Tattoos

Chapter 3

       I step out of my car in front of my Initiation address. 637 Cortview Circle. A small hut, which I assume is the place, shadows in front of me. Walking into the small waiting room I'm greeted by a young receptionist who looks to be about 20-ish years old. I tell her hello and sign myself it.

~20 minutes later~

       The door opens revealing a young boy, who introduces himself as Carter. He tells me the he is my artist, the one who decides my hate and my love.  He shows me his certification, and that he received it when he was 17. He's 23 now and this is his 42nd person that he is tattooing. I sit down in this small chair in Carter's 'office'. 

"So how are you today?" Carter politely asked. He cleans his small tattoo needle and clears away the wipes and colors from his last initiation.
"I'm alright, how are you?" I reply. He smirks whilst choosing my colors carefully.
"Ah, mighty polite of you to ask. Same shit different day." He says, a little bite hidden in his voice. I glance over at the color he has chosen. A color that is almost black but a little too light. Carter asks me to wipe down my wrists and to pick up my blindfold. I do ask he asks and sit back down in the small and uncomfortable chair. He helps to tie the blindfold around my face and tests it to make sure I cannot see. I flinch when the needle buzzes to life and Carter asks my pain tolerance . It's alright and first contact with the needle hurts, about twenty minutes after I don't even feel the pain anymore.

        Carter continues to wipe away the ink after each full swipe with the needle. I figure it's been about an hour since this session has started. Carter briefly stands up and stretches.

"You can stand up if you want to." He murmurs. I quickly take up his offer and stand carefully to my feet. My legs are cramping and my body wobbles.
"I've finished your first tattoo and if you don't mind I need you to wipe down your other wrist please." Carter says. I oblique and quickly wipe down my wrist. Another hour gone by and I'm finished my initiation. Carter places small cover patches across my wrists and tells me not to take them off for at least a solid week.  Letting my tattoos heal and set into my skin. He smiles and waves as I leave his office. I quietly thank him.

       I get into my car and turn on the radio. I turn my phone on and am immediately bombarded with texts from Jace. I drive away towards my house and leave Jace's texts for when I get home. I'm tired and hungry. As I pull into my driveway I look at the time, 8:36 p.m. I shut off my car and walk up my driveway. Unlocking my door I step inside my quiet and cold house. I turn on the heat and crash onto my couch. I pull a blanket over my now shivering body and turn on the t.v. Soon enough my eyelids win the war and they shut leaving me to my own thoughts and utter darkness as sleep washes over me.