Page 44 of Painter's Obsession: Volume II

She bites her nails. “But I don’t want it to hurt.” Softly, I pinch her chubby cheeks. “Then, I’ll kiss it better, but if you tell anyone, I’ll say you’re lying.” Gabriela stops biting her nails and jumps into my arms, giving me a strong hug. “You’re the best big brother.” And with that, she climbs on her bike, with my help of course, and then I guide her.

“On the count of three.” I say, running with her as she gains momentum. “One,” we count in unison. “Two.” And without realizing she’s on her own, I watch as she rides her bike with no training wheels, and without me. “Three,.” I whisper just as she squeals from excitement.

A soft whimper pulls me back. The weight in my hand is real. Her scalp, tight in my grip. Her tears, hot against my skin.

The cool of the scalpel brings me fully back to the present—to the cries, to the pleas, and to the part of me I know now I can never get back. I grip it tighter. My vision wavers, not from pain, but from clarity. Thisis the fall. There’s no training wheels now. No brother waiting to catch me. Just Ren and his darkness, ready to embrace me.

Ren walks towards her. She’s managed to crawl backwards into the corner of the room, frozen in horror, the fight has long left her body. But still, she can’t accept her fate. Gently, he grabs her leg causing a small whimper to escape her body followed by bloody screams as he cuts her Achilles tendon.

And I just watch. Because if it’s her… it won’t be Gabriela.

“Pleas—“ She’s silenced with a bloody finger.

“Do not ruin the moment. We will make you anew, beautiful,no longer broken, and no longer in pain. Thank you for your gift.” He leans closer. “Scream for me.” And she does as he slices her other Achilles tendon.

Looking over his shoulder, “She’s all good to go.”

I blink through my tears, my body moving on its own. This is for Gabriela. This is the price. If I bleed for Ren, maybe she never will.

Tears build up in my eyes as I move closer.

“Byron,” she sobs in my arms as I cradle her in my embrace.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, confused as to why my sister is crying.

“He dumped me,” she sobs, followed by words I can’t understand while I pull her away from me.

I cup her face in my hands. “Who that asshole? Armando?” I swallow down the shame and guilt from knowing what we did, and what he did to be closer to me without suspicion. I hug her tightly knowing I’m the cause of this heartbreak, all because I’m sick. “Shh... I got you,.” I whisper into her hair.

“I’m sorry,” she sobs, clutching my shirt, then pulling away and wiping her tears with her arm. “Why, pendejo, you didn’t do anything but be best friends with the asshole. You warned me.” She hiccups. “And I didn’t listen.”

“I’m sorry, I hate seeing you sad.” I catch a tear and brush her cheek. “Want me to beat his ass?” She slaps my hand away playfully and scoffs. “No, but maybe scare him a little,.” she teases as a smile lightsher face.

And I made a vow that day that I would never be the source of her pain.

So now, I make someone else carry it. If hurting her means Gabriela stays clean, stays untouched by Ren’s sickness—then I’ll do it. I’ll be the monster she never has to meet.

And with that, my hand moves down her neck, trying to sever her vocal cords but not kill her. I’m sure not hearing her screams will piss off Ren, but I couldn’t bear to listen any longer. It was enough that I’m willing to slice her skin.

“Forgive me. This isn’t for you. It’s for her.”

I’m no artist but I do what I can, carving intricate lines on her body as she thrashes, using anything to defend herself.

“I’m saving her. This is how I save her.”

From behind me, I feel my darkness consuming us.

Soft lips pepper my back with kisses as I continue to create—her skin coming away like paper in my hands. My skin feels sticky and warm, and the smell of iron and urine overpowers her peony perfume. But I don’t focuson the softness of her skin, the terror on her face—only the red. All I see is red... all I see is red.

“That’s it, Thorn. Turn off the lights. Look at those eyes,” Ren whispers against my skin as his hand wraps around my cock, jerking it. Disgust and heat swim within me as my dick hardens in his grip. Tears mix in with my sweat as blood splashes across my face.

Her mouth is open in a silent scream. Her body is here, but her mind is long gone. Like mine. But Ren pulls me back, refusing to let me slip—forcing me to be here, anchored to him. To his ghost... my ghost.

I moan as his thumb circles pre-cum around my tip.

“Be free,” he whispers. I look into her eyes and make one final cut, and our eyes remain locked—until the light leaves hers. Looking down, I see her blood on my hands, and I bring them to my face, painting it all red.

Red.

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