Cody Thatcher
Cody sat at his cluttered desk, the scent of stale coffee lingering in the air, when a letter arrived bearing the familiar scrawl of Rupert Marrieweather. As a private investigator navigating the gritty streets of 1920s America, he had seen his fair share of strange cases and unsettling secrets. But this urgent summons felt different. The tone of Rupert’s letter was fraught with an unusual urgency, hinting at matters of great importance. The once vibrant and adventurous man he knew now appeared frail and unwell, his words dripping with the weight of impending finality. Curiosity and concern mingled within him as he read the letter, compelling him to rush to St. Mary's Teaching Hospital in Arkham at one o'clock on Thursday, eager to uncover what Rupert had to share before it was too late.
His mind drifted back to a fateful day years ago when the winds howled and the sea roared like a wild beast. He had been aboard a merchant ship navigating the treacherous waters of the South China Sea, a far cry from his current life as a private investigator. Caught in a fierce storm, the ship was tossed like a toy, and he was knocked unconscious by a sudden blow to the head, causing him to tumble overboard and be swallowed by the churning waves. When he finally regained consciousness, a lifeboat appeared on the horizon, manned by none other than Rupert Marrieweather, who had been on an expedition in the region. With unwavering resolve, Rupert and his crew rescued him from the clutches of the storm, pulling him back to safety. This act of bravery forged a bond between them, rooted in gratitude and shared adventures, which had blossomed into a lasting friendship over the years. Little did he know that this life-saving encounter would lead him back to Rupert once more, under the shadow of mortality.
As he spent more time aboard Rupert’s ship, he quickly discovered that his friend was not just a seasoned adventurer but also a man of many secrets. The vessel was filled with an array of exploring materials—maps of uncharted territories, strange artifacts, and journals filled with cryptic notes. But the most intriguing discovery was the dojo room, a hidden sanctuary where Rupert practiced martial arts and meditation. It was there that Rupert introduced him to the discipline of self-defense and the art of focus, allowing him to channel his energy and regain some of the memories that had been lost to him after the storm. Under Rupert’s guidance, he not only honed his physical skills but also began to piece together fragments of his past, unraveling mysteries that had long haunted him. Each session in the dojo deepened their bond and left him with a lingering sense that Rupert held knowledge far beyond what he had shared, knowledge that now felt crucial as he prepared to meet the aging man once more.
As the clock ticked toward the appointed hour, urgency swelled within him. He quickly gathered his gear, tossing aside the case files that had cluttered his desk and the half-finished assignments that now felt insignificant in light of Rupert's summons. With each item he stowed away—his trusty notepad, a small revolver for protection, and a weathered coat—the weight of his current life began to lift. The call of the past, the adventure, and the mystery beckoned him forward. There was a sense of purpose now, a drive to uncover whatever secrets Rupert held, as if the threads of fate were drawing him back to the man who had saved him from the depths of despair. With one last glance at his chaotic workspace, he stepped out into the brisk air, determined to uncover the truth behind Rupert's urgent plea before time ran out.