MORTUUS

CHAPTER TWENTY

After washing my hair with a weird shampoo that smelt a little too strong, he added a couple of other liquids and let them sit in my hair.

The rest of the event passed quickly. All I could do was stay as he told me to and watch. I realized then that I could stay unmoving for a very long time without feeling anything. It was very unnerving.

"All done!" He announced proudly, staring at me with pride in his eyes. "I must admit I did a great job."

I thought Melvin was a little braggy for his good but I didn't say that out loud instead I stared at my hand, it looked almost normal. I could see the little flaws though but I could pass off as a regular person.

He quickly spun me to face the mirror. I was still sitting. I gasped and instinctively reached for my face. I looked alive. I had made sure not to look at the mirror but Karen's reaction had told me how terrible it was.

There was no scar on my face except a little mark that was barely noticeable. I figured it was the mild scar he would not cover-up. I didn't think I looked this good while I was alive.

"Ah!" He exclaimed. "Don't touch it so much, it hasn't completely dried in yet. So, what do you think?" He asked, clasping his hand together.

"You did a great job," I admitted, of course, he did. Saying otherwise would be ridiculous.

"Just sit still, it should dry up soon. I'll go tell Karen."

I nod and watch him leave. I wasn't sure if I should be sitting but he had only paid attention to the places that would most likely be uncovered at some point and he had started with my back which meant that part was reasonably dry.

I sighed this was taking longer than I thought it would. I sat still feeling a little depressed as I tried to look at the bright side which wasn't forthcoming.

I looked better, yeah so now what? What was I going to do? What does this entail? I say there reminiscing when I heard Karen's voice, she was scolding Melvin again. I almost laughed.

"Raquel," she screamed excitedly as soon as she pushed open the door. At the sight of me, her face broke into a huge smile, and rushed to my side. "Unbelievable!" She immediately went behind me to look at my hair. "Glad to know you didn't lose it."

I grinned and said, "I am glad too." I had not escaped unscathed as quite the handful had fallen off but nothing I couldn't manage without. Melvin had offered to cut or at least trim my hair but I had refused.

The idea that I was stuck with whatever length I decided on didn't sit very well with me. I loved my hair but long hair was a luxury I couldn't afford. Maybe I could start using wigs. I smiled a little but only if I had to, right now I wasn't desperate.