Jessica woke up the next morning. She wasn’t happy per se, but she was excited.
“Well, that’s a nice surprise,” King’s voice whispered in her ear. Jessica sat up and looked around, which felt immediately silly.
“Is it?” Jessica asked as she threw off her clothes and got out of bed.
It was a bit nice. Last night was spent explaining the power King could give, which wasn’t much since their bond was young. Having King there to remind her of her place was a load off her mind. King had explained the basics of his power, which wasn’t even a proper power but merely his natural authority. She had to be a good leader in order to properly use her authority, but that wasn’t really something Jessica cared about. It wasn’t as if she was planning a coup. But she could… Remind them of their place.
“Remember,” King spoke to her, “You’ll be given leeway due to your recent treatment. This will not always be the case.” Jessica focused on replying mentally. “Thank you,”
She waltzed into the kitchen, finding Mary on her tablet talking to someone on a call. She was excited, but forced her face to be cold. She got breakfast and sat directly across from her.
“Look, I get that it was bad but… this is the winter vacation I can’t just. Look I’ll think about it, just give me the morning to decide.” Mary hung up and looked at her daughter. She had a bruise on her face. Looks like it hurts.
“Surprised you’re up so early, figured you’d treat the world like it ended.” Mary said bitterly. Seems she was pissed about last night. This morning’s not going to go any better.
“What was that on the phone?” Jessica asked innocently. Mary shrugged, “The school board council wants to call the students back today for a meeting about bullying. As if that would help.”
“Sounds like a good idea to me.” Jessica offered, Mary grimaced, “I cannot come in today, not with the bruise you left me. You still need to apologize to me for that by the way,”
Normally, Jessica would have bristled. Normally Jessica would have seethed that this bitch thought she deserved an apology. Normally, Jessica would have felt alone.
“You’re doing well,” King’s voice whispered, “You are above this. Above her petty jabs.”
Jessica stood, she was excited to try out her new ability. King wasn’t kidding about it’s potency either. “Shut up,” She ordered.
Mary fell silent immediately, then her eyes widened as she was unable to start again. Mary stood in an instant. “Sit down!” Jessica ordered.
Jessica could feel it now, the weight of authority. No wonder King had extracted a promise from her. Her mother immediately turned back around and sat down. “Stay there, I’m talking now.”
She had assumed it would look unnatural, her mother a puppet on strings, but it wasn’t. It looked perfectly normal. Perfect. “I think it would be a great opportunity for all my classmates to be at school, all in one place. Wouldn’t you agree?” Jessica leaned in, “Nod.”
Her mother nodded. Jessica felt a rush of power. She could really make her do anything. Jessica opened her mouth, but King stopped her.
“Control yourself, Jessica. That’s beneath you.”
Jessica took a steadying breath against the intoxicating power of King. This was a bit insane, but he was right. She was beneath her now. “Give the nice man a call and agree to call the meeting in the auditorium and only that. Say nothing of me, to anyone, through text or call. Ever!”
Her mother immediately did so, fear evident in her eyes but her body obeying Jessica’s command. “Mr Barkley? Yes, I thought it over and you’re absolutely right. The students do need a reminder and I agree that perhaps an extra day spent learning about what they did is perfectly fair, yes. The whole senior class. Yes. Parents too? Alright. I’ve signed off on it. You're very welcome.”
Mary swiped the call away, and tried to do something else but jessica was quicker. “Glasses off.” The glasses smacked against the table hard.
“So, this is it then?” Mary asked, anger in her voice. “You gave yourself to that thing inside you know you get your petty revenge? I raised you better than that.”
Jessica laughed out loud, “Silence, I have nothing to say to you. You’re not my mother. You gave birth to me and that’s it. You’re such a failure that I can’t even look at you, Mary.” Jessica reached over and snapped the glasses in half. Her mother raged silently.
“You really think you have power here, don’t you.” Jessica pondered, she asked King something, and he agreed. “Stop breathing.”
Mary tried to laugh, then her eyes went wide. She grabbed her throat and began to choke. She spasmed and fell off her chair. Jessica watched, counting the seconds. At forty, she said, “Breathe and sit back in your chair.”
Mary gasped and fought to stand. She was in her seat, gasping. Fear was clear in her eyes. “Good. Now order some sleeping pills, the eight hour ones, and take one. I’m done with you, and with luck you’ll never see me again.”
