They’d worn the same shirt, Samantha remembered. That’s the only reason she met Maddy. They were standing in line at Bean Counter, and they were both wearing the same band’s shirts. A simple, “Oh hey, did you get that at the show last month?” had them sitting together and sharing stories about the concert less than a minute later. 

 

Maddy had been smiling politely while Sam swore that the singer was looking right at her when he said “We’ll play one more song, just for you.” She had even continued smiling when Sam was explaining the band’s history. 

 

“So then they didn’t really have much choice but to change their name to Chronicler of Fire. Anyway, so what about you? Did you get good seats too?”

“I was front row.” Sam’s eyes widened. Why hadn’t she asked that before she explained the band’s name?

 

“We actually got VIP packages and got to meet the band before the show and stuff,” Maddy said, barely holding back her excitement. 

 

“Wait what?” Sam’s jaw dropped. “Can I see?”

 

Maddy pulled out her phone, one of the tiny flip-phones everyone had back then. She was looking for a picture, and her phone rang. Maddy saw the number flashing on the screen and her smile dissolved. She quickly answered, and pressed the phone to her ear. 

 

“Hey, I’m actually out–” A voice cut her off and Maddy looked at the floor. Her smile vanished. All the pride and energy she’d just been beaming with had drained out of her. She glanced at Sam, eyes soft with something like resignation.

“I’m… sorry…”  she whispered, too quietly for anyone else to hear.

 

It was exactly the same as when she apologized to Sam before their first time together. That was the real Maddy. 

 

Samantha realized Maddy had already been claimed by Julian. 

 

Samantha could barely believe it was possible. She tried to piece the timeline together. That concert was during winter break of senior year… Which was right around when she broke up with Julian. So Julian only had a month to sink his teeth in Madeline…

 

 

Samantha reflected on how clearly she could see the trance on Maddy in her memory. It was undeniable. 

 

 

“Yeah, of course I’ll be there… I love you…” Maddy had stared straight off into the distance, when she answered. 

 

Maddy put her phone away. She faked a smile at Sam.

 

“Hey, I have to go deal with this, right now. Umm… Hey, add me on MySpace, I’m not hard to find. ‘Maddy HK’ that’s M-A-D-D-Y-H-K. I’m not hard to find. My picture on there is the one I was talking about. “

 

Maddy ran off like she was late to her own wedding.

 

When Sam got home that day, she went ahead and looked up ‘Maddy HK’ on MySpace. They added each other as friends. They never actually spoke again, but Sam remembered looking at her pictures from time to time. She always looked so happy in every picture. 

 

That same girl, she saw that same girl. She was so sad when she appeared before Sam. 

 

But she was there. 

 

Madeline had been conditioned by Julian for over twenty years. She literally gave her life to the man. 

 

But Maddy wasn’t gone. Samantha saw her. 

 

So Sam must still be here. 

 

Samantha listened for a voice in her head, but heard no response.

 

 

Samantha felt oddly sentimental at the notion. Like realizing she still enjoyed watching some cartoon she liked as a kid. It was reassuring to know that person was still a part of her, even if it wasn’t who she was now. 

 

She imagined Sam still existing within her mind. Her mind was fully shackled, but not fully devoted. That was the difference between the two. Sam would enjoy every orgasm forced through her body. She would obey every order given. She would think whatever she was told to think, but she would never forget what she was before. 

 

Sam would never want to stop being that person. She would act the part of a slave, but would always be the loving housewife deep in her heart. 

 

Samantha might even forget about her from time to time, but she would never truly disappear.

 

Always watching… judging… waiting for a moment of weakness… Waiting for a heroic moment to save her life and have a happy ending.

Samantha smiled. She was pleasantly surprised to find herself horrified at the thought. She turned her thoughts to Julian.

Mantra Nine: I trust my Master to know what I need. 

 

She took a breath, and finally let herself open her eyes.

 

Mark was sleeping next to her. The warm glow of the sunrise bathed him in gold. He was so strong. He was so calm. He loved her. 

 

He just didn’t like Sam’s kink. 

 

Sure he was a jackass about it, but we could have worked that out. Is this really better than just agreeing not to do something that makes one of us uncomfortable? Samantha couldn’t tell if Sam was talking to her, or if she was just imagining what her old self would say. 

 

How hot would it be if she was still there? Helpless to watch as I control her body? 

 

Samantha smiled.

 

“That didn’t matter. Only the pocket-watch matters. That’s what this is,” Samantha whispered to herself. 

 

 

Samantha paused, stunned. That wasn’t imagined. Samantha wouldn’t dare think that on her own. 

 

Samantha felt her lips respond automatically. 

“Mantra Twenty-Six: I love cheating on my husband,” Samantha whispered. She was taking quiet soft breaths, deathly afraid of waking Mark. 

