A Weird Spa Where They Massage You With Needles.
“When you have one of those best friends who takes an idea and runs with it, you might want to be absolutely sure that you want to participate in said idea.Or, be ready to stab a bitch when she won’t let you back out.”~Lola
“Just think,” Lola said.“This will be an adventure.”
“Adventure is good,” Katy offered.“Until you’re left lying in an alley without your kidneys.”
“Thank you for that, Katy.”Lola rolled her eyes.“You’re always a breath of fresh air.”
“And the voice of reason,” Katy added.
Maddie shook her head.“Nope.Sorry, Kat, but you’re as far from the voice of reason as I am from Whitney Houston.”
“Wait.”Lola paused, her feet stopping on the sidewalk.“Youknowyou can’t sing?”
Maddie made a dismissive wave with her hand.“I’m not deaf.Of course, I know I can’t sing.”
“So, why do you do it all the time?”Katy asked.
Maddie smirked.“Does it drive you crazy?”
Lola snorted.“Why is she the way she is?”Lola followed Katy intoWild Ink.
“Because she wasn’t spanked enough as a child,” Katy offered.
Lola sighed.“Hopefully her husband will be more diligent in that matter.”
The door closed behind them, shutting out the sounds of the city.Lola hadn’t been completely sure of what to expect.Perhaps loud rock music and a haze of cigarette smoke?But notthis.
“It looks like we’ve walked into a weird spa,” Maddie said, voicing what Lola was thinking.
They were met with the sounds of nature emanating from hidden speakers in the ceiling and a plethora of wood paneling.“Aweird spa where they massage you with needles,” Lola pointed out.
“Okay, Lo, let go of the needle obsession.”Katy stood nearly in the center of the room.
Lola had been expecting the chairs where the tattoo artists worked to resemble barber chairs, but they looked more like overstuffed recliners.Lola’s brow rose.“This is the most bizarre tattoo parlor I have ever been in.”
“Also, theonlytattoo parlor you’ve ever been in,” Maddie pointed out.
Lola nodded.“True.I shouldn’t be so judgy.”
“Why are there no people?”Katy asked.“This place is supposed to betheplace to get inked.”The shop wasn’t just devoid of patrons.There were no tattoo artists to be seen, either.
Lola looked at her phone.It was only 9:55 in the morning.“It’s a little early.”
“Tattoos do seem more like an after-dark activity, or something done after having a few too many drinks.”Maddie turned in a circle, seeming to take in their surroundings.
Lola shrugged.“Can’t disagree.”She walked forward, her head turning this way and that, taking in the kaleidoscope of magnificent illustrations adorning the walls.A frown creased her forehead as she observed the stark contrast between the displayed artwork and the images that enticed passersby from outside.“We’re definitely not in Kansas anymore, Toto,” she muttered under her breath, her eyes tracing the intricate details of the captivating artwork.“Did you two happen to notice the storefront window?It showed a bunch of burning skulls, hearts pierced by arrows, and the always-cliché barbed-wire bicep bands?”
“Yeah…” Katy looked around.“These are…something else.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
One particular illustration captivated Lola’s gaze, its allure undeniable.Intrigued, she approached, yearning for a closer look.“Now, that’s what I call imagination,” Lola whispered in awe, her eyes fixated on an image depicting a male figure—not merely human.His entire body was enveloped in rich brown hair, his eyes an abyss of jet-black intensity, while jagged fangs dripped with saliva from his menacing mouth.His hands were massive, boasting unnaturally elongated, razor-sharp nails.Broad and muscular, his chest emanated power, and his thighs were sculpted and sinewy beneath a thick layer of fur.“What in the world?”she questioned aloud, momentarily losing herself in the enthralling artwork.Before she even realized it, her hand hovered mere centimeters away, almost instinctively drawn to touch the mesmerizing image.
“Whoa,” Maddie said, making Lola jump and pull her hand back.“I’ve never seen ink like this on anyone.”
“Me either.”Lola breathed out as she continued to stare at the lion man.The tattoos on the guys she’s seen were intricate and incredibly lifelike.But they looked like actual animals.Not this…in betweenthing.
