ripping some fabric from her dress to tend to the wound.
"Never mind that, we have to go" he said, pointing to the water that was rising around them.
Jack took her by the hand and they went out into the corridor. Nathan Hockley was still out cold. Jack tried desperately to wake him up, not wishing for the man to drown in the icy water. Nathan's eyes flickered open and he pushed Jack towards the wall with his hands around Jack's neck. He pushed Jack up against the wall and choked him. Jack closed his eyes, certain he would die when the hand around his neck loosened and then let go. Rose stood there shivering with a plank of wood in her hand. Nathan Hockley was dead.
"I had to Jack, he was going to kill you" she sobbed.
Jack held her closely and felt the frigidness of her wet skin. He grabbed the jacket that Nathan was wearing and cloaked Rose in it. Jack directed the two of them through the crewman's passage and went to take the elevator to realise it was no longer in service.
"What now?" asked Rose.
"We'll have to find another way" said Jack gravely. Jack and Rose ran up the abandoned corridors, hoping to make it out of the maze before it was too late.