Assassin's Creed (c) Ubisoft

Edward didn't understand. The charges had been dropped, much to the asshole's frustration. Edward had defended himself, and the next day his former boss had been charged with running an interstate drug and prostitution ring. Something the cops would have never discovered without a helpful anonymous tip. Edward had questioned Thatch and Hornigold, but both men remained suspiciously mute on the subject. Granted, the police were still investigating both the assault claim and the drug-prostitution ring.

Edward reread the paper Lucy handed him, three times before looking up at the social worker. "I… I don't understand. The man… the assault charges have been dropped and—"

"Regardless, your former job is still under investigation for interstate human trafficking, prostitution and drug dealing," Lucy said, "and by extension you are also involved because these charges of your former boss are felony charges."

"Yes, but I wasn't involved with that! Hell, I didn't even know! I'm just a bartender!" Edward said. "You… this seriously can't be enough to take my son away."

"You have a criminal record, Mr. Kenway—"

"For petty theft! I never spent more than two weeks in jail!"

"Regardless, a criminal record is a criminal record. Now—"

"You can't do this!" Edward protested, barring the way into his house. "I mean… if you must, can ya come back tomorrow? It's his birthday and—"

"No, Mr. Kenway, I can't." Lucy said, "Now please go back into the house, stand aside and let me and these fine officers do our job." Edward wanted to protest further, he wanted to fight back, slam the door, grab his gun, anything! Yet, the look of Lucy and the officer's faces made him deflate. If he fought, he would be defeated and he couldn't jeopardize losing Haytham forever. "Please," Lucy added, "Mr. Kenway, don't make this harder on yourself or your son." Edward nodded, side stepping and allowing Lucy and the officers to enter his house. He went off to the side with one of them.

Haytham trotted out of the kitchen to see Lucy and the police in the living room, his father near the guest bedroom. None of his friends were present. Haytham swallowed, looking about. "Hello…" he mumbled, feeling small and weak, and very, very scared.

"Hello Haytham," Lucy said, smiling at him. Haytham frowned, remembering her from that day in school. He took a step back. "I'm Lucy Miles and this if Officer Benden,"

"Father didn't touch me in a wrong way," Haytham seethed.

Lucy sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Let's go to your room and talk, Haytham," Lucy said. Haytham didn't want to but he looked at the cop and then at his father, who was talking to another one. He nodded, heart thumping against his ribs; he swallowed and nodded meekly. He led Lucy and Officer Benden to his room, all the while racking his brain about why Lucy was here. Then it hit him, the conversation he had with his father a week before his birthday; saying he wished he had died with his mother. "He's putting me up for adoption," Haytham whispered, shaking suddenly. He didn't really mean that. He loves his father, and he was just frustrated about the situation and the constant long hours. Haytham glanced over at the door, but the officer was blocking it, beefy hands on his belt.

"Haytham, I have to take you away," Lucy said.

"Why?" Haytham asked, wondering if Lucy will tell him that his father put him up for adoption.

"Your father…" Lucy sighed, "I'll explain it to you in the car."

"Why can't you explain it to me now?"

"Because it'll take too long, now why don't you pack some clothes, your pajamas and a few things you want to take with you, okay?" Lucy said. Haytham swallowed, his hands shaking.

"O-Okay," Haytham muttered, knowing it was true now that he was being put up for adoption. He was going to a scary orphanage with a rat face mean care-taker. Robotically, he got out his duffle bag from beneath his bed, filling it with some clothes, his pajamas, stuffed eagle and his pouch with journal and pen. Once it was packed, he zipped it up. Lucy grabbed it.

"C'mon Haytham," Lucy said, "let's go." She led the boy from his room, the burly officer following behind them.

Haytham bolted towards his father as soon as he left the room. "Father! Father, I'm sorry! Please don't send me away! Don't put me up for adoption! I'll keep my room clean! I won't complain about your long hours! I'll be good!" Haytham shouted, reaching for Edward. Benden's partner reacted quickly, grabbing Haytham around the middle. The boy screamed, hitting the cop, wriggling in the man's strong arms. "Father! Father!" Haytham screamed, reaching again for his father. "Daddy…" Haytham whimpered, staring at his father through tear-blurred vision, "don't let them take me away."

Edward sighed, looking away from his son, hands curling into fists, frustrated about the situation. If he failed to cooperate he could lose Haytham forever. "Shit!" Benden's partner cried, and Edward suddenly felt two little arms around his waist.

"Daddy… please! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Haytham screamed, hiding his face in Edward's side, clinging to Edward's clothes. Instinct took over, and Edward wrapped his arms around his sobbing son. He looked up at Lucy and the two cops.

"Please… don't do this," Edward whispered. "Don't take my son."

Lucy sighed, rubbed her forehead, glanced at her watch, before marching over to the father and son. "I'm sorry," Lucy said, "but I'm merely doing my job." She grabbed Haytham's arm and sharply pulled the boy away.

