DeathWalker II

East Branson is like most any other rural Missouri town. Far from the busy 76 strip and over the bridge and up Mount Branson, away from the commercial area of town, is a barren 76 highway scattered with random businesses and no method to the zoning. Set in the middle of a gravel parking lot was a huge metal building, with a homemade sign reading ‘Tami’s Tanning salon.’ Arriving in Branson, this deserted business became the first stop for Christian and Katherine. They could see the lights were on and business was open, but the parking lot was empty, as it was near closing time. Christian followed Katherine as she led the way. “Here! Here is where we will become tanned, as if being in the sun,” she announced. Christian was skeptical. “This is not dangerous to us?” “No, they will merely paint our skin. It is a type of dye, and it will eventually fade.” “Then let us proceed.” When they entered, the attendant was behind the counter with her feet up, watching television. As she heard the door bell, without even looking their way, she yelled, “Hey, we’re about to close!” Christian and Katherine walked silently to the counter. Katherine spoke sweetly. “We would like to be tan, please. A spray tan?” The girl looked up to see two of the whitest people she had ever seen. Along with watching television, she had been drinking beer, and her senses were not at their sharpest. “Well, I said I was closing. We only have a few minutes.” Christian produced the roll of bills. “Can we convince you to accommodate us?” Christian peeled off two, one hundred dollar bills. The attendant flashed a hundred dollar smile. “Not a problem. We only have one booth. Step behind the curtain. Remove your clothes or put on a bathing suit, and just step into the booth and close the door. I’ll tell you what to do after you enter. How dark would you like to be?” “I would like us quite dark. Make us as if we have been to the Caribbean,” Katherine explained, while Christian watched in wonder. The girl picked up a musty odor from Katherine and suggested, “We also can add a scent, so your skin will maintain a fragrance. Coconut is most popular.” “Yes, lots of coconut!” Katherine ordered. The girl continued. “When you are inside, make one body rotation slowly with your arms down at your side, then a second one with your arms raised up in the air. Once we are done, just lightly dab yourself dry with the towel.” Being half drunk, the girl was slurring her words and, incredibly, took no notice whatsoever that her customers were strange in any way. Christian watched Katherine as she stepped behind the curtain, and with vampires having no inhibitions, removed all her clothes. Once inside the booth, the attendant asked, “ready?” She then directed Katherine as she pushed the controls. “Okay, slowly turn completely around. Remember, arms at your side.” About thirty seconds later, she ordered, “Arms in the air now. Please turn slowly, again.” Another thirty seconds and she said, “Okay, now just dab very lightly and you can get dressed. The full color will develop in the next twenty minutes or so.” All the while, Christian watched in amazement. When Katherine came out, he was surprised at the healthy glow her skin had already taken, combined with the fragrance of coconut that filled the air. “Next!” Christian also had no inhibitions, but felt it very strange removing his clothes in a public place, even if he was in a private setting, yet he followed the instructions. Within minutes, he was putting his clothes back on and admiring his hands, as they began turning a dark tan. ‘Amazing,’ he thought. As he exited from behind the curtain, he was astonished at Katherine’s new appearance. She looked human, as her tan had become a bit darker. Then, Katherine made a huge mistake. With the attendant watching, without being aware, she walked in front of a full length mirror. The girl sobered up immediately, and knew something was horribly wrong, as she saw no reflection. Trying not to draw attention to herself, as Christian and Katherine admired their new look, she moved to her cell phone and dialed 911. Forgetting it was set to speaker, the dispatcher answered, “911, how can we help you?” As soon as Christian heard it, he moved like a flash to silence her, while Katherine, being aware of what a cell phone was, smashed it to the floor. As Christian held his hand over her mouth, he asked. “What shall we do with her?” Katherine smiled. “Well, we are both hungry. I guess we will eat!”