Population by Elizabeth Stephens

Author:Elizabeth Stephens
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror > Dark Fantasy > Paranormal
ISBN: 9780990870883
Publisher: NubiTales
Published: 2015-11-01T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Kane isn’t there when I wake up. Again. But he does come back with Maggie shortly after I shower to eat breakfast with me. He seems to find the foods I like and don’t like fascinating in a way that makes me feel self-conscious because I’m pretty sure he listens to me chew and makes mental notes in that giant head of his about the weird things that humans do. Or that I do. I can’t be sure. He also has me blushing every other second because despite how hard I try, I can’t forget the feeling of his lips between my legs. I want to feel them again. I want to return the favor, and then explore the rest of him. As such, I’m nearly grateful when Calvin comes to me mid-morning and asks if I’d like one last dance lesson. I accept as a way to escape Kane’s relentless curiosity as well as his taunting lips, and continue tottering awkwardly about in my shoes/death-traps. When I face plant on the dance floor twice, twist my ankle and bruise a shin – still a great improvement from the day before – I’m reminded of why I was only nearly grateful.

Dancing practice ends just after lunch when a younger woman named Lady and another woman named Lanis, who is either Lady’s twin or her doppelganger, shepherd me back to my room. They soak me in fiery hot water, scrub, buff and paint my nails and toes. They wax every last inch of hair off of my body while I protest in rebellion, lather me up in lotion and fit me into particularly skimpy lingerie that has Tasha written all over it. Seated in front of the vanity in only a satin robe, I fidget uncomfortably while the twins work tirelessly at my hair and makeup. Lady cuts my hair into a bob that tapers in the front to frame my face, then Lanis blow dries it. Together, they scrunch up the curls until they’re perfectly springy, before finally twisting and tying my hair up into the most incredible contraption. When they finish, it looks like I’m wearing a crown, though the crown itself is a fluid braid. Curls flutter out to touch my hairline and a few drape down the length of my neck. I nearly choke to death in a cloud of hairspray before Lanis finally stuffs about a thousand pins in my hair to keep everything upright.

The makeup portion of the evening takes another billion hours and has to be applied and then reapplied half a dozen times in order to fit Tasha’s specifications just right. Lady uses silver and black makeup around my eyes and silver blush high on my cheeks. The foundation they use matches my skin tone perfectly and successfully conceals the fading bruises on my jaw line and an old abrasion on my cheek. Just as they conclude by applying dark, blood red lipstick to my mouth, Maggie walks into my – Kane’s – bedroom with Tasha’s dress.

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