One crisp afternoon, in a quiet suburb, Mrs. Evelyn Marsden, a somewhat eccentric woman in her late 40s, sat in her study surrounded by books and mystical artifacts. She had always been fascinated by the unseen forces that connected people and the world around them. Her latest passion was hypnosis, and she was eager to put her knowledge to the test.

Evelyn had a reputation in the neighborhood as a kindly woman who knew just about everything—especially when it came to the "mysterious arts." She spent her days reading books, performing rituals, and occasionally hosting meditation circles in her backyard. The truth was, she was lonely. Her husband had passed away years ago, and her only daughter had moved away to study in the city. She longed for company, someone to keep her company, to follow her orders without question.

One sunny afternoon, Evelyn spotted young Billy, a 10-year-old boy who lived down the street, playing in his front yard. Billy was always polite and well-mannered, often waving to Mrs. Marsden as he passed by. Today, however, there was a certain sadness in his eyes—something Evelyn couldn’t quite ignore.

“Billy, come here, dear,” Evelyn called from her porch. “Would you like some lemonade?”

Billy’s eyes widened, and he quickly ran over to her, his little sneakers kicking up dust on the sidewalk. “Hi, Mrs. Marsden! Yes, please!”

Evelyn’s smile was warm and inviting as she handed him a glass of lemonade. “How’s school, Billy?”

“Good,” he said, taking a sip. “I got an A in math last week.”

“Congratulations!” Evelyn exclaimed. “Would you like to come in for a cookie?”

Billy hesitated for a moment, then nodded eagerly. “Sure! My mom said I could play outside for a bit longer.”

Evelyn led him inside, her mind racing with thoughts of how she could use this boy to fill the loneliness in her heart. She knew she had to be careful, though—she didn’t want to scare him away.

Once inside, Evelyn set two cookies and another glass of lemonade on the table. As they ate and chatted, she began to subtly steer the conversation toward hypnosis—telling him about how it could help with relaxation, confidence, even schoolwork.

“Would you like to try something fun, Billy?” Evelyn asked, a gentle smile on her face. “I can teach you how to feel really calm and focused.”

Billy, his curiosity piqued, nodded eagerly. “Sure! What do I have to do?”

Evelyn’s heart raced. This was her chance. “It’s very simple, dear. Just listen to my voice, close your eyes, and take a deep breath in and out. Let yourself relax.”

Billy followed her instructions, closing his eyes and breathing deeply. Evelyn’s voice was soft and soothing as she began to speak in a hypnotic tone, guiding him deeper into relaxation. “That’s it, Billy. Just listen to my voice... follow the sound... let it take you deeper.”

As she spoke, Evelyn worked to create a sense of security and trust. She needed him to feel safe—safe enough to obey her commands without question.

“Now, Billy,” she continued, “when I count to three, you’ll be fully relaxed and open to my suggestions. One... two... three...”

Billy’s breathing became steady, and his body seemed to go limp as he entered a deep trance.

“Good,” Evelyn said softly, smiling to herself. “Billy, can you hear me?”

“Yes,” he replied, his voice dreamy and distant.

“Good boy,” Evelyn said, her voice full of warmth. “Billy, whenever you hear my voice from now on, you will feel calm and relaxed. You will listen to my voice and follow my instructions. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Billy replied, his eyes still closed.

“Good,” Evelyn said. “From now on, you are my loyal servant. You will do anything I ask of you without hesitation. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Billy repeated, his tone unwavering.

Evelyn’s heart fluttered. This was working better than she had ever imagined. She had her loyal companion, someone who would follow her every command—someone to keep her company and listen to her stories.

“Good,” Evelyn said softly, her smile widening. “When you wake up, you’ll remember everything, and you’ll feel completely normal. You’ll know that you are my loyal servant, and you will obey my commands without question.”

Evelyn counted to three, and Billy slowly opened his eyes, looking up at her with a puzzled expression.

“Feeling okay, Billy?” Evelyn asked, her voice full of concern.

“Um, yeah, I guess,” Billy said, rubbing his eyes. “I was really tired, I think. What happened?”

“You were just very relaxed,” Evelyn said, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead. “Do you feel okay?”

“Yeah, I feel fine,” Billy said, though there was a lingering sense of unease in his eyes.

Evelyn tried to cover her disappointment with a smile. “Good! Well, I hope you enjoyed the cookies and lemonade. You should go home now. Your mom must be wondering where you are.”

Billy nodded and slowly got up from the chair. “Thanks, Mrs. Marsden,” he said with a weak smile.

“Of course, dear,” Evelyn replied, her voice too cheery. “Anytime you want to come over and play, just let me know.”

Billy left her house, still looking puzzled but cheerful. Evelyn watched him walk down the street, her heart heavy with doubt. She wondered if what she had done was right—if it was even real. But the memory of his docile, compliant state made her believe that maybe, just maybe, she had found a way to be truly happy—by creating her own loyal companion.

As the sun set, Evelyn returned to her study, pondering what she could ask Billy to do next. She was determined to make him her loyal servant—no matter what the cost.

“Soon,” she murmured to herself, “soon, you’ll be mine forever.”

Evelyn spent the rest of the evening deep in thought, wondering how she could ensure Billy’s loyalty and control. As the shadows grew longer and the house grew quiet, she knew she needed to act quickly before doubts started to creep in. She needed a plan—a way to keep Billy under her influence permanently.

