Chapter 10: Revelation
Sarah settled deeper into her chair, her heart still racing. She felt a mix of relief and nervous anticipation as she waited for Mr. Brigade to enter the library. Why did she think he would act differently here? The library was supposed to be a refuge, a place for focus and study. Yet, her mind raced with the possibilities of what could happen between them.
As the door creaked open, her breath hitched. Mr. Brigade stepped inside, pausing for a moment as if he was dizzy, caught off guard by the atmosphere. His eyes scanned the room, and for an instant, they locked onto hers. In that fleeting moment, something shifted—his expression changed, becoming more intense, more alive. Those familiar eyes held a depth that sent a shiver down her spine.
Then, as if propelled by an unseen force, he fast-paced towards her, determination etched across his features. Sarah's heart pounded in her chest. What was he doing? As he reached her desk, he caught her hand, his grip firm yet gentle, and before she could process what was happening, he began to pull her toward the back section of the library—an area that was typically off-limits.
"Mr. Brigade, wait!" she gasped, a mix of exhilaration and anxiety bubbling within her. She glanced around, half-expecting someone to intervene, but the library was still and quiet, enveloped in a shroud of secrecy.
He didn't stop, his grip unwavering as they slipped past the shelves, deeper into the shadows of the library. The air felt thick with unspoken tension, and Sarah's mind raced with questions. What did he want? Was this a reckless decision, or was it something more?
Finally, they reached the secluded section, a dimly lit alcove filled with towering stacks of books. Mr. Brigade turned to face her, his eyes blazing with intensity.
He pushed her against the towering stacks of books, his presence dominating the small alcove. With both hands braced against the shelves on either side of her, Sarah felt trapped, her pulse quickening as she looked up at him. "Where have you been?" he demanded, his voice low and intense. "I told you never to skip the library. Why didn't you come?"
The warmth of his breath brushed against her cheeks, sending a shiver down her spine. Sarah's mind raced, confusion and adrenaline flooding her senses. "Because I work in the office at this time," she managed to say, her voice trembling slightly. "That's why I don't come here."
"Work?" he repeated, a flash of anger igniting in his eyes. "What work? Which office do you work in?"
Now, Sarah was left momentarily blank, the sudden shift in his tone unsettling her. "I work in your office, Mr. Brigade!" she exclaimed, her voice rising slightly in exasperation. "We meet every day in the office! Do you not remember? Are you joking with me? We review manuscripts every day in your office!"
The tension in the air thickened, and for a moment, silence enveloped them. Mr. Brigade's expression softened, confusion flickering in his eyes. "You're serious?"
The man in front of her leaned closer, his voice low and intense. "You work in Atlas Brigade's office, Sarah? Why is he talking about himself in the third person?" A flicker of something dark crossed his features. "No, no, no… you shouldn't work with him. You are mine." He gripped her hand tightly, his eyes burning with an unsettling mix of possessiveness and fury. "Do you understand? You are only mine. Has Atlas touched you? What happens between you two in the office?"
Sarah's heart raced at the intensity of his words, confusion spiralling within her. "No! Nothing happens! We just review manuscripts! Why are you acting like this, Mr. Brigade? You've acted like a complete stranger in the office for the past few weeks. Now you're being all possessive here?"
His grip tightened. "And you have a wife. How could you even touch me here in the library back then?" she demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear. "You act all cool and gentlemanly in front of her, and then here, you act like I'm your property. Why? Why?"
A slow smile crept across his face, one that sent chills down her spine. "He didn't touch you? Good, good! And nice to know he has a wife who will keep him away from you," he replied, his tone almost mocking.
Sarah's confusion deepened. "What are you talking about? Are you not Mr. Brigade? Are you his twin brother or something?"
He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, a gesture that felt both intimate and eerie. "Oh, little dove, I'm not his twin brother. I'm his father—Edward Brigade."
Her heart dropped. "No… that's impossible. Mr. Edward died twenty years ago. How could you…?"
"Yes, I died here in this very library," he said, his voice a haunting whisper. "My soul is stuck here since then. You are my salvation, Sarah. You are the key to my freedom."
The weight of his words crashed over her like a wave, pulling her under. "What do you mean? How can I be your key?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He stepped back slightly, his gaze intense. "When Atlas took over my office, he inherited more than just the job. He inherited my unfinished business, my connections to this world and the next. I've been trapped here, watching him, unable to break free. But you… you have the potential to change that. You have the power to set me free."
Sarah shook her head in disbelief, her mind racing to make sense of this surreal situation. "But how? I don't understand."
He took a step closer again, his demeanour shifting from threatening to almost pleading. "You need to help me finish what I started before I died. You have to believe in what we can create together. If you can connect with the right energies—mine and Atlas's—you can break the chain that binds me here."
Fear and fascination warred within her. The notion of being entwined with both men—one living, one dead—was overwhelming. "But what if I refuse? What if I can't?"
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