The first strike

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You left the sketchy clothing shop with a new and unsure feeling.

The rest of that day was spent searching for Albert and observing his every move from the shadows to see any patterns.

First he went to to shops and bought what looks like groceries. Then he went west to a park and fed birds from a bench.

Okay..he doesn't seem that bad.

Then he went to lunch and read a book. After lunch he began on a stroll and stopped at a flower cart. After a few minutes of chatting with the owner and sniffing the flowers, he bought a bouquet of Gerbras and then finally made his way home.

His day didn't consist of anything bad or unusual and by the looks of things he lives alone.

Currently you sat high up on a tree branch above an open window, waiting for night fall where you would make a strike and shoot an arrow.

Earlier in the day, while waiting for Albert to finish lunch, you had a look around the stalls near by. There was mainly junk there but one bender did catch your eye. He claimed to be a wizard selling enchanted goods. Stuff like watches and charms. While looking through the items, you noticed something hidden away beneath a bunch of old cloth.

A leather bound journal

Something about it made you not want to look away

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Something about it made you not want to look away. It was like it called you.

"Ahh, I see it drew you in," a soothing voice spoke. "Hidden away behind the cloth, I didn't think anyone would find it. It must be fate!" He shouted.

This man seems crazy. You shifted your gaze for a second to see if Albert was still eating before looking back at the strange man.

"Now you see traveler, this isn't just any old journal. It's enchanted," he wiggled his fingers at the book as if to emphasis it was indeed enchanted.

"So what does it do?" You asked trying not to sound too interested.

"Right to the point then huh? This journal was made many years ago by a lonely wizard. He was turned away by all who knew him. Feeling like an outcast he was filled with sadness and began despising everyone around him. He felt like he couldn't trust a soul in the world. So he made this. An enchanted journal that can only be opened and read by the owner. It calls to those who have chosen the lone path in life,"

The lone path? Is that what is destined for you?

"While you are thinking about it I have to warn you, to become the owner you have to make a pact,"

"What type of pact are we talking about?"

This seems like more trouble than it is worth.

"Unfortunately my good traveler, I do not know. As I am not the owner it has not revealed its binding pact to me,"

This seems beyond sketchy. A binding pact? That seems pretty old school, even for a wizard.

"How much would I have to pay?"

If it costs too much there is no point in getting it. It's not like you're even hanging around people so who would you have to protect your journal from?

"As it seems to have drawn you in...I'll give it to you for $50,"

Normally enchanted items are around the $150 mark so this was a really good deal.

Reaching into your pocket you drew out the necessary money and handed it to the bender. His grin climbed up his face as he practically snatched the coins from your hand and almost threw the book at you.

"Nice doing business with you,"

You gave him a nod before walking back into your hiding place and placing the journal away for later.

So here you are now, sitting in the tree with the journal in your hand. You had a short amount of time before the sun fully set, so you grabbed out your journal and a pencil before trying to figure out how to open it.

Struggling against the lock was no use and brute force was doing nothing. What did that crazy wizard say again? That a pact had to be made?

"Um journal..." you whispered, sort of embarrassed that you were talking to a book. "I felt you call to me...can I please write in you?"

After no response and making a fool of yourself, you put the book away and sighed. You glanced down and saw Albert reading in his chair.

It was about that time. The sun was gone and you had an awful job to do.

You reluctantly grabbed your gear and took aim.

Why am I doing this?

He seems harmless.

Is it worth it?

You noticed your breathing had become heavy and uneven and your hands wouldn't stop shaking. You can't kill a man for an outfit. That's ridiculous!
You placed the bow in your lap and was about to climb down the tree when the clothing shop's owner's voice rang in your ears.

"Hasn't anyone double crossed you before?"

All at once the suppressed memories with Finn came back leaving a ringing noise in your ears. If only he knew.

Albert was just like Finn. A cheating bastard. Someone who doesn't care about anyone but himself.

A voice you didn't recognise made it's way into your head saying one simple sentence.

"The world would be a better place without him,"

The world suddenly became silent and still. With rage in your heart and the bow back in your hands, you took a deep breath and fired a single arrow.

A direct hit to his heart.

It's not like he was using it anyway. It was probably cold to begin with.

His head slumped down and his book was now abandoned on the floor. He looked strangely peaceful.

You took in a breath of the night air before placing the bow on your back and slipping down to the ground.

As you were walking back to the clothing shop it was only just hitting you.

You had just killed someone.

You shook off the chills and arrived at the now closed shop. Knocking on the door, you waited for an answer.

"We're closed! Come back tomorrow," the man shouted as he opened to door to see who it was. Once he saw your body standing there his voice immediately became quiet and he almost looked like he was shrinking away. "So, did you do it?" he asked with an unsure voice.

You gave a simple nod before his face lit up.

"I knew you would come through with it! Wait one second okay?"

He quickly ran back inside before coming back out with a paper wrapped parcel.

"I believe this belongs to you now. I am a man of my word,"

You took the wrapped outfit from his hands and held it close to you.

"Thanks. I hope you understand that you're not allowed to tell anyone about me. Right?" You spoke in a serious voice that showed you meant what you said.

"O-of course,"

"Good, well goodnight,"

With that you turned around and disappeared into the night. Hoping to not have to see that man ever again or to face anything like that again.

What would Finn think of you now?

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