Chapter 5

The room was dark, it was just how she liked it when she slept. But this night she couldn't, she could not get to sleep. Rolling over Evie let out a sigh, there was just too much going on in her head. She had a good idea about what was causing her insomnia. Jacob and that boy. Rolling over again she tried to put everything out of her mind, a good night's sleep would help. A full three minutes past before Evie finally gave up. Throwing her duvet off she stood up, she had to do something about what was bothering her. She changed into some loose trousers and shirt before heading out of her room. Looking up the corridor she saw the light in her father's room was still on. She crept down the corridor and into study. Lighting a candle she started running her finger across the books, looking for a certain book, determined to find the answers to the nagging question. Who was that boy? She knew that the boy's first name was Will, that was a start. But something was telling her that this Will was well know. The problem was she could not quite work out how he was well known.

Eventually after what seemed like a age, she found the book she was after. Flopping, a little ungracefully, into a nearby chair Evie opened the book and started flicking through the pages. It was not until she stumbled across a picture of that exact boy they had met the other night that she stopped. Frowned she stared at the picture of the boy before reading the words written underneath. It read 'Will Curtis, youngest member of the Curtis Family'. That was where she had heard the name before, the Curtis Family as the richest family in Crawley. Everybody knew about them, they had a reputation for being extremely snobbish. Reading on in the book she read about how the Curtis had made themselves so wealthy. But the book had no answer, saying only how the Curtis' had become incredibly wealthy through unknown sources. Unknown sources? That was odd, normally rich families loved to declare just how they were getting their money. Gazing at the family photo, which had appeared on the next page of the book, Evie had to wonder about how the Curtis' had so much money. A sudden thought crossed her mind but she had to be wrong. There was no way. If her suspicion turned out to be true then Jacob was in big trouble. But the book she needed was her father's and its whereabouts was a mystery to her. Getting up Evie began her search through the desk drawers, she had to find the answer to her suspicions. It could not be true, it just couldn't be. To her surprise, she found the book she needed with ease. Skimming quickly through the pages she found the answer to her question. She froze and the book fell from her hands, it couldn't be true. But it was which meant Jacob was in trouble. Turning Evie sprinted from the room and through the unlocked front door. She raced down the path, she had to find her brother. There was no time to lose.

Racing through the gates she began running towards the pubs which she knew Jacob sometimes went to. The wind tugged at her loose hair and clothing but she ignored it. Nothing would stop her from finding her brother… or so she thought. Running down a dimly light road her path was suddenly blocked by two figures into front of her. These men were much taller than she was meaning she would not be able to get past them easily. She turned to try and return the way she'd come but found three more men behind her.

"Well well well," One of the men said, "Look what we have here."

Evie looked around, there was no escape. Then men had encircled her meaning that there was no hope of her running or evening climbing up the side of the building. She was trapped.

George could not be sure how long he'd been sat up on the roof but it seemed like hours. But after hours of staring through the window of the pub, Jacob had emerged from the pub with a friend. The pair seemed to talk about things which George could not quite believe. He'd heard them talk about a fight club and how Jacob had 'Handed that boy's arse to him on a plate'. This must be what Jacob was sneaking out to do at night, Ethan was not going to be happy about this. George watched as the two teenagers started to walk but up the road but their path was blocked by a small gang of boys. George recognised one member of the group immediately. Will Curtis. Letting out groan George silently wished that Jacob had not done anything to annoy this boy. Of all the people in Crawley, the Curtis' family were not to be annoyed given the secret afflictions to a secret order. This could spell trouble. He was about to climb down from the roof, seeing as discussion between Jacob and Will were getting heated, when he heard someone scream. The scream came from a short distance away and for some reason the scream sounded familiar. Seeing as, for the moment, the discussion between the teenagers were not yet progressed to violence George turned away from them and towards the source of the scream. He would check what that was then come back for Jacob, hopefully nothing would kick of between the teenagers. He prayed that nothing did.

"Well look who just didn't seem to get the message." Jacob smirked, his gaze locked on the person in front of him.

Beside him Robert smirked as well. Will Curtis, on the other hand, did not seem to appreciate Jacob's comment.

