A Rose Painted Black || The Distortionist x Reader

⊱ ──.⋅Chapter 18⋅.── ⊰

"I celebrate the day
That you changed my history of life and death
Will always lead you into love and regret"

»»-------IAMX-Bernadette-------««

27 July

(Chris's P.O.V.)

I had to discontinue my usual routine of walking through the woods due to the pouring rain not too long after bringing dear (Y/n) back to her home. I get back inside the shop, taking off my coat and leaving it by the door. I get out my lighter and light a candle, filling the room with a pale hue. I light a cigarette and set down the lighter on the counter as I go behind it, deciding to settle. I blow out whiffs of smoke as I stare at the clock.

5:43, it reads. The ticking of the antique and the rain continuing as the morning rose.

7:05. "Where have you been?" I ask Bella, but why should I ask when I already know she was just trying to get herself lost somewhere.

She comes in through the door, soaked and droplets of water falling from her drenched hair in a tempo. "Why does it matter?" she mutters, walking past me, glancing for no longer than a few seconds.

I follow her with narrowed eyes, knowing how volatile she could be but then shrug when she's out of my sight.

I'm there a while longer, then blowing out the light and deciding that I should try and sleep.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

Around noon, I'm sharply awake again. I wondered what the other carnies thought about me hardly leaving the shop in the last few days, giving that time to (Y/n). Probably didn't notice or made up some twisted stories that kept them entertained. I admit to having some sympathy towards them; how absurd lies kept a smile on melasma-laden faces--at least the crew.

They were having their luncheon then, which meant that if everyone else was there, so would Shirley. I've been wanting to have a word with her if she isn't absent again.

I get outside, ready to disregard anyone in my path. The majority of the carnys were damn infuriating and only brought me an immense headache. Though it was easy to appear neutral.

First, as per usual, it was the stares. The ones that like an affliction spread from one to the rest. Ignoring them was facile.

Then their spirit of inquiry.

"Haven't seen him in the longest time," was a whisper among the stares. "I thought he disappeared like his sister."

"So randomly, he's before us."

"It's odd. So very odd," was another comment.

These were the easiest to handle.

"Well, if it isn't no one other than Christopher, the freak with a girl." I didn't bother to look behind me, I just wanted to get on my way. "Where is she?"

I kept neutral and brushed past the scoundrel without a word. I attempted to relax my hands that had turned into fists.

I finally got to the area with the picnic tables, where the carnies would come to have their meals. I looked around, finding no sign of the blonde. I cursed under my breath at her absenteeism.

"Christopher?"

I looked down, finding Rana if I recalled unerringly. She was younger, and I've barely spoken a word to her. "Yes?"