Page 13 of Master B-1901
“Great. I was hoping you would.” The Main Master pushed from the wall he’d been leaning against. His hands slid into his pants pockets and his blue eyes darkened almost as black as the suit. “Tell me, Brad. What’s the first memory you have of being here?”
“Main Master.” The Mistress’s voice was slightly strained as she sliced her stare to him. “I would advise not asking those questions until he’s under. It may trigger one of his episodes. We’re taking this slow.”
His hand rose, but he didn’t look at her. His eyes stayed on my Master.
“Think back for me, Brad. Do you remember being brought here?”
“Brought?” My Master’s brow creased. “I…no. I thought I came here. On my own. I was brought here?”
“No.” The Main Master smiled. “I wanted to see if you remembered. Do you recall coming to the Gardens?”
“I think so. I…was taken from my prison cell. I.” He stopped, shaking his head.
Silence.
“There we go. This is good. You’re catching yourself.” The Main Master took another step. “Let the truth come. You were never in prison.”
“Of course I was,” he snapped. “That’s not what I was trying to remember. I got out of the military. I…didn’t have anywhere to go. I couldn’t go home. I…got in trouble. I’m…sick.”
“That’s all not true.”
“Yes it is, Elec.”
“Braddock.” The Mistress’s voice was tense as she kept the angry expression on her face. “Let’s try to remain calm. We talked about this the night before last, Brad, remember? “What you’re seeing is not your life. You’re not?—”
“Stop saying that!I think I’d know serving my country. Do you know what I did? Do you have any idea what I’ve done? Maybe you could help me if you fucking listened.”
My Master’s anger had me keeping my body lax despite being ready for anything. I kept my stare on the Main Master knowing I took orders from him even more than my Master. Braddock was showing unstable behavior. I waited to see if the Main Master meant for me to do something about it.
“Brad, look at me.” The Mistress’s words turned smooth as she walked forward. “We’re going to count down now.”
“We’re not counting.I’m sick of this shit. You both think I’m crazy but I’m not. If you just fucking listened—” Braddock’s body loosened as he kept her stare. “Ten.”
‘That’s it. Let the anger go. There’s no tension in this space, only acceptance. Count.”
“Nine. …Eight.”
“Feel the muscles in your face relax. Unclench your teeth and jaw.”
“Seven.”
“Your body is heavy. It’s sinking deeper into the sofa.”
“…Six. Five.”
Again, the Mistress threw the Main Master a disapproving look.
“Remember this and know it to be true. You were never in the military, Brad. You didn’t serve. You weren’t homeless. You never went to jail.”
“Four. Three.
“You’re getting heavier. You’re so heavy.”
“…Two. One.”
“Sleep, Braddock. Hear nothing I say until you’re told to wake.Sleep.”
The energy went from calm to chaos in the span of a breath.