AC Syndicate: Isolated Files [OS]

Before the Autumn Of Terror - Part. 2

[Chapter image by myself]

When the examination was over and the treatment given, Marcus left, unaccompanied by the Master Assassin. The latter came back into the room, with Victoria looking on with a frown.

– What's going on, Jacob? I've been watching you since earlier, and I've never seen you so... pensive...

He sat down on the edge of the bed, at the level of the former waitress's pelvis, who had not taken her eyes off him. He kept his head down, his eyes on his lap.

– I think you should leave, Victoria. While I deal with Jack.

Victoria's eyes widened in disbelief at what she had just heard. Stunned and disagreeing with him, she replied:

– W-What? It's out of the question. I refuse," she objected, sitting up suddenly.

She was seized by a sharp pain in one of her injuries, which forced her to return to her initial position, her hand on the unpleasant sensation. The discomfort had been so great that it made her eyes tear up. She leaned her head back, her eyes closed, and swallowed. She grunted through her teeth to swear at the terrible pain she had just felt. She sighed heavily through her nose to ease the pain, while silently cursing Jack for what he had done to her. She put her head back on straight and looked at Jacob, who hadn't moved an eyelash, his eyes on her.

– I'm not giving you any choice, Vic," he replied almost coldly. Jack will never stop, and if he wants to destroy the whole Brotherhood, he will.

Victoria remained silent, pursing and twitching her lips at the Master Assassin's words. She didn't want to run away from Jack, even if it was to save herself. Dying to protect others, Brotherhood or civilians, she didn't care and she would take the risk. She had always done it since she joined the Rooks, before she became an Assassin. And she had never stopped doing it throughout her life.

– You can't stop him alone, Jacob.

– Even with allies or other Assassins around, I can't.

Victoria fell silent, letting her gaze wander into the void. The man was right, there was nothing she could say. She was frustrated. Then Jacob took one of her hands, not without holding back a sigh. The brunette looked at her mentor, who rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. His eyes fixed on hers.

– Listen, Vic. I know you're worried about me. (The tears began to well up in the injured woman) But please, as soon as you can, get out of here. Just until this is over.

The brunette shook her head in disapproval, still pursing her lips. She didn't need the fear tactic to make that feeling show on Victoria's face. Beyond Jack and his horrible murders, beyond the many fears and worries she'd had in her life as an Assassin and a mother, her greatest fear was losing Jacob. He could sense what she was feeling. His hand dropped from hers to touch her cheek. His gaze changed from stern and hard to worried and soft. Victoria closed her eyes and let a tear fall down her cheek. She swallowed, as if trying to loosen her throat.

– That's the best you can do if you really want to help me, blackbird.

She opened her eyes, still filled with tears ready to roll down her cheeks. It was easy to see the great concern the Fryes' friend had in her eyes. As if he had heard an answer from her, he added:

– I promise you that everything will be fine.

The brunette looked down at her legs and gave in to her terrible urge to cry. She was so scared of losing him, but she was also so tired of the nightmare that was the Ripper murder series. Many times her heart had been wounded: the loss of loved ones, part of her life without Jacob by her side, learning the identity of the man who terrorised Whitchapel who now frightened her. But if the Frye twin were to die at Jack's hands, she would be finished. Moreover, she would blame herself for the rest of her life and would never forgive herself for having obeyed his orders.