Without Face

Mildred's face had vanished. She sat on the subway, rubbing her hand over the smooth stretch of flat skin where her face once was.

She couldn't smile anymore--no more mouth. She punched herself repeatedly where her mouth once was. She hoped that the bruises would form a permanent purple smile.

Eventually, she went to a brick building. She went to a doctor and wrote on a piece of paper, "I want a face."

The doctor poured mud on her head, which solidified in to a dried, peeling crust. Then he took her to the forest, tied her to a tree, and left her there forever.