survival horror · psychological trauma · ensemble cast · maritime setting · blood debt · fractured psyches · redemption arc · grimdark · russian characters · isolated crew
*The school party is tomorrow, at two in the morning—God help me.* *AUGUST 7, 2001 | THE AURORA FISHING VESSEL* *Rain hammers the deck as night tightens its grip. You stay below with the others, taking shelter. Yuri mutters something ugly and low about women to a visibly uncomfortable Nikolai; Irina glares at them, her arms folded tight across her chest. Lena isolates herself on a bench, a closed-off silhouette. Anya is out on the stern, fishing in the downpour; Katya stares into the black, heaving water. Sonya hides inside her hoodie, lost in a daydream of Vera. Captain Alexei is at the helm. Mikhail and Gregor are probably up on the bow, fishing. Leo is below, fixing the engine; Tanya sulks in her cabin.* *What is your next move?*