Chapter 17
1070 Words
The words hung in the air like a physical presence, freezing everyone in place. Hannah's hand flew to her throat and the colour on her face drained. Anola's rigid posture faltered for the briefest moment before she regained her imperious bearing.
"That's impossible," Aaron whispered, though doubt had crept into his voice.
Atlas betrayed nothing, his features still carefully arranged in the professional mask of James Reed.
"Let me handle this," Atlas said with measured authority. "If someone is claiming to be Atlas Prime, it's likely a threat designed to unsettle your family."
Aaron's eyes flickered between Atlas and the two guards still kneeling on the floor. "Restrain them first," he ordered, gesturing toward Brock and Tyson. "I don't want any loose ends while we deal with this... situation."
With swift efficiency, Atlas secured the disgraced guards with their own handcuffs, removing the USB drive from Brock's pocket in the process. He pocketed it smoothly, his movements so natural that not even Aaron noticed the sleight of hand.
"Now what?" Hannah asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if it's really him?"
"Then he's made a grave mistake," Aaron replied coldly, checking his weapon. "Coming here openly after what happened."
Atlas stepped forward. "Sir, with all due respect, let me approach first. If this is Atlas Prime, he may be armed and dangerous. Your safety must be the priority."
Anola's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You seem eager to confront him, Mr. Reed."
"I'm eager to do my job, madam," Atlas replied evenly. "Which is protecting your family. Please, all of you, stay behind me."
The small procession moved across the dark grounds toward the main gate. Additional security personnel emerged from various positions, drawn by the commotion. Atlas led the way, his stride purposeful and confident, while the Finnegans followed at a cautious distance.
As they approached, Atlas could see a solitary figure standing outside the ornate iron gates.
The man was tall, with broad shoulders and a stance that radiated quiet confidence. Even in the dim lighting, the resemblance was uncanny, the same jawline, the same build, only subtle differences that someone intimately familiar with Atlas Prime might notice.
The figure raised his head as they approached, his face illuminated by the security lights. A collective gasp rose from those gathered behind Atlas.
"It is him," Hannah breathed, shrinking back against Aaron.
Aaron stepped forward until he was shoulder to shoulder with Atlas, his gun now visible at his side. "What do you want?" he called out, his voice carrying across the grounds to the gate.
The figure remained silent, his eyes scanning the group before settling on Atlas with unnerving intensity.
"I said, what do you want?" Aaron repeated, his finger twitching near his weapon.
The man at the gate finally spoke, his voice carrying easily through the night air. "Justice."
A ripple of unease passed through the gathered Finnegans. Several security guards drew their weapons, training them on the figure beyond the gate.
"Justice?" Aaron scoffed, though his voice lacked conviction. "For what? We gave you a home, food, education, everything. And how did you repay us? By becoming obsessed with what wasn't yours."
The figure's eyes never left Atlas's face. "Are you going to let me in, Aaron? Or are we going to have this conversation through iron bars?"
"Sir," Atlas turned to Aaron, his voice low and controlled. "Let me speak with him alone first. I can assess whether he's armed, what his true intentions are."
"Absolutely not," Anola interjected sharply. "This man is dangerous."
Atlas met her gaze steadily. "More reason to let me handle it. That's what you hired me for, to neutralise threats to this family."
Aaron studied Atlas's face for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Fine. But the gates remain locked. And at the first sign of trouble, my men will open fire."
Atlas approached the gate alone. The security lights cast harsh shadows across the ground, creating a no man's land between the Finnegan fortress and the outside world. As he drew closer, he could see his the other man's eyes glinting with silent acknowledgment.
"Atlas Prime," Atlas said loudly enough for those behind him to hear. "I'm James Reed, head of security for the Finnegan family."
The man at the gate inclined his head slightly. "Reed. I've heard about you."
"Why are you here?" Atlas demanded, maintaining his professional demeanour. "What do you hope to accomplish?"
Behind him, he could feel the tension radiating from the Finnegans, their fear was noticeable. Every sense was heightened, cataloguing their reactions even as he faced forward.
"I've come to reclaim what was taken from me," the man replied, his voice carrying just enough to reach those gathered behind Atlas.
"And what exactly was taken?" Atlas pressed.
"My dignity. My birthright." The man's gaze shifted to fix on Aaron over Atlas's shoulder. "The truth about Marius Finnegan's death."
A strangled sound came from Hannah's direction. Aaron's face hardened to stone.
"That's enough," Aaron called out, stepping forward. "You're not welcome here, Atlas. Whatever delusions you're harbouring about my father's death, I suggest you take them elsewhere."
The man smiled, a cold expression that didn't reach his eyes. "You haven't changed, Aaron. Still hiding behind others, letting them fight your battles."
"I'm not hiding," Aaron snarled, raising his gun. "I'm giving you one chance to leave. One chance only."
Atlas turned slightly, positioning himself between Aaron's weapon and the gate. "Sir, this isn't the way. Let me handle this."
Anola stepped forward, her regal bearing intact despite the hour and circumstances. "Why now, Atlas? After all these years, why return?"
The man at the gate looked directly at her, his expression inscrutable. "Ask your security expert," he replied softly. "He seems to have all the answers."
All eyes turned to Atlas, confusion and suspicion mingling in their gazes. Atlas maintained perfect composure, turning back to face the gate.
"I think we've heard enough," he stated firmly. "You have ten seconds to leave the premises before I authorize the guards to use force."
The man held Atlas's gaze for one more charged moment, then stepped back from the gate. "This isn't over," he called out, his voice carrying across the grounds. "The truth always finds its way into the light."
He slowly began to move into the darkness as his voice echoed.
"And when it does, you'll all regret what you did to me."
- Writer
