How to love - Markus x reader

Chapter five

You held your breath for the longest time, watching as Leo gestured at the android workers to tear down the glass borders in the backyard.

Move this, move that, no, other THERE, you useless piece of shit.

As they threw the paintings into a careless pile, you pressed your fingers into your palm and wandered over, staring at the canvas. They were so filled with life, as if Carl had put in all his emotions and thoughts into it.

A familiar painting caught your eye, and you picked it up cautiously.

Two hands reached out, in the pitch black, grasping onto each other.

You knew this wasn't Carl's, it was too literal. Markus.

You recalled that day, you peeking from the door as Carl asked him to paint something.

Anything. What do you feel? Close your eyes.

And you had watched on, enchanted as each stroke came to life. How his eyes suddenly turned from blank into a dark abyss, and his lips curled into a relaxed smile as the paintbrush danced along.

But now it was nothing but garbage. How did it change all so fast? Now you cooked Leo cold soup from the can and unfroze peas and chicken wings, instead of running around the house, begging Carl for those fairytale stories that died years back.

For weeks, you was his slave, doing chores and making food while he verbally abused you with taunts and mockery.

You aren't his real child.

Useless piece of plastic.

And as far as family went, he was an asshoe.

Leo snapped his fingers at you,"Hey. Where's my pie?"

You flinched and stepped away from the paintings,"Coming right up, Leo."

Which was a huge lie. You rather fed him chicken poison that pie.

As you headed back to the house, Leo's cold voice rang out,"Watch it, or I'll break you and watch you die just like Carl."

You suck in your breath, and tried not to gasp.

I have to get out of here.

Away from him.

He's your only family.

What about Markus?

He doesn't care anymore, remember?

Then Leo's horrible laughter that followed pulled you back to reality, and you flinched. He was crazy.

Tonight, you would run away, and escape to anywhere.

Tonight you could be free again.