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The boy leant on the sink and looked closely at his face in the mirror . He realized that blood was still flowing in his veins . He didn ’ t feel any fatigue as though he had been sleeping for hours and now he were up to have his breakfast and his toilet . He sat on the border of the bathtub , dropped his arms by his sides , crossed his legs and took in a deep breath . So full of dew it seemed to him like in a wintry morning . He gazed at the shower but decided to fill the bathtub and have a bath . He took off his clothes and slipped into the water . He gripped the green bottle . He fixed it with suspect . The whole experience of the day had made him distrust everything . He wondered whether he should use it . The warm water and steam hypnotized him and left no room for him to make his mind up . He squeezed out the soap and turn the whole tub greenish . It was amazing .
Little by little , he started enjoying the foams . He slapped the water , rubbed his chest , filled his hands and poured the water on his hair . He dipped his whole body , sat and took the green shampoo and poured more . He Splashed , drummed and sang . Such a joy he had ! He forgot the horror of the lake and its mire . However , he felt a strange streak through his body . He left the bathtub . He switched on the hairdryer and passed it over and over again on the whole body . He put on the bathrobe and stepped out . “ You ’ ve used the green lotion , haven ’ t you ?” hunchback said when the boy snapped through the door . He laughed with pleasure and satisfaction . “ Bad man !” said the boy with an aggressive loud voice , and added , “ Peeper !” “ Grasshopper !” murmured the man .
The boy couldn ’ t understand . “ Go and check it .” jested the man and pointed towards the mirror .
When the boy approached the mirror and glanced at himself , he shrank back with an involuntary gasp : “ How is that ?”. His voice was harsh and shrill . He was almost crying . He was green like a grasshopper . He looked older . It shocked and made him mad . He rubbed his body nervously with his hands . He gripped the bathrobe and passed it violently on his legs and face . “ Don ’ t try .” the man uttered ironically , “ It won ’ t go . How much have you poured ?” The boy felt the derision . He said grudgingly : “ This is one of your wicked tricks , isn ’ t it ?” and added , “ I used half the shampoo !”
" Grasshopperboy " By Ezzeddine Cherni 18