章 22: Shadows on the Edge
The sun had climbed higher into the sky by the time Adélard made his way back to the marketplace. The streets had grown livelier, vendors calling out their wares to passersby, and the hum of conversation filled the air. But the chatter around him barely registered as he replayed the encounter in his mind.
Bring Rourke down.
The girl's words echoed in his head. It had seemed impossible before, like a distant fantasy. But now, with this stranger entering the picture, a seed of doubt had been planted. Maybe there was a way out. Maybe he didn't have to keep sinking deeper into Rourke's grasp.
But he had no idea who she was or what her real motives were. And that made her dangerous.
As Adélard stepped into the market square, he spotted Leon sitting on an overturned crate beside Mr. Thorne's stall, chatting animatedly with the old man. A wave of relief washed over him at the sight of his brother, safe and unaware of the dark threads unraveling around them.
Leon turned as soon as he spotted Adélard, his face lighting up with a grin. "Adélard! You were gone a long time."
Adélard forced a smile, though the tension in his chest hadn't quite eased. "Sorry, kid. Got caught up in a few things."
Mr. Thorne straightened from where he was unloading a new batch of crates, wiping his hands on a rag as he gave Adélard a sharp look. "Everything all right, lad? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Adélard hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. He trusted Thorne—more than most, anyway—but involving him in anything to do with Rourke would only put him in danger. And right now, he couldn't afford to lose the few people he could rely on.
"I'm fine," he said, brushing off the concern as casually as he could. "Just… some things I need to sort out. Nothing to worry about."
Thorne didn't look convinced, but he didn't press further. He knew Adélard's life wasn't an easy one, and over the years, he had learned when to let things lie.
"Well, you're back now, and there's work to be done," Thorne said, his tone gruff but not unkind. "Leon here's been doing his part, but you'll have to pull double to make up for lost time."
Adélard nodded, grateful for the change of subject. He tossed his coat onto a nearby bench and rolled up his sleeves, ready to lose himself in the familiar rhythm of work. But even as he worked alongside Thorne and Leon, moving crates and arranging goods, his thoughts kept drifting back to the girl in the alley.
Who was she? And why did she care about Rourke? She had known his name, known about the shipment. That meant she was watching him, tracking his movements long before they'd spoken. It unsettled him, but there was something else—something that gnawed at the back of his mind.
She'd offered him a way out. But at what cost?
Hours passed, the day slipping away in a blur of labor and mundane conversation. Leon laughed easily beside him, helping where he could, his energy never seeming to wane. Adélard watched him closely, feeling the weight of the promise he had made to protect him. No matter what happened tonight, Leon could never know how close they were to danger. He had to shield his brother from this darkness.
It wasn't until late afternoon that Adélard finally had a moment to breathe. The sun hung lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the marketplace as the crowds began to thin. He wiped sweat from his brow, glancing over at Mr. Thorne, who had retreated behind the stall to rest his weary legs.
Leon was still nearby, occupied with a set of marbles that one of the vendors had given him. He was lost in his own world, rolling the small glass spheres across the cobblestones with a look of concentration that made Adélard's heart ache with a strange mix of pride and sorrow. His brother deserved so much better than the life they had.
Adélard's thoughts drifted to the evening ahead. The girl had told him to meet her after the shipment. But she hadn't said where. He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He hated not having control, not knowing what was coming. Rourke's grip on his life was already tight enough—this new twist only complicated things further.
But he couldn't ignore the possibility she presented. If there was even a slim chance he could get free of Rourke, he had to take it. For Leon's sake. For their mother's sake.
"Adélard?"
He looked up to see Leon standing in front of him, worry etched into his young face. "Are you okay?"
Adélard blinked, realizing he had been staring off into space. He forced a smile, crouching down to meet his brother's gaze. "I'm fine, Leon. Just thinking."
"About the job?" Leon asked, his brow furrowed. "You're not gonna leave again tonight, are you?"
Adélard's heart squeezed painfully. He hated lying to Leon. "I have to go for a little while later. But I'll be back before you know it."
Leon bit his lip, clearly uneasy, but he nodded. "Okay. But… be careful, okay?"
Adélard ruffled his hair, trying to lighten the mood. "I always am, aren't I?"
Leon's smile was small but genuine. "Yeah. You are."
As evening crept closer, Adélard knew it was time. He exchanged a few words with Mr. Thorne, telling him he needed to run a quick errand and that Leon would be back soon. The old man raised an eyebrow but didn't question him.
Adélard took Leon by the hand, walking him toward the small apartment they shared on the edge of town. It wasn't much—just a cramped space with peeling wallpaper and creaky floorboards—but it was home. And for now, it was safe.
"Stay here tonight, Leon," Adélard said as they reached the door. "I'll lock the door behind me, and I want you to stay inside until I get back. Promise?"
Leon looked up at him with wide, trusting eyes, and Adélard's chest tightened again. "I promise."
Adélard knelt, pulling Leon into a tight hug. He felt the warmth of his brother's small frame, and for a moment, the weight of everything seemed unbearable. But he couldn't break. Not now. Not when they were so close to something—he wasn't even sure what yet.
He stood, locking the door behind him and making sure it was secure before stepping out into the dusk. The air had cooled, a crisp breeze carrying the scent of the coming night. Adélard pulled his coat tighter around him as he made his way back toward the center of town, the alleys growing darker with each passing minute.
Tonight, he would oversee the shipment for Rourke. But after that? The girl's words still echoed in his mind.
Meet me. I'll explain everything.
He didn't know what he was stepping into, but there was no turning back now. His path was set, and with each step, the shadows around him grew longer.
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