Numbskull

Day 6 Part 3

The enraged red of Berg's figure held his gun higher, pointing it straight at my temple. Violet seemed disappointed at my show of weakness by flinching. But there was no mistaking what the vision showed me, red figures against the faded blue background, wanting to harm me. An innocent. At least I think I was. I blinked furiously, attempting to make the Eagle Vision to disappear. It didn't work, the heavy thumps of my heart accelerating.

What could I do? The simplest way out of this would be to get shot and die, that way I wouldn't have to deal with whatever life threw at me anymore. Alternatively, I could agree and join them. The thought itself sent shudders up my spine. 'Join the enemy! Socialise with the red people and become one of them! It would be fun.' I have my values aligned with the Assassins and a simple induction into the Templars would never take that away.

Do it. Say no. Refuse them... And let the rest of the world deal with their shit? No thank you.

But it would be so very easy to utter a single word and never have to care for anything anymore. It wouldn't affect anyone with my parents dead, few friends and an off-the-grid older sister --- whom I suppose is dead and would not like to get my hopes up only for them to be dashed later.

Those thoughts were all too self-centered. There would be other people, people that I do not know and have never met before, that would eventually get tangled up with the Templars and their delusions about having complete order. Thinking through again, I realised most would already have interacted with the Templars through Abstergo and its massive web of business connections.

"Make your choice," Berg demanded, "Now."

I continued to stand in silence for a few seconds before muttering, "Um..."

Violet was clearly annoyed with me, "Speak up."

"I am... honoured to be... presented with this" — I frowned slightly, trying to find the word to describe the dilemma I'm in while not offending anyone here — "opportunity. I feel inclined to accept it... but-"

"There's something holding you back?" Ms. Lemay prompted.

I nodded hesitantly. Could this be my way out? Neither a yes nor a no, joining the Templars nor a certain death. I preferred not to choose anyway.

She turned around to Violet and Berg, getting them together for a whispered discussion. Through their fast whispering, I caught a few words. 'Under orders', 'useful', 'information'. There was always the possibility that they were talking about being under orders to capture some useful Assassin for information. But I knew they were talking about me. About them being under orders to do something to me, kill me. Me being useful... like a 'tool' to them as Cross described, for information. Certain death seemed better than being used for information.

After numerous morbid thoughts ran through my head, Violet turned around, "Okay Numbskull, We'll give you some time to decide. No worries. Just come back with your decision. A good one."

I swallowed, "Okay... See you in time." I walked out of the room, glass doors sliding closed behind me.

Faint male shouting was heard through the glass doors. Seems like it doesn't actually block out all sound. "We needed her. What were you doing letting her go?"

Ms. Lemay retorted, "You need her. What are you going to do with a dead body? Send it to the Assassins through the mail? Use your brain. You agreed as well." I wanted so badly to turn back, to barge in and see the argument in all its glory. Luckily, I stopped myself from doing it but not after turning ninety-degrees and catching an enraged Berg out of the corner of my eye.

"Are you okay? You've been like that since yesterday... All deep in thought and now aware of anything else. Plus, I can't help you if you don't tell me anything."

"I'm fine. I just need some time alone." Alex nodded in agreement and walked away. After getting some coffee in a tumbler and finding a spot on one of the beanbags on the level, I started to set my thoughts in order. But it didn't last long before someone tried to sneak up on me. Why... Can't people just let me be on my own? I unconsciously bit my lips. I didn't turn to face her, "Why are you here? I said I needed to be alone."

"Don't lie and say something's not fine. There is something." She put her hand on my shoulder in an attempt to console me but I shrugged it away.

"Why are you trying to help me? You've only known me for a few days and the same goes for me. Why do you care?"

Alex seemed deep in thought for a while before replying, "There's this person who told me that making connections is important-"

"Then the person who told you that should have the common sense to tell you not to just stick to one person. What if that person just... disappears from your life? What are you going to do?" I paused, "Making connections is spreading out a web of them and not just sticking to one very vulnerable person."

She looked at me funny, "You're talking about yourself, aren't you?  Why do you think you would disappear."

"I didn't say I was talking about myself. Just leave me alone."

I knew deep in me that I have my values aligned with the Brotherhood and not the Templars. A simple induction and letting me rise their ranks will never change that. As I felt the same blue in the snarky barista as in Alex, I knew just the way to do it.

***

I put my pen on paper.

What a crazy week. My eyes have been opened. I've been offered a place among the Templar Order, to continue the fight against Assassins. I feel an obligation to accept, or am I just afraid to refuse? They've given me time to think it over.

With that, I closed my more public record book and added a mental note in my head. And I shall make the most out of the time they gave me to think for I fear that it may be the last time things would be so simple.

A/N Woohoo finally dome with day 6. Day 7 left to do... fyi Shaun is here because someone did something in the prequel and he isn't very happy with what the someone did. I'm going back to school next week but I know I can continue this once a week uploading thing but I'm just not sure. I have so many plans in mind. SO. MANY.

Tell me if you see a mistake, I haven't proofread this yet.

And also, don't kill me if I didn't give you the ending you expected. Very anticlimactic, huh.

OH YEA HAPPY NEW YEARS' EVE EVERYONE