ljidol; inkling

[yachiru]

I give blood once a week. It's like an addiction, seeing the red and blue. Almost like we all have a coloring book inside our skins.

My arms are scarred from it. Too many pinpricks, too little time between donation.

I cover up the scars with friendly bandaids. Hello Kitty says there is nothing wrong here move along.

But sometimes I see a red lady. In empty windows. Mirrors. Reflecting from Roderick's eyes.

We're going to be married. At least I think so. He hasn't asked yet.

Roderick meets me at his apartment. We haven't moved in but I practically live here. I have left signs like discarded lipsticks and neatly folded laundry. This is to
show other predators that I have prior claim.

At first, I'm too busy watching his brown hair as he tears through it. I can't hear what he's saying.

I read his lips.

It's over.

I mouth them back.

Really? My hands move, scratching at his face. His blood sprays and he pushes me back, into the mirror behind me.

Glass shatters and my arms hurt. I am an emergency of blood.

Pieces of the red woman are in the mirror, all shouting at once.

I reach for her, my blood sister. Jam pieces of her into Roderick until he stops screaming.

I can teach you, she says.

I want to learn.