The next morning, Evelyn was up early, pacing the floor of her study. She knew that she had to be careful—her magic, her influence, it had to be subtle, unnoticeable. She couldn’t afford for anyone to catch on to what she was doing. But her loneliness and desire for connection pushed her to take risks.

By the time Billy showed up later that afternoon, she had formulated a new approach. She welcomed him with a warm smile and homemade cookies, pretending as though nothing had changed since their last meeting. But this time, she had something more subtle in mind—something that would solidify his loyalty without him even realizing it.

“Billy, sweetheart,” Evelyn said as she handed him a cookie and poured them both some lemonade, “how about we play a little game today?”

“Sure,” Billy replied, his eyes lighting up. “What do you want to play?”

Evelyn’s heart fluttered. She had been thinking about this all night. “I was thinking we could play a game with words,” she said, her voice gentle and soothing. “A game where you listen to me carefully and follow my instructions.”

Billy took a bite of his cookie and nodded. “That sounds fun!”

Evelyn’s eyes softened as she watched him. She took a deep breath and began, “Alright, Billy, I want you to close your eyes and listen to my voice.”

Billy obeyed without hesitation, his eyes closing as he took a slow, deep breath. Evelyn’s heart clenched. This was it—her moment to solidify his transformation.

“Billy, I want you to picture a door,” she continued softly. “A big, old wooden door. It’s in front of you, and it’s the door to your mind. Behind that door is everything you know and believe about yourself.”

Billy’s breathing grew slower, his body relaxing as he focused on her voice. “Okay,” he whispered, his tone dreamy.

“Now, I want you to imagine that door opening,” Evelyn said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Behind that door, you’ll find memories—your memories—of being my loyal servant. Those memories are real, Billy, and they’re true. They’re part of who you are now.”

Billy nodded slowly, his brow furrowing as if he was trying to make sense of what Evelyn was saying. “I... I don’t understand,” he said, his voice small.

Evelyn’s heart broke a little. This was the tricky part—convincing him without making him feel like he was losing control. “Billy, listen to me,” she said softly. “You’ve always been my loyal servant, and you always will be. These memories are real—they’re who you are now. You’re no longer just Billy—you're my loyal companion, my helper.”

“Okay,” Billy said, his voice still small, but there was a glimmer of understanding in his eyes.

“Good boy,” Evelyn praised, her heart swelling with a sense of accomplishment. “Now, when I count to three, you’ll open your eyes, and you’ll feel completely normal, just like you did before. But you’ll remember that you’re my loyal servant. Do you understand?”

Billy nodded slowly. “Yes,” he whispered.

Evelyn counted softly, “One... two... three.”

Billy’s eyes fluttered open, and he looked around, clearly confused but also calm. “Uh, what happened?” he asked, his brow furrowed.

“You were just very relaxed,” Evelyn said quickly, offering him a reassuring smile. “It’s nothing to worry about. Just a little exercise to help you focus.”

Billy seemed satisfied with that answer, though Evelyn could see the gears turning in his mind. She knew she had to be careful now—she couldn’t let him dwell too much on what had just happened.

As the weeks went by, Evelyn continued to work on Billy, slowly reinforcing his loyalty through subtle commands, little games, and daily doses of hypnosis. She kept him coming back to her house, convincing his parents that he just loved spending time with her—what kid wouldn’t love cookies, lemonade, and a little magic trick every now and then?

Each day, Evelyn’s control over Billy grew stronger. She had found a way to fill the emptiness in her heart—by creating her own loyal companion, someone who would follow her every command, someone who would never leave her side. And for the first time in years, Evelyn felt truly content.

As for Billy, he didn’t seem to mind his new life—his new role. In his eyes, he had always been Evelyn’s loyal servant, always ready to obey, always eager to make her happy. And in Evelyn’s eyes, he was everything she had ever wanted—a child who would never grow up and leave her alone again.

“Thank you, Billy,” Evelyn would say, her voice thick with emotion, “for being the son I always wished for.”

Billy would smile, nodding eagerly, “Anything for you, Mrs. Marsden.”

In that moment, Evelyn knew she had everything she needed—her loyal companion, her perfect little family, even if it wasn’t quite real. And as long as Billy was by her side, Evelyn knew she would never be truly alone again.

Evelyn watched Billy carefully, a thoughtful expression on her face as she considered her next move. The subtle commands, the daily hypnosis sessions, they were only doing so much. She wanted more—she wanted total control over him, complete loyalty. And now, she had a new idea, a new technique that she believed could erase any remnants of Billy’s past life.

“Billy,” she said softly, her voice calm and steady, “I think it’s time for something new, something that will help you forget everything about who you used to be and focus only on being my loyal servant.”

Billy looked at her, his eyes wide and curious. “What are we doing today, Mrs. Marsden?” he asked, his tone eager.

Evelyn’s heart clenched. She had been preparing for this moment for weeks—months, even. “Today, Billy, I want you to try something different,” she said, her voice soothing. “I want you to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths with me. Let’s relax, really relax.”

Billy followed her instructions without hesitation, closing his eyes and taking slow, steady breaths. Evelyn watched him carefully, making sure he was fully relaxed before proceeding.

“Good,” she murmured, her fingers brushing against his shoulder gently. “Now, Billy, I want you to imagine a door in your mind—a big, heavy, locked door. Behind that door are all your memories, all your past. I want you to picture that door in your mind—can you see it?”

Billy nodded slowly, his brow furrowed. “