The Bride of Brahms

Chapter 12

"Branded by all of your failures, a feeling that you can't shake." -Suffocate, Knocked Loose ft. Poppy

I watched out the car window as thick trees gave way to rolling fields of green, dappled with small, golden flowers and the occasional stone cottage. The sky was a heavy grey and parts of the clouds streaked down in the distance, cascading to touch the earth in a torrential downpour. The whole scene reminded me of Brahms's eyes, and forgetting where I was I wistfully sighed.

Everything reminds me of Brahms...

"Something on your mind there, Cora?" Malcolm voice disrupted my reverie, jolting me back to reality. I had been somewhat dazed since we left the manor, astounded with what I managed to do, and I didn't realize Malcolm had been talking this whole time.
"S-sorry, I was just enjoying the view. It's beautiful out here, isn't it?" I managed a half-truth for my excuse, hoping he would take the bait and not question me further on it. Luckily, he agreed with me by offering a simple smile, and we continued the drive in a brief silence before Malcolm started up again. He spoke of everything and nothing all at once and I nodded my head along politely, my mind wandering back to the man I left behind.

We drove for about twenty minutes until the fields turned to sand-colored stone buildings and roads went from gravel to cobblestone, with narrow streets disappearing into turns and twists of the village. Malcolm parked near the village center, next to a grey stone church surrounded by overgrown weeds. I admit I was charmed by what I saw, and stepped out of the car to admire the old gothic architecture of the building. I was hit with a frigid wind and a feeling of unease twisted my stomach. I looked around but nothing seemed out of the ordinary, still I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Was it Brahms?

Before I could consider the possibility I felt Malcolm wrap his arm around my shoulders, smiling at me as he guided me away from the old church and across the street. I gave a tight smile back; even though I didn't really like him touching me like this, I decided to just bear with it. "So, um, where are we going?" I asked as we walked down the road.

"One of my favorite places. I'm there pretty much every Friday night." Malcolm responded, his smile brightening "It's quite popular with the locals as well, even though it's a small town this place can get pretty lively at night." At the last few words, Malcolm stopped at a corner building with a large, rust-colored door with an old wooden sign dangling above it: Looney's Pub

I rolled my eyes, turning to Malcolm with a smirk. "A bar, Malcolm? You said you would take me to get a coffee." I teased. He blushed slightly, and his embarrassed smile even looked a little cute.
"I did, and I will!" He said quickly, grinning at me. "This place has coffee too, I promise. With towns like these, pubs are usually a one-stop for everything."
"Mhm, sure." I responded, still teasing. Malcolm opened the door and gestured for me to go ahead, and I stepped inside the dimly lit pub.

Everything about the place was dark – black walnut bar area with lots of brass taps, and black barstools surrounded the entire length of the wooden bar. Despite that, it was jam-packed with people. Most seats were taken but Malcolm and I managed to secure a small table near a frost-paned window. "Wait here, I'll get us drinks!" Malcolm shouted over the dull roar of voices in the pub. I nodded at him in acknowledgement and he disappeared into the crowd, leaving me alone with just my thoughts.

Wonder if Brahms has been here before, I pondered before shaking my head. Of course Brahms hasn't been here before, he barely ever left the walls let alone the manor itself. My heart sank as I thought about that place, realizing I couldn't go back now – not with the way I left things with Brahms. I contemplated asking Malcolm to let me stay the night at his place, just until I figured out my next move.