shameless

6. the vulture waits

As the heavy oak door closed behind them, Carter felt a chill run down his spine.

He stood alone in the dimly lit studio, the lingering echo of their conversation twisting around him like a serpent.

Vincent's presence filled the room, commanding and unsettling, his words carrying an undertone of obsessive fixation that sent a shiver down Carter's spine.

Vincent reclined in a plush armchair opposite of Carter, his gaze sharp and penetrating. The room seemed to shrink in his presence, the golden air thick with an unspoken tension.

He exuded an aura of authority and power that bordered on demanding-a stark reminder of the influence he wielded in both the art world and beyond.

"I have to be honest with you, Carter," Vincent began, his voice smooth yet tinged with a chilling edge. "I like you ."

Carter naively listened, his heart pounding with a mixture of apprehension and unease.

Vincent's words held a weight that went beyond hidden admiration, hinting at a demand for interest and adoration that both unsettled and alarmed him.

"I've seen many artists come and go," Vincent continued, his gaze unwavering. "But you... Something reaches into me, stirs something primal. It's more than talent. I want it for myself."

Carter swallowed hard, the gravity of Vincent's confession sinking in. He had sensed a deeper undercurrent beneath Vincent's charm and influence, but to hear it spoken aloud with such intensity was both unnerving and unsettling.

"I... I don't understand," Carter replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty but still laughed to ease the tension tightening his heart.

"You don't have to understand, Carter," he murmured softly. "Just know that I see something in you and I want to be a part of that... intimately." Vincent's smile was faint, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling determination.

Carter's mind raced, grappling with the implications of Vincent's words. The admiration and genuine emotion were laced with a chilling determination for commitment that sent a chill down his spine.

He saw a man driven not just by ambition, but by an obsessive and sociopathic fixation that threatened to engulf them both.

"What do you really want from me, Vincent?" Carter asked cautiously, his gaze locking with Vincent's, searching for answers.

He decided to take a risk and ask for certainty. To know who Vincent really is.

Vincent hesitated for only a moment, his sociopathic demeanor briefly revealing itself.

"I want you" he admitted, his voice low and intense. "I want you to be mine, in every sense of the word."

This was it. This was the last straw. There was no deception. Carter could see everything. The obsession he is currently involved in.

The obsessive and chilling determination in Vincent's confession pierced through Carter's defenses, revealing a darker complexity beneath the charm and influence. He saw a man consumed not just by artistic vision, but by an obsessive and sociopathic fixation that brooked no refusal.

"I need time to process this," Carter said finally, his voice tinged with a mixture of fear and unease. He wanted to go home immediately.

Vincent nodded slowly, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Take all the time you need, Carter," he replied softly, his tone laden with implication. "But remember, I always get what I want."

With that, Vincent rose gracefully from his seat, his presence lingering in the room like a shadowy specter.

Carter watched him pour himself another glass of wine, his mind swirling with a mix of apprehension and dread.

Vincent's obsessive and sociopathic demand had revealed a side of him that was both intoxicating and deeply troubling, raising profound questions about trust, autonomy, and the true nature of their evolving relationship.

Damn. He doesn't want to believe it but if this is who Vincent is, he needs to get out.

After a tense moment, Carter took a deep breath and made a decision. He couldn't ignore the warning signs any longer, the dangerous allure of Vincent's offer mingling with a sense of dread in his gut.

With a resolute step, Carter turned and walked towards the door, leaving Vincent's room behind him.

Vincent's voice echoed in his mind, his chilling words replaying like a haunting refrain.

Carter knew this was only the beginning-a crossroads where his choice would shape not just his career, but his very existence.

As he stepped out into the cool night air, Carter resolved to navigate the treacherous path ahead with caution, determined to break free from Vincent's dangerous grip before it consumed him completely.

Carter emerged from Vincent's studio, his mind swirling with unease. The weight of Vincent's obsessive demands hung heavy on his shoulders.

Standing under the city lights, he felt a decisive chill. This was not the path he envisioned for his life.

"What a creep." Carter whispered to himself as he walked past the night breeze along the sidewalk.

With a deep breath, Carter made a silent vow to steer clear of Vincent's dangerous allure. He turned away, determined to safeguard his life and safety.