An Occupational Hazard

"That color doesn't suit you well..." His deep voice surprises me yet again, and I nearly spill the whiskey that I'm pouring into his glass.

I look up at from the task at hand to see him studying my bruised face. I feel anger nagging me, and I feel the urge to snap at him.

"I didn't exactly pick it myself... It's just my place in this new world.." I manage to hide the bitter tone threatening to seep into my voice. He narrow his green eyes at me ever so slightly.

He ever so slowly sits up straight, and gets to his feet, and with that one movie he grows to a menacing giant. I step back to allow him more room, and myself more of a chance to get away.
His every move seems calculated. He is approaching me like I a wounded animal, and I don't care for it one bit.

He raises his unbraced hand and places it on my shoulder facing towards the heavens. From the corner of my eye, I can see him carefully grasping a strand of my strawberry blonde hair between two calloused fingers.

"It doesn't have to be that way..."