Welcome to the Enchantress Salon

The front door of my hairdresser salon, Enchantress, smashed open into the wall with the loud bang. I jumped my scissors cutting a larger section of the hair, black strands hopelessly spiraling onto the ground. I barely missed the customer's ear by an inch as our attention moved to whoever barged in. At the door stood a woman. 

Pink. Her hair was neon pink shining even through her pristine white slouch hat. Wild stands showing here and there. Wow. How did she manage to do it? Tears streamed down her pretty face smearing heavy makeup into a huge colorful mess. Clearly, it was not an aimed result. 

"What happened, my dear?" Viki, my coworker, and now retired former owner came right towards her with a handkerchief. A new waterfall of tears spouted as she took it and moved to sit on the old leather sofa by the door. “What is your name dear?” 

I closed the door, not missing a huge bruise that peeked out of her blue designer sweater. Frowning I moved back to my station my gaze connecting with Viki's. Bruises on her back. I sent her mentally. She just nodded carrying a steaming cup of hot chocolate. 

“Here this will calm you down.” She forced the cup into her hands not taking no as an answer. Nothing better than Viki's hot chocolate. 

“Thank you. I’m Jenny.” She muttered sipping, a small smile spreading through her face. Viki disappeared in the back leaving me with her. I watched her in the mirror and resumed my work. 

I inspected the damage I have made to my clients, Ms. Browning, hair. The section of the hair was cut too close to the scalp, other strands nice and long. Crap. This will not do. I screwed up. Luckily I still could work magic. Grabbing a section of short hair between my fingers I opened my core and released a small amount of magic. My fingers glowed blue making the cut hair grow to its proper length. My magic was hair manipulation. I could do many cool things with it, plus it makes my hair care much easier. Some considered it weak and lame, but for me, it was unique, something I could brighten anyone's day with. That is why I loved my job, to brighten someone's life with something as small and easy as a hair cut. 

When I finished blow-drying Ms. Browning's hair into a nice and smooth bob, Viki came back and talked to Jenny quietly. Probably smoothing her out to learn all her secrets. She was good at that, prying into someone's life without realizing she was actually prying. Jenny was answering, her eyes shifting back and forth to the door as she snipped her chocolate. She reminded me of a scared puppy I once had before my father took it and drowned it in the river. Enforcing his opinion about pets. I could still see his lifeless body carried away by the current. I pushed the dark memories back and added final care to Ms. Browning's hair. As usual, she paid with her credit card and left without a glance. She was a regular customer showing up every other day. 

After cleaning up my station I walked to Jenny interrupting their talk. "Shall we?" She looked up gaze wild and scared. Probably not realizing I have finished already. 

"Yes.” She managed to squeak out. “But I do not know if you could do anything about it." Her voice was small and quiet. She walked to my station her shoulders slouched and head hung down. Someone has done a great number on her, that I could tell. I was once where she is now. 

I pulled the hat down revealing bird nest the color of neon pink. Her hair stood at every direction some strands short some long. God. What a mess. She sobbed, her head in her hands shaking lightly. "It’s alright. It will be good." I heard myself saying. Only razor will solve this. That or my magic. 

“No. How can it be good? I look like a pink highlighter.” She looked at herself in the mirror. Moving her hands wildly. “There is no way it can be fixed. Not without shaving it." Her huge weeping blue eyes met my hazel ones in the mirror. "Do not shave them! Please!" She turned in her chair facing me. Her hands clutching the back-rest in a deadly grip. She was the norm, the not magical human and I did not want to perform magic in front of her and shatter her view of the world. But I did not have a choice. There was no other way, not when she gave me those puppy eyes. Viki met my stare and nodded giving me silent permission, she was the boss anyway when it came to magic. Okay. Here we go.

“I will not shave them. Do you have a picture of how it looked before?” I asked running my fingers through the pink nest. She pulled out her phone showing me her picture. She was smiling and hugging some handsome middle-aged man. 

“Okay. Sit back and let me work my magic.” I inspected strands one more time. The pink color looked unusual not the way colored hair looked and I could sense slight magic. This was not good. It looked like the color was infused with magic so you could not recolor it or wash it away. Judging by remaining power it could last for months. "How did it happen anyway?" I could not help to ask. She was silent biting her lower lips. 

