Page 20 of Hooves & HeartStrings

“It could be fun!”

We just stare at her trying to figure out if she’s serious or not. The way she’s looking at us in return tells me she is indeed very serious.

“I’m not writing to some axe murderer.” Posey grabs a new drink and opens it.

“Fine. I’ll just do it alone then. You know I love a good bad boy.” Mindy starts scrolling on her phone, no doubt looking for the sexiest prisoner she can find to write.

“We should get tattoos!” Posey offers.

“I don’t know about that.” I’m not sure if there’s anything I want on my body permanently, I’ve never put much thought into it.

“We could do something for the four of us! Or you could get a hoofprint, Marley. Commemorate this summer. Your first love, forever!” Posey squeals like this is the best idea ever.

This drink must already be hitting me because I’m finding myself not hating the idea. I’d always have a part of Luci with me. And somehow that makes me feel better. If anyone has an issue with it, I’ll plead momentary insanity by heartbreak.

“Okay. Find a shop.”

“No fucking way,” Stacy hollers, grabbing her phone and clicking away. “Done!”

“That fast?” I ask.

“Yeah. I’ll drive, come on.”

We pile into Stacy’s car, drinks still in hand. Let’s pray we don’t get pulled over and caught with open containers.

“Replay” by Iyaz picks up where we left off and Stacy pulls out onto the road taking us to whatever shop she found to take us to last minute.

We pull up to a tattoo parlor, and the neon sign of The Ink Den flickers above, casting a glow onto the dimly lit street. With bubbling excitement, we step out of the car, giggling uncontrollably.

Stacy ushers us out onto the sidewalk and the faint aroma of coffee from the neighboring café tickles my nose.

As we enter, the atmosphere inside is incredibly cool. Vibrant artwork covers the walls, while the constant buzzing of tattoo machines fills the air.

My eyes are immediately drawn to the figure behind the counter. His tall and imposing figure is adorned with intricate tattoos, but what captures my attention the most is his face—a skull with eyes that shimmer like onyx.

“Welcome,” he greets us with a voice that rumbles like thunder. “What can I do for you ladies today?”

Stacy steps forward. “We’re here for some ink.”

“What are we getting?”

I gather my courage and step forward. “I want a centaur hoof print on my hip.”

Like a gentle rumble, his soft chuckles echo through the room. “A Monster’s girl, huh?”

I shrug, my lips curling into a small smile. “I was, but he left. But I want to remember him.”

A silent understanding passes between us as his expression softens. “Whatever you want, babe,” he replies, his voice gentle. “You’re paying me, so it’s up to you.”

With a grateful nod, I confidently approach the desk to sign the form he smoothly slides across. As I lean in, I can’t help but steal a closer look at his face. His face is indeed made of bone, no skin, and while it was shocking at first, there’s a certain beauty in its uniqueness.

“Alright let’s go to my chair,” Skull Face says.

I follow him to his chair and climb into the seat, settling in as he takes his place opposite me. I adjust my skort, pulling it down slightly to expose my hip, making it easier for him to work. I can't believe I’m really going to do this.

Leaning back into the chair, I close my eyes, listening to the rhythmic buzz of the tattoo gun. The sensation of the needle piercing my skin sends prickles of excitement coursing through me, a mixture of pain and pleasure.

I breathe through the discomfort, focusing on the end result, the permanent mark that will remind me of Luci forever.

---