Bloodguilty // FIVE HARGREEVES

2. Let the Fear Spread

Just as Anne predicted, Phill takes his time explaining every single detail. He's made Elisa memorize every single assassin and employee out of her head. And that only took three hours. After that, he attempted to explain every single problem that Elisa should be aware of. But it didn't work out well. Elisa her forehead is leaning on her desk, and her back is curled in an unhealthy position that's promised to give her a painful back for quite some time.

Phill had left when noticing Elisa's eyes starting to unfocus. She'd tried—that was clear, but it didn't interest her even a little. Nothing of this! That's why Phill nodded, wished her a good night, and left. Though, several hours later, he came back, fresh, to bring her breakfast; croissants. He hadn't waken her up, knowing that she—as the Commission's new leader—must get rest before starting her draining job.

However, the sun doesn't have such mercy right now, and its light brights up Elisa's office, starting with warming her forehead. This time, a soft groan leaves Elisa's lips after having snored the whole night. She tries pressing her eyes even tighter closed, but the light doesn't lessen. It doesn't take long until she notices the pain in her back—in her whole body, actually. This only causes another groan to sound.

Elisa's eyes open, and she takes in the office. For a moment, she's a little girl again, sneaking in the handler's office. She did so many times, and each time, she'd look at the office with wide eyes. It does have a peculiar look with the tiny gargoyles everywhere. There are dragons, ape-like creatures, and others that young Elisa was too short to be able to get a decent look at. But every and each one of them looks right at you, and it doesn't matter where you're standing in the office, their eyes are on you, always.

Others find the eyes and the vibes creepy, but after having spent so long watching them, Elisa doesn't. Actually, as a kid, she imagined the creatures alive and moving. They wouldn't talk, but they would seek her companionship when she drifted off to sleep on the seat in the office.

Now, Elisa smiles at one that looks like an old monkey with horns and wings. Its stone eyes that have been painted red look gentle, as if actually watching her with awe. Growing up, Elisa was almost always alone. It's the way she preferred it. If she had company, then it'd be a murderous assassin or someone who'd train her to become one. She never had a true friend here, but maybe—just maybe—that can change. It looks like Hazel is okay with being a friend to Elisa. And Herb seems very kind, too. Even Anne, the over-excited stylist, is one in a thousand.

Elisa takes a deep breath, and it doesn't take long until the smell of the fresh croissants is noticed by her. But instead of happily starting to eat the crispy, freshly baked croissant, Elisa groans another time. Her whole childhood she has eaten them, and at this very moment, she's sick of them.

One eye opens, peeking at her breakfast laying neatly on a plate just inches from her head. It was a kind gesture—that's for sure, but Elisa can't eat one more. Slowly, she sits up, and she stretches her limbs out. She has slept in loads of places: cells, the ground, beds. But this was the first time she slept in this office its wooden chair. And it was very uncomfortable. Elisa would rather sleep in a cell here at the Commission than doing this night over again. And that goes for both the hours spent with Herb and sleeping here.

Elisa stands up, grabbing the plate with her hands. And then, waiting a few seconds in complete silence to check no one is coming in, she throws the two croissants in the bin. Kind gesture, she thinks to herself again.

The silence grows and grows as Elisa studies the office. It is hers now, but it doesn't feel like it. It's as if she stole all of this; the title, the Commission, everything. And she doesn't even like a thing.

Just when she sighs deeply, the door flies open. Everything goes that quick that even the wall can't be spared from the door knocking right against it with a loud bam. And for a moment, Elisa is ready to let out all her worries and yell at this person, but when she realizes who it is, she grins.