"We won't," Roman told him.
*
Zadia woke up to silence.
She sat up in bed quietly, her eyes inspecting the small motel room. Everything looked in the same shape as the night before. Zadia's heart sped up as she saw there was no sign of Roman. She kicked the sheet off of her and stood, ignoring the irritation in her ribs. The towel holding her hair together, finally clasped, falling to the ground.
"Roman?" She called, looking to see if he'd come out from where he was. "Ro... Roman." She stuttered, growing concerned. She let out a ragged breath, clutching onto her towel. Had he left her? "Roman?" She called again. "No, he didn't." She said, trying to convince her. "He'll be right back." She whispered. "He'll be ri—"
The room door opened unexpectedly, Roman walking through them with bags in one hand, and the other gripping his towel, a pair of scissors clenched in his mouth. He frowned, staring at her. "What are you doing?" He mumbled, confused by her worried demeanor.
"Nothing!" She exclaimed, frightened by his sudden presence. "Nothing." She said again, voice calmer this time. "I was just looking for something."
Roman kicked the door shut with his leg, and turned momentarily to lock it. "Really? What were you looking for?" He asked, moving to put the stuff in his hands down.
Zadia scratched her wrist, shaking her head. "Oh um... another towel." She pointed at one on the floor. "Found it."
Scrunching up his face, Roman nodded, taking the scissors from his mouth. "Right... well we've got us some clothes so, thankfully no more towels." He lifted the black container for her to see. "We've got weapons and fruits too, courtesy of Ben." He walked her way, passing her the bag of random clothes and shoes. He looked at her hair, tilting his head.
"What's wrong?" Zadia asked, not liking the look he was giving her hair.
"Since the bounty for your head has risen, we've gotta make you look less.... like yourself. Which is why," he lifted the pair of scissors for her to see. "We've gotta give you a haircut."
Zadia's eyes widened. "Fuck no!" She nearly shouted, one hand flinging up to her hair. "I'm not cutting my hair, Roman! It's my hair!" Roman nodded, taking a step forward watching her yell at him. "I need my hair! How would you like it if I suggested you cut off your beard?!"
He shrugged. "I wouldn't be phased. It's just a beard and I know it would grow back." He eyed her hair again. "Just like how yours will grow back too." Zadia's mouth open to speak but instead she squealed, feeling the tip of her locs being pulled. Roman gripped it, but not enough to hurt her scalp. "You see that?" He asked, dragging her close, his lips to her ear. "Anyone who's after you, already has the upper hand, because they know to go for the hair. I don't want a repeat of yesterday, that was way too close."
Zadia moved, trying to get out of his grasp. "I'll braid it." She insisted.
"You and I both know it won't be enough." He told her again, loosening the grip on her locs, till his hand let them go. Zadia moved to face him once she was free and glared at him. "It's for your own safety Zadia." He tried to assure her, his eyes moving to her bruises. "You don't need to get ruffed up again. I won't cut past your shoulders. You have my word."
"I'll have my starter locs length all over again." She said, frowning while her fingers touched her locs. "I'll be walking around here, looking like a boy."
Roman gave her a look, sighing heavily. "What is with you? You're being dramatic."
Her frown deepened. "Easy for you to say. It's not your hair and you don't get the importance of it!"
ChApTeR - 15
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