AN: So, I'm stuck at home and apparently am in this weird inspirational writing mood. So here's another chapter!

Please, R&R! It helps me write!

Chapter 25

Will rode in a relaxed canter to the west. He wasn't that worried about someone following him, as Halt was on a mission, but that didn't mean he shouldn't be cautious. That's why he looked backwards from time to time and made a slight detour south-west. It would cost him at least half a day, but he thought that'd be worth it if it meant that he would be there on his own. He was kind of worried about how he should handle The Bear. He taught him everything he knew, and he was way older and stronger than he was. He had rode at least four hours and he saw the sun slowly rising.

He rode a bit farther but stopped when he saw a nice looking, small village which also had a small inn. It didn't look really safe or healthy, the wood of which the inn was built of looked rotten and mold was everywhere to be seen, the wood was crumbling and small holes were seen, especially on the upper floors. He looked at it in disgust, but he dismounted Moonlight anyways and bound her to the wooden pole next to the door. He walked inside and rented a room for the day. It looked as rotten from the inside as from the outside. Clean but rotten.

He walked over to the young lade behind the bar and asked her for a room. He didn't have much money, just a bit which The Bear gave him when he left for his mission. He hadn't needed it so far, as he'd worked for the other room on his way to Redmont. He payed the lady the small amount of money and walked outside to give his beautiful horse a place to rest in her designated stable. As soon as he walked inside he knew Moonlight would not, I repeat, would not be able to rest there. She only would be stressed and cranky and that meant that she wouldn't be easy during their ride. The stable was small and smelled funny. She barely could turn and the amount of dust in here could make her cough. But well, how much damage could a few hours do? He stroked her once again before heading to his room, on the upper floor. Just his luck.

Halt saw Will checking in this shady inn. He wanted to warn him, but… well… He couldn't. Warning him would mean that he had to acknowledge that he was following him. That inn looked like it was about to fall apart, it was called 'The Black Alley'. He had arrested a few criminals there. Mostly for drug smuggling and contracted kills could be arranged here. He took Abelard by his reins and walked a few steps back, into the safety of the wood's shadows. Hoping that Will wouldn't stay there long.

He lay there, on his stained bed. Looking at the discolored ceiling. Wondering how he should kill The Bear. He has some ideas how he wants to do it, but if there's anything he learned by now it's that things doesn't always go as planned. This whole situation taught him just that. He yawned and noticed how tired he actually was, so he got out of his clothes and put something else on. And while he lay there, trying to sleep. He felt completely at peace, suddenly knowing how long he hadn't had to use the Liquid Sleep.

He woke up hours later, disoriented at first. But smelling the room and looking at the filthy place made him realize where he was. He smelled his clothes and with a gag he threw them in the garbage bin. He would never wear that again.

When he walked downstairs he saw that the inn was pretty crowded at night. He sat down at the last available table, in the corner by the fireplace, and ordered some food, a cake with one candle and sweetened coffee. He noticed a few men giving him a mocking glare, and other looking at him anxiously. What the hell?

The waitress came a bit later than he'd wanted, but the food looked good so he thanked her. He was silently eating it, surprised it actually tasted pretty well and he cautiously looked around him. Those men were looking at him and then they'd whisper. Although they were trying to keep quiet, he couldn't help but hear some words from here and there. Words like 'contract', 'child' and also some more bolder words like 'assassinate' or 'child camp'. Words he knew all too well. Not wanting to get involved in those shady practices anymore, he wanted to leave as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, a man walked over to him and sat in the chair opposite him. He tried to not draw attention, but he didn't succeeded that well. People were growing quieter and most eyes were pointed at them. Will squinted his eyes in distrust.

"What do you want from me, stranger?" The men flinched a bit at the authority in his voice, but after a few seconds he composed himself.

"Stt! Not so loud, Mister." Will raised his eyebrow at this. Mister? How old did he look? "Or do you want to draw attention? Is that what excites you, eh?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Will simply said, taking a sip of his coffee.

"I think you do," Said the man knowingly. "I think we can make an agreement, ay?" He slid a greasy paper to Will, it didn't said much. Just a name and location, and at the bottom a price. Ha! Another murder? He was already on his own mission, seeking vengeance. He didn't have time for this nonsense.

"I think you have the wrong idea of me, good sir. I don't understand what you want from me." He stood up, but the man grabbed his wrist.

"I know what you are, boy. I know what you've done. You killed people before, in this murder camp of ya. But I don't think you've ever been payed this well. Your technique is great, so they say, but your negotiation skills deserve some practice. This is already too high of a price. So just take the deal, or consider this as only a slap on the wrist." As to emphasize his meaning, he gave Will a small slap on his wrist, where he'd previously hold him before.

Will didn't thought about it for another second, he grabbed the men's arm and twisted it violently behind his back while simultaneously kicked him in the legs, which made him fall to the ground.

"You think you know what you're talking about, thinking that you can manipulate us into fulfilling your wishes and commands. But if you've even had the slightest idea of what I can do to you… How I can kill you with my nails… I think I don't need to give you a reprimand for your disrespectful attitude towards me, but I'll punish you for it anyways." He whispered dangerously in his ear. The man gave him a slap on the wrist, so it was only fair to return the favor.

He twisted the arm hard upwards, breaking the man's wrist and thumb instantly. The man screamed of pain and then broke down in a small ball, clutching his arm at his chest. Whimpering he looked at Will.

"The next time you decide to challenge a professional assassin, make sure you don't underestimate him. No matter of his age."

He grabbed the small cake and blew the lit candle out. He looked around him and saw that most of them were staring at him.

"What are you looking at?" He said loud enough to make everyone turn around. Everyone, except one.

With a feeling of power he walked out of the door. Gratefully inhaling the fresh air. He looked around and saw that it was after midnight.

"Happy birthday, 053."