Jessica left as Mary walked to the bathroom. She walked to the couch, her glasses lay where Mary threw them last night. They weren’t damaged at least. Her mother left the bathroom and went for the door. “Get in bed and transfer everything in your bank account to me. Use this account.”
Mary walked to her room, “You can’t do this to me. I’m your mother.” She was begging. JEssica sighed, “Leave $100 credits for groceries and the amount to pay rent this month, everything else is mine, payment for how shit of a mother you’ve been.”
Mary walked to school, jeans and a tee with white sandals. She called up the Bound Department helpline. “Bound Department support, are you calling in regards to an emergency?”
The lady on the line sounded nice, “Not an emergency, though people will probably think it is.” Jessica replied.
The woman typed rapidly, “Hello Jessica, I have your account… oh.”
“I assume last night’s fiasco is in my account?” Jessica asked.
“Jessica, have you had an incident?” The woman asked, Jessica sighed, “No, I’m just wondering if I can join the Bound Department as a minor. I don’t feel like it’s a good idea to continue schooling.”
“I’m afraid you’ll need to join after, though if you believe that further actions against you will occur then-”
“I’m gonna stop you there, because if I can’t join willingly I’m worried that I’ll cause an incident.” Jessica explained. This was part of the promise she made King, make an effort to avoid this by trying to join the Bound Department first. The lady sighed, “Jessica, please do not threaten me or others. I’m sure you are upset, that is reasonable, but you cannot harm fellow citizens because they wronged you.”
“I’m not, my entity does not provide combat capabilities, not direct ones anyways. Now shut up and listen.” Jessica explained, “Do not write notes or allow anyone to listen in.” A small scuffle ensued. “In 1 hour you are going to send two extraction agents with a unit of enforcers to West High School. They will find me in the auditorium and they can verify the student’s well being then, the teachers will all be waiting outside. I will come willingly, but since the department’s policies are so strict, then I’m afraid I’ll be causing an incident.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Jessica hung up and snapped her glasses in half. She probably had ten minutes to do this, but that was all she really needed. She entered the school to a lot of confused people, parents, teachers and kids. Jessica walked through them, saying excuse me’s and thank you’s. She got to the office, she walked past the secretary.
“Hey, when is your mother getting here? She’s late. Most people are in the auditorium but I’m being bombarded here.” She complained. Jessica just raised an eyebrow and gave her order.
“Connect me to the announcement system. Thanks”
The woman did so immediately, her eyes wide. Jessica wasn’t quite sure this would work but since the agent reacted to her orders she assumed so. Jessica took the microphone tab and spoke into it. “Everybody shut up this instant!” She yelled out. Perfect silence echoed down the halls.
“Thank you, make your way to the auditorium, take your seats, if there are none available then sit on the floor. Do not sit on the stage. Sit there silently until I tell you otherwise or release you of this command.” Jessica leaned against the dest as the secretary walked off.
She dropped the tab on the desk and slowly made her way to the auditorium, making sure to take in her last day at school. It would be a change, that was for sure. She slowly entered the auditorium, opposite the stage. Jessica smiled at the lines of people sitting nice and orderly, waiting for her.
“Well?” She asked, “You’re princess is here. Cheer for me!”
From their seats, everyone cheered. The racket spooked her a bit, but soon she wallowed in the praise. More accurately she wallowed in the ability to get praise from these assholes. She hopped up onto the stage and shouted for silence. Soon, everyone was staring at her, the tension in the air was palpable.
“Now then, I have marching orders. If you are a student at the school or had prior knowledge of what was planned last night, stand up.”
Most of the parent’s and teachers stood, and she noticed Maddie’s mother remained seated.
“To all who are still seated, your orders are as follows. You are to defend the auditorium from being breached. Discuss amongst yourselves how best to split up and defend the doors then do it to the best of your ability. If an enforcer asks a question, whoever was asked or the closest one to the officer will answer and I quote, “Two Bound department agents are allowed to enter. We will fight to the death to prevent unauthorized entry.” You will otherwise remain silent. Get to it now.”
The mob pooled together and discussed, splitting off to defend the exits and entrances. Jessica grinned at the rest, “Now the fun begins.”
