An unexpected ally.

Since this affliction came upon me, I've had to lead a very unusual life. I realized quickly that I'd be institutionalized immediately if the authorities became aware of me, so I escaped before news was able to spread. Trying to say goodbye to my family was heartbreaking - my little brother just stood and stared as I tearfully hugged him for the last time.

I soon learned that driving was a bad idea, as was appearing in crowded public places. I walked through town like a ghost. It was lonely, watching people's faces slacken and their bodies go limp as I passed them by. I've lived for several years on the fringes of society. I help myself to enough basic living supplies and I take shelter in vacation houses that are being unused for the season. If anyone arrives, they zone out before they even get through the door, allowing me to pack up everything and escape without detection.

I met her on one of my occasional trips to the supermarket to pick up food and supplies. I usually go after hours, when the stores are closing up. I put on a ski mask and approach an employee as they're walking out to ask out where the cameras are. I tell them to disable the feeds, take them with me to pick up the supplies I needed from the stockroom, then tell them to turn the feeds back on and leave. I feel bad about stealing, but it's the most ethical way I've found to survive.

This time I was working with a lovely young woman at the local Pick and Save. She confirmed that the only cameras were in the front of the store, so nothing needed to be disabled. We could go in through the cargo doors and I could get everything I needed without setting foot in the customer area. As I filled my duffle bag with nonperishables, the employee sat placidly nearby.

I finished up and turned to her. I thanked her, to which she gave no response. I try to be kind, even if it doesn't mean much in these situations. As I was leaving, I was surprised to hear her call out to me.

I paused. Usually people take a few minutes to come out of the trance if they've had contact with me for that long. I hoped this wouldn't be a problem.

I turned and began to walk towards her and she threw up her hands. "No, wait! Wait! I want to talk to you! I think I can help you!"

This was a surprise. "How could you possibly help me?" I called out across the distance.

"I know about you! My friend Matt said this happened to him last month! I know what you can do!"

Shit. I might have overfished this area. Now I needed to figure out how to pick up and move-

"I can help you!" She cried. "I want to talk to you about it!"

I looked around. All of this shouting would draw attention sooner or later. I started to approach her and she looked panicked for a second, then less so. When I was as close as I could get without putting her into a complete stupor, I spoke again quietly. "Who are you and why would you possibly want to help me?"

She sighed, her shoulders slumped. "I'm Chloe. I work at the Pick and Save. I... I like what you can do. I like what it does."

"You like it? What do you mean, you like it?"

She paused. "It, uh, turns me on. I'm into it. I was so turned on in there, just being a blank slate for you." She swallowed. "Even being this close, knowing you're sapping away my will... mmm, it feels nice."

I was incredulous. "This is a sex thing for you? This shit has ruined my life! You wanna use it to get off?"

She smiled softly, the apathy keeping her from getting too upset or emotional. "Yeah, but not just that. I've been thinking a lot since Matt told me what happened. You must be miserable. I can't imagine how scared and alone you must feel. If you had someone to help you, then you wouldn't have to come steal groceries in the middle of the night. I could be that person for you."

It was the last thing I would have expected. This beautiful woman was offering to be my... what? assistant? caregiver?

"So what, you just drop your whole life and come live with me? How are we gonna make money or live?"

She shrugged. "I've got some ideas, if you'd like to hear them. Maybe over dinner? When's the last time you ate dinner with another person? Of course, we'd have to keep our distance to have a real conversation, but I don't mind. What do you say?"