CHAP 4 - THE LAST LOOK TO THE OCEAN
When Jack learned about Rose's murder, he was sitting on a bench on Titanic's stern, teaching Cora some magic tricks that he learned as a child.
Some third-class passengers were also learning how the tricks were done; others read books, while some just talked. Halfway through the game, however, Cora drew Jack's attention away, for some people were coming close.
"Who they are, Uncle Jack?" she asked when seeing Molly, Mr. Brown, and the Countess approaching. Surprised to see the ladies, the young artist got up and walked up to them.
"Good morning, Molly, Mr. Brown, Countess. It's all right for you in first class? I knew there was a big mess, but we have no information. Is Rose okay?" he asked immediately.
"There was a murder in first class, Jack," said Molly.
"What?" Hearing that, Jack felt his blood run cold.
"Mr. Dawson, your friend, Rose, was found dead yesterday morning by her maid Trudy," explained Mr. Brown.
"But how? Who was the murderer?" Jack said, barely realizing the words.
"She was strangled. Nobody knows who the killer is, but the officers are doing everything to find him or her," said Molly.
"We think you should know. After all, you two were friends," said the Countess.
"OK… Thank you anyway…," said Jack.
As soon as the small group was out of sight, Jack sat on the bench again and started crying. He loved Rose with all his heart, though he knew that he could never declare it. But losing her that way, brutally murdered, was the end of the account to him.
After that day, Jack had become a new person; depressed, discouraged, no longer liked to dance, did not draw as often, just wanted to sit alone, waiting to pass the time, watching the sea and listening to the people's conversations.
Meanwhile, Mr. Brown, Mr. Astor, and Mr. Strauss began to really suspect Cal Hockley, because the late Rose's fiancé was acting in a strange way, making outputs on the ship during the night, secretly talking with some sailors. And always afraid of something.
One afternoon, the same afternoon in which Jack's life changed completely, he was sitting on a bench near the stern of the ship when the Strauss couple came to meet him.
"The sea is splendid. Do you not think so, my boy?" Mr. Strauss said.
"What? Oh, yes, sir, the ocean is truly a wonder," said Jack.
"You are Mr. Dawson, right? The boy in the bet between Mr. Brown and Mr. Astor?" Mrs. Strauss said, amazed.
"Ida, we promised that we would not say anything. Sorry, Mr. Dawson," said her husband, embarrassed.
"No problem. I'll pretend not to know about the bet," said Jack with a faint smile.
"We know that you are innocent, Mr. Dawson. That you're a good, integral man, and you do not dirty your hands making such a barbaric crime like that," Mrs. Strauss said.
"In addition, other at that dinner, Jack, we saw how you looked at Miss DeWitt Bukater... I think you were in love," Mr. Strauss said.
For a few minutes, Jack and the Strausses continued talking, not only about Rose or the ship, but also about life and the importance of living well. Anyway, over the minutes, the old couple had to leave, promising to return later for another round of conversation.
Finding himself alone once more on the huge ship, Jack decided to take another stroll through the Titanic, only to get distracted and try not to think of his beloved immortal.
However, while passing through the B deck, he decided to stop for a rest when suddenly he heard someone yell, "Look out, get down!" Quickly, Jack tried to bend down so the pulley did not hit him, but unfortunately with no luck—and the object hit Jack right on the head.
Confused and trembling from head to toe, Jack stood up and insisted that all was well.
"This pulley was loose and we're trying to fix it before anyone gets hurt," said the sailor.
"No problem, I should not be going through here. Come on, let me help fix the pulley," said Jack, when suddenly, without warning, he felt a severe headache, as if something wanted to get out of his skull.
"Are you okay?" he heard a sailor ask. Suddenly, his vision blurred; his eyes began to ache, burning and tightening, as if being punched. "My God," was what he could gasp before collapsing.
Meanwhile, in the dining room, Mr. Andrews, as well as the other passengers, were having dinner in silence, when abruptly a sailor invaded the room, breathless and with his blouse stained with blood.
"What the hell? What happened now?" shouted Mr. Andrews.
"One passenger, sir, is wounded," sighed the sailor.
"And what are you waiting for? Take him up to Dr. Mills," growled Mr. Ismay.
"We've done it, sir, and the passenger was treated and regained consciousness."
"This is great. Then we can get back to our brandies," said Colonel Gracie.
"That was no small disgrace, sir," said the sailor.
"Disgrace? What disgrace?" said Mr. Astor.
"Because of our carelessness, the passenger, besides being wounded, lost his sight," sighed the sailor, scaring everyone.