"I was stupid. I made a mistake and this is the price." She said finally pointing at her hair. My gaze snapped to Viki, who nodded. Truth. Viki was one of a few mages who could tell when someone tells a lie. 

"Who did it?" My blood coiled slowly. 

"Some hairdresser my husband took me to." In Seattle were only two other hairdresser salons who worked with magic. But I could guess which sick one has done this job. 

"Saloon DeClaude?" She flinched and stilled. I was right. That jerk. They were rumored to be the best salon in Seattle and sported huge prices and snob clientele who could afford extra care. No doubt he would do it if money were related. Fucking snob. He is ruining our good name by this. This is the third one I had to fix in the past month. My hands formed a fist, nails digging into my skin nearly drawing blood. Viki’s palm rested on my shoulder, silent support. I focused on deep breathing, trying to calm down. In and out. In and out.

I opened my core and released magic. My hands gloved blue as I infused magic to her hair, trying to repair the damage he made. Each hair responded and started to grow. She gaped at her reflection. I must agree that seeing your hair grow at magnificent speed has to be scary and some sort of miracle at the same time. But she did not scream or panicked. I give her credit for it. Then the color changed from that hideous pink to golden blond in a wave moving from roots to ends. This was pure magic. In a matter of minutes, it was over. Her hair long up to her waist with a slight curl. Just as it was on her photo. “Done.” I pulled my hands out of her hair and closed off my core. 

"Oh my god." She deliberately touched them afraid that the spell might dissolve. "It is real." I squeaked as she hugged me tightly. "Thank you." She trembled as I returned the hug. "Thank you so much." She sobbed her tears wetting my shirt. 

"No problem it is my job." I patted her, trying to calm her down. Viki smiled her teeth flashing silently complimenting my job. She trained me well. Another happy and content customer. That is the real reason I love my job. 

"How much?" She released me and pulled out her wallet wiping her tears with the back of her hand trying to collect herself.

"It is on the house," Viki exclaimed before I could say the same. She knew me too well. 

"Are you sure?" Her gaze moved for me to Viki. 

"Yes. Here." I handed her my business card. "In case you need help. Just call." She fidgets with her purse strap, leaving me with an outstretched hand. I wait patiently. I needed to give her my card. If her husband took her to that hairdresser he was not safe and definitely not a good person. And judging by her bruises he was violent too. A fact she searched for help showed she might be ready to fight. And my help could mean a lot. I needed this kind of help five years ago too. Finally, she took it slipping it into her purse. 

“Thank you again.” She turned to leave. A loud bang of the door hitting the wall announced yet another customer. If this continued I will need a new door, something I could not afford right now.

Even though his face was beet red and fuming I recognized the well-groomed handsome man from Jenny's photo. One look over Jenny’s fixed hair made him even more furious. Jenny shivered and shrunk, her shoulders sagging instantly as all life vanished from her. 

"What the hell is this?" He roared and barreled toward her, towering above all of us. I was not short with my 5’8 but he still has a foot on me. I took a step back my hand covering the itchy scar on my forearm fighting the urge to scratch the already healed wound. "I did not punish you so you could go and fix it!" She shrunk even more. But he was not finished shouting. "You stupid cunt! Poor excuse of a wife!" His hand flashed, leaving a red handprint on her left cheek snapping her head to the side. He grabbed her hand and tried to pull her out after him. I saw red instantly. Memories of pure violence flashing. How many times was I slapped this way? 

"Silva! No! Please, let me go!" She trashed and fought his hold, snapping me from the inferno of memories. I quickly blocked his way standing right in front of the doorway. 

"Great another cunt! Stay out of this! Move!" His smelly breath flies past me making me gag. But I hold my ground. 

"No! You will not leave with her!" My voice resonated through the room. Jenny's eyes bulged and she stopped trashing.

Viki call cops. I shouted at her mentally. For once, I was glad she is a mental mage even if weak one. She hid behind the counter pulling out her cell. 