"I told you Frye." He called, "No one defeats me in my fight club."

"Oh give it a rest will you." Jacob shot back, "We made a deal. I won so you have to piss off. I really don't want to have to punch you in the face again. I could do without an imprint of your face on my knuckles."

"You think I'm scared of you Frye?"

Jacob laughed, "Well of course you are, you brought four of your buddies here. Too much of a whimp to face me yourself?"

Will smirked as he pulled a short knife from his pocket. Beside him the lads he'd brought with him did the same.

"No but I know who you are, Assassin." Will replied, his smirk broadened as he saw the look on the latter's face.

Jacob was taken aback, how did this guy know about his heritage. Nobody know about that, even when he'd been completely drunk he had never once revealed his biggest secret. So how could this guy know about this. He knew that Robert was giving him a questioning look but he did not meet Robert's gaze. He had to keep this secret safe or risk exposing them all. He may not listen to much of what his father said, but he knew it was vital that the brotherhood remained secret. Right now it was not just his life at risk, but his sister's and father's as well. If this boy knew of their heritage it could safely be assumed that they had to ties to a certain organisation.

"What on Earth are you talking about?" Jacob asked, decided that playing dumb might work.

"Oh don't try and deny it. I know all about you and your sister, I know who you are. You disrespected me and now you are going to pay. Once I have dealt with you I might just pay your sister a visit."

The look on Will's face made Jacob's blood boil. Nobody threatened his twin, but the problem was Jacob was not carrying any weapons to defend himself and Robert. Fists were no match for knives. Will and his gang of friends charged. Knowing that there was no other option Jacob turned tail and ran with Robert close on his heels. They raced through the streets trying their best to shake off their pursers.

"What the hell is going on Jacob? Why are these guys trying to kill us? And, what did that guy call you?"

"I have no idea Robert but it's best that we don't stick around to find out."

Jacob turned another corner and dared to take a glance behind him. Curtis and the others were still following them. Looking ahead he saw a split in the road, this might their only chance to shake off their pursers.

"Robert, you go that way and I'll go the other. We might be able to shake them off. When you're clear met me at the river."

Robert nodded and raced of down the side street whilst Jacob kept running forwards. As he'd expected their pursers split to keep following them with two going after Robert and the remaining three, including a certain Will Curtis, followed Jacob. Now that he did not have Robert following him, he allowed his Assassin training to come out. Leaping over fences and walls he managed to break the line of sight with his pursers which gave him the perfect opportunity to climb the side of a shop and take to the safety of the rooftops. Jacob stopped and took a moment to catch his breath knowing that he could not be seen by anyone on the ground. Not a minute later Curtis and his two friends appeared, they slowed to a stop and looked around.

"Where is he?" Curtis demanded, "Damn, that Assassin is far more clever then I expected."

Without even bothering to look up at the rooftops, Curtis ran off. Jacob let out a sigh of relief, now he had to find Robert and make sure he had gotten away. He had just moved to jump down off the roof when a voice behind him made him stop.

"Jacob."

Turning Jacob was surprised to see his father's friend George Westhouse standing. His shock at seeing the man meant that he missed the concerned expression on the latter's face.

"George? What are you doing here?"

"There is no time for that you must come now." George said, beckoning quickly.

"No wait, I have to find a friend of mine we've just escaped from a rather nasty lad who really does not know when to –"

"Jacob! There is no time, come now. It's your sister."

Fear flooded through Jacob. What was happening? Where was Evie? Was she ok? He and George jumped down from the rooftops. George began to sprint up the street with Jacob close on his heels. Just as they were about to turn the corner Jacob heard his name.

"Jacob! Jacob help!"

It was Robert. Skidding to a halt and turning Jacob saw Robert being held by Curtis and his gang. Robert was fighting against his captors, trying desperately to get away from them. The group were a fair way down the street so Jacob was not sure that they could see him. Robert continued to call out of him which left Jacob unsure of his next move. Behind him George was shouting at him to follow but Jacob was routed to the spot. He did not know what to do. Did he go to the aid of his best friend or his sister? There was a choice to be made. Save Robert? Or save Evie?