I've Decided to Leave the Show

Oliver watched from upstairs until Eulalia called him down. He grabbed the cancer medication and went to the first floor to get a glass of water.

Percival had just been discharged from the hospital. Still weak, he couldn't handle even the slightest discomfort. He leaned against the doorframe, dried blood on his fingertips, his body trembling almost imperceptibly.

Oliver approached and handed him the pills. Percival coughed twice. "I don't want to take them."

"You'll die if you don't."

With shaking hands, Percival took the two pills from Oliver and tossed them into his mouth. Oliver offered water, but Percival pushed it away. He chewed the pills and swallowed them dry. Having just coughed up blood, his throat felt sticky and uncomfortable. The pills didn't go down smoothly, getting stuck in his throat. The bitter taste slowly spread.

Percival winced, his face contorting. He wondered how Eulalia, who used to hate bitter things, managed to take these pills for three years.

The bitterness