The Immigrant

Chapter 28| April 21 1799

The morning sun shone in from my window as I scratched at the stacks of paper that were in front of me. Sundays it seemed, were always busy no matter what. Both Burr and Theodoisa were at church so I had to whole house to myself. Something about the returning of summer filled me with a warming sense. I smiled to myself as I wrote until my hands began to shake. I sighed as I reluctantly got up from my desk.
It's been months since I've gotten a proper rest, but I didn't mind, it felt like my body coped with it a long time ago.
I put on my brown button up coat as I made my way downstairs. Consequently there was a loud knock on the door. I slowly walked over to the door and opened it. A young boy around nine or so, stood there with a letter in his hand.
"Are you Ezio Auditore?" He asked briskly.
"Yes?" I replied wearily.
"I have a letter for you from the Marquis de Lafayette." He said holding out the letter.
I took the letter from him, a glint of fear sprung through my eyes.
"Thank you." I murmured.
The kid nodded as he walked away the satchel that was around his shoulder was brimming with letters.
I closed the door as I hurried to the kitchen, tearing the waxed seal and unfolded the letter. In messing handwriting, it read.

"Mon tres cher ami,
I apologize for not writing you sooner mon ami, anyways the war in France is complete bliss, everyone murdering everyone it's quite an intense place to be right now. Surprisingly I still stand alive, or what I assume the action of living is to be. All theses years of my head being engaged in a great bloody war, I wonder how you're doing? I assume you still have your head on your shoulders yes? The King of France unfortunately lost there's a long time ago. But with great bloodshed, I do see an end to this war. Our frightful and disorganized government is slowly putting a compromise to put England back in their rightful place once and for all. Hopefully mon ami, once the cannon smoke clears I'll be making my way back to the Americas for a while.
Formez vote combattant français prefere, Lafayette."

