The End of the Littlest One [Completed]

10. A bar? On a Sunday morning?

Dante must have been absent minded when he said 'okay'. He couldn't believe he agreed with running away together with Benjamin. But then again, what other option did he have? He couldn't let Benjamin go off on his own. He never lived a normal life for a single day.

Benjamin went back home on Sunday and promised to leave for a nearby village that same day. He would look for an inn. Dante would join him as soon as possible.

First, Dante had to pack. Some clothes, his money, and anything else he possessed that might come of use. There was one other thing he needed to do as well. Something he dreaded.

Telling Boss he succeeded in his assignment.

Yesterday, in the treehouse, they decided to run away together. They talked about things they needed to consider and concluded it would be best for Dante to tell Boss he had already succeeded in killing Benjamin. Dante disappearing would lead the Academy to perhaps look for him. That's the least they would want in their situation.

Dante, however, thought it'd be too soon to say to complete the assignment. It would've been two days since he received the assignment. Nonetheless, they managed to fabricate a lie; a story about how Dante killed Benjamin.

Now, Dante was on his way to tell Boss he did it. His hands were clammy, and he couldn't think straight. He was going to be fine. At least, that's what he told himself.

On his way to Boss' office, Dante realized this was crazy. The entire situation was crazy. When he entered the Academy, he never imagined this were his last days at the place.

To be fair, after he met Benjamin, nothing was like he thought it would be. The plan he had made before entering the Academy, went partly out the window a couple of months ago. A lot changed when he met Benjamin.

Dante turned the last corner and entered a hallway. At the end, he saw the dark door leading to the same room as two days ago.

With nothing else to do in order to delay this moment, he made a fist of his right hand and knocked on the door.

'Come in,' a familiar voice said.

Dante opened the door and walked in.

'Simmons,' Boss said. 'What can I help you with? You know you are not allowed to ask any questions about your assignment, correct?'

Boss kept writing while talking. He seemed not incredibly interested in Dante. In his turn, Dante closed the door behind him and quickly repeated the key points of his story.

Dante responded to Boss' question.

'I know that, sir. I came to tell you I have completed the assignment.'

Boss stopped writing upon hearing those words. He put down his pen and looked up at the man.

'What?'

'I have completed my assignment, sir.'

'Are you sure?'

'Yes, sir.'

'That's quick. How did you manage to do it that fast? Sit down.'

Dante sat down like he was told; in the same chair as two days ago. His hands were still clammy, maybe more than before.

It's now or never.

'How did you do it?'

'Early Sunday morning I went to the market in a nearby village.'

Dante hoped that would be enough and kept quiet after that single sentence.

'And? What happened next?'

'I recognized him, and we started talking.'

Boss made a gesture with his hands. 'Go on' he seemed to signal. Apparently, he wanted to hear the entire story.

Stay calm. Think before you speak. Stay calm.

'I invited him to a bar, and- '

'A bar? On a Sunday morning?'

Shit, not a bar. It was supposed to be a café. Just go with it.

'Yes, a bar. An odd choice, but he accepted. When he had to go home, I proposed joining him on his walk so we could continue talking.'

'He accepted the proposal, I assume?'

'He did,' Dante nodded. 'Then, when we were alone on a remote path...'

Dante made a vague hand gesture.

'I understand, Simmons. Good work.'

'Thank you, sir.'

'One thing, though. Your story almost sounds too good to be true. Do you understand?'

Dante nodded. That's because it's made up.

'Do you happen to have any proof?'

Benjamin was the one to bring that up yesterday. He said Dante should be prepared for the question. As a result, he had given Dante his family ring.

Dante dug into his pocket and felt the metal of the ring. He grabbed it, took it out, and looked at it one more time. It was silver with a green stone. It looked worn, but not damaged.

Dante stood up and laid the ring on Boss' desk.

'Well, well, well. You were prepared for the question, Simmons?'

'Yes, sir. I believed it would not be wrong to expect to present evidence.'

'Good thinking.'

Boss picked up the ring and twisted it around in his fingers. He held it up in the light and took a closer look.

While putting Benjamin's ring down, he refocused on Dante in front of him.

'Well done, Simmons. I will keep this to give to the contractor. We will let him get in touch with you for the reward, okay?'

'Yes, sir.'

Boss picked the ring back up and opened a desk drawer. He closed it and opened another one. This one was apparently a better option, and he laid thee ring in it. He closed it without giving it a second look.

'Then, Simmons, I have some good news for you. The next graduation moment is in exactly three weeks. After that, your ties to this Academy are gone, and your free to do whatever you want. Until then, you do not need to go to any lessons or other school related events. Any questions?'

'Yes, I do.'

'Go ahead.'

'Do I have to stay here between now and graduation? Or am I allowed to stay at places outside of the Academy? Like my parents' house or inns, for example.'

'You are allowed to leave the Academy's property on all days of the week. Make sure you are present at graduation.'

'Yes, sir. Thank you for the additional information.'

Boss nodded. Then, he stood up, and extended his arm.

Dante stood up as well and shook Boss' hand.

'I am proud of you, Simmons. You are one of the youngest graduates in the Academy's history. You can leave now.'

'Thank you for everything, sir. I will never forget my time spent here.'

It was true, Dante would never forget. Not only did he learn skills for life, but he also made friends for life. He assumed. Unfortunately, he didn't know if, and if so how, he was going to stay in contact with Jun and Ricardo. Dante's situation would be difficult to explain.

Dante stood up from his chair when Boss didn't respond to his remark. He bowed towards the man and turned around. He walked to the door, opened it, and left the room.

That was easier than I thought.

Dante was glad it was handled quickly. Boss believed every word he said and didn't ask any questions Dante wasn't prepared for. It was unfortunate Dante didn't get the ring back, but Benjamin would just have to live with that.

All that's left for Dante to do, is to pack a suitcase and look for Benjamin at an inn in a nearby village.