She had everyone move closer to the stage. Then spoke, “Would the people who took part in planning please come forward?”
It was less than she imagined, perhaps ten students and 3 teachers. Maddie’s mom remained seated. Interesting. “Come on stage, everyone else, sit and be silent.”
She waited while the group walked up, terror clear on their faces. Jessica looked at them, disdain obvious in her’s. She noticed Timothy and frowned. She figured as much.
“Thanks for the warning, but it was too little too late. As was your apology. If you think that means anything then you need to learn what apologizing actually is.” Jessica promptly ignored the kid.
She positioned them in front of her in a semi-circle and forced them to their knees. With a word they were ass up in prostration to her. Jessica felt good.
“You notice that while you can think, you can’t disobey a direct order. The reason for that? Because of last night. You see, it pissed me off. Humiliated me. now the record needs to be set straight.”
Jessica smiled, “There are so many things I could force you to do, lots of terrible terrible things, but I won’t. You know why?” She waited a beat in the silence before screeching, “Because I’m not a fucking PSYCHOPATH!”
Jessica glared at the people before her. “I have to wonder what is wrong with all of you. You knew about this, and not only did not one of you have the decency to warn me, you joined in. So tell me, was it worth it. Was it worth tormenting me?” She glared some more, people were crying now. She pointed to one of them, a boy she recognized.
“You,” He blanched, skin going white as a sheet. “Why did you join in? Answer me.” The boy’s mouth moved immediately.
“Everyone was doing it, and you were just a Bound.” He began to apologize and beg but she just silenced him again.
“Raise your hands if that was your reason, and be honest. I don’t have time for lies.” Most student hands went up. Jessica rolled her eyes, “Pathetic, all of you. This room is full of humans yet the most humane creature in here is my fucking entity. At least he had the wherewithal to apologize for his fucking part in all of this. He begged for forgiveness the next moment that I saw him. You lot wait until the consequences are right in your fucking face! On your knees and bow.”
Everyone bowed, it felt justified, even as a knot formed into her stomach. She needed a big enough incident to be taken away, or else she’d just be shoved back into this God awful place. “Stand up Maddie, you clever mastermind.”
Maddie stood, taking her time. Fine, she’s allowed her own rebellion. The girl gave Jessica a look that could kill. Jessica ran a finger down her cheek. Maddie whimpered.
Jessica leaned in and whispered in her ear, “I could ask why you hate me so. Why my best friend decided I was such a piece of shit that needed to be reminded every day of that but really. I don’t care what such a small, petty, pathetic excuse for a human could say to justify your actions. So you will be silent, and accept just how powerless you are in the world. Just how small and weak you are right now, and maybe, just maybe, learn to be a decent fucking person. Now get behind me and get on your hands and knees. I’m not waiting for the department to come standing.”
She sat on the bench beneath her and had Michael act as a back rest. She waited, speaking with King who praised her restraint. It wasn’t really restraint though. She just didn’t care enough to do anything more.
“That’s called restraint,” King argued, “Besides, these people really don’t deserve your attention do they?”
It was a surprising 30 minutes before two men in suits entered the main doors. One was taller, his skin tone a shade darker than his partner’s. She smiled and gave a small wave. They looked severely uncomfortable. Wading through the bowing students, guns drawn. Jessica could have made them holster them, but there wasn’t much of a reason to.
“You’re Jessica I take it.” The taller man said, Jessica just smiled.
“I think it’s time to let these people go. No one is hurt yet, no one needs to be.” He continued. Jessica laughed. The sudden sound caused both agents to freeze.
“I’m not planning on hurting people. We can just head to the office and I can retract my commands. Would you please tell me your names?” She asked with a calm smile.
The agents shared a look, and the tall one answered, “I’m agent Diez, and my partner is agent Michaels.”
Jessica smiled, “That’s funny, we have a michael here too. Wave to the agents Michael.”
Michael waved from where he sat on top of Maddie. “You two made an excellent seat, join the others now.”
Maddie collapsed, and slowly took the position as Michael quickly obeyed. Jessica turned to the stage and waved at the front row. “The ten closest people, make a staircase for me to get down with. Once I’ve descended fully you will resume bowing.”
Jessica slowly walked down the human staircase, and walked up to the agents, then passed them. She looked back. “Well? You wanted to free these people right?”
