Hyacinth

My feet pound on the pavement as I run without thought, holding Apollo tucked into my shirt. I duck into a shop and slam the door shut behind me, I sag against it. I don't know who that man in the park was, but I had to get away. When I first saw him, I was impressed with what I saw, then he started smelling me which was just creepy, and I don't know if I would have got away without Apollo protecting me.

"Hey, are you alright?"

Looking up I see a young man coming around the desk, I tense up momentarily, he has the cold icy aura of a vampire, his body language is non threatening and the concern in his eyes genuine so I relax slightly.

"No, that man he..."

Glancing out the window I can't see him on the street.

"Come on."

Holding out his hand he helps me up and leads the way into one of the back rooms. It's a tattoo room. A woman is wiping down the tattoo equipment, she has a warm but strong aura, its a colour I rarely saw, that of a psychic.

"Dahlia. This young lady needs a safe place for a while."

Silent communication passes between them and with a quick kiss for Dahlia he quickly leaves the room.

"I'm Dahlia. Come sit down." She patted the tattoo chair.

"I don't mean to impose."

"Hush, would you like a drink?"

"Thank you but I have a bottle in my bag."

I sit, placing my bag on my lap, taking out my bottle I gulp a few large mouthfuls and open Apollo's compartment. Setting my bottle beside me I undo the top buttons of my shirt, reach in and coax Apollo out of my bra, lifting him I check for injury, looking through the coils I see Dahlia staring at him and gently place him into his compartment, ensuring that the zip is tightly sealed.

"He is my companion, completely harmless."

"You're comfortable having that..." She waved her hand in the direction of my bag and shuddered. "Snake, down your shirt."

"I don't mind, it kept him safe while I was running."

"Why were you running?"

I take another sip from my bottle, this time enjoying the subtle refreshing flavours from the mint and cucumber I had put in the water. Taking a moment, I decided to trust her, after all I trusted my intuition.

"I was in the park, a man appeared in front of me. He... he just started smelling me, if Apollo hadn't defended me, I don't know what would have happened."

"Apollo?"

"My companion." I placed my hand on the top of my bag. "He has helped me so much."

"Is he your familiar?"

"No," I glanced down at the bag with an affectionate smile. "I guess he is similar to a witch's familiar but I'm not a witch."

Standing I look at the artwork on the walls, I need to change the direction of the conversation, an idea that had been sitting in the back of my mind lights up.

"Is this your work?" She nods. "Could you design me a tattoo?"

"Yes, what do you want?"

"I don't know. I have wanted a tattoo for years, but I've never been able to decide on what I want." I can see the hesitation on her face. "I know I can trust you, a psychic to design the best tattoo for me."