*** Disclaimer ***
The following installment contains themes of hypnosis, mind control, non-consent, voyeurism and incest. You've been warned.
This is a work of fiction. All characters depicted are at least 18 years of age. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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Hollow Pleasure chapter 08
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2B
The next several days passed in a blur. Things at the apartment only seemed to be getting weirder and weirder, and Ethan was trying to distance himself from it all as much as possible... with the exception of Galloway, of course. But she was a rock. She was the only one in the building who didn't seem to be acting out of sorts.
Ethan hadn't told her exactly why he was uneasy. He was afraid of what might happen if he did. But Galloway read him well, regardless, because she had shown up at his door that morning in torn jeans, looking ready for battle and carrying her bag of equipment.
When she asked if he would like to spend the day with her, Ethan jumped at the suggestion, no questions asked.
But now, he was starting to think that he should have asked a few questions. He had been hoping it would be just the two of them, enjoying some sort of quiet special time together.
Today was nothing like that.
He sat on a canvas folding chair that smelled like camping. His toes were on the ground, pointing toward each other, and his crutches rested beside him in the grass. Ethan felt more anxiety than ever before, and to prove that, the muscles in his legs and feet were spasming uncontrollably. The silence was heavy with discomfort. Quinn sat beside him in his own chair- dressed in gym shorts and a grey t-shirt. Apparently he had a rare day off.
In truth, Galloway had her own reasons for inviting Ethan along, and much of it had to do with wanting Ethan and Quinn to bond more. Both were important to her, and they needed to warm up to each other so that they could eventually all hang out together without the inherent awkwardness.
Which was exactly why they now sat alone, side by side, staring across a wide grassy field. The sun shone in their eyes, the air was warm, with a light breeze, and the sky was crystal clear.
It was just the two of them, and Ethan didn't know how to make conversation with Quinn. He was from a different world- Ethan the introverted nerd, and Quinn, who had once been the rugged tough guy. Quinn seemed to not know what to talk about either.
"Are you nervous?" Quinn asked.
"Kind of," Ethan said.
"Me too," he admitted.
"Why?" Ethan asked.
Quinn didn't elaborate. "I just am."
Ethan glanced around. They weren't entirely alone. Standing in little clusters around the field, groups of State Policemen milled about. Most of them were dressed in casual gear instead of formal uniforms. Some in gym clothes, and some in fatigue pants and shirts.
To Ethan's immediate left stood a blonde muscular man in a black military-style uniform. He had a scar that ran from his eye down his cheek. He didn't pay any attention to the pair in the lawn chairs. He was holding binoculars to his eyes and staring at the horizon.
Ethan kicked slightly at the dirt, listening to the drone of cicadas in the trees. Despite what he told Quinn, he felt an incredible anxiety. He was nervous for Galloway. He glanced at Quinn, trying to read his face. Quinn looked over and offered him an assured smile.
Ethan looked away again.
Quinn considered this. "I'm glad Galloway has you looking out for her," he said, trying to sound light-hearted.
"I don't know about me looking out for her," Ethan replied.
"You do. She totally needs a friend like you."
Ethan didn't say anything.
"I hope you don't mind me asking... why the notes?"
Ethan looked up, a little surprised.
"She told me you leave her notes. She really likes them. It puts her in a good mood."
Ethan was worried that maybe he had crossed a line, but after scanning Quinn's face, saw that Quinn wasn't at all bothered by this. Apparently he didn't feel threatened. He was just curious.
Finally Ethan shrugged. "I don't know. It makes Galloway feel good. It's what I'd want someone to do for me. If I was having a bad day, or was scared, I'd want someone to leave me a little note. Nobody does, so I figured if I want something to happen for me, I should do it for someone else. Tell them something that I'd want to hear. It matters."
Quinn looked thoughtful. He smiled and was about to say more when somewhere in the distance, they heard it. They forgot the conversation instantly.
Ethan saw Quinn take a deep breath, and then he found himself taking one as well. The sound of an engine. It grew steadily louder, becoming more defined. The drone turned to a THUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMP sound. It matched the beating of Ethan's own heart.
It came fast. Astonishingly fast. One second it was just a black speck on the horizon, and suddenly the big gray helicopter burst into view, sailing over their heads with a roar that was overwhelming and deafening.
Ethan felt a moment of panic at how loud it was. It flew low. Less than a hundred feet above them. The rotors kicked up the wind and whipped it into their faces.
Quinn stood up at once, staring up at the copter. Despite himself, Ethan grabbed for his crutches and also clambered to his feet, shielding his eyes against the wind.
The helicopter banked and circled above. The man in the black uniform with the scar watched it with a calm detachment that Ethan found reassuring.
Ethan, himself, felt his heart pounding hard. His legs trembled, and he was dimly aware of how damp his palms were. He looked again to Quinn, and saw that he was pale. His eyes looked far away as he watched. He's remembering something.
The helicopter made one final pass overhead, steadied, and began to hover fifty feet above the field in front of them. To Ethan, it looked like it could have been miles above the earth. Dirt and loose grass flew in all directions, stinging his face and bare arms. But he couldn't bring himself to look away.
