Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 15 - Claire

September 21st 2012

Claire emerged from the Animus, her body slumping forward as she disconnected, her mind reeling from the brutal memories she'd just endured. She could feel the lingering echoes of Amelia's pain and anguish, each one like a jagged piece of glass lodged somewhere deep inside her. The memories had been mercifully hazy—details softened as though Amelia herself had tried to shield her—but the weight of them, the horror and helplessness, were unmistakably clear. The room around her came into sharp focus, grounding her back in the present, yet the haze of trauma clung stubbornly, refusing to let her go.

"Claire?" Rebecca's voice was soft, filled with gentle concern. She was by Claire's side in an instant, her hand resting on Claire's shoulder, grounding her. Shaun, Lucy, and Desmond stood nearby, their faces a mixture of worry and helplessness as they watched her, each one visibly shaken by what they knew she'd just gone through.

Desmond took a cautious step forward, his gaze intense but filled with quiet empathy. "You've been in there for almost ten hours," he said, his voice steady but strained. "Claire... you need a break."

Claire nodded faintly, her breathing unsteady, and Rebecca's hand tightened on her shoulder, a small, anchoring gesture. She felt the concern from all of them, the way they seemed ready to catch her if she so much as wavered. Even Lucy, who had always maintained a professional distance, looked at her with something close to sympathy, her eyes reflecting an understanding Claire hadn't expected.

"It... it was bad," Claire whispered, her voice barely audible. Her hands trembled as she pressed them against her lap, trying to steady herself. "Amelia went through... things I wouldn't wish on anyone. And even though it was hazy, I could feel it all." She looked at each of them, her gaze raw and haunted. "But I'm... grateful. I think Amelia kept the worst of it from me, as best she could."

Shaun exhaled a heavy breath, rubbing the back of his neck, his usual sarcasm absent, replaced by something much softer, much more serious. "You don't have to go through every detail, Claire," he said gently. "Honestly, none of us want you to go through any more of this. You've been through enough."

Rebecca nodded, her eyes brimming with concern. "Claire, this isn't about endurance. No one expects you to carry all of Amelia's pain. Even she wouldn't want that."

Claire took a shuddering breath, feeling the heaviness settle into her bones. "I know," she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. "And I... I appreciate you all being here. It makes it... bearable." She looked up, meeting Desmond's gaze. "But I need a minute."

Desmond nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "Of course. Take all the time you need."

Rebecca offered her a supportive squeeze on her shoulder before stepping back, and Claire slowly rose to her feet, her body stiff from hours in the Animus. She moved to a quiet corner of the room, leaning against the wall as she let herself breathe, trying to release some of the tension that had wrapped itself around her.

Claire took a few deep breaths, letting the weight of her body sink against the cool wall as the whirlwind of memories slowly receded. Each inhale seemed to chip away at the lingering tension, grounding her in the here and now. After a few moments, she pushed herself up, feeling the familiar ache in her muscles from hours spent in the Animus.

Rebecca was by her side almost immediately. "Come on," she said gently. "You need to eat something, get some strength back." She guided Claire toward the small kitchenette tucked into the corner of the sanctuary, her hand resting lightly on Claire's shoulder, a steadying presence.

As Claire sat down at the table, Shaun slid a bowl of soup toward her, his face softened by an expression of quiet care. "Figured something warm might do the trick," he said, his voice subdued.