Ask for a day off

The alarm clock rang at 6:00 AM, but Magi was already awake. She had spent the night sleepless, with every muscle protesting the punishment of cleaning Evans' house and the photo session at the aquarium. A deep exhaustion, beyond the physical, anchored her to the bed. The idea of putting on the uniform, of forcing a smile, or of cleaning filters, caused her such acute anxiety that it was hard for her to breathe.

With trembling hands, she took her phone. The message to May was an act of desperation.

"May, excuse me. I won't be able to come in this morning. Sick. Thanks."

She pressed "send" and let the phone drop onto her chest, expecting the worst. The reply came almost immediately, quick and dry.

"Ok."

Magi blinked, reading the single word over and over. Ok. It was brief, but it wasn't a no. It wasn't a threat. A tremendous and trembling sigh of relief escaped her lips. She allowed herself to sink into the pillow, closing her eyes, savoring the unexpected respite.

The peace, however, lasted for less than two hours.

Around 8:00 AM, another beep made her jump. Her heart shrank. It was May again.

"Ok. But favors aren't free. I lent you the day. Now you'll return it to me. Show up at my office at 9:00 PM. Sharp. Don't be late."

The relief evaporated, replaced by a coldness that froze her blood. The initial "ok" had not been acceptance; it had been the silent clicking of the trigger before the shot. May had given her a false sense of security, only to let the axe fall with more ****.

The day off no longer felt like a gift. It felt like a loan shark's loan, and the time for collection was approaching.