The Raven - Final Episode
By Paulette Hampton...He sat behind her again and the familiar smell of his citrus and patchouli cologne subtly filled her nose. She slipped her spaghetti strap off her shoulder...
ICYMI:
Episode Three: Definitely Me
The next weekend, Elizabeth appeared at the tattoo shop again.
“Good to see you,” said Magic Man. “How’s your raven tattoo?”
Elizabeth smiled and showed him the back of her hand. The tattoo was still intact.
“Did anyone at the library comment on it?”
“They did! They loved it!” Elizabeth beamed. “Especially the kids. It was a great way to segue into talking about Poe.”
“Very cool!”
“Well, today is the day to get an actual tattoo.” Elizabeth clenched her fists with excitement. “Leslie is running a little late, but we can get started.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Elizabeth blushed. “You can’t cage the raven once it’s free.”
“Is that so?”
She nodded.
“Have a seat.”
He sat behind her again and the familiar smell of his citrus and patchouli cologne subtly filled her nose.
She slipped her spaghetti strap off her shoulder, allowing him easy access. Her skin was pale and delicate.
“I’ll be honest, this is gonna hurt.”
“Sometimes something beautiful is worth a little pain,” Elizabeth said.
Magic Man chuckled. “I couldn’t agree with you more.”
Elizabeth heard the tattoo machine buzz.
“You’ll have to be still.”
She nodded slowly.
The needle pierced her flesh in tiny, multiple punctures. Her eyes widened, surprised and frightened by the sensation.
“Oh, wow! That hurts.”
Magic Man leaned back, stopping the machine.
“Are you going to be okay?”
Elizabeth sucked in her breath. “Yes. I will.”
Magic Man started again.
“I need something to get my mind off of this,” Elizabeth breathed. “Tell me more about your spirit guide.”
“It’s kinda embarrassing.”
“That makes it even more intriguing.” Elizabeth forced a light tone in her voice. “I’m about to fly out of this chair so anything distracting would be welcomed.”
“I have a thing for redheads so it’s no surprise that she appears in my dreams.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks warmed.
“And in the dream, she’s unattainable. I like ladies out of my league.”
“You have great insight into this.”
“Nah, I just know what I like.”
“Why redheads?”
“I just think of them as a little spicey.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I guess I proved your theory wrong.”
“Not at all.” He smiled and stopped the tattoo machine. “Your spice was a little more hidden.”
She turned to him as he wiped some of the ink from her shoulder.
“You think so?”
He leaned in. His breath was warm and minty. “I know so.” His fingers lingered on her shoulder.
“Sorry I’m late!” Leslie entered the studio. “Now let’s get this done!”
“Yes, ma’am!” Magic Man straightened his back and turned on the machine.
Elizabeth eyed her friend.
“What?” Leslie shrugged.
“I’m going to get another tattoo soon, Leslie,” Elizabeth announced.
“Really?” Leslie sat in a chair across from her. “I’m surprised.”
Elizabeth grinned. “This one will be of a raven.”
“Huh?” Leslie frowned. “That doesn’t sound like you at all.”
“Oh,” she exchanged a glance with Magic Man. “it’s definitely me!”
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Paulette Hampton holds a Masters in Reading Education and is a multi-genre writer. She is the author of the YA paranormal novel Of the Lilin, the memoir When Life was Yellow: A Memoir of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and a sci-fi novella entitled Singing to the Fere Moon. Her poems have appeared in Immortal Hymns Rewritten Realms, Secret Attic, WildSound, and elsewhere. She loves to draw and spend time with family and friends. She lives with her husband and two cats in North Carolina. paulettehampton42.wixsite.com/website.
A perfect ending, it opened up my imagination
Really liked this ending. I wanted to read more. A good sign!