The Berserker

Chapter 2

Maya's group showed up a few minutes late, and I could see she was ready to blow a fuse. Despite that, she continued explaining the science behind the water show while the rest of her group managed the technical aspects of it.

The water rained down in separate streams, and when they played the music, the streams moved breaking apart or reforming together. It was pretty cool I had to admit. I clapped as Maya concluded the demonstration. After hopping off the stage, Maya ran to me and dragged me away from her booth.

"Don't you have to stay and help?" I asked.

"It's their turn to contribute. I did my part, now I can go relax and watch Chelsea's show." Maya's tone slowly turned from bitter to cheerier and I nodded in agreement.

Chelsea's art display was located in the gymnasium where the lights were turned off. I made sure that Maya was close to me when we entered and watched her presentation. It was based on the images created by light and how they could be reflected to create a whole image. Both Chelsea and Maya had amazing presentations, and they were amazing to watch.

It was eight-thirty now, and I had to leave if I wanted to make it to work on time.

"Maya, thank you for inviting me to watch. It was cool watching your presentation." I said to her as I stood outside her booth.

"I'm so glad you could make it." Maya gave me a hug and I embraced her quickly.

"I am too. I wish you luck with the rest of your presentations. To Chelsea as well since I can't say it to her face to face."

"Yeah, see you this weekend?" Maya asked before I started walking away.

"See you this weekend," I nodded in acknowledgement before I turned returning to my car.

I drove back to the tattoo shop in twenty minutes the traffic slightly better than leaving it. There were many people in the lounge waiting to get their tattoos, and I walked over to the list checking if any of them were my customers. None of them were, and I went to find Rob.

"Rob, I'm back," I called out to him letting him know.

I waited a bit knowing the he would come out and give me instructions. I stared at him as he poked his head out from one of the tattoo rooms.

"Start from Dane and continue onwards," he said before going back inside. I sighed turning around and checking the list again before calling out his name.

"Dane Ward." He stood up and I beckoned him to come in for his appointment. He took off his shirt placing it on the hook behind the door then sitting on the stool. I prepped the shootin iron with black ink while I talked to him, "What's the tattoo you would like to get? Colours too please."

"Dragon coiled on my arm the head on the shoulder. No colour."

"Understood."

Hours passed and I moved on to the next appointments prepping and doing my best work. There was a rhythm I had to working, and it included no talking. I warned the clients before that and they agreed to it.

Seven-thirty arrived, and I finished up with a flower emblem tattoo on a man's back. I put it down, and I helped him put on his shirt making sure it didn't unnecessarily graze the sensitive skin. I cleaned up my work room washing all of the needles and ink splatters if there were any. I closed the door heading to the lounge area where Rob was just saying bye to my customer.

"Night B - Rob. I'll see you tomorrow." I waved and he grunted in response engrossed in calculating his money. I walked out inhaling fresh air only to grimace at the smell of a cigarette. I looked to my right and saw Jesse smoking it calmly looking up at the dark blue sky.