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Chapter 3: Secret Societies
"We're gonna have to tell them now, Mike," Micky said. He really didn't want to have this conversation with his two best friends; he didn't want to drag them into this fight. It was Mike and Micky's fight, not theirs. But pushing the cloth against Peter's shoulder reminded him that they'd been pulled in anyway. Just because they were close. It wasn't fair that Peter had gotten shot for no reason, but it wasn't right to keep the truth from them. Peter hadn't said much of anything, but Davy was about to lose his mind and Micky didn't want that. "It's not fair to not tell them. They're in danger because of us."
"Yeah, I know," Mike said, his tone echoing Micky's apprehension.
"We're in danger a lot," Peter said trying to laugh, but winced in pain.
"Not like this," Mike said solemnly.
"Just hold still for a bit, okay?" Micky said. "At least until the bleeding stops."
"Why aren't we going to a hospital?" Davy asked again.
"Because it's too open," Micky said. "We'd be sitting ducks."
"You took those guys out," Davy said.
"There's more of them," Mike said. "And if they're coming after us again, we'd be easy prey in a hospital."
"Hospitals are supposed to be safe," Peter said.
"They are for normal people," Micky said. "If you aren't wanted."
"Wanted?" Davy asked.
"Just start from the beginning," Mike said.
"Right," Micky said taking a deep breath. He knew the drive was gonna be a long one, so he didn't really have an excuse not to anymore. "Historically, there have been people or groups of people who want power and do whatever it takes to get it, right? Germany is the most recent example. But it goes back much, much farther than that. Do you guys remember who the Knights Templar were?"
"They were that religious group that started the crusades?" Peter asked. "That was thousands of years ago and they died off."
"Yes," Mike said. "They wanted to create a world under God. A purely Christian world. Over time, their Christian values were lost and they sought only power. They sought to create a world under their rule."
"King Philip ordered them eliminated when he found out they were killing innocent people to get what they want," Micky added. "The Pope in the 14th century rounded as many of them up as he could and eliminated them. But they were never killed, they just went underground. Became secret. But they always tried to achieve their goals of world domination. They just couldn't do it openly anymore."
"How do you know all this?" Davy asked skeptically. "That's not what I was taught in school."
"You wouldn't have been," Mike said. "They became one of the most secret societies in history."
"There's only one other society that is even more secret than that," Micky said. "The group of people who have tried to stop them. They work in even more secret. No one but the templars even know they exist. They will stop at nothing to stop the templars and save innocent lives. Save the world. And no one has ever even heard of them."
"Assassins," Mike said.
"That's what those guys said," Peter said with a bit of clarity. "They were looking for Assassins. But they were looking for you."
"Yes," Micky said. "They were. Because the group is so secret, the only real way to find out about it is to be born into it or to be saved by one. Mike and I were born into it."
"You what?" Davy asked a little dumbfounded. "You're joking right? This is all just a really bad joke?"
"I wish it were," Mike said. "Micky's parents and mine were Assassins."
"Your parents murdered people?" Peter asked.
"Not murder," Micky said defensively, though he knew that's how the rest of the world would see them. "Our parents killed Templars. People who would kill innocent people so they can rule over humanity. These are really bad people."
"These people can't be arrested and brought on trial, Peter," Mike said. "They have friends in very high places if they aren't in those high places themselves."
"What do you mean?" Davy asked.
"That's why we aren't going to a hospital," Micky said. "Templars could be anyone. Doctors, lawyers, cops, priests, mayors. You name it. Especially if they have any power."
"How is that possible?" Peter asked. "If they killed people, they should be in jail!"
"That's the problem," Mike said. "There is never any proof. They've been doing this for centuries, just like we have. We all know how to cover our tracks."
"And if there ever is any proof, their friends make it go away," Micky said. "They're incredibly charismatic if they need to be."
"Or well funded," Mike added.
"This can't possibly be real," Davy mumbled.
"Remember when I said Germany was the most recent example of people wanting to take over the world?" Micky asked sighing.
"You're talking about Hitler?" Peter asked.
"Yes," Micky said. "He was a Templar. He killed people, slaughtered them, but people still followed him. Because he was incredibly charismatic. That happens everywhere, just not usually to that degree."
"Hitler was a templar?" Davy asked skeptically.
"Yes," Mike answered. "And he didn't kill himself. Men like that...they don't just give up. He went down into that bunker with a man he trusted knowing there was a secret exit. But that man he trusted was an Assassin. So many people tried to get close to him, but they all failed. Until that day in the bunker. All his other trusted confidants were being captured or killed, so he went down with that man. They planned to wait until dark and sneak out. The Assassin gave him a pill to help him sleep. He had no idea it was cyanide till it was too late. The Assassin used that escape hatch and slipped away, leaving Hitler behind for the Americans to find."
"What!?" Davy asked. "How do you know that!?"
"Cause Micky's uncle did it," Mike said. "Micky's uncle was in that bunker. History doesn't even know his name."
"I know this is a lot to take in and a lot to believe, but we couldn't even make this up if we tried," Micky said.
"So do you guys go around killing people when we're asleep?" Peter asked.
"No," Micky answered. "We left the Assassins five years ago."
"You said you were kicked out," Davy said.
"How long were you guys eavesdropping?" Mike asked with a hint of annoyance.
"I told Davy it was wrong," Peter said wincing in pain again. "But we were upset that you guys weren't talking to each other and didn't know why. We just wanted to know what was going on so we could help you. I'm sorry."