 

She loved him too much to let him see her like this.

How could she love him and love cheating on him? Her mind felt like it wanted to rip in two. She knew it was wrong. She knew it didn’t make sense, but somehow she was able to believe both at the same time. 

 

Doublethink. Like Nineteen Eighty-Four. God, I really am brainwashed…  Sam wanted to scream. Instead, she softly moaned as heat bloomed between her legs. Her lust, still undeniably linked to thoughts of brainwashing, needed to be sated. 

 

 

Even if it was doublethink, she still loved him. She’d love him as long as she could. 

 

As if in response to this thought, Mark rolled over. His eyes slowly opened and he took in Samantha’s form.

 

“Hello, Beautiful.”

 

Mark kissed her, and got out of bed. Samantha didn’t let him see her tears.

“Hey Mark,” Samantha said, as she pretended to rub sand from her eye. Her husband turned around to face her.

 

“Let's have sex tonight. It’s been too long.” Samantha smiled as the words left her mouth. 

 

Mark gave that same sheepish grin he always did. 

 

“That sounds good, Sam.”

 

Samantha hated how warm and sexy his voice sounded. 

***

 

That night, after a day lost with Julian, Madeline, and some girl whose name she never bothered to learn, Samantha walked into her house. It was nearly 11:00 now. Samantha double-checked the message Julian had her send while under trance. 

 

>Going to sushi with Madeline and some other girls from yoga. Should be back by 8:00. 

 

As long as she woke Mark up for some fun, he wouldn’t mind that she was late. Samantha walked into her house and was surprised to hear running water and the clang of dishes. 

 

Samantha made her way to the kitchen. As she walked through the living room, she saw the reading light was on and several notebooks lay face-down on the couch. Liv had been waiting for her again. 

 

As she walked into the kitchen, Samantha saw a tired young woman, staring blankly into space as she scrubbed the same spot on a plate over and over.

 

 

Samantha blinked the thought away, and walked up to her daughter. 

 

“What’re you doing, Liv?” Puffy, bloodshot eyes turned to meet her gaze. 

 

“I’m doing the dishes, Mom. Since you were out again, I picked up Lucas and made dinner.” Samantha flinched at the venom in her words when Liv said ‘out’. Her implication was clear.

 

“Now I’m reading for school in between doing loads of dishes.” There were tears in Liv’s eyes.

 

Samantha hugged her daughter, but Liv’s hands pushed her away. 

 

“Whoever he is, I can smell his cologne on you, Mom!” 

 

Samantha froze. She knew this was a problem. She remembered worrying about it when she met Liv last night. 

 

“I went into your bathroom! I smelled every single one of Dad’s colognes. None of them smell like what you smell like now or yesterday!” 

 

Samantha wrapped her arms around her daughter. She didn’t let Liv push her away. Tears were falling from her eyes, and a memory from today’s session with Julian came roaring back to her. 

 

”...that’s why I let you keep her. Sam can be useful from time to time. No reason to throw out a useful tool. Whenever you feel like you can no longer trick them, use her…”

 

Samantha smiled. 

 

 

Sam emerged from Samantha and gripped her daughter tightly. She knew she wouldn’t have much time. She knew Samantha still controlled her. She couldn’t say too much to her daughter, but she could say something. 

 

“I’m so sorry, Liv.” The tears were unstoppable now. “I love you, and Lucas–”

 

“But not Dad!” Liv broke free of the embrace. Sam could see the tears streaming down her daughter’s face. 

 

Sam looked her daughter in the eyes. She didn’t know if Liv would believe her, but she had to try.

 

“I love your father, Liv. I love him from the bottom of my heart…” With her daughter out of reach, Sam wrapped her arms around her chest. 

 

“It’s… so hard to explain, Liv… But you’re right…”

 

Sam took a breath, as her cowardly other-self let her live this moment all on her own.

 

“I’ve been cheating on your father.”

 

Silence. No mantra. No whispering obedience. For the first time in weeks, Sam realized she was speaking alone.

 

Liv’s breath caught. It was clear to Sam that Liv hadn’t expected her to admit it. 

 

“Liv, it’s not fair that I have to put you through this, but please…” Sam prayed this would work, “don’t tell your father.” 

 

Sam squeezed her shoulders tighter as she felt Liv’s cold stare in response. 

 

“He doesn’t deserve the hurt. I’ll…” Sam swallowed.

 

 

“I’ll end things with Julian. Liv, I promise this will never happen again.” 

 

Sam meant it. With all her heart, she meant it. 

 

But she knew that didn’t make any difference. In short time, Liv would discover the lie and her life would be over.  Was Julian doing this to her on purpose? Forcing her to come home without showering so her family could catch her?

