Chapter X: Savage Garden Said Break Me, Shake Me; Please Don't
A week and slightly less bruised ribs later, Juliet's legs no longer shook after 30 continuous minutes of using the endurance band.
Darlene scowled at Fred as she checked Juliet's stitches, smacking his hand away if it got too close. "You must take it easy on her! I don't need her injuring herself further! Now go away!" Fred pouted, leaving his student to her nurse. Darlene hummed, seemingly satisfied with Juliet's healing. She lifted up the loose t-shirt and stared intently, pressing gently on the yellowed skin. Juliet winced slightly, but was happy to report it wasn't as painful as the first time Darlene checked it.
"You need to rest. However, I see no reason why your activities with Fred cannot continue." She whistled and Fred returned, knowing well enough he had been caught eavesdropping. "Stealth training may begin, no running or strenuous activity. I'll give your stiches another day before I remove them." She removed the gloves and tossed them in the trash can.
Fred clapped his hands, "Well, you heard the woman! Hide and seek, you have 1 minute to find a spot. You are allowed to move, if you dare. Now go!" Juliet slid off the table and did a pathetic power walk to hide behind a tower of boxes. Ears perked, she tried to hear a count, but there wasn't one. It was quiet, too quiet. The hairs on the base of her neck stood, feeling as if something were behind her. Sure enough, Fred was sneaking towards her tower, only one row remained between them. Eyes scanning, Juliet resigned herself to accepting that if this were reality, she'd be caught, or killed. There was no way she'd make it to the small room off to her right without him noticing. Staring down at her tennis shoes, an idea struck. Peaking behind her and finding Fred still searching the same row, she waited for his line of sight to fall before kicking her shoe as far away as possible. Fred took note, making an about face towards the direction of the sound. Inwardly cheering, Juliet moved towards the doors, weaving silently between boxes. The slightly opened doors meant no squeaking as she slid through the opening, attempting to become one with the concrete wall. Fred was approaching, having seen her moving from the corner of his eye, but he was unsure of exactly where she went.
Juliet could feel her heart beating, and as Fred reached his hand around the door to pull it open wider, she grabbed it with her good arm, pulling him down onto the floor. He smirked.
"Well done, trainee. You deserve a new badge." She rolled her eyes, holding her hand out for her missing shoe. He obliged, placing the worn Puma sneaker in her palm. "Ready for round two?" Exhilarated now, a smirk spread across her face.
"It's on."
"Sike, it's quiz time. I want you to answer my questions while remembering these directions." A scoff left her lips.
"I've worked in New York, I'm sure this test won't be much of a challenge." Fred waved his index finger, "You forget that such confidence almost led to the downfall of one of the masters of our Creed." Inwardly grimacing, Juliet beckoned for Fred to continue.
"Left, right, straight, right, stop, right, left, straight." The directions were repeated underneath her breath. "You ready?" Once Fred received a nod he asked his first question. "First tenet of the Creed?"
A step to the left. "Stay your blade from the flesh of the innocent." A step to the right.
"Our greatest weapon as assassins?"
She continued straight forward before answering, "Stealth." To the right now.
"Second tenet of our Creed?"
She stopped. "Hide in plain sight."
"Name an assassin safehouse?"
Right step, left step. "Lebanon, Kansas."
She was in sight of the dusty couches where she was now allowed to sit since her healing began. She continued straight.
"Third tenet?"
"Never compromise the Brotherhood." Sitting down with a sigh, she leaned her head back. "I'm resting now. Let me be."
"Abstergo never rests, and neither can we. You did good, but you're not ready by any means. My hands are tied until you finish healing. Then we can really begin the things you need to practice." His voice was more serious than she had ever heard. One more week and she would surely be back on her feet completely.
"Hey, Fred?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you tell me more about the Civil War assassins?"
"Sure thing. We obviously fought on the side of the Union, but there were some weirdos who fought with the Confederates. We killed Booth. As you already know, the Templars had a head start in the south, and though Aveline De Grandpre helped wash them out, especially in Louisiana, the Templars are pests, crawling back in 'cause they haven't learned their lesson. The Templars had serious money in the slave trade, and in plantations. Revolting, they were. You're familiar with Scorched Earth?" He continued as Juliet nodded. "As per the tenets, we tried to save any innocents, but it didn't always end well. We ran recognizance, worked the front lines, and sabotaged a good number of supplies. One assassin, whose name escapes me, went on foot for three days and took out an entire camp before the rest of his troops caught up."
"That's amazing."
"We try. I'll see you later. Don't forget your lesson!" Fred threw her a thumbs up, making his way to the warehouse's exit.
Pain began crawling from her foot up her leg, the price of not moving often and then playing hide and seek, she supposed. Groaning, she shifted, bringing her legs up on to the couch and slouching against the arm rest. She wanted a burger, a sloppy, greasy burger, one that had mayo and ketchup and melted cheese dripping onto the wrapper. That was her plan when she got home, go stuff her face with too many of Charlie's signature dish. And maybe a nice tea. Alas, she had water, and non-perishables to eat and drink. Thank goodness she loved beans. And thank goodness no one else was in the warehouse often enough after she ate them.
With the warehouse drenched in a golden yellow, Juliet found her eyes drifting shut, a yawn escaping her lips. A nice nap would do her some good.