Rule 4: Get a tattoo

Yesterday, after dinner. Mom and dad had gone to their own bedroom, leaving you with Gwenn for the night. She’d tried to take you with her, but she failed. After a quick fight, you’d managed to lock yourself in your room again. The night had been free of any more rules, until the moment the sun woke you up.

‘Rule 4: Get a tattoo at the tattoo shop across the street. I picked you a beautiful big one, so be prepared ;)’

You felt like crying. A tattoo was permanent. You never liked them. And what if you couldn’t follow the rules this month? Then you were stuck with whatever this bitch decided for you. No, you couldn’t think like that. You’d be prepared to go double or nothing. You could do this. You were NOT having a baby, and you were NOT staying in this body. This rule was going to be easy. It had to be.

With trembling hands, you dress in a baggy sweatshirt and your now skin-tight sweatpants from when you were still a guy. Your boxers didn’t really fit, and you didn’t have a bra but everything was better than having to borrow something from your sister.

Still trembling, you walk out of your room and to the shop. You breathe deeply to calm your heart. You try to swallow the lump in your throat. It didn’t really work.

‘Oh, hi there, you must be Lauren!’ The girl at the service desk smiles friendly. You greeted her back and she started explaining the procedure to you.

All expenses had been paid for by a woman on the phone, and the design was already with the artist.

‘Jack is already waiting for you. He’s behind that door.’

‘Thank you, eh, Valetta.’ You read from her name-tag.

‘Oh, and Lauren?’

You look up at her eyes. They were black like ink.

‘I think it’s amazing what you’re doing.’ Valetta winked.

You awkwardly smiled and pushed at the door. It was crazy heavy. Or maybe it was just you. It kept surprising you how much weaker this body was.

‘Lauren right?’ A grumpy black man was sitting at a table. There was no color in this room. Everything was black, except for the man's clean gloves and the bright ceiling lamps.

‘Just undress and lie down at the table.’ He grumped.

You waggle towards him and sit down. There were no straps, in fact, the table was pretty comfy.

‘So, first time here?’

You nod.

‘Well, I can’t say I don’t like the design of this.’ Jack stepped towards you with some of his inking equipment.

‘A pussy tattoo you wanted? So are these pants still on? Shirt goes off too. I can’t work like this, lady.’

‘A... a pussy tattoo?’ You stutter.

Jack looks at you with a grin on his face.

‘Oh, it was a surprise? Sorry, I spoiled it for ya.’

You close your eyes and lean back on the table. ****. Don’t fight. Don’t run. You can do this. This wasn’t your body anyway. You just had one question to ask him.

‘Will it hurt?’

You hear a click, then feel the cold steel on your skin as Jack begins to ink. ‘Depends. Now stay still so I can do my job.’