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"Follow me, hun."

After that small interaction with Calix, I was taken away by an older ginger haired woman. The woman had had a shapless figure which was twine-thin. Her waist was tapered and she had a burnished complexion. A pair of arched eyebrows looked down on sweeping eyelashes. Her delicate ears framed a large nose.

She ushered me into a room, that appeared to be a beauty area with the wave of her hand. "In here, sweetie. Take a seat right there," she said as she pointed to the steel black chair in the center of the room.

The chair sat straight in front of a clean clear mirror.

As I hoisted myself onto the rather high chair, I began to acknowledge my appearance.

My knotted onyx hair straddled the small of my back & was stringy from it's contact with cold water. My eyes gleamed with a hint of sincerity as if they told a story I couldn't. There was a scratch on my lip that stretched from my nose to my chin. Deep enough to leave a scar.

"I'm Celia, by the way. Who might you be?" Celia cheered happily, throwing on black latex gloves and an apron as she tied her bright orange hair into a messy bun.

"Faye," I spoke softly. Intrigued by her pure demeanor, I squinted my eyes at her in hopes to see through her guise. Compared to everyone else I've encountered so far, she's the kindest one.

"Such a beautiful name. Well, Faye. I've received strict orders from boss on what is needed to be done to alter your appearance. Nothing too major, just a couple of small changes."

I nodded in response, and kept my gaze low. Shortly after, Celia began to blow dry my hair, followed by the endless sounds of snipping scissors.

Then she removed all of the jewelry from me. Which only consisted of small pearl earrings, two gold rings and simple gold chain with a square pendant.

Celia picked up a clear plastic object, that I knew all too well. Slowly dragging the small toy like object to the septum of my nose, a small click and a wave of pain hit me. I scrunched my nose, and furrowed my eyebrows in retaliation.

"One last thing and we're finished, dear. Though I dread this process as much as you, I advise you to mentally and physically prepare yourself. As she stepped aside and pressed a red button on the side of the white vanity, three large guards came almost immediately.

Two of them began to hold me down as the other held up a tattoo gun. The drill moved relentlessly as he held it up towards me. The man yanked my head and forced it to the right side of the room.

Followed by him forcing the needle onto my neck.

I've had experiences with tattoos guns and my pain tolerance was quite high, so I just shut my eyes tightly and clenched my fists together.

Eventually, the man let go of my head and turned the tattoo gun off. I thought it was over but unfortunately for me.. it wasn't.

Without pause, another younger woman brought in a hot iron bar and handed it to the man whom previously tattooed my neck.

"What the fuck are you gonna do with that?" I shrieked. The man ignored me and roughly forced me on my side.

He pulled the white underwear Celia provided me with down slightly, and forced the hot iron onto my bruised skin.

I screamed in agony as the bar glided against my skin. I thrusted uncontrollably as the guards held me down tightly.

Fortunately, as soon as it started it was over.

The guards let go, and they all walked out. Celia strutted back over gloomily and offered a small smile of support. She turned around and grabbed a jar of ointment for the still burning scar on my right hip.

The cold substance hit my skin, and relief washed over me instantly. I let out a breathy sigh, and sucked my teeth slightly.

Celia handed me a small mirror to let me look at my appearance.

Bangs obscured my eyes like a sheepdog, and my black hair no longer cascaded down my back. Instead, it stopped just below my chin.

Previously, the texture was limp and stiff. However, it now sprawled out voluminous and nourished.

I hate to admit it but..

I look the fuck good.

Giggling at my internal monologue, I stretched the mirror over to the side of my neck observing the drawn on ink.

The tattoo was a spider, that draped down from a thin web. The web was slightly hidden in my hair and gave it a beautiful effect.

I actually liked it. Seems like something I would've gotten on my own time.

I raised a brow, and made my way down to the bruising on my hip. I grimaced at the sight, and continued to observe it. It was the outline of a snake twisting around a double action revolver.

"Faye, I did enjoy you. Probably the best I've dealt with. So before I send you off, I have to leave you with the attire they provided you with," Celia explained.

She motioned into the changing room at the back of the makeup area.

I hopped up from the high chair and limped towards the door. The bruise on my hip leaving no justice in my physical capabilities.

The outfit that hung next to the full body mirror was quite revealing. It consisted of a black body suit, and a long leather jacket. There were straps and holsters that assumed went with the body suit.

Lastly, I was greeted with small heeled over the knee boots to top it off.

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After awhile of twisting and turning, I managed to put every strap into its rightful place. I threw on the leather jacket and turned towards the mirror.

Let's just say, hot is an understatement.

I brushed my hands over the curves of my waist and draped them down to the bump of my hips. With a spin on my heel, I turned towards the door and slowly paced back to where Celia resided.

"My word! You look absolutely breathtaking, honey! Calix is just a man with a good eye, hm," Celia praised pulling me forward quickly.

"Well, my dear .. looks like our time is up," Celia began with a saddened look. "A word of advise before we part," Celia continued.

"Do not take any offers from them. Keep your head low and your mouth shut. No running. It'll only bring you a step closer to death."

"Lastly, never give up and fight till the end." Celia whispered lowly, glancing around as if someone were listening in on us.

I nodded, and muttered a small thank you with a toothless smile.

The door slammed open and I was dragged out by the same large man from before. I couldn't see any of their faces, as they were clothed with a black ski mask and another black face mask over it.

The man silently ushered me into a room further away from the previous ones, and slammed the door on his way out.

I continue to walk deeper into the dark and desolate room and I feel a wintery chill lingering on the air. I hear nothing but a soft whistle of wind coming from an unknown source.

The sour scent of stale lavender arises from a lonely incent stick in the corner and dances all around me. A taste of decomposing flowers abrubtly hits my mouth, as if I'd taken a bite or two of a rotting rose bush.

Suddenly, I see a shadow emerge from the darkness. I stop still, clenching my heart and hoping this is all just a dream... My brain tells my body to run for the door but I am paralysed by fear and can not move an inch. As this gloomy force approaches me assuredly, bright ceiling lights flicker on with a click.

That's when I noticed I'm trapped inside a glass box, as well as the other individuals before. We're lined up a large circle, all dressed in different attire. Some with buzz cuts, others with layers and bright exotic colors. Each outfit was consisted either white black, or crimson red.

Calix's deep voice began on the center intercom with the clear of his throat.

"Ladies and gentlemen..," He began..

"Welcome to the Thinning."