[Author's note: Carine, desperate to keep her modelling career afloat, has taken a very unusual job. She's agreed to become a suspended-animation living mannequin in a high-end fashion boutique. Carine wanted the exposure and the fame... but something has gone wrong. Instead of six months passing in the blink of an eye and finding herself famous, she's frozen in whatever position and clothing she's been posed, able to see and hear everything, trapped on display]
---
The crowd began to gather as soon as the mall opened. Carine stared out through the huge display window of Walker Terrin's boutique, fixed to the spot, unable to move. She tried again to lift even a finger, to blink, tiny motions that were second nature, but now impossible thanks to the malfunctioning device embedded in the back of her neck.
The suspended animation field was meant to turn her into a mannequin for Walker to display her latest collection. Six months in the blink of an eye, and then Carine would step out of her spot in the window to brand-new modelling contracts, to fame, to half a year's wages. She would go on talk shows as the first person to rent themselves out as a display mannequin. Everyone would want a piece of her.
Instead, she was panicking, though it would be impossible for anyone to tell. There was no flush to her cheeks, no wild-eyed dread, no fluttering chest, no pounding heartbeat. The little square in her neck had frozen her body completely but somehow she was still aware: she was trapped.
The contract was for six months; half a year until Walker touched the little square on the back of her neck and released her. Six months of this? She was only twenty minutes in.
A lovely young woman giggled, saying something to her friend on the other side of the glass. Carine could only stare at her own reflection, seeing a beautiful girl in a Walker Terrin cocktail dress smiling out from her position in the window display. The women pointed, and Carine felt their eyes on her body.
The crowd parted slightly, and Carine locked onto a familiar face: Telia, her best friend. Telia would look close enough. She would see that Carine was still conscious and trapped. Telia would rescue her. Carine's heart would have skipped a beat if it hadn't been frozen too.
Telia came right up to the glass, her eyes wide, incredulous. Yes, close enough. Surely? Carine watched with despair as her best friend brought her phone up to the window and took a picture. No. Wait. Telia gave her a little wink and then turned away, thumbs tapping the little screen as she posted the update onto all her socials, exactly as Carine had asked her to. Telia made her way back through the crowd and disappeared from view.
Just then, a voice called out from behind her.
"Magda, not a good day to be late."
Walker was nearby, talking to someone Carine couldn't see.
"Sorry, I was... uh, traffic." A female voice, younger than Walker.
"Whatever. We're opening in two minutes. Ready?"
"Sure. Is this her?" The voice was close now, directly behind her.
Magda appeared in her peripheral vision. Carine desperately wanted to turn her head and get a good look at the newcomer, but had to settle for a glimpse: dark hair, young, about Carine's age, olive skin. She was wearing a short skirt, dark top. The figure stepped away.
"That's so freaky. She's just gonna stand there?"
"That's the idea."
"Who the hell wants to volunteer to be turned into a mannequin? Shit, can she hear me?"
"No. She isn't aware of anything. She's switched off, is the way they explained it to me."
"Can't feel anything?" The voice was right beside her ear now.
Carine heard footsteps receding from her, as Walker went to unlock the front doors. A finger prodded Carine's helpless rear. A thumb and a finger, and then a hard pinch. Carine couldn't move, but she felt the sharp pain.
"Seems you are frozen. This is gonna be so much fun."
The hand withdrew and Magda walked away. Carine heard the doors open and suddenly the boutique was filled with sound as customers poured in.
---
They were busy all day, a constant stream of interest from passers-by. Carine heard Magda complaining under her breath nearby about having to constantly refold clothing. Once, a hand settled on her bottom, startling her, then Magda's voice in her ear again, telling Carine this was all her fault.
What was all her fault? The touch had been light, almost a caress, and she could feel the afterglow from it. She could still feel the afterglow from Walker's hands on her body, primping and positioning her. She could see the faces staring at her as she stood on display. Magda's hand had rekindled the fire in her core, making her ache.