Storm and Silence (FANFIC)

9. Mysterious Labouring Location.

"Sahib, are you ready to leave tomorrow?" It was Karim. And where were they going!? I pressed my ear against the door and listened. I almost missed Mr. Ambrose's response.

"...And I do not know how long I will be staying there. It all depends on how fast the labourers are working." What? What labourers? Who was he working with? Or forcing to work!? What was going on???

"And if they are not doing it as fast as you want them to, Sahib?"

"I will probably end up having to stay there longer than I intended to. You are obviously coming with me. There is no point leaving here with no one around. I could be gone for a month and you would be stuck here, doing nothing other than checking on the Empire. It would be a waste of time."

"Yes Sahib. As you wish Sahib. And I have one question too Sahib."

"And that is...?"

"What about the Ifrit?" I looked at the door in surprise. Surely he couldn't... I pressed my ear against the door again.

"What about her?"

"Have you found out about her Sahib? Do you know if the Ifrit is still alive?" He did mean me! I thought he would have forgotten about me after two years! I guess not.

There was no answer. Hey! Say something! You had seen me last night hadn't you!? And hugged me too! Why are you keeping your mouth shut?! Talk, damn you! I thought out of nowhere. I blinked, shook my head and realized that I had missed most of Mr. Ambrose's answer.

"...will be no need of her around here. She knows of some... things, but I refuse to let her come with us. If you happen to see her, and she tries to get information out of you, refrain from it. Am I clear?"

"Yes Sahib. It shall be as you command." Oh he was most definitely clear. As if I'd get anything from that huge mammoth of a man! Not a chance!

"Adequate." I heard footsteps and quickly backed away from the door, my mind in a flurry. Plink!

Mr. Linton,

Bring me file S37XI238.

Rikkard Ambrose.

And here we go again.

* * *

It was late. That was all I knew. I didn't know the time, nor much of anything else. All I knew was that Mr. Ambrose had worked me past my usual time. And while that had happened, I decided to confront him about this oh-so-secret place where he had labourers. In the midst of asking for files, he started asking for boxes instead, just like he had before. What's this? Is he planning something big again? Like he had with the file?

As before, the door connecting our offices remained open, and he vocally asked me to give him the necessary boxes. Only a few times did he ever command me to walk faster. And when he did, I didn't feel a surge of anger run through me. Rather, I felt blank and emotionless. I was so occupied with my upcoming marriage and his leaving tomorrow, and the fact that I had not met up with the girls today to talk about what I should do to aforementioned marriage, that I didn't hear Mr. Ambrose call out my name. I had been waiting around in his office, near my own office door, staring fixedly out the far window, hands clenched into fists. I was infuriated with Lord Dalgliesh and his schemes. I was regretting the fact that I did not show up at Green Park and meet Eve, Flora and Patsy. And I was curious as to where Mr. Ambrose was going off to. I felt utterly conflicted and then also felt... something else.

What's happening to my arms? Why are they being clenched together like this? What going on?!

"Mr. Linton!" I yelped and by instinct... My foot flew up. "What in the name of Her Majesty are you doing!?" I looked away from the window and found Mr. Ambrose standing there, right leg up and clutched in his hands. He was glaring at me and I could see his jaw muscles working. Oops. I unclenched my fists.