Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 1 - Claire

September 16th 2012, 5:00 am (before dawn)

As the engine on Claire's bike sputtered, she felt a sharp twist of frustration tighten her grip on the handlebars. The fuel gauge needle hovered ominously over empty, mocking her with its finality. She squinted down the road, the dark stretch of highway offering no signs of respite. She exhaled, letting the cold night air settle her nerves before tapping her earpiece, her voice cutting through the line with calm resignation.

"Running on fumes here," she announced, keeping her tone steady despite the irritation simmering beneath. "Gonna have to ditch the bike and hop in with you guys."

A short pause, then Rebecca's voice crackled through, carrying an easy amusement. "Alright, we'll pull over. Welcome back to the team bus."

Claire smirked to herself, letting her gaze linger on the motorcycle beneath her, its battered body and worn tires a testament to the night's events. The engine had carried her through one hell of an escape, and she gave it a final pat of appreciation before dismounting, feeling the ache in her muscles settle in with the cool night air. She pushed the bike to the side of the road, casting a glance over her shoulder as the box truck's headlights came into view, slowing to a stop a few yards ahead.

Jogging up to the back of the truck, she knocked firmly on the metal doors, the sound ringing out in the stillness. A second later, the doors swung open to reveal Shaun, his face lit in the dim interior glow, looking both tired and mildly curious as he leaned forward to peer down at her.

"Room for one more?" she asked, giving him a half-smile as she held onto the edge of the truck for balance. Without waiting for a response, she hoisted herself up, feeling the strain of exhaustion in her shoulders as she climbed into the truck bed.

Shaun barely had a chance to step back before she settled inside, securing the door behind her. She reached up, peeling off her helmet and letting her hood fall back, the cool air brushing her face. As she examined the helmet, she frowned at the deep graze mark along one side—a reminder of just how close that last bullet had come.

"Been in a bit of a scrap, have we?" Shaun observed, his gaze roaming over her with a mix of concern and thinly veiled amusement. He let his eyes linger on the helmet before moving to the rest of her. His gaze stopped at her trench coat, narrowing as he noticed the fresh bullet hole near her back. He reached out, poking at it lightly with a finger, eyebrows raised in mock fascination.

"Now, this is new," he remarked, a wry grin tugging at his mouth as he prodded again.

Claire gritted her teeth, the touch sending a jolt of pain through the bruised flesh beneath her clothing. "Yes, well, thanks for reminding me," Turning around she slapped his hand away, glaring at him.

Shaun eyed her, unimpressed. "No need to play tough—though I'm sure you'd rather take another hit than admit it hurts."

"Correct," she replied flatly, leaning back against the wall of the truck, breathing out a tired sigh. The journey had taken a toll on her body, and her eyes felt heavy, the adrenaline that had fueled her fading fast.

In the center of the truck, Desmond lay on the Animus, his body still except for the faint twitch of his fingers. His face was relaxed, yet his brow furrowed intermittently, a reflection of the turmoil he was sorting through within Ezio's memories. Claire watched him, noting how even in sleep, there was a tension in his posture—shoulders drawn just enough to hint at the weight he was carrying from everything they'd uncovered. This latest delve into the past was clearly churning up more questions than answers, leaving him adrift in the murky shadows of his ancestors' lives.

Rebecca caught her gaze and offered a small nod, glancing toward a neatly folded blanket in the corner of the truck. "You should grab that, Claire," she murmured, her voice gentle but insistent. "Still a few hours out from Monteriggioni. You look like you could use something more than the floor to rest on."