[Author's Note: Thank you to all who have been enjoying this series so far. We've now reached the penultimate chapter which will differ somewhat from the others. I hope you won't be too disappointed by the lack of explicit content in this one, especially since I'm unsure if the final chapter could be published here. I encourage you to share what you've liked about these stories, as I am always open to critique.]
Chapter 4: The Motherly Mistress -- Tess
4 weeks ago.
The team returned to the base not with triumph but with deep-seated unease. Michelle's unnerving attachment to her rifle, Rex, had been an unexpected and disturbing twist. Tess, their leader, was no exception. Her usually steely gaze was softened by concern as they made their way through the base's heavy metal doors.
The following days were filled with debriefings, medical checks, and countless meetings. Tess found herself caught in a whirlwind of responsibilities. It was during these chaotic days that she first noticed the nagging headache. Initially, she dismissed it, attributing it to the stress and fatigue. But as the days passed, the headache persisted, compelling her to seek medical help.
"Dr. Simmons," Tess called, her voice echoing in her empty quarters, "Could you swing by? I've got this headache..."
"Of course, Commander," came the prompt reply, soothing in its efficiency.
True to his word, Dr. Simmons arrived soon, his medical bag in hand. After a quick examination, he handed Tess a small bottle filled with pills. "These should help with the headaches, Commander," he said, his voice laced with professional assurance.
Tess accepted the pills gratefully, swallowing one immediately with a sip of water. As Dr. Simmons left, Tess found herself drawn towards the television. Flipping through the channels, she found herself oddly engrossed in a show about a mother and her newborn. The TV hummed softly, its sound blending with the quiet of her quarters.
During that week, Ashley received her new uniform from Dennis. Tess couldn't help but notice how Ashley seemed to squirm uncomfortably in it. It was unlike her to be so restless. Concerned, Tess approached her.
"Everything alright, Ash?" Tess asked, her gaze softening.
Ashley looked up at Tess, her bright blue eyes filled with discomfort. "I'm okay, Tess," she replied, her voice strained. "Just a little chafed, that's all."
Tess found herself instinctively reaching out to comfort Ashley, patting her gently on the head. "Try to bear with it, okay? I'll ask Dennis to make some adjustments."
As the week ended, Tess's headaches grew worse. She found herself relying more on the pills Dr. Simmons had given her, seeking solace from the constant throbbing in her head. By the end of the week, Tess was a figure of quiet endurance. She bore her headaches with a stoic grace, focusing on her duties and the well-being of her team. Little did she know that the quiet hum of her television was the silent orchestrator of her inevitable change.
3 weeks ago.
The second week after returning from Ruth's base commenced with an escalation in Tess's headaches. The once unnoticed humming of the television morphed into a ceaseless irritant, its persistent drone gnawing at her temples. The programming itself was an unusual blend of family sitcoms and maternal-themed shows. Tess couldn't shake off a growing sense of unease as certain words spoken by characters or narrators resonated within her mind, echoing long after they were uttered.
One afternoon, Tess found herself watching a sitcom, a seemingly innocent scene unfolding on the screen: a mother and her child in a deep, heartwarming conversation. The dialogue floated through the room, the mother's words ringing in Tess's ears: "Don't worry, darling, a MOTHER's LOVE is limitless. All you have to do is be my good little CHILD."
Meanwhile, Tess noticed a subtle shift in Ashley's behavior. She seemed a tad more giddy than usual, and there was an unusual discomfort in her movements. Ashley's cheerful demeanor seemed slightly strained, her voice a pitch higher than Tess remembered.
"Ash," Tess approached her one day, her voice laced with concern. "Are you okay?"
"I'm peachy, Tessie," Ashley replied, her voice chirpy and her smile a little too bright.
The use of the nickname startled Tess. She hid her surprise behind a small, reassuring smile. "Alright, just... let me know if you need anything," Tess offered, watching Ashley with a worried gaze before moving away.