Watch Dogs - The Book

Ghosts of the past

"I worked so hard to keep Nicky shielded from everything and now... she's killed someone. The whole damn city's collapsing around us. I need to get her away, safe, before it's too late." I told myself, driving towards Nicky's house the next morning.

I knocked at the door, and Nicky came out with Jackson and their luggage.

"Come on." I said.

"Yolanda said she's gonna call the police on you!" said Nicky, nervous, approaching the car.

I threw the luggage on the backseat and grabbed Jackson's arm: "Get in the car. Let's go.". Jackson sit in the back.

"Tell me you were set up. Tell me!"

"I found him. The man who hurt her. I know who it is." I said, firmly.

"What?" asked Nicky, confused.

"Nik, we're out of time. We need to go...now!" I insisted.

Then, I entered the car too. Nicky looked at me from outside, not willing to come. I opened the door for Nicky: "Come on."

Nicky came in and looked at Jackson of a moment. The police were searching for us so I had to leave the town carefully, avoiding them.

"Aiden, those are the police!" said Nicky.

"I know."

"Why are we running from the police? They can help us!" asked Nicky, confused.

"No, they won't help us."

"Why?"

"Because they're after me!"

"But we can explain. We can tell them about Damien. I'll tell them everything that happened." insisted Nicky.

"No! If we're caught, you don't say anything. Right now I'm getting you two out of the city. You'll disappear and stay invisible. I'll take care of Damien."

"You're not making any sense. We don't have anything to hide. Do we?.... It's you, isn't it? You're the vigilante!" said Nicky, shocked.

"It's complicated."

"So everything I saw on the news - the... the... the... murders, May Stadium ... That, that was you? Oh, God... and since I've been gone? What did you do to get me out?"

"I did what I had to."

I was driving fast near the periphery of the city. The police lost my tracks.

"There used to be an ice cream shop near here. 101 Flavours. Everything I know is in Chicago. It's my home. And now, we just start again? I thought things would be different. I hoped..." said Nicky, nostalgic.

"Things will be different. I promise you." I insisted.

"No more promises, Aiden."

We entered Pawnee.

"Where are we going?" asked Nicky.

"I'm getting you and Jacks away from here."

"And then what? We could move out of state and stay with--"

"No, don't tell me. Don't tell anyone." I interrupted her.

We reached a motel at the city at the exit of the city. I slowly got the car in the parking lot.

"It's over. For you guys." I said.

"But not for you..." continued Nicky.

"It's okay, Jacks." turned Nicky towards him.

I and Nicky got out of the car.

"Didn't have to be this way but what other options do we have?" she asked.

"Are we okay?"

"Remember when we were kids and I would follow you? And you'd try and get away from me, and stupid me, I kept trying. I didn't like your cars or hockey and your friends were gross."

"Yeah.." I smiled.

"I followed you because I idolized you. Just like Jackson does. And I kept hoping you'd want me around. But eventually I just hoped that you would look back." started Nicky to cry.

"All I can say is, I'm sorry."

Nicky came and hugged me: "I'm not following you anymore.."

"I know."

Nicky entered the car to the driver's seat.

"Alright sweetie, we're leaving now, say goodbye to your uncle Aiden." turned Nicky towards Jackson.

Jacks looked at me, sad:

"Are you coming with us?"

"No. Your uncle's staying here." answered Nicky.

Nicky powered on the engine.

"Bye, Jacks." I said.

Jacks waved his hand at me while Nicky was driving off the parking lot: "Bye.."

Suddenly, T-Bone called:

"Found something that'll shed light on who you're looking for. You're ready for this?"

"Probably not. But play it anyway."

I could hear Lucky Quin's voice on the recording: "I want you to run an errand for me, Mr. Iraq."

"Right. There a name and the address for this errand...Mr. Quinn?" asked Iraq.

"Brenks and Pearce. Make it a strong warning. Hit the family if you have to."  said Quinn.

"Sir, yes, sir. What'd they do?"

"Not your concern, Mr. Iraq. Do as you're told, and I'll let you be in charge of the auction next year."

"He's one cold son of a bitch. " continued T-Bone.

"Fucking Quinn. It was supposed to be a fast job. A big payoff. No problem. Fucking mob boss!"

"It ain't my place to tell you what to do. But in case you're wondering... Quinn's got some charity thing going on at his hotel, The Merlaut." ended the call T-Bone.

"Nicky'll never come back. I've driven her away from home, from me. But I know she's safe. They're both safe. And now Quinn...Lucky Quinn. He's brought all of this on us. He's the ghost I've been chasing. Well, now he'll answer to me." I told myself.