She allowed a pair of cuffs to be placed on her and the agents led her out. She saw a wall of flesh guarding the doors, and made them move to the side. She saw a team with proper projectile weapons pointed at her, “Guns away,” She ordered, and they were put away. One of the agents called for a muzzle and Jessica stopped it, he tried to cover her mouth but was unable to.
“I’m coming willingly but I’m not going to let you man-handle me, especially after I tried to join willingly.”
Agent Michaels was clearly unhappy with this but after a few words with Agent Diez they led Jessica to the office. She quickly released her orders and she could hear the stampede of people from the office. “I suggest we leave quickly,” She offered.
The trio quickly left the building where she was stuffed into the back of an enforcer transport car and left there. The agents discussed while she waited. Jessica replayed the last hourish back again and again. It wasn’t nearly as fun as she thought it would be, but one way or the other she would never have to step foot in that blasted place again, for that she was thankful.
“That wasn’t very satisfying,” Jessica mused aloud, King chuckled, “That’s because revenge is generally beneath you. You’re a good person who doesn’t enjoy the suffering of others, even deserved suffering. One of the many reasons I love you.”
“I love you too, King.” Agents Diez and Michaels stuck something in their ears and got into the car. It looked to be cotton balls. The music was then turned up insanely loud. She received a message on her glasses, “Sorry about the noise, want some ear protection?”
She sent back a “yes please” and Agent Michaels turned and stuffed wads of fluff into her ears. The noise became a bit more tolerable. Agent Diez drove, while Agent Michael grilled her. He asked, she answered. She was honest about most of it, what she had done, how it works, why she did, etc…
MM: Thank you, we will have to verify everything but considering the video I doubt a judge will sentence you too harshly.
CD: Don’t make promises like that. Sorry Jessica, but until further notice we have been ordered to place you in solitary confinement at Prichard’s. You know about Prichard’s?
JA: Bound prison. I figured I would spend time there. Thank you.
CD: You don’t sound too bothered by prison time.
Jessica shrugged,
JA: I have a strong power, and I acted out. I knew what I was doing, besides, I’m never really alone, so solitary isn’t a big deal.
The Agents didn’t answer her for a long time. Then, at a red light Michaels asked a question.
MM: So you speak with your entity?
JA: Carefully. I’m not stupid enough to trust him but his nature makes him very… Lawful.
MM: How so?
JA: He’s the king of the Dusk, or he says he was.
Michaels turns around in shock and Diez blanches. They make eye contact and Jessica couldn’t help but comment.
JA: Seems he’s telling the truth.
Unfortunately, that was the end of the interview. Neither agent spoke the rest of the drive. Jessica sighed as she watched the city fly by. They were moving to a slightly poorer section of the city. Shockingly, no one with money would willingly live near a holding facility for Bound criminals.
Jessica was left in the car while the agents discussed arrangements. She wouldn’t have tried to escape but considering what they saw, she didn’t blame them. Fifteen minutes later four guards wearing headphones joined by the agents approached the car. They had sticks which would probably hurt if they hit her. Jessica was let out of the car, and led inside.
Agent Michaels spoke, his voice surprisingly coarse, “They’ll take you to a soundproof holding cell, there won’t be any signal but they’ll download a communal library to your glasses and you’ll be allowed to keep them as long as you behave. If you speak without permission you will be beaten into submission. If you try to relay orders while you are allowed to speak you will be beaten. Do you have any questions?”
Jessica shook her head. She would ask for a lawyer when she was told the charges. King was keeping her spirits up, so there’s that. Jessica was led past three separate checkpoints, buzzed into each one and taken to a chamber deep inside the prison. The cells were sealed, with small portholes that she was informed were one way. It seemed only half were filled, though it also seemed they doubled people up. Probably for socialization. That’s nice.
Her cell was in a different section. The door was small, and thick. She stood at the entrance, seeing the bed, the toilet and small sink. The shelf for writing and a small chair that looked bolted to the floor. It was clean, at least. She was uncuffed and walked in on her own. It was too late to change her mind, even if the bed looked uncomfortable as hell. The door shut with a hiss, and Jessica was alone. Kind of.
“Hopefully we’ll get proper accommodations soon,” King muttered. Yeah, kind of.