A Plague

[Diego’s POV]

I walk slowly up the long path that leads to the temple, and once I arrive at its entrance, I try to ignore the negativity that presses against me. Peeking out of the corner of my eye, I wait to see if the woman feels it, and when her body shakes and she wraps her arms around herself, I know that she does.

“What the hell?” She murmurs, narrowing her gaze. “Are you bringing me to my doom?”

“Not quite,” I respond.

Lifting a hand, I grab the rope that rings the temple's doorbell and then wait until the door in front of us moves inch by inch so that a glowing blue eye can take us in.

“Diego?” A raspy voice announces from the other side. “Is that you, boy?”

“Yes, elder Marin.”

At my words, the door opens more, allowing us entrance into the dark space beyond. Gritting my teeth, I ignore the energy that continues to press against me while my eyes take in the decrepit space around me.

Once upon a time, this place was beautiful with a pure white interior, and it radiated with suc