I chuckled as I slid the note into my coat pocket. I was relived that Lafayette was still standing.
I proceeded to the door as I opened it. The streets were relatively peaceful and quiet with most people already at church. With a slight breeze towards the harbor the air was pleasantly warm. I strolled down the street with a smile on my face, nodding politely to all who pasted me. I came close to the ports as ships with big white sails rippled in the breeze. Ship bells rang as the area smelled strongly of fish. From one of the boats some men were hauling up canons to the ships deck. I looked curiously as the cannons as I approached a man who was barking orders to the other men.
"What's will all the cannons?" I asked, a tall, rugged man kept his eye on the ship.
"We're sailing them to France, them soldiers need our help." He said in a very thick French accent.
"I thought congress past a law that our country wasn't going to help France." I sighed sadly, crossing my arms.
"To hell with congress, my lads and I don't give a damn if congress isn't going to help the French...we will!" The man spat.
I took a deep sighed as I looked up at the men lifting the cannons.
"Well don't draw any suspicion, it would be a shame if you fellas got caught." I sighed.
The man eyed me from head to toe as his eyes narrowed.
"I suppose you work for the government just look at ya clothes." The man growled.
"Depends sir, but just keep in mind, I'm not the one to look out for." I retorted.
The man shrugged as he turned his back to me.
"Now don't drop those damn cannons!" He yelled walking towards the ship, paying no further attention to me.
I got out my pocket watch as it already read eight. I made my way out of the port and into the markets.
Each shop was brimming with fresh vegetables and fruits. The mild spring brought an array of cleaned picked foods from all over the country. I had a few coins as I looked longingly at the foods around me. Church bells rang in the distance as the streets became even more packed. Most out on their family outing.
On the outskirts of the market I sat on a bench overlooking a fountain, eating a biscuit. I looked up at the falling water as my thoughts began to wander.
Al of s sudden a cautious voice called from behind me.
"Hey Ezio!" Philip called.
I turned to see Philip walking briskly towards me, his face worried as he had a book bag at his side.
"Good morning Philip!" I greeted him with a smile as he gave a huff, sitting down next to me.
Philip gave me a quick smile as he flung his satchel over his back, looking quite tired as he took small gasps of air.
"Is everything alright?" I asked looking at his redden face.
Philip looked down the street before looking back at me with a worried look.
"How about I told you I got into a fight with one of my scholars this morning." Philip breathed.
I blinked as I looked over at him with widened eyes.
"No way." I said with a smile cracking between my lips.
Philip nodded.
"Now the whole school and my father are looking for me." He laughed nervously.
"...Can I hide at your place until things settle down?" Philip asked.
I gave him a depleted sigh as I smiled.
"Alright, but we gotta make it quick, I don't think Burr is going to let you in if we meet him at his quarters." I said rubbing my hands together as I stood up.
Philip looked around as we make our way to Burr's quarters. We took a different route so it would be less of a chance to meet someone we knew. Hurried we scampered down the street to the backside of Burr's house. Philip almost stepping on my heels we walked.
I opened the door as we snuck our way into the kitchen. Luckily no one was there. We thought we were safe until we were stopped at the bottom of the stairs by Burr's sharp voice.
"What is this?" Burr asked, both startled as we whirled around to meet Burr's harsh gaze.
"Good afternoon Burr." I began my mouth dry as I locked eyes with Burr.
"I would like to know why Philip Hamilton is doing here without my consent?" Burr asked, a little impatient as he looked between Philip and I.
I sighed, I knew lying would only make it worse.
"Philip is uh...hiding." I paused.
Burr's brow raised.
"From the authority? The President?" Burr growled.
"No sir, from his father." I sighed.
Burr looked at Philip with almost an amused face.
"Your father?" He echoed. 
"Yes sir." Philip said fidgeting.
Burr crossed his arms as he cleared his throat, whipping the amused looked from his face.
"And why is that?" Burr asked.
Philip sighed as he glanced at me before looking back at Burr.
"I might of gotten into a quarrel with one of my scholars." Philip said his voice cracking.
Burr stared at Philip, before he gave a huff of laughter.
"You're just like your father." Burr chuckled.
"What?" Philip asked.
Burr shook his head.
"Never mind that." Burr murmured.
"Here, I'll make a deal with you, it you can organize my study I'll let you stay-" Burr was cut off by a loud knock on the door.
"Hide in the kitchen." I hissed to Philip as he scampered off.
I gave Burr a cold stare as he backed away from the door letting me answer.
I took a deep breath as I opened the door. I found a quite flustered Hamilton as he met me with a quick smile.
"Good afternoon Mr.Hamilton, how are you?" I began, trying to act casual.
Hamilton gave me a quick nod.
"Very well, anyways I was wondering if you've seen my son anywhere today?" He asked, getting strait to the point.
"No I haven't, why?" I frowned.
Hamilton took a short breath as he looked quite angry as he began to speak.
"Well this morning, he got into a fight with one of his scholars and ran, I've been trying to find him ever since." Hamilton said quite irritably.
I nodded slowly.
"Well that is unfortunate, but I'll let you know if I seem him around-" I was cut off by a brush on the shoulder.
Philip softly pushed me to the side as he walked up to his father.
"Hey..pops.." He said defeatedly.
I looked at Philip like he just lost his mind. What was he doing?
Hamilton crossed his arms as he stared coldly at his son.
"You young man are in some serious trouble." Hamilton growled.
"I am very disappointed in you." He added with a pain in his voice.
Philip looked to the ground with a shameful face. Philip looked back at me with a sad smile before walking down the stairs and into the streets without another word.
"Good day Ezio." Hamilton said quickly with a stern glance as he turned away, catching up to his son who was half way down the street already.
I blinked as I took a long breath. I closed the door to meet back with Burr with a perplexed look.
"Well, that man is sure honest." Burr shrugged.
I kept my mouth clamped as I made my way up the stairs without another word.
I did admire Philip's confident, honesty ability to confront his father like that. A skill that so many people can't obtain.
I walked into my room as the afternoon sun shone brightly through my window. My eyes wandered over to my desk as I knew if I sat down I wouldn't get up again for hours. I sighed passing my desk as I sat on the edge of my bed. I combed my hair back as I leaned my head against the backboard. My heartbeat filled my head as I took a long tiring breath. After lying there for a while, the distant pain of my gunshot wound still lingered in my chest. The lingering words of my father echoed through my mind.
"Wounds never heal completely"
Which now I believed.
The sun was setting between the buildings as another day flew past. I tried my best to stay away from my writings but eventually I was buried away at my desk as night rapped over the city like a blanket. Every moment passing with uncertainty ahead.