Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 7 - Claire

Day 7

The terminal buzzed with movement, travelers and airport personnel weaving in a constant, purposeful flow. Every overhead announcement echoed, the muffled voices blurring into one another, a chaotic symphony that filled the air as Claire and William moved steadily toward the private charter desk. The two blended into the throng, the tension between them unspoken but palpable. Their cover was air-tight—they had crafted it with precision, a necessity to avoid any scrutiny. They were, for all intents and purposes, a medical team rushing a patient in critical condition for specialized care. It was a plausible story, but execution was everything.

At the charter counter, William straightened, his posture radiating authority as he stepped forward. Claire felt the mask pressing tightly against her cheek, the raw edge of the wound underneath stinging with every subtle movement of her jaw. She adjusted the brim of her ball cap lower over her brow, wishing for a moment she could wipe away the discomfort pressing against her cheek, but the brief pain was nothing compared to the importance of this moment. She remained still, her gaze fixed downward, allowing William to lead the conversation.

"Good morning," William began, his voice carrying the calm assurance that always seemed to command instant attention. "I need to make arrangements for a medical charter flight to New York. We're transporting a critical patient."

The attendant, a man dressed impeccably in a dark suit with a crisp tie, glanced up, his professional expression momentarily faltering as his eyes shifted from William to Claire, his gaze lingering a bit too long on her masked face and worn ball cap. But his polished smile returned, and he inclined his head respectfully. "Certainly, sir. We can arrange a private charter for you. Will you be needing specific medical accommodations onboard?"

William nodded, his voice calm but carrying an edge that communicated the gravity of the request. "Yes, we'll need a space suitable for administering IV fluids and enough room to maneuver necessary medical equipment. The patient is unconscious and requires continuous monitoring, oxygen, and isolation if possible."

The attendant nodded, his fingers flying over the keyboard, each keystroke bringing them closer to the final arrangements. He glanced back up, a flicker of something like recognition in his eyes, though his demeanor remained meticulously professional. "We have a Gulfstream G550 available, sir. It's equipped with a modular cabin that can be reconfigured to meet medical needs. The flight from Rome to New York should take approximately nine hours and forty-five minutes, weather permitting."

As he spoke, Claire felt her patience waning, the mask rubbing uncomfortably against her cheek, aggravating the freshly bandaged cut. She shifted slightly, clenching her jaw to suppress a grimace, keeping her posture calm despite the mounting irritation. Outwardly, she was poised, but each second of waiting gnawed at her. She adjusted the edge of her mask discreetly, willing herself to remain focused on the task. This wasn't the time to let the pain become a distraction.

"Rome to New York—understood," William replied, his tone measured, though Claire detected the urgency beneath it. His eyes held a hard glint, a silent reminder of the stakes. "When can we expect the flight to be prepped and ready?"

The attendant scanned his screen, his brows knitting in concentration as he checked the schedules and configurations. "The aircraft will be ready for boarding in roughly an hour, sir. And as per your request, I'll notify the crew to be prepared for a critical patient. May I have your credentials to finalize the arrangement?"

William nodded, smoothly producing a set of credentials from his jacket pocket, forged with immaculate precision. Claire watched the transaction with tense alertness, her muscles poised for the slightest signal of suspicion. The attendant inspected the documents, his gaze flicking briefly between the papers and William before offering a polite nod of approval, stamping the necessary papers without hesitation. He handed them back with a slight bow.