Chapter 5: Into the Abyss
As Tristan made his way to Leon’s studio, the streets of Vancouver blurred into a haze. The city’s vibrant art scene buzzed around him, but he felt isolated within his thoughts. Each step felt heavier than the last, a physical manifestation of his anxiety and anticipation. What awaited him at Leon’s studio? Would it be a space of creation or a trap laid to ensnare him further into Leon's grasp? He arrived at a sleek, modern building that contrasted sharply with the more rustic charm of his own neighborhood. The entrance was marked by a large glass door, through which he could see a spacious, immaculate studio filled with canvases, paints, and the scent of fresh varnish. As he stepped inside, the air felt charged, alive with the potential for creation and destruction alike. Leon stood at the far end of the room, his back turned, as he busily arranged an array of art supplies. The sight of him sent a shiver of both excitement and apprehension through Tristan. There was something in...