I like Kate. She’s a rule breaker, much like I feel I am somewhere deep down. I just don’t remember that part of me yet.
Gage gets a bullet on his spine, right between his shoulders. Kayden decides on a small shrimp on his ankle. It draws a smile to my lips since his codename is Shrimp. From what I gathered, most of the soldiers get names from their squad mates at the time they join. Some get the short end of the stick. Kayden apparently ate an entire plate of shrimp after he arrived from passing the Under Trials, and he’s been stuck with the name ever since.
Thomas passes on getting one. Mori does too. Honestly, I’m not sure he has any space on his torso or arms for another tattoo, and those are the areas he seems to keep to.
Kate smiles at me and waves to the seat. She flips her heavy brown ponytail over her shoulder. I can’t imagine how long it is when it’s down. It might even compete with my hair length, reaching my lower back. “You’re next, sweetheart.”
I return the grin and hop onto the chair.
“What do you want?” she asks as she changes out the needle and readies her station.
I suck my lower lip in and bite the corner in thought. As dark as it may be, there is something I can’t get out of my head.
“Can you do one soft, wispy line from the base of my neck down to my tailbone?”
All eyes focus on me, confused mostly. Mori’s gaze in particular fills with something more though. He seems curious.
Kate laughs. “Sure.” She motions for me to stand for a moment while she converts her chair into its flat mode. “Take your top off, hun.”
My cheeks flush and my eyes dart to Mori. I’ve seen everyone’s private parts in the showers except his, and they’ve all seen me naked beside him. Well, at least since I woke up. The idea of him looking at my bare skin makes my heart rate spike.
Kate assesses my face, then chuckles again. She covers her mouth as she says, “You guys go do something else, we’ll be fine here without you.”
Gage and Thomas look excited to get out of here. Kayden pouts but his stomach grumbles.
“Go get lunch, I’m fine. I don’t need to be babysat,” I grumble. It’s already past 2:00 p.m. now, I forgot how long tattoos can take. Larger ones like half sleeves can even take up to a full working day.
Thomas waves dismissively as he walks toward the cafeteria. “Don’t wander around. Come straight to us when you’re done, gotit?” He taps the back of his neck to remind me that I have a tracker that can kill me if I try to run away. That’s one of the first things they made sure I knew. Although, I have no idea where they think I could possibly run off to. I don’t even remember my own parents, let alone where I once lived.
I nod. “Yeah, yeah. I know.”
Thomas tells her to charge the bill to Lieutenant Erik, and she hums her acknowledgment. The three of them leave, but Mori remains with his arms firmly crossed.
Oh great.
“You too.” I approach him and attempt to push him out. He’s like a brick wall and doesn’t budge a muscle. The effort steals a small gasp from me. My eyes flick up to his. They’re steely and unconvinced.
“I’m perfectly fine staying right here.” His voice is cold and strict.
Kate glowers at him. “She doesn’t want you to see her body, dimwit. Get the fuck out!” she shouts and tosses one of her notebooks at him.
That gets him moving. He catches her art journal and glances down at me, a flash of annoyance drifting over his eyes.
Did hewantto see me?My core warms and I quickly look away so he won’t see the blush forming over my cheeks.
“Fine. Don’t wander around up here, though. Got it?” He waits for me to nod before he reluctantly leaves.
I let out a long breath of relief and shrug out of my hoodie. I lie down flat on the chair, the leather is chilled, making goosebumps form across my arms. I wait for the needle to pierce my skin. She rubs cold wipes down my spine, alcohol I assume by the scent.
“So what’s with the line down your spine? It’s different than what I usually get for a request.” Her voice is warm and so are her hands as she preps my skin.
“I keep seeing this image in my head of cutting someone down their nape all the way to their tailbone and peeling back the skin until their vertebrae is exposed. It’s almost like I’ve seen it a hundred times. The rawness of their bones.” I pause and so do her hands as she steadies the needle on my spine. “That’s why. I just sort of like the idea that we aren’t only what is apparent on the outside. Beneath, we are more, waiting to grow maybe.”
She shudders. “That’s awfully chilling, my dear.”
I chuckle. She’s obviously not aware of what the Dark Forces are or how wicked the people who make up the squads can be, so I don’t expect her to understand. But whatever this vision is, I’m certain it’s a part of my past. A dark longing to see beneath the facades of others.
“Metaphorically of course,” I add so she doesn’t get too concerned about my mental state.
