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I let her walk inside first, just in case, not wanting to get stabbed again. She led me to the living room and sat on the couch, patting the space next to her.

"Come, it's better to talk while comfortably seated."

I didn't sit, instead observing her. "What was the thing you wanted to show me?"

She chuckled. "Hmm, are you really ready to see?"

Her nonchalant attitude just frustrated me more. "Yes, go on with it."

"Be careful what you wish for." she replied as I saw her grab the back of her neck and started pulling. I thought of how painful it'd be, but, after a few seconds, her skin was distending like a mask.

I froze as she removed her head like it was a hood, revealing a translucent reddish skull with eyeballs floating in some sort of jelly-like blue skin.

"What the fuck?!" I screamed, taking a step back, utterly terrified by the sight.

"Heh, ain't I pretty?" Dahlia, or whatever name the creature had, giggled, but, far from the sensual yet cute voice I heard until now, it was a creepy voice, always changing in tone.

"That, handsome, is our fate. As time goes on, our original skin starts to break. And the more you stay outside another skin, the faster the process is. In a few months at most, you will end up just like me, and it's something you won't be able to escape from. This is why we need to wear another person's skin."

My heart was beating faster and my breathing was more erratic as panic was overwhelming me. I could have learnt to deal with what she said earlier, that unnatural cold and the depression. But completely losing my identity? Being **** to steal someone else's life no matter what? I couldn't fathom living a life like this.

As I was starting to have a breakdown, I glanced back at her. "I-Is there a cure? A way for me to return to normal?"

She snickered as she wore Dahlia's face again. "No, the only cure is the sweet embrace of ****."

I took deep breaths, doing my best to remain focused despite the despair I was feeling.

"W-why… did you turn me?"

She crossed her legs and looked away. "I'll be honest, I mostly did it out of boredom. You seemed like the honest chivalrous type, I thought it'd be interesting to see how you'd adapt."

I couldn't believe what I just heard. It was such a petty and stupid reason.

I clenched my fists, grinding my teeth as rage was flaring up inside me. "You ruined my life because you were bored!?"

"Also out of curiosity. You're the first 'child' I made. But before saying I ruined your life, think of the possibilities your newfound abilities offer you."

"What are you talking about?" These powers seemed to be purely selfish and evil ones, I didn't see any other possibility to use them.

The doorbell rang and Dahlia immediately jumped out of the couch. "Ah, she's here!" She seemed excited like a child in a toy store.

"Who's here?" I asked, confused.

"My friend, of course. I asked her to come. You haven't tried your powers yet, right?"

I instantly understood what she meant and narrowed my gaze. "I'm not gonna skin someone."

"Just try it, at least. You can always fix her back afterwards, no harm done."

Before I could protest more, she jogged towards the entrance and opened the door.

"Hi Laura, I'm so glad to see you!"

"We saw each other this morning, Dahl. What's the important thing you wanted to talk about?" Another, deeper voice replied. It was the kind of voice you'd expect from a rock singer.

She returned shortly after, followed by who I assumed was Laura. She was a girl almost a head taller than Dahlia, giving very different vibes. Dahlia seemed to prefer vibrant colors and flashy girly clothes, but Laura was sporting a simpler, more androgynous look, with slim jeans and a checkered shirt, her most feminine clothes being a pair of black flats. Her auburn straight hair barely reached her shoulders, she wasn't wearing much makeup, and I noticed a few piercings on her ears and one on her lower lip.

"Who's that, Dahl? I imagine he's not your boyfriend." Laura asked as she spotted me.

"Obviously." Dahlia giggled. "No, he's just a good friend. Ed, this is Laura, my best friend." She was behind Laura and stared me in the eyes, her face betraying how much she wanted me to skin her friend. "Make yourself comfortable, Ed and I are gonna grab some snacks in the kitchen, it might be a long conversation."

She pulled my arm and made me follow her.

Once we got out of view, she pinned me against the wall and whispered in my ear. "I'll distract her, use the spines and stab her in the neck, your new skinwalker instincts will do the rest. Do it and wear her even for a minute and I won't bother you with that ever again if that's your wish. No matter what, you need to learn how to use your abilities, I don't want my first child to die because of his pride. And, once you do wear her, you'll understand what I meant by your newfound possibilities."