Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 1 - Claire

September 8th, 2012, 2:00pm

She pulled the motorcycle into the warehouse, quickly closing the garage door behind her. Passing rows of cargo, she aimed for her usual spot by the truck—only to find a silver sedan parked there. Glaring at the unfamiliar car, she parked alongside it and cut the engine. She sat for a moment, noting the lack of plates and the odd silence surrounding the vehicle. The smooth extraction could mean only one thing: Lucy was back.

Footsteps echoed down the metal ramp, and Claire's mouth tightened into a thin line. She braced for Shaun's reaction, knowing her unapproved absence wouldn't sit well with him. She swung her right leg over the bike, landing firmly on the ground. Twirling the keys around her finger, she pocketed them, waiting.

"Where have you been?!?" Shaun's voice rang through the warehouse, his British accent cutting through the air like a knife.

"Shaun, let it go. She's been cooped up for months," Rebecca's voice chimed from above, tempered with sympathy. Smart of her to avoid the line of fire between them.

"Missed you too, Shaun," Claire said, her voice muffled by her helmet. She barely held back a laugh at his indignant expression—red-faced, brows knotted. She didn't bother explaining and, instead, handed him a worn backpack as she brushed past him on her way up the ramp. He stood, momentarily stunned, as she continued to the upper deck, with Rebecca falling into step beside her.

As they entered the workspace, Claire's gaze shifted to the far-right corner. A man lay on the queen-sized bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Tanned skin, scar on his upper lip, hoodie and jeans—this had to be the recruit they'd risked so much to get out of Abstergo. She felt a flicker of empathy, a shared understanding of what he'd been through.

Pacing near him was a familiar figure, her blonde hair catching in the overhead light. Lucy. A chill ran down Claire's spine. She tightened her jaw and turned away, heading for the kitchenette. Lucy—the one Clay had vouched for, the one who was supposed to be on their side, but who'd kept her and Clay in the dark, denied them even a chance of escape. She tossed her keys and wallet onto the table, then slid her helmet off, letting her bangs fall into her eyes.

"You went out for food?!" Shaun yelled, charging into the room.

She threw him a bored look. "So what?"

"So what? You are our most valuable asset! If Abstergo catches you again, it's over for all of us!" He was exasperated, his worry veiled by his usual bluster. She cut him off, unzipping her jacket to reveal two 9mm pistols strapped into a shoulder holster beneath. The tirade stuttered to a stop.

"I can take care of myself, Shaun." Her tone was cool, practiced. She glanced at the newcomer and gave him a quick wink, enjoying how her display of weapons tended to silence Shaun's complaints. Next, she reached down to her boot and yanked out an 8-inch dagger, twirling it in her fingers before jamming it into the table.

"And don't talk to me like I don't know the stakes." Her voice dropped a degree, barely masking her tension. "I know full well what it would mean if Abstergo got me again."

The room fell into silence for a few beats before Shaun sighed, turning toward the food with a clatter of dishes that broke the tense quiet.

Claire exhaled slowly, letting the weight of the moment settle before she began unstrapping her gear. She shrugged off her jacket, revealing a fitted tank top, black jeans, and knee-high boots beneath. As she moved, her tattoo became visible—a striking emblem on her back, where sweeping wings stretched from shoulder to shoulder, framing the Assassin's symbol inked with intricate precision between them. It was both powerful and symbolic, a mark of loyalty and resilience.