"Calm down, Peter," Micky said. He was upset with them for eavesdropping, but the bleeding had almost stopped and Micky didn't want Peter to make things worse again. "We're sorry for fighting. And yes, I was kicked out. There was this girl...she was the daughter of a powerful Templar, but she didn't want anything to do with him. I found out he was hurting her and tried to help her. She gave us secrets and because of her, we got to a lot of Templars and stopped them from killing a bunch of innocent people. She was a good person and I fell in love with her. But people couldn't get past who she was by birth. They hated her and many wanted her dead once she outlived her usefulness. They thought she was just using us to save herself from her father; that she wasn't loyal to anyone but herself."
"Which was a bunch of crap," Mike snorted.
"Yes," Micky said. "They all knew I had a thing for her, so when she...when she died, they blamed me."
"You loved her?" Peter asked and Micky nodded, trying desperately to keep his emotions in check. He never wanted to relive that moment in his life ever again. The moment he heard she'd been killed. "I'm sorry, Micky."
"Why would they kick you out for that?" Davy asked. "If you said they wanted her dead and thought she was a Templar…"
"Because we can't just kill people whenever we please," Mike said. "We need proof of their crimes and proof they can't be brought to justice by other means. We need permission to kill. No one gave permission for her because there was no evidence she committed any crimes. Because she hadn't."
"Why would they think you killed her?" Peter asked looking at Micky with a pang of sympathy. "If you loved her?"
"They said he found out she was using him and he killed her in a fit of rage," Mike answered for him. Micky suddenly found it very hard to talk. "There was evidence against him, but not enough to try him, so his father just kicked him out of the Brotherhood."
"Brotherhood?" Davy asked.
"Our family," Mike answered. "Extended family, anyway. Brotherhood of Assassins."
"Mike came with me," Micky said softly. "He always knew I was innocent. He was so enraged, he walked away."
"Wait, I thought you were from Texas, Mike?" Davy asked.
"I am," Mike answered. "My parents died when I was 3 and Micky's mother took me in. She and my mother were best friends. My aunt didn't have the resources to protect me and train me. Micky's mother did. But I still spent summers and holidays with my aunt."
"Protect you?" Peter asked.
"I was an Assassin by birth," Mike said. "That made me a target. Baby or not."
"What?" Davy asked. "They'd kill babies?"
"They have," Micky answered. "They've pillaged and destroyed dozens of Assassin Dens across the world for centuries. When they find an Assassin Den, the rarely take prisoners. No matter how old."
"Why?" Peter asked.
"They have no regard for human life," Micky said. "None. Humans just get in their way. They're expendable."
"So why were they coming after you tonight?" Davy asked.
"All I got from those guys were that there would be more," Micky sighed. "And they knew about you."
"Which means they won't hesitate to kill you to get to us," Mike said. "So we have to keep you guys safe."
"We aren't going to force you guys to come with us," Micky said. "But you guys need to understand what it would mean for you guys to walk away; how much danger you'd be in."
"I don't want to leave you guys," Davy said. "I mean, I'm not really sure I believe all this yet, but I also want Peter to go to the hospital."
"I know," Mike said.
"We'll get him help," Micky said. "We're not just gonna leave him like this. When we are done at this shack, we'll go to my cousin's. She doesn't live far from there and last I heard, she was going to med school. I hope she doesn't hate me, too, but even if she does, she can't turn her back on someone in need of medical attention."
"Why didn't your sister come with?" Peter asked after a small pause.
"I thought she thought me guilty too," Micky said.
"She never did," Mike said quickly. "Like I said at the house, she wanted to prove it was your father who set you up."
"Why would she stay with someone who hurt her?" Peter asked. Micky's stomach did a flip again like it had been the whole time Mike was talking to him on the patio. He hated himself for allowing that to happen.
"She told me that Robert left not long after he kicked out Micky," Mike said. "The people were angry at him for kicking Micky out, but not enough to accept Micky back. But he still left. Rose has spent five years looking for him. Guess she found him."
"We'll find her," Micky said. "We have to."
"I don't wanna leave either," Peter said after another few moments of silence. They were drawing near to their final destination and Micky's mind was racing. "I know you guys have good hearts. You aren't killers."
"We protect people," Mike said.
"Did you guys kill those goons from the house?" Davy asked.
"No," Micky said. "We only kill as a last resort. If nothing else will stop them."
"I'm sure when they report on their failure, they'll be killed though," Mike said.
"Why did your mom let any of this happen?" Peter asked. "I get your dad is a bad person, but what about your mother?"
"She was beautiful," Micky said with a soft smile. "She was strong, loving; the best mother I could ask for. Rose's father died before she was born. Killed by a Templar. We don't know who. Mom died only a month before they kicked me out. She went to go find out who killed Ginny and was killed by Templars. Her brother disposed of them."
"I'm sorry, Micky," Peter said, trying to offer a comforting smile.
"She died defending me," Micky said. "Just how she'd want to. She died a hero."
"We're here," Mike said pulling up to a shack a minute later. Micky looked at the dilapidated building and prayed they'd find clues as to what happened to his sister. He couldn't lose anyone else. He lost the woman he loved, his mother, and now his father. The man he thought was his father never even existed making it the most painful loss of all. He couldn't bear losing anyone else. He had to find his sister. Or he'd lose himself.