"You want to fight, bitch?” He let Jenny go just to swing at me. I smirked as I blocked his right hook. My self-defense training kicking in. I could not beat him down but I could try to slow him down until police came. I swung my fist to his face connecting with his nose with a slight crunch, blood spraying the white tiles. I barely registered the pain in my knuckles through the adrenaline rush. He grunted but it did not slow him down, it just made him angrier. He swung again aiming at my face with huge force. Moving my hands to cover my head I barely managed to block his jab. But it was a fake one. He swept his other fist into my side. I could feel my rib crack as I fall to the ground panting, seeing stars. Shit. How could I forget that rule? How could I be so stupid? His foot connected with my belly. Hard. Force slammed me onto the hanging mirror shattering it to pieces. Pain overwhelmed all my senses. My head hit on the floor hard. My belly and ribs throbbed as my vision swayed. Viki screamed something I could not comprehend through the ringing in my ears. But I had to get up and fight. Jenny’s life depended on it.

When my vision cleared enough I could see Viki at the phone hiding in the corner speaking furiously. Jenny was on the floor lying on her stomach trying to stand up. Silva held her down with his knee on her back, his face marked by bleeding scratches. With one hand he grabbed her hair pulling her head off the floor and with other my scissors. He cut her hair wildly not caring if he cut her in progress. Fuck no. I called for my power and it answered with a ferocity I did not expect. I could feel and command each hair in the room. And those cut strands were perfect for what I had in mind. Strands moved through the floor like snakes braiding itself in the progress and moved up his body to his neck. He did not realize what was happening until it was too late. It cut his air off wrapping tightly around his neck. His hold on her wavered as he tried to release hair wrapped around his neck. Now free, Jenny crawled from under him and moved to the corner where Viki was hidden. I moved closer watching him fight for his life. 

“Do not kill him!” Viki shouted at me when he started to turn blue. He did not deserve to live. Why should I let him live? To let him abuse others? No. He will not live. Our gaze connected horror showing in his eyes as he realized he can not do anything, his fingers bloody as he tried to lose its hold on his neck. Yes, you will die here. I. Will. Not. Let. You. Live. 

“Please no!” Jenny shouted. I snapped out of my bloodthirsty trance. I could see it in her eyes she did not want him to die, despite everything he had done to her. 

“He deserves to die!” I replied calmly with a cold voice. 

“Yes! But no by your hand.” I blinked. That is something I could reckon with, he was her husband after all. I released my hold to let him breathe in. He sucked breath coughing loudly. Strands moved from his throat to his hands binding them behind his back. Only then I stood by him. 

“Listen, you monster.” He looked up wheezing. “You will leave Jenny alone. When divorce papers will arrive you will sign and never show up again.” 

“You can not force me to that. She will not survive without me.” He coughed confidence in his words. 

“Not true. She will survive, I will make sure of it. She will be better off without you. You will do as I told you.” 

“Or what?” 

“Or I will find you and personally gut you.” My voice was cold, hold and clam. “You do not want that. I could make it really painful, so painful you will scream for hours.” I could not control all types of hair, including body hair. Try to pull all your hair at the same time. “You know I can. Remember, you are alive only because she wanted it.” His mouth hangs open. Finally, he nods, accepting the truth.

As I stood up police came barding in, guns flashing, door smashing into wall glass shattering on the floor, wood cracking. Great, new doors it is. They looked from Silva to me with raised hands in surrender, and to Viki and Jenny curled up in the corner, assessing threats and lowering their guns after a while. 

After an hour of explaining and giving statements, picturing our injuries and damages to the shop, they took him into a car and drove away. Viki poured us another chocolate, this time with something extra. She added some healing potion that will ease up our injuries. Jenny will be staying with us from now on. We could use some help around the shop and with rent. We quietly sipped with heavy thoughts. My ribs, head, and stomach hurt, but we were alive. We managed to save a life and that was worth the damage. 

I stood up ignoring throbbing pain, it will fade in a minute. “So shall I work my magic again?” I gestured toward the chair which was not broken. It somehow survived. The shop was a mess, debris on the tiled floor mixed with the glass and pieces of the mirror, door hanging on one hinge, furniture was broken. Hopefully, insurance will pay for this, otherwise, I was screwed. Jenny sat down her smile bright. My magic waved through her hair recreating everything as it was before, her smile brightening with each passing second.