Atlas Shrugged Book Novels & Stories

A sigh escaped Atlas's lips as he watched his uncles began mumble among themselves in agreement with Barnard's words. It was annoying to see these hypocrites pretend as though they care about Atlas when I knew very well that they were the ones behind this morning's shooting. Suddenly, West frowned at Atlas as he asked, “Who did you offend, nephew, for such a terrible event to take place at the company.” The hallway grew silent, and Atlas intensely stared at his uncles. Then his expression deepened into a frown as he said, "Except you guys, I offend no one." Quietness immediately fell in our midst, and I could see fear hiding behind the calmness in Atlas's uncles' eyes.

Nobody needed to know what they could do. One afternoon, I came across Atlas in the library. He was reading a children's science book. I stared at him. "You finished that book two years ago." He looked up. "I know." "Then why are you reading it again?" "I'm making notes." I walked closer. His notebook was filled with calculations. "This doesn't look like notes." He closed it. "You're becoming nosy." "I'm your sister." "That doesn't make you less nosy."

“I did not.” Philip chuckled. “You did.” Atlas looked out the window. The road stretched endlessly ahead. But his mind was still back in that field. Jacob’s hands gripping the sword. Jacob’s voice. Jacob’s eyes. Atlas suddenly sat up straighter. No. Absolutely not. “I’m not attracted to men,” he muttered. Philip blinked. “I didn’t say you were.” Atlas looked at him sharply. “You implied it.” Philip laughed. “Relax.” Atlas crossed his arms. “I’m serious.”

“What did you ever do to me? A lot, actually! You have no idea I’ve been living in hell since that incident seven years ago!” Atlas opened his mouth to retort, but then a fleeting expression of regre cross his face before his shoulder sagged slightly. His gaze averted as he bit his lips. I caught the shift in his scent from piercing confidence to a more mellow uncertainty. Eventually, Atlas let go of his grip and retracted his hands before sitting cross-legged on the ground, crossing his arms over his chest. The silence between them was thick with tension. "Ugh! Fine!" I watched as Atlas grumbled, his frown deepening with evident embarrassment.

“Thank the gods—you had me worried sick.” I couldn’t help the genuine smile that broke across my face. “Zarek.” But even as I reached for him, I caught the subtle shift in Atlas’ posture from the corner of my eye. He stepped back, his expression darkening, unreadable again. “Seems you have company,” Atlas said smoothly, but there was an edge in his voice now. Without another word, he turned on his heel and left the ward, his footsteps echoing down the corridor. Zarek frowned after him. “What was he doing here?”