"No! No! No! Let me go! Father! Father! Father!" Haytham screamed, a banshee's howl, tears cascading down his ruddy cheeks. Edward held onto his son, but Lucy was oddly strong, and Haytham's hand slipped through his. Edward felt the tears roll down his cheeks then, watching helplessly as the two cops positioned themselves between him and his son. He slumped to his knees, watching as the door closed on Haytham's heart-wrenching screams.

Haytham huddled into the backseat of the highly forgettable car. The cop had put his duffle bag in the trunk. Haytham buckled himself in and watched as Lucy adjusted the mirror in order to glance at him. She thanked the cops and they drove off. Haytham sniffed, wiping at his nose and eyes. "Worst birthday ever," he muttered glumly, staring out of the window. It began to rain.

"Everything is going to be okay, Haytham." Lucy said, smiling up at him with that fake smile she uses in order to make him feel safe. He huffed, folding his arms over his chest. "It's not for long. I promise."

"My father loves me!" Haytham seethed, sniffing slightly. Just thinking about his father caused him to cry. "He takes good care of me!"

"I know, Haytham," Lucy sighed, "I know. In all honesty, your father is one of the better single-parents that I deal with. He clearly loves you and takes really good care of you."

"Then why are you taking me away!" Haytham protested, tears pooling in his eyes. "Don't understand!"

"I'm taking you away because the place where your father use to work is involved in some really… bad things and your father did some… not so good things before you were born, and because of those things I have to take you away."

"Will I be able to go home?" Haytham asked.

"Yes," Lucy said, "It's not forever. We don't like situations that last forever. Your father is going to have to prove he can provide for you, that nothing adverse was going on in your home, and that he wasn't involved in the charges his former boss is facing."

"That sounds… complicated," Haytham whispered.

"It is, and it's going to take maybe a month or longer."

"C-Can he visit me?"

"Supervised visits, you're also won't be allowed to go to school during this time, or outside during this time."

"What? But what about my fencing meets and my school work and my friends!" Haytham protested.

"Someone will drop your school work off," Lucy said, "besides, Christmas is almost here so you won't be in school for that much longer."

"Christmas…" Haytham whispered, realizing that he'd be spending his first Christmas away from his father.

"Haytham," Lucy said. Haytham looked up at her, watching her eyes through the rear view mirror. "I promise you, that I'll do everything in my power to get you back to your father as swiftly as the law allows."

"Okay," he replied, though he didn't believe her. He glanced out the window, heaved a great sigh and went over the things he brought with him. "I forgot my toothbrush," he said.

"Oh… erm, we'll stop at the drug store then and get you a toothbrush and some toothpaste okay?" Lucy asked, looking at Haytham as she stopped at the stop light.

"I guess," he replied dejectedly, hoping the ploy would get her to turn the car around and take him back. Then he could hide in his closest and Lucy won't be able to find him and she'll leave and he could be with his father again.

They stopped off at the drug store. Lucy kept a hand on his shoulder as they walked down the aisle. He picked up the cheapest toothbrush and toothpaste they had, and watched as the social worker bought the two items. Haytham was led out and back into the car to continue the journey to wherever Lucy was taking him.

It was another neighbourhood, in the same school district that Haytham went too, but in the rich kid's area. "You're lucky Haytham," Lucy said, "you got one of the best foster parents in the system. In fact, there's another boy staying with him too."

"Is he like me?"

"No, he's been a ward of the state since he was five," Lucy said. "He's a nice boy."

"Uh-huh," Haytham replied dully, looking at the house. It was dark, so Haytham couldn't tell what color it was, but he guessed it was blue. Lucy parked, got out of the car and popped the trunk, pulling out Haytham's duffle bag. Haytham followed her up to the doorstep. Lucy rang the doorbell, taking a step back, so Haytham was before her. The door opened to reveal a man, with short brown hair, a wide mouth and shift eyes. Haytham thought he looked like a dancing monkey emoji.

"Ah, Mrs. Miles," the man said. "Welcome, welcome! Come in, please!" he turned to the stairs, "Crawford! Crawford, come down here and meet your new… erm… brother."

"Thank you, Mr. Birch, for taking Haytham in," Lucy said.

"Oh, it's no trouble," Birch said, with a smile. "I'm sure he and Crawford will get along famously.

"Great," Lucy said, placing her hand on Haytham's shoulder. Haytham shrugged it off. "This is Haytham Kenway. He'll be staying with you for about a month. I suspect his father will want to regain custody of him as fast as possible, plus his father keeps a good home, as far as I can tell. I don't foresee any major issues that'll hinder Haytham's father from regaining custody."

"Excellent, that's always good to hear," Birch said and put his hand on Haytham's other shoulder, "I understand it's tough getting uprooted so suddenly, but you must remember it's only temporary, especially if what's in your file and Mrs. Miles say about your father."

"Right," Haytham said, moving his shoulder away from Birch's grip. The man was creepy. Not in a predatory way but in an extremely nerdy fashion.

