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Plague Michael Grant 16990K 2023-09-01

"There’s a sprayer I’ll wash your hair" Diana turned on the nozzle, tested the water temperature, and played it over Penny’s lank hair

She worked in shampoo until it foamed

"Just like the hair salon," Penny said

"Yeah Probably where I’ll end up working someday," Diana said

"Nah, not you, you’re too smart," Penny said She had closed her eyes Diana rinsed shampoo down Penny’s face and neck "Beautiful and smart and you have Caine all to yourself now, don’t you?"

Diana sighed "I’m a loser, Penny Same as you"

Caine burst in He looked startled "I heard screa"

"Oh, sorry about that," Penny snarled "I hope I didn’t wake you up, you piece of--"

"You okay?" Caine asked Diana

"She’s perfect," Penny said "Perfect hair, perfect teeth, perfect skin Plus she has legs that work, which is really cool"

"I’m out of here," Caine said

"No," Diana said, "Help me lift her back out"

"Yeah, Caine, don’t you want to see s Just don’t look at them Because they’ll kind of make you sick"

To Diana’s surprise Caine said, "Whenever you’re ready"

Diana popped the drain

"Why don’t you just kill me?" Penny demanded "You know you will sooner or later, Caine You know you can’t take care of me forever You want to do it, don’t you?"

Diana tried to read the answer in Caine’s eyes Nothing There were times she was sure she saw human decency there And other times when his dark eyes were as pitiless as a shark’s

"Okay, raise her up," Diana said

Caine stepped closer and lifted up his hands Penny rose fro dolphin She rose and the water fell and bubbles slid off her