A Wife’s Touch (Part 1)

Dan pushed open the glass door of Luca’s Barber Shop, the bell jingling softly as he stepped inside. The scent of shaving cream and aftershave filled the air, grounding him in something normal, something solid—a contrast to the uneasy haze that had clung to him since waking up in that hospital bed.

He ran a hand through his too-long hair, already imagining the relief of it gone.

Luca, his usual barber, turned from the chair he was cleaning and did a double take.

“Holy hell, kid,” he whistled, tossing the towel over his shoulder. “What happened to you? You growing it out for a movie role or something?”

Dan gave a forced chuckle, sliding into the seat. “Yeah, something like that. Just… let’s get rid of it.”

Luca shook his head in amusement, combing through the silky strands with a lingering touch. “Man, if my wife had hair this nice, she’d never hear the end of it.”

Dan tensed.

Something felt off.

Luca’s movements slowed, his fingers brushing gently over Dan’s scalp. His expression softened, eyes glassy, almost dreamy.

“You really shouldn’t be so careless with it,” he murmured, voice lower, sweeter. “You need to take care of yourself, sweetheart.”

Dan blinked. Sweetheart?

Luca’s hand lingered on his shoulder, a touch that felt too delicate, too careful.

Then, just as suddenly, he stepped back, blinking rapidly as if shaking off a thought. He turned away, grabbed a towel—but his posture was different now.

Softer. More graceful.

Dan frowned. “Uh… we’re still cutting it, right?”

Luca hesitated, looking down at his hands—confused, distant.

Then, without another word, he turned for the door.

“Wait, where—”

But as Luca stepped outside, rounding the corner—he was gone.

Like he had vanished into thin air.

Dan sat there, fingers curling into his lap, a cold shiver running down his spine.

The chair creaked slightly beneath him, the empty barber shop humming with silence.

His hair spilled over his shoulders, untouched.

Dan swallowed.

“…What about my hair?”