MORTUUS

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

He doesn't stop working until he stops directly in front of me. "My name is Melvin. What's yours?" It took me almost a full second to realize the question was directed at me.

"What are you doing?" Karen asked before I got a chance to respond, eyeing Melvin furiously.

"Introducing myself, you should have done that but obviously you would rather be rude."

"Rude?" She gasped and looked away from him. "Pay him no mind Raquel."

"Rather, pay her mind." He interrupted. "What's your name?"

I was certain he had heard Karen call my name but I didn't argue. "Raquel, nice to meet you, Melvin."

He stretched out his hand for a handshake but stopped himself midway. "Same here Raquel. What are you doing Karen?"

"Brushing my teeth," she replied menacingly. Not even bothering to look up as she spoke. At this point, she was basically done with my arm and was doing the finishing touches. He rolled his eyes but didn't say more and began to walk away. "Don't go far Melvin, I'll need you soon."

"Okay, I've heard. I'm in my office if you need me." He slowly walked out of the room and walked towards what I assumed was his office. I stared until I couldn't see him anymore.

I looked over at Karen, she was cutting the thread and staring at her work satisfactorily. I looked down at my arm and cringed. It was like a kid had gone to work on my arm. I knew it was a good job because the ones I've seen in movies were more horrible but I couldn't help but be appalled.

Karen on the other hand looked too pleased with herself. She picked the cotton wool mixed with the same liquid and began to dab on my face. I squinted my eyes as she got to work, trying not to shake my head too much. She was done in a few seconds and paused to look at the wounds.

"I can't stitch this," she sighed. "They are too small." For some reason, she looked infuriated. I wasn't sure if it was because she wanted to stitch my face or because this was done to my face.

"Oh, what can be done about them?" I asked softly, not sure what else I was to say or do.

"That's not for me to worry about, Melvin will figure that out. You'll go to him as soon as I'm done. Is there anywhere else you think you've gotten injured?"

"The back of my head I think," I replied almost immediately. It had been all I could think of since she started working on my arms. I was half afraid I would lose my hair because of it.

"Okay, let me see." She did not wait for me to show her, instead, she went around the chair I sat on and raised my hair to get a look at my scalp. A scream emanated from her lips closely followed by a series of curses.