The Plague Doctor [RATED R] ✓

(9) Rabbit Hole

WARNING: 

The chapter will contain scenes that may trigger trauma or may make you feel uncomfortable. Please read with caution or do not proceed at all if you feel like you cannot read any further. And just a friendly reminder, this is a Rated R story so a lot of these scenes can be found throughout the book, so I suggest you decide now if you still want to continue.

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THE ORANGE SKY SLOWLY turns dark as night finally falls on us. I look out of the car window, wearing the suit that master Claudio generously bought me, staring at the townspeople who were locking their doors before it gets completely dark. 

    At first, I didn't know why I had to go with him, and for a moment I thought I was even special, but then I realize that Lino literally has a scar on his face that would creep out the guests, and then there's Adie who's only sixteen. It would be dangerous to bring her to such a party. So yes, I am apparently the only decent-looking one out of the three of us.

     Isn't that just great? 

     "It seems like Ms. Sunny is very familiar with you," I say as I turn my head to look at Claudio so I wouldn't be able to think of anything else other than the fact that I'm going to a party with him for whatever the reason might be.

     "I knew her since I was a kid. We bumped into each other a couple of times, and back in the day, people called her Alberto Garko. Her parents had a lot of trouble putting pants on her most of the time, but Sunny still managed to win over them, wearing skirts and dresses around town like no one was watching," Claudio says with a soft expression, probably remembering the exact moment that he was telling me about.

     "So you met in such circumstances?"

     "You can say that. While I was in town with my mother, I saw her wearing this pretty pink dress that she said she stole from her sister. But instead of matching it with makeup, her face was covered in bruises instead. Since my family was doctors, I knew how to treat others' wounds at the age of eight, so I snuck her in and treated her in secret," Claudio explains, surprising me because for a second he sounded like a decently nice person.

     "How romantic," I sarcastically say, making Lino–who was in the driver's seat–glare at me through the rearview mirror.

     After our quick conversation, the car ride eventually becomes quiet. I was trying my best not to make the atmosphere so awkward, but I just couldn't. There was just something so wrong about this entire situation.

     As I was trying to think of something to say, Lino suddenly looks back at us and informs us, "We're almost here, young master."

     Master Claudio nods his head and fixes his bowtie before looking back at me with a serious expression. "You'll be meeting a lot of people at that party. You don't have to speak to any of them at all. You just have to stay beside me and act like a responsible butler."

     "And for what reasons?" I ask, still confused about why I had to come with him.

     "I have not been back to this town for almost two years now," Claudio reveals, making me furrow my brows in confusion.

     "Two years? But Winter told me you just got back from a two-week trip," I clarify, and Claudio nods his head to agree to it.

     "That's right. Though I usually travel a lot, I've actually never left town and have been staying at the manor for two years. Of course, the townspeople obviously don't know that," Claudio explains to me, which made more sense now. No wonder the people were so excited to see him again.