22 June 5:30 AM
Circe
Alexandra was waiting at the door when I got home. At the time I didn't think it was strange that she knew when I was arriving, let alone at five thirty in the morning. Much later I realized that Tillman was in constant communication with everyone on his team, no matter how large or how small. I tried to storm past Alexandra. I say tried because the corset kept me from doing anything quickly. Man I hated the thing. It hurt and made even the simplest of things into massive chores. So I angrily baby-stepped past her and went to my room with her following silently close behind. If she wouldn't have been there I would have slammed the door to my room.
"May I help you with anything Miss Circe?"
"Angel! Angel! Angel! My name is Angel! Why won't you call me that!?" My rage and frustration was boiling over. What was the point of all of this? Why was Tillman doing this? All these strange things seemed so pointless.
"I'm sorry Miss. Those were Mr. Tillman's instructions. I will lose my job if I don't comply."
"Well damn Tillman and damn his shitty rules! Fuck him!" My anger was getting out of control and then I remembered what had happened the last time and I decided to get myself back in check. I couldn't take deep breaths so I just did my best to slow it down and return to an even keel. Alexandra just stood there with a look of compassion on her face, mixed with a little hurt.
'I'm sorry Alexandra. I'm being a bitch. Would you please help me out of this gown and get this damned torture corset off me?
Alexandra reached out and undid the gown letting it fall to the floor and it was at that moment I remembered the horsetail. I grabbed for the gown but it was too late.
A little giggle escaped from Alexandra as she saw the tail extending from my butt. "It looks like someone had a good time last night."
I spun around to give her a piece of my mind but the tail followed and wrapped around slapping me in the front. I was just about to let loose when the tail did that and I realized just how silly it must have all looked. I burst out in hysterical laughter, the stress of the evening rolling off in waves and soon Alexandra was laughing right along with me.
"Well let's get that corset off and it will make it easier to de-horse you," said Alexandra. This resulted in more raucous laughter even though the corset made laughing a challenge. She deftly undid the laces and I was able to take a deep breath. Who would have known that taking a deep breath could feel so good.
"Miss, please lay down on the bed on your side and facing away from me." To which I complied. "Now keep your lower leg straight and raise your other knee up to your chest. Good. Now take some deep breaths and relax." The horsetail slid out, and not too painfully I might add. "Now let's get you into a bath."
As I soaked in the tub all the memories of the past few weeks came flooding to mind. Alexandra had been busying herself with picking up and then re-entered the bathroom."
"Alexandra?"
"Yes Miss?"
"Can I ask you some questions?"
"Yes you may Miss, but I may not be able, or allowed, to answer some of them."
"Do you personally know Mr. Tillman?"
"Yes I do."
"How long have you known him?"
"Many years Miss."
"Is he crazy or a murderer?"
Alexandra let out a snort of laughter. "Oh no Miss! Far from it."
"Well then, what's he about? What's his story?"
"That I can't say Miss."
I was getting frustrated again and the tears were welling up in my eyes. "But, but where is all this going? I'm so confused and he is so distant. Should I quit? What should I do? Am I wasting time on a madman? What about the numbing and sensitizing oils? What was that all about? Is he just some sick twisted rich-guy pervert?"
"Miss, let's get you out of that tub." I stepped out and stood while she dried me off and wrapped me in my fluffy pink bath robe. The fabric rubbed across my nipples which were still very sensitive. I started to cry again and Alexandra laid me down on the bed and crawled in next to me. Turning towards me she started stroking my hair as I blubbered. The last thing I heard as I fell asleep was, "Tillman helped me, more than he will ever know. And he will help you too if you give in and let him." I drifted off to sleep dreaming of Lords and Ladies dancing gracefully to a minuet.
22 June 0620
Tillman
Masked shadowy men entered the room preceded by flash-bang grenades. I was momentarily stunned and blinded and in that short instant I was crumpled to the floor by a blow to the back of my head. As I came back into consciousness I first heard, and then saw Angel, kicking against her attackers. Desperately I tried to move but couldn't and I looked on helplessly as Angel was dragged from the room.
The fog of my unconsciousness started to lift and I sensed that I was sweaty. Shit! Not another nightmare! Ugh! I buried my head under my pillow and willed myself back to sleep. I needed to sleep.
24 June 9:15 AM
Circe
I awoke, well-rested and stretched the sleep away with a quiet yawn. "Miss, I've prepared a light brunch for you whenever you are ready," Alexandra called from the kitchen. How did she do that? How did she always know the instant I woke up? I got up and dressed and headed to the kitchen.
"Good morning Miss. I hope you slept well?"
"Ummm," I half mumbled through the coffee and bite of toast with butter an marmalade.