I'm Afraid Not... (Dark Ending A)

I groaned as I noticed I had once against lost my focus, grabbing the phone to check the time when I should have been finishing a report instead. I sighed, frustrated. This had been a common occurrence for the past few days. I'd find myself waiting for something, though I didn't really know what. I would stare at my phone, as if expecting a call, but none would come, or they would just feel unrelated to that strange feeling I had. I would stand up and look over the thin walls of my cubicle, staring at John's empty desk, expecting something, but whatever it was, it never happened.

For some reason, though, as I got rid of my phone to try and be productive for the last five minutes of the work day, I knew I wouldn't be waiting for that sort of thing ever again. Whatever I was waiting for, I knew it didn't matter anymore. It was strange, but I had work to do. I'd worry about that another time.

What worried me, though, was that today was Friday, and I was afraid of what my colleagues would say when I'd turn into a manic, crazy version of myself, trying to serve a master who was no longer among the living. I hoped I wouldn't cause too much of a scene.

I had just sent the final email of the week and the clock on the bottom right of my monitor turned from 4:59 to 5:00, my phone buzzing. I frowned. Was I going mental or...? No, nothing. Well, I did feel different, my career suddenly didn't seem like the only important thing in the world. That was a good sign, right? But I wasn't manic, either. I was just... myself, or whatever it meant now. I certainly wasn't back to my former self, before John and Simon had decided to play with my mind. No, that would have definitely made me go mad.

Did I feel like it was John's half of the week, however? Not really... Simon's then? Maybe. It wasn't... conclusive?

I turned my computer off, grabbed my stuff, and walked out of the office, waving at my colleagues. I was feeling... good. I was eager to go back home and see Simon. He had refused to give me details, but I expected him to be waiting for me, ready to stop a crazy Ashley from making a fool out of herself. Oh! He'd be happily surprised. I was fine!

I stepped into the street, a bit giddy, but otherwise pretty much myself, I believed. I was about to get to the nearest subway station but a familiar black Ford stopped next to me first.

"Honey? You alright?" The driver's window was open, and Simon was giving me a worried look. I smiled and walked around the car to the passenger seat.

"I'm alright," I said, leaning in to kiss him. I made sure to rub my nails on the back of his neck, making it seem accidental. He hated that. The kiss broke. "5PM, right on the dot. I'm fine!"

He frowned, confused. "Wait, really?"

"Really!" I grinned, buckling my seatbelt as he pulled the car away from the curb. "No crazy Ashley, no slutty Ashley, just regular ol' Ashley! Well... Your devoted regular Ashley."

"Shit..." he mumbled, shaking his head. "I guess the fucker wasn't that much of a prick in the end."

I chuckled. "Yeah... Guess not." I sighed and looked out the window, watching as the city rolled by. I had no more reason to worry about my mind and what was happening inside it. We were safe. John was gone. There wouldn't be any more surprises or twists. I'd stay by Simon's side and slowly drive him mad, just like I ought to. I'd just have to be subtle, take it step by step, ease him into it so he wouldn't suspect a thing. I smiled. Life was great.

"Hey, Ashley..." Simon said, and I turned to look at him, my hand on his thigh. "There's another concert tonight. Wanna go?" He seemed so hopeful, his eyes shining with eagerness and joy.

"Oh, honey..." I said, shaking my head. "I don't know. The last week has been crazy and I think I'd just rather rest, you know?"

He sighed, frustrated, and it took me all I had to hide my grin.

"Come with me to the concert," he ordered, his voice firm, commanding. "And enjoy it, of course!"

I braced for the inevitable surge of obedience, but it didn't come. How funny! "Yes, sir!" I chuckled. Oh I was gonna have a good time, alright. Simon, on the other hand... Well I'm sure, knowing him, I'd find plenty of ways to ruin his night.

THE END