A/N:

The site fucked up yesterday til now; I apologise for being so late. Now, here's the next part!

Chapter 2:1

1766, September 3rd-September 4th

Help me.

I felt the ground disappear under me and struggled to open my eyes. I don't want to die, not today and not like this.

"Try to relax, little girl, we're almost there."

His voice struck me like a hammer and I opened my eyes to confirm the obvious, afraid that this was nothing but a dream.

"Mr. Kenway?" My voice cracked and I coughed. Something hot trickled down my mouth and I cleared my throat. "What… happened?"

I suddenly realized that he was carrying me. Memories from the last time I had been saved by the man came flooding back, but this time I could immediately clarify a peculiar odor. It smelled like sweat, water and rust.

"You are badly hurt, I'm taking you to the nearest doctor," he said. I tried to look at my body but he shook his head. "Don't. You wouldn't believe that you are alive."

I tried to answer but the warm liquid almost choked me. The world spun around me and I lost consciousness yet again.

"Is she going to be alright?"

Auntie.

"Yes, I assure you that she will be completely restored to her normal state."

Mr. Kenway. What—

"I've been worried sick!" she sobbed. "She always sneaks out during nights but always manages to get back before I enter her room to wake her up. I don't think she knew that I actually was aware of her outdoor escapes, but her friend told me. He's a good boy, that one."

Auntie… I'm so sorry.

"Ah, do you know if he perhaps accompanied on her small… adventures?"

"Of course, they are practically inseparable! He ran here and told me she had gotten in trouble. What happened?"

Please, don't tell her—

"She fell from the roof and unfortunately landed on a sharp tool. I've already given her the care that was required for the moment but she is still in a critical state. I'm taking her to a very skillful doctor in New York."

Thank God for good liars. Wait. NEW YORK?!

"Can't you treat her here? There must be someone capable of—"

"No. If you want her to live she must travel to New York."

Please, no, let me stay. What about Alex? Auntie?

Silence.

"Can you promise to protect her? Please, she's everything to me.."

Auntie…

"Certainly, Mrs. …?"

"Miss Rawling, sir. And what—"

"Haytham Kenway, a pleasure to meet you if only the circumstances were to be different. Now, I better away; I don't want to lose more time than necessary."

No, Auntie! Don't let him take me to NewYork! I don't want to leave you and Alex!

"Then you better off, Mr. Kenway. Take care of her; I don't want to lose her as well."

"I will, I swear it."

I couldn't breathe. The flames were everywhere, threatening to consume me, to suffocate me to death. I didn't see anything but the fire, nowhere to hide, nowhere to run; I was stuck and the increasing heat made me panic. I screamed at the top of my lungs.

"Shush, little girl, you're waking the whole city."

I sat straight up in a stranger's bed and stared into the wall in front of me. I rubbed my temples and blinked away the rest of the sleep.

"Just a nightmare, sir," I replied and tried to calm myself down. "I… I am afraid of fire."

"Logical, your fear heritages from the day you heard your family burn to death," he answered and I turned my head towards his voice. The tiniest glim of moonlight escaped into the room through the thick draperies covering the windows, and I saw him approach me.

"Mr. Kenway," I greeted him.

He touched the tip of his triangular hat and nodded in response.

"Why do you always get in the thickest of trouble?" he asked, keeping his tone so monotone that I didn't know if he was joking or scolding me.

"Bad luck." It sounded like a question. "Why are you always there to pick me up?"

The corners of his mouth twitched in something that must've been a smile but it was too dark for me to be sure.

"Bad luck," he answered.

I waited for him to continue but he didn't. I decided to rise from the bed but realized, to my poor heart's surprise, that I couldn't move my legs.

"What's… what is wrong with me, sir?" I asked and couldn't keep the panic from rising up again. I'm not going to lie; I was terrified. "My legs, they won't budge!"

"A side-effect from the strong drugs Mr. Church is sedating you with," he replied then paused and thoughtfully placed his hand over his mouth and half of his nose. "It seems like we need to increase the dose."

I clenched my fists. I am in New York. I am all alone here.

"Why did you bring me to New York?" I wondered. "Why do you even bother caring for me? You don't even know me."

Mr. Kenway was silent for a while and when he took a deep breath I thought he was going to answer but he just sighed.

"Well?"

"Let me think of something."

I frowned and glared at him.

"What?"

"You remind me much of my sister."

I didn't understand what he had meant first but suddenly felt shy. How do I answer to that?

"She was a very spirited girl as young, always mocking me for being scared of heights. But I overcame that fear very soon," he continued and sat down on the bed, next to my feet. "As well will you. You won't let your fear of flames stand in your way. You won't let anything stand in your way."

He looked at me calmly.

"I stand with you an offer, perhaps a bit hasty considering your very young, immature age but I'm sure you have a mind of your own," he continued and his brown eyes didn't avert from mine even once. "I would like to have you as my pupil. I'll be your teacher and your superior. I want you to join the Templars."