𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐊 || 𝐁.𝐄

1

RED INK
introduction

she inspected the pale, freckled skin of her rips and wondered if it had always looked this plain and empty.

the faint outline of her bones poked through the surface, almost like an attempt to crawl their way out of her body. something about it bothered her. it looked too smooth, too clean. the longer she stared at herself, the more she seemed to blend in with the wall behind her.

tracing the contours of her ripcage, she tilted her head. her fingertips drew patterns in no paticular order, featherlight and careful.

she was missing sharp edges and heavy contrasts, something to disturb the peace.

in an instinct, she stopped her fingers midway on her left side and dug her nails into her flesh.

it wasn't painful by any means, yet she enjoyed the light scratch it left lingering. enjoyed the slight patches of redness that decorated the otherwise so dull spot.

she imagined what it would look like adorned with colour. considered if it looked as beautiful as a drawing on a piece of paper. because that what bodies were to her after all, blank canvases and unfinished artworks.

her eyes examined every inch of her exposed frame, every faded scar and every vein that shimmered through her skin.

something in the back of her head told her that black ink would be too violent, too aggressive. maybe too desperate even.

the pinkish-redness of her harsh touch had something endearing to it, she decided. 

and at the same time, she knew that this was probably something she wouldn't pay any more attention to. something she'd forget about as the weeks went on until it was just a forgotten glimpse of an idea.

but for once, she was wrong. it almost haunted her in a way that guilt or regret would. creeping behind every corner like a faceless shadow. 

it was nearly unbearable. so obstinate, that she found herself in a small tattoo shop around the corner just two weeks later. and the buzzing of every needle that filled the room finally seemed to scratch that itch that she was unable to reach.

she waited at the front door, playing with her hands, picking at her nailpolish. swayed her balance from one foot to another.

she stared at the ground that was a dark wooden laminate, old and used but charming nonetheless.

"how can i help you?"

usually she didn't like raspy voices, was more drawn to soft spoken words. but this one, which belonged to a stunning woman as she found out a second later, felt practically like a hug on a cold day.

it threw her off. the tone of the voice, the dark blue hair and the plethora of tattoos covering- yes, nearly drowning- her skin. 

it took her a second to swallow and resond.

"i wanna get a tattoo."

the woman in front of her looked around the room filled with sketches and numerous colours of ink in an almost mocking way.

"yeah no shit," she smiled, presenting her pearly white teeth, "what do you have in mind?"

she cleared her throat, trying to get rid of the scratching that hindered her to speak.

"something red... on my rib," she rambled, "i thought maybe a snake, in red ink." and she saw the tattoo artist raise an eyebrow in amusement.

"we can do that," the taller woman confirmed, a hand absently flipping her blue hair to the other side, "i'll need your name and date of birth please."

the smaller one didn't answer right away, as if she had to think about it for a moment.

"lana," she then managed to respond, merely above a murmur, "and it's the 9th of october."

the other one smiled as she looked at today's date.

"so only a week away, huh?"

she nodded, though she didn't truly care about her birthday.

"so is this some kind of early birthday present?" the tattoo artist asked further.

lana played with one of her dark brown curls and shook her head.

"not really," she glanced around the room, a little lost, as if her next words would fly around in the air, "more of a unfulfilled need of change."

she heard the other laugh, like she was familiar with that need. "yeah, i get that." she admitted as she rolled up her sleeves to reveal even more colourful splashes of ink.

her arms were covered, entirely from her hands to the hem the shirts fabric, and lana was sure there were lots and lots more of them under the piece of clothing.

the tattoos poked out from under her collar too, raking their way up over her collarbones and pulse point.

it was mesmerizing, how there were so individually placed on her skin and yet creating a full picture.

she was a good few inched taller than lana, in baggy sweatpants, decorated with various chains and rings and just so damn attractive.

"my name's billie, by the way." she introduced herself as they made their way back to the tattooing room; a cozy place with candles lit and tattoo designs scattered all over.

"make yourself comfortable," billie instructed while cracking her knuckles, "so red, you said?"

lana nodded again, nervous, couldn't deny how good billie looked as she picked out different kinds of needles and gloves.

"would suit you," the blue haired woman assured, "do you already have any tattoos?"

her aura was calming, radiating something so peaceful.

"no, i don't." the brunette answered shortly, toying with the dainty necklace that hung around her neck.

billie smirked again, and at this point lana just thought it was such a billie-thing to do.

"so i'll be your first then."

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the prologue, ladies and gentlemen
sincerely, depression can suck and choke on my huge dick😙