Young Writers Society

I crossed over to the fridge and began sipping out of the orange juice bottle when I was startled by the screeching of the front gate. I jumped and dropped the jug on the hardwood floor. “Ugh.” I mumbled under my breath. Ignoring the spill, I peered through the windows. To my surprise, there was not a single being outside. 

Now, I didn’t exactly live in a dangerous neighborhood. There were no shootings, robberies, or anything like that, but in a small town like mine people get bored easily. When people get bored in small towns they mainly turn to drugs. That night I wasn’t feeling too up for dealing with anyone who was high or drunk. Just as I turned away from the door I heard another familiar squeak; my bedroom window was opening.

My heart plummeted to my toes. I froze in my steps. My stomach knotted itself all up and I collapsed to the floor. I crawled as quickly and as quietly as I could manage towards the basement door. Sweat began to bead up on my forehead as I slowly reached up to the cool, brass, door knob. Just as I began to turn it, I felt a presence behind me. Before I could turn to see who it was, the kitchen light flicked on and a familiar voice filled the empty air.

“Eleanor? What the hell are you doing?” Laughed Marley. I quickly shot to my feet and straightened my skirt.

“I, well, uh. Why don't you use the front door like a normal person huh?” I exclaimed as I felt my cheeks begin to flush from embarrassment.

“But the front door is so predictable and boring.” Marley groaned then glanced down at the spilt juice, her brows furrowed.

“You scared me!” I explained hotly. Marley giggled and took a seat at the dining table. That was when she withdrew a folded piece of paper from her jeans and spread it out on the table for me to see. The black ink at the top entitled the piece “The Reckless List.” Below it was several different tasks , some of which had lines crossed through them.

The Reckless List:

Get Revenge

Hitch hike  Crash a wedding.

Go skinny dipping

Crash a party  Get arrested  Break into a house

Catch a last minute flight with an unknown destination

Chase a storm  Host a party  Find a missing person

Crowd surf  Discover and explore ruins

Get lost  Get into a fist fight

Hijack someone's day  Pick pocket  Escape a near death situation

Dine and Dash  Save a life  Run from the cops

Get a tattoo  Fall in love

Take a road trip  Learn how to pick locks

“Why are you showing me this?” I asked. Marley pulled a pen out of her hair and crossed off ‘Break into a house’.

“Pick one.” She grinned at me. Puzzled I stared back at her for a bit. “Ugh come on! We don't have all night.”

I couldn't help but continue to stare down at her. Marley looked back up at me expectantly, the freckles below her eyes dotted their way across her nose and cheeks like constellations in the night sky. I quickly averted my attention back to the list. Most of it’s contents were full of things that were impossible for us to do.

“Does it have to be something that hasn’t already been crossed off?”

“Duh.” Marley groaned. She tapped her long nails impatiently on the golden wood. “If you don’t hurry up and pick something I guess I’ll just leave.”

I bit hard on my lower lip in contemplation. “I guess we could get revenge on someone?” I suggested but Marley shook her head no.

“I’m saving that one for the right moment.”

“Okay then. I don’t know Marley, I feel like we don’t know enough about each other yet. Like jesus I just met you today!” As soon as the words escaped my lips a sinister smile crawled across her face.

“How else are we supposed to get to know each other? Come on Eleanor, explore your curiosity!” Marley exclaimed.

“ Curiosity killed the cat.” I reminded her. Marley closed the distance between us and whispered in my ear as if she was telling me the most important secret I would ever encounter.

“And satisfaction brought it back.” She pulled up her sweaters sleeve and on her forearm was the quote, tattooed in thick ink.

That was when a switch flipped in my head. “I need a tattoo.” Marley smiled wide, then sprung into action. She folded up the list and shoved it deep in her pocket while grabbing my hand, rushing me out the door. As she did so she began texting furiously. “Who are you talking to?” I asked, the fear in my chest began to rise up into my throat.

“My tattoo artist duh.” 

***

As I struggled to keep up with Marley’s remarkably long strides- considering how short her legs are- my mind swirled with anxiety. I was about to put something permanent on my skin. What would Mom think? What if I regret it? Can it get infected? My thoughts intensified in waves of fear, crashing against the constraints of my skull. My temples began to throb.

“Can you shut up?” Marley hissed from in front of me. I stopped walking and stared at the back of her head. “No I can't read your mind but, how awesome would that be!” She turned back to face me, her blue eyes piercing me with an intensity that never faltered, even though it was dark out. “Stop worrying love. Breathe, go with the flow. There’s a time to stand against the world and there’s a time to go with it. Now is one of those crucial moments where you just need to let things happen.”

After taking a few deep breaths the worrisome voice crumbled away and we resumed walking towards town. Her feet hit the sidewalk with so much force, a loud smack echoed out with each and every step. I silently sympathized for her poor feet. Suddenly, she darted into a random cafe. I cautiously caught the glass door and peered in before stepping in completely. The whole place was dark except for in the way back, where streams of light flooded out from around a swinging door.

Marley led the way into the back and I followed closely behind now, practically hanging off of her back. The second the door swung open we were blinded by the light. Once my eyes adjusted a tattoo clad man greeted us, while leaning up against the cool steel counter. His jet black hair was slicked back, revealing a forehead tattoo that said ‘Fu*k So*iety’. 

“Hey Jeb! I really appreciate you doing this for us so late.” Marley hugged the man.

“No problems sweets. So what are we doing tonight?” His voice was heavily accented. Why was an Aussie in the middle of nowhere, tattooing minors, in closed cafes?

“This is my friend Eleanor. She’s feeling curious.” Marley looked back at me, signaling that it was my turn to enter the conversation.

“What and where?” Jeb asked as he gave me a once over. I knew what I wanted, but I was scared to ask.

“I was thinking the face of a big cat, but half of it as a skull. Is that too hard or?” I started but Jeb held up a hand to stop me.

“Say no more.” He took me by the hand and led me to a seat. I took off my cardigan and laid it in my lap. “So I was thinking your shoulder or your thigh. You pick.”

“What will hurt less?” I asked nervous to hear the answer. Jeb slapped my leg, then slapped my arm.

“What hurt least?” He asked sincerely, his brown eyes riddled with excitement.

“My thigh.” I answered, while lifting my skirt slightly, exposing my pale leg

I looked up at Marley who seemed the most excited out of us all. I kept eye contact with her knowing that the second I saw the gun nearing me, I would wimp out. She smiled, and held out her hand for me to squeeze. I felt the needle pierce my skin and was glad that I had chosen to look away. I didn’t think it would burn as much as it did.