Branded
A few days later.
Columbia moseyed down the hallway in her pajamas, humming to herself. The carpet felt so soft between her toes, and the early morning light streaming through the dusty windows felt so warm. She yawned, running her hands through messy, unwashed hair, and smiled when her hands stopped at the locket around her neck. Today was going to be a good day.
Normally at this time in the morning, she was lying asleep in Frank's arms, dreadfully hung over, but feeling more safe and secure than she'd ever felt back at home. But this morning was different—she'd left the warmth of his bed early to plan something special, something nice for Frank. She had no idea what it was going to be yet, but she was sure she had at least few hours to figure it out before Frank woke up.
But she started to worry, as she always did. Would he remember? Deep down inside, she feared that he wouldn't. Of course, she couldn't know for sure…they had just met a month ago, and she didn't know him very well. She liked to think that she was in love. She liked to think that their anniversary would mean as much to Frank as it meant to her. But that might be wishful thinking.
She suddenly felt the urge to use the restroom. In addition to relieving herself, she realized that she needed to check the state of her neck.
"A classy broad never shows her hickies," Columbia muttered to herself, heading towards the bathroom.
She entered the bathroom and saw Riff Raff sitting on the toilet.
"AHH!" Columbia shrieked.
"AHH!" Riff Riff covered his face with his hands.
"Jesus Christ!" she yelled, slamming the door, "lock the freakin' door next time!" Magenta's brother was certainly one of the strangest people she'd ever encountered. He seemed nice…enough. But his creepy side smile, his long, stringy blonde hair, and his gnarled fingers frightened her, to a degree. She tried to avoid him whenever possible.
Columbia sat against the wall. After a few minutes, Magenta walked down the hallway.
"Hey," Columbia said.
"Columbia, you haven't seen my brother this morning, have you?" Magenta asked.
"Yeah. He's been hogging the bathroom for like, an hour," Columbia replied. Magenta snapped to attention.
"What?"
"Can you tell him to hurry up so I can pee?"
Magenta pressed herself against the door and knocked hurriedly.
"Riff Raff, open the door."
There was silence. Magenta softened.
"It's me. Let me in."
Riff Raff opened the door a crack and peeked out at Magenta. He made a low whimpering sound. His eyes were wild.
"HOLY—" Columbia shrieked.
"Leave us, Columbia!" Magenta hissed menacingly. She opened the door and slipped inside.
"Wha—?" Columbia gawked at the closed door and threw her hands in the air. "Fucking weirdos," she swore to herself.
She spotted a mirror down the hall and headed towards it.
"Mirror, mirror, on the wall,"she murmured as she somberly gazed at her reflection. I'd be prettier if my nose was just a little bit... She tugged and pulled the skin on her face. And my brows are just…ugh. She sighed again. I wish…Her eyes trailed down to her neckline. She had love bites. Lots of them.
"Yikes." She brushed her finger over a deep purple, tender bruise and winced. She checked the drawer underneath the mirror and of course, there wasn't any makeup. As she carefully examined each bite, she felt herself become fuzzy inside, and a bit flustered. She smiled at herself in the mirror. She had covered the bites up for the first few weeks, but now…she didn't mind them. Strangely enough, she liked them. Frank had marked her, branded her as his own. She was his.