"I'm Reginald Birch, you can call me Reginald or Reggie if you prefer," Birch said, a broad smile on his face. "Crawford! Don't be rude!" Birch shouted, but the other boy didn't appear. "Ah, well… he must be in his rebellious phase. Come into the kitchen Haytham. Mrs. Miles, I can sign the papers and you can be on your way…" Birch rambled as Lucy and Haytham shuffled in. Haytham closed the door and started when he saw a black haired boy standing at the bottom of the steps.

"Who are you?" the boy asked, the question coming out in a sneer. Haytham bristled, but kept his expression neutral. He had always been average in physical prowess, though fencing had increase both his speed and strength. He preferred to use his wits to get out of fights. He straightened, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Haytham Kenway," Haytham said with tight politeness, glancing at the other boy. "You?"

The boy smirked, folding his arms over his chest, oozing arrogance. "Crawford Starrick."

Edward heard a car horn blare, as the door open, a gust of chill wind coming in. "Edward, Edward!" Mary shouted, tumbling in. Edward glanced up at his friend, he held a glass of rum by the lip, the ice clinking against the glass. Mary's eyes fell to the open bottle of rum and the glass in Edward's hand. "Edward, how much have you drank?"

"A few sips," Edward muttered, "I'm not lying Mary. I don't even have the energy to drink."

"It's true Mary," Ben said, coming out of the kitchen. "Thatch's on his way back. He and Ádewalé went out to get Chinese. Jack is also on his way. Where's Anne?"

"Still at work," Mary sighed, sitting next to Edward. "Ed, don't drink."

"I appreciate you guys all coming, but I really want to be alone."

"Not happening, mate," Ben said, pulling up a chair, "leaving you alone is the last thing we want to do right now."

"We didn't leave you when Tessa die, and we aren't leaving you now," Mary said, putting a hand on Edward's arm. "We're here for you, Edward."

"Thanks guys," Edward muttered. The door opened, letting more cold air to come in. Thatch, Ádewalé and Jack walked in.

"That smells good," Mary said, going to grab a bag.

"Edward, ya doin' alright?" Ádewalé asked. Edward looked up at the big black mechanic, and raised his hand. "Ya didn't drink da entire bottle," Ádewalé commented.

"I'm not in the mood," Edward muttered, and set his drink on the table. Jack grabbed it and drained in two gulps. Everyone stared at him.

"What?" Jack muttered, "Don't wanna waste good rum."

"So, what's the plan to get Haytham back?" Ben asked.

"I can always convince some people to reverse the—"

"No," Edward said standing up. "No, no, no! There is no plan! There is no way other than the legal way to get Haytham back!" Edward said, walking up to the wall. He rested his head against the cool surface. "I appreciate all your help, but I can't… there is nothing I can do."

"Edward," Mary sighed, "you can't lose hope."

"Hope? I have no more fucking hope left, Mary!" Edward rounded on her. "My wife is dead and they took my son!"

"What about Jenny?" Ben pointed out.

"She's in London, Ben," Thatch grumbled.

"Oh, yeah, forgot."

"Plus, Jenny is a grown womon," Ádewalé added. Ben agreed with a nod.

"I still think I can twist a few arms," Thatch grumbled, stroking his beard, unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth. Mary reached for it, but Thatch pulled away from her. "I'm not gonna light it Mary."

"I don't need any more help!" Edward shouted, turning to face his friends. "It's because your guys' help," he said, pointing to Ben and Thatch, "that they took my son away!"

"Fuck, Kenway," Thatch said, looking at his friend. "We're sorry, but we're upset about this too. Haytham is like a son to all of us. I mean, all of us here have babysitting days scheduled. We all feel like they've taken him from us! Not just you."

"But he's my kid!" Edward shouted. "Haytham is my son!" He punched the wall. "That fucking bitch took my son!" Edward screamed, punching the wall. "I want my son! I want my son! I want my son!" He broke through the plaster, cutting his knuckles, before slumping down, shoulders shaking with his sobs. Mary stood up, going into the kitchen, and coming out with a rag. She sat down next to Edward and doctored his knuckles.

"God Edward," Mary said, "with that face, someone might think your puppy got shot."

"Ha ha," Edward sniffed.

"Listen," Mary said, "here's what you are going to do. You are going to buck up, clear your head, eat some dinner, and tomorrow you are going to look for a new job, talk to the child services people, see what you need to do to get Haytham back and fucking do it."

"Mary…"

"Or do I need to call Caroline?" Mary hissed. Edward shot up, eyes narrowing.

"Don't you fucking dare drag Caroline into this shit, Mary! I swear to god."

"Then get up off your sorry ass and work on getting Haytham back! Not sitting punching your goddamn wall!" Mary snarled. Edward looked away, sighing heavily.

"Alright," he said, "alright. I'll do it." He stood up and looked at his gathered friends. "Let's get Haytham back."

Hey, I warned you lot that this chapter was going to be heartbreaking.

Oh look, Birch! Don't worry, he's a nice guy, high school principal and obsessed with unicorns. And look! Another mini-Templar Grand Master!

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Nemo