The Plague Doctor [RATED R] ✓

(26) Darkest Colors

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THE ROOM BECOMES PAINFULLY quiet as Claudio took a step back from me. He doesn't say anything, but his eyes were fixed on mine, almost like he was observing me.

     Was this Bishop, Winter, Krimson, or maybe even Alice? He's probably debating about that right now because to him, the Bishop he has always known would never say something like that to him.

     In his head, he must be thinking that he miscalculated something. He didn't see this coming, and that could explain why it's taking him so much time to respond to what I said. He's weighing things down, trying to think of the perfect words to say that won't put him on the losing end. He's making sure he uses this opportunity to his advantage, and that part of him has always been his most terrifying trait.

     "My Bishop," he finally says after a couple of minutes of silence.

     I don't answer him, so Claudio moves closer to me again, draping his hand around my waist and pulling me closer to him. When our faces were already inches away from each other, he kisses my forehead before gently touching my cheek.

     "I am left speechless by your bravery today," he then says. "You are an important employee to me Bishop, so whatever you want, I'll do it for you. There is no need for you to worry."

     "What do you mean? Are you saying that—"

     "The task regarding Mateo, I'll discontinue it. If you feel uncomfortable doing it, then there is no reason for you to continue. That would be too cruel," he says with a comforting smile, making the hair on my skin stand.

     "You can do anything you want Bishop. You can love whoever you want, and you can hate whoever you want. When have I asked you to do otherwise?" He asks as he finally lets go of me.

     "I have made it clear, didn't I? I am your master and nothing more. Feelings for me are...useless. I have no time for such worthless things. It's distasteful," Claudio then says, walking back to the drawing I made of Teo. He stares at the picture with his intimidating eyes before reaching out to touch it. "You definitely have a talent," he says, a smirk now appearing on his face. "A talent for picking weak men."

     As soon as he said those words, my body instantly freezes.

     "What do you mean?" I ask, and Claudio puts the picture down and ignores my question.

     "Claudio, what did you mean by that? What are you going to do?" 

     I ran to Claudio's side and grabbed his hand, but Claudio only smiles at me before patting my head like I was some kid. "I trust that the loyalty you have sold to me will not be questioned. But you do not have to fret, you may keep your bright colors until it blinds you," he says, the smile on his face slowly fading.

     "But your darkest ones...they are mine," he says with a much more serious expression before pulling his hand away from me. Without anything else to say, Claudio leaves the room, and I was left inside the art studio in disbelief.

     I walked back to the drawing and stared at Teo's picture. In a short amount of time, he was able to think of a way to twist me. He was able to use my vulnerability to his advantage. I have completely underestimated him.

     As I continued to stare at Teo's picture, I couldn't even help myself as I started laughing, almost like I have completely lost my mind.

     My laughter echoes inside the empty room, and as I was doing so, tears suddenly starts streaming down my cheeks. I grabbed the picture and gently kissed it before ripping it apart until there was nothing left. And as I watched the shredded pieces fall on the floor, I grabbed hold of my neck, holding onto the invisible chains that seem to have gotten stronger.