Page 63 of Burn for Me

My reflection glared back at me in the mirror. The sun had just come up, glinting through the porthole and dancing on my blade.

The tissue covering my mouth was a knotted web of scars. Thicker in some spots, and thinner in others. Grazing my tongue along the inside of what my lips would have been told a similar story. Sealed in all but that one small spot.

Like tree roots, the scars spread up the side of my face, and down over my neck. The memory of feeling my flesh bubbling was still there, my cheek pressed against burning metal as I tried to grasp May’s fingers, her terrible screamsmaking me stay there despite the smell of burning fat and skin.

I’d worn the scars so long I couldn’t picture the face that had existed before them. No matter what, I’d never be handsome. No matter the mornings I spent punishing myself with body weight exercises to give myself a physique intimidating to others. No matter what I wore, not how expensive my cologne was. The first thing everyone saw was my mangled face.

Except Laura. She’d seen past it. She’d pressed her lips against the ugly skin, and smiled up at me like I’d given her the best kiss of her life.

Lifting my blade, I pressed the tip through the gap, avoiding hitting my tongue. The knife was wickedly sharp, more akin to a scalpel than anything else.

Ten shaky inhales later, I still hadn’t mustered the courage to do it. The blade trembled as I applied a little pressure at the corner of my mouth, a singular drop of blood escaping. The tiny cut made me wince.

Withdrawing the knife, I leant against the sink, watching the thin rivulet of blood drip down my chin and land on my bare chest.

A wave of dizziness hit as I gripped the handle of my blade, my hands growing clammy. My pulse thundered.

Come on you useless prick.

One quick cut and you can have Laura against your tongue.

The metal glinted in the light as I raised it to my mouth, opening my jaw wider to stretch the scarred skin. My breath caught as I panted through my nose. Steadying myself, I dragged the edge through the scarred tissue, fighting the scream that I wanted to wail. The skin was tough,and I had to wrestle the blade through it, blood splattering down into the sink. My chest painted red as I neared the other side of my mouth, tears streaming down my cheeks. I inhaled deep.

Through my mouth.

My teeth were coated in bright red blood, but I could SEE them. I ran my tongue along their scarlet covered surfaces, tasting the coppery liquid. Pain radiated, but so did excitement.

A laugh broke free. It was the most ridiculous sound I’ve ever heard, but despite the ache thrumming around my mouth I couldn’t break the smile.

THIRTY-ONE

Laura

The sound of the bedroom door clicking woke me. I rolled over, expecting Phoenix to be beside me, but found the bed empty.

Sitting up, I glanced to my left. I shrieked when Phoenix filled the door, his torso dripping in red.

He moved forward climbing onto the bed and coming toward me, his face breaking into a grin.

‘Oh my god! Phoenix!’

Pressing bloodied fingers to my cheek, he tipped my face up to his. His mouth opened, his torn lips leaking afresh as he did.

‘Laura,’ his voice was a croak, stiff and broken.

Beautiful. His one word was music to my ears.

‘Phoenix,’ I whispered, hardly believing what he’d done. Jagged, torn flesh bleeding with every movement of his mouth. Lifting my fingers, I deftly placed them against his chin, scared the touch wouldhurt him.

‘Why did you do it like this?’ I asked.

His eyes darkened, fingers scooping my chin and pulling my mouth closer to his.

‘I couldn’t… wait another… minute without knowing… what you taste like.’

Heat filled me at the urgency in his words, at the sheer desperation within them.

Our mouths met in coppery embrace, his tongue tentatively seeking mine. It should have disgusted me, but I opened my mouth wider, tasting him, drowning myself in his desire.

---