 

He wanted to punish her for breaking up with him. That’s why he didn’t make her divorce Mark as soon as he controlled her. That’s why he was allowing her to still love Mark.

 

Julian wanted to hurt her.

And Sam realized she had thrown away her life with Mark just to let him.

 

Sam felt her daughter slam into her for a hug. Sam cherished the moment, wondering how many moments like this she had left. Sam held her daughter for ten minutes; neither of them saying a word until Liv finally let go. 

 

“I won’t tell him, Mom, but you should.” Liv wiped the tears from her face. “I won’t lie to him for you either, Mom. If you really cared about not hurting Dad, you wouldn’t be sloppy enough to get caught.” 

 

Sam squinted, trying to understand her daughter’s logic. Was Liv now encouraging her to continue the affair? She decided not to judge it. 

 

“Yeah, that’s fair, honey.” Sam looked at the dirty pots and pans in the sink. Liv had cleaned all the dining dishes, but she hadn’t gotten to the cooking dishes yet. 

 

“Why don’t you let me finish up dishes, you get some rest.” 

 

Liv nodded and walked towards the stairs. Before she went up, she paused and turned to Samantha. 

 

“Mom, make sure you take a fucking shower before you crawl into bed with Dad. Okay?” 

 

Sam didn’t know how to respond. She stood in silence as Liv walked upstairs, and then started washing dishes.

 

***

 

It was just after midnight when Sam got out of the shower. Her hair was still damp, but she knew Mark wouldn’t mind. She slid into bed with her husband, and began sliding her hand along his leg. She was pleasantly surprised to feel the warmth of his skin directly on her hand. Mark was sleeping naked. 

 

She pressed her breasts into his back and reached around to feel his cock. It was soft at first, but hardened quickly as she lightly stroked him. 

 

Mark was harder than Sam ever remembered and he wasn’t even awake. 

 

 

Sam realized with slight embarrassment she really wasn’t sure how long it had been since she made love to her husband. The heat was burning inside her. She needed him. 

 

Sam began lightly kissing up her husband’s neck, and heard that familiar soothing moan of pleasure. 

 

 

She moved her lips up to his ear, and tried to wake him up in the nicest way possible. 

 

“Mark… I love you…” She heard him take a deep breath. He was finally waking up. Sam began stroking him faster. 

 

“Are you still up for sex tonight?” His cock throbbed in her hand as if to respond. She nibbled on his ear anyway. She wanted to hear him say it. 

 

“Yeah… Definitely…” Mark took another deep breath before he rolled over suddenly, now fully awake. He grasped his wife in his strong arms. Sam felt his muscles flex as he pulled her close. She was so warm, so safe. Sam felt her love’s lips lightly touch against hers, and their tongues began to intertwine. 

 

This is right, she told herself. This is who I’m supposed to be with.

 

Mark’s hands began to softly cup her breasts. Always gentle. Always afraid he might squeeze too hard and hurt her. She felt her pussy dripping down her leg. She wanted him so bad. She missed having a lover who put her pleasure first. 

 

 

The thought echoed in her mind almost like a mantra. She tried to get rid of it, distract herself with Mark’s touch, distract herself by touching Mark. She just wanted to enjoy her husband. That was the deal. Julian gets to have Samantha, but Sam gets to have Mark. 

 

You know that’s not how it works anymore, Sam, Samantha whispered in her mind. By the time Sam realized what was happening, it was too late. 

 

The abyss of her own mind began drowning her. Sam was plummeting deeper and deeper into Samantha. She felt her own lips curl into a grin as Julian’s slave locked her away again. 

 

 

Sam tried to stop it. She tried to keep kissing Mark. Sam felt herself break the kiss. The moonlight streamed in through the open window. Mark’s beautiful face was made all the more enticing by its romantic glow. 

 

Sam looked her husband dead in the eyes, and tried to squeeze her lips shut. Instead, she whispered,

 

“Mantra Thirteen: My body responds best when I am hypnotized.”

 

Mark’s eyes squinted a little. She had said it just barely too quietly for him to understand what he heard.

“Sorry, what’d you say?” He was still sliding his hands up and down her back. 

 

Samantha smiled blankly, and let the words she had been trained to slay flow from her. “I said ‘my love for you has me mesmerized.’” She began stroking his cock, hard. Harder than Sam ever did. Mark groaned in pleasure. 

 

 

Samantha didn’t even know if Sam could hear her anymore. Either way, it was too fun taunting her. 

 

“Lay on your back my love. There’s something I’ve been wanting to try.” Mark pressed his lips into hers, and Samantha let her tongue play with Mark’s. He broke the kiss, and rolled onto his back. 

 

Samantha moved between his legs, and held Mark’s cock to her lips. 

 

“I thought you didn’t like doing this. Doesn’t it–” Mark was interrupted by his own moan as Samantha took him into her mouth. Past her lips, she ran her tongue along the underside of his cock as she took him deeper. Deeper than Sam thought possible. Samantha felt the head of his cock slip into her throat; something Sam had never been able to do.

 

 

Her throat relaxed as she pressed her tongue against the base of his cock. As she pulled her mouth back, it slid along the underside again until it was all the way out again. She gave it a single kiss right on the tip. 

 

“Jesus Christ, Sam,” Mark gasped, “When did you learn to do that?”

 

Samantha smiled, “Oh, I’ve been practicing…” she took him back in her mouth before he could question what she’d been practicing with. Samantha began bobbing her head up and down along his length, taking him into her throat again and again. She swirled her tongue around his cock with every plunge, and every time Mark moaned, she drowned it out with a mantra.

Mantra One: Hypnosis quiets the noise inside me.

She felt his cock reach just barely deeper down her throat. Mark loved what she was doing to him. 

 

 

She felt his cock begin to throb. Mark was starting to get close.

 

 

Julian let Mark borrow her mouth, but he would never have her pussy again. Samantha began sucking faster. As he got close, Samantha thought one last mantra before she plunged down the final time.

Mantra Nineteen: I don’t want to be married, I don’t want a partner, I want to be a slave.

Mark erupted into her mouth. Jet after jet of his salty cum shot out. Samantha swallowed it all eagerly. Whether she was serving her master, or being lent out to another man, a good slave always swallows…

 

Mark wrapped his arms around her, so tight she could barely breathe.

 

“I don’t deserve you…” he whispered. 

 

For a fleeting moment, Samantha almost felt sorry for him. 

 

He released his arms and began kissing up her body. Along her stomach and up between her breasts. Samantha let him press his face into each of them and kiss her nipples, before he made his way up her neck. His lips found hers and joined with them. His love overriding any fear he might have of what remained in her mouth. 

 

“Sam, let me return the favor. I don’t think I can still fuck you, but…” He traced his tongue around her lips and slowly flicked upwards, before kissing her again. 

 

Despite how much Samantha knew she would enjoy Mark’s tongue, she had to decline. 

 

“Actually Mark, it’s pretty late. I think I’m pretty ready to sleep.” Samantha held Mark’s hand tightly. “I love you, and I’m glad I got to make you feel good.” She squeezed his hand once and leaned close to whisper in his ear. 

 

“I’m really glad I got to show off my new skill. I’m even more glad you love it so much.” She punctuated the sentence with a quick kiss on the cheek. Mark hugged her hard.

 

“Alright, if you’re sure.” He said before pulling the blanket over the two of them. Samantha could hear how weary his voice was now. She wondered if he’d stayed up late, waiting for her to come home. 

 

Mark was already snoring. Samantha found herself slowly climbing out of bed; careful not to wake Mark. She walked to the vanity and opened the drawer, pulling out Julian’s pocket-watch. Still naked, she walked into the bathroom, closed the door, and turned on the light.

She saw the naked slave staring back in the mirror. She was so horny. She was strung so tight by what she’d done. Wetness spilled down her thighs as her body begged for relief. 

 

And she wouldn’t take it from Mark.

 

Samantha held up the pocket-watch and began swinging it; hypnotizing herself further into Julian’s control. 

 

“Mantra Three: Each time I go under, I feel more like myself.”

 

As Samantha touched herself, she imagined a day where she couldn’t remember Sam.

 

“Mantra Eighteen: My past is irrelevant. I exist to be trained.”

 

Before she knew it, an orgasm had overtaken her. Before it ended, she allowed herself to indulge in one last mantra for the night.

 

“Mantra Twenty-Seven: I never want to be free.”

 

***

 

She was no longer Sam, nor Samantha. She was the slave that was buried beneath them both.. The one they never even knew existed. It was rare that she took direct control like this, but the situation warranted it. Her master had programmed her to inform him of any threats. 

 

The slave took Samantha’s phone and began to send a message to her master.

 

>Liv knows about the affair. How should I proceed?

 

TICK-TOCK Her master responded in less than a minute. 

 

>How old is Olivia? Is she in college?

 

The slave knew that even Samantha would resist this. That’s why she had to be the one to send the message.

 

>She’s eighteen, master. She’ll graduate high school next month. 

 

The slave waited, patient and unthinking. She simply stared at her reflection in the mirror. She felt neither arousal nor loathing for the woman she saw. The face staring back was simply a slave. Nothing more.

 

TICK-TOCK A new message arrived.

As she looked at the phone, the slave did not read words so much as she heard Julian’s powerful voice echo directly in her head:

 

“Perfect.”

 

The slave deleted the conversation.