Bloodguilty // FIVE HARGREEVES

14. Lap Dog

Diego - Vanya - Elisa

It had gotten hard to breathe while getting here—to the office. And now that Elisa is standing in front of it, it seems impossible for her lungs to function normally any longer. She squeezes her eyes shut, and prays her mind is strong enough to control her body once she's inside, seeing whoever is sitting on the spot where she should be sitting; praying her soul is strong enough to find out who betrayed her; praying that the monster doesn't take her over; praying that everyone she cares about will stay unharmed; praying that this all will be over soon.

She just wants to be happy. She just wants to know the world will fare well. She just wants to be sure she won't be the reason people die earlier than they should, not able to go through the moments made by the force bigger than any of the humans can even fathom—fate. They deserve it—all of them. They deserve a proper shot at life, and Elisa will fight for them. Every. Single. One.

And if she falls, she'll do so without regret. Because she died for a better world for everyone. A safer one. And that is worth laying your life down for. Every human, doesn't matter the race; gender; sexuality, deserves to wake up, live life and just be happy. They deserve to grow up, knowing they're loved and not alone—never alone. Because Elisa was forced to do so, and she knows how tough it can get.

A hand rests on her shoulder, and she smiles weakly at Diego, who's still carrying the man upon his shoulders. He nods, and she gets reminded of how it was worth surviving the hard days, because she ended up with a family. She ended up happy. Some nights, she stayed awake, wondering if she'd do it all again. If she could survive it all another time.

When Vanya squeezes her hand so tightly, her fingers are sure to fall off if the grip stays the same, Elisa knows the answer. Yes, she'd do it all again. Every tear she shed was worth this happiness. Every sob that hurt to leave her lips was worth it.

"This'll tear me apart," Elisa says, stating it. "I'm ready for it. For everything of it. I have my family next to me, and they'll have me next to them." Tears sting in her eyes. "Never alone," she adds quietly—more to herself than the others next to her.

"You finally realized it's real," Vanya whispers, smiling. "You finally allowed yourself to accept that we're not leaving your side."

Elisa does not answer, hoping she won't mess her up because of her hope that this indeed is real. The family. Her siblings. The love. All of it.

She throws the door open in a quick movement, a neutral expression on her face. At first, only the absence of the tiny gargoyles catches her attention. And that mainly because her eyes refuse to fall on the desk where she should be sitting behind. Cowardice, she tells herself mentally. And I won't fucking stand for it.

With a glow appearing in her eyes, she turns her head to see-

She has to stop breathing in order for the gasp not to sound out loud. With her lips pressed into a thin line, she puts her chin up, facing him.

"I expected a lot," she admits, her eyes not leaving the person sitting right behind the desk. His eyes are on her, and an awful smirk is placed on his face . . . meant for her. He's finding this hilarious. She knows that. "But I did not expect you to fall so low."

"Low?" He repeats in a low voice after laughing loudly, causing Elisa to clench her jaw. She sees red-just like in the hallway. Red. Red. Red. It covers her vision as her eyes bore into him. "I'd say I've finally reached the position I've earned after all these horrible years of hard work."

Elisa notices Vanya shuffling behind her, and she doesn't dare to look at the expression on Diego's face. They must be shocked, too. But Elisa has been shocked the most.