Chapter 11 - Reflections

Things were very complicated for Julian Blackwood, still trapped in the body of Brown Caldwell, standing by the window of the executive wing, eyes fixed on his old reflection walking freely across the office floor. Julian (in Brown) had settled in completely. The same swagger. The same tailored suits. The voice. The smile. The audacity. His fists tightened at his sides. Now and then, Brown would turn and glance around, almost like he knew he was being watched. Joshua leaned back in his chair, observing 'Julian' during the staff meeting held at 2 pm. Something was... off about him; he couldn't understand why his arrogant boss suddenly changed in the middle of the week. He laughed at the wrong moments. His handwriting was different. He never drank his coffee anymore. Julian lived on iced caramel lattes, but Brown lived on black coffee. It didn't sit right in his mind.He pulled out his old class photo from his wallet and stared at it. Year 11, his eyes scanned it for a while before landing on the last row, Julian Blackwood in a hoodie and crooked smile.Then he looked at the man walking around the office.Same face but different character. He opened his laptop. Opened Julian's old Facebook. Deactivated for five years.No posts. No history. Just... gone.Then he Googled. Nothing. There is no trace of what happened to his Facebook account after 2020. The date marks 5 years ago, on the same day they met and exchanged their contact information.After another long and boring four hours of an unscheduled meeting with another collaborating organisation, Jasmine closed her laptop slowly as the meeting ended. She'd barely heard a word from the executives; her head was filled up, it was eating her up. All week, she'd felt the shift in Brown's energy, in his gaze. And now this "Julian Blackwood" person is showing up out of nowhere. That evening, Brown (in Julian) followed Julian (in Brown) down to the underground garage.It was almost empty. Brown moved with ease, laughing softly into the phone before hanging up and turning toward his black car."The new Brown Caldwell", Brown (in Julian) said. Julian (in Brown) turned around calmly. "There he is," he said. "The wish maker." They faced each other under flickering fluorescent lights, different cars parked in the garage, they were like mirror images, but reversed; it was a soul looking at its body,y but from a distance."You're not supposed to be here," Brown growled."Neither are you," Julian said. "But here we are. Two souls. One game." He stepped forward."You know... Joshua likes me better now. The new boss seems more fun than when you were around. He doesn't flinch when I'm close to him. Doesn't suspect a thing." Julian's jaw tightened. "You don't belong here." "That's funny. Because lately? It's starting to feel like I do." Brown leaned in close. "You gave me your life, Brown Caldwell. And I'm just... living it." He spoke. Julian stared at him and chuckled. He walked closer to the elevator. "Tuesday night, I know what happened with Nathaniel", he said with a smirk. "Tuesday was just the beginning." And then he was gone.Brown (in Julian) rushed into a staff bathroom. Empty. Silent. He stared into the mirror, chest heaving. It wasn't his face. He said it anyway. "I'm Julian Blackwood." No conviction. Just fear. He said it again. "I'm Julian Blackwood." His hands trembled as he grabbed the sink. "I want my life back." He punched the mirror. It cracked, just slightly. But enough to see his reflection... fractured.Later that night, at home, she lay with Brown, who she thought was her Brow Caldwell, her head rested on his chest, listening to his breathing. It used to comfort her. Now it felt... measured. Like he was trying to be someone, she lifted her head. And looked at him directly in the eyes and whispered:"Brown, I know you're hiding something from me." He didn't answer or attempt to speak.He just kissed her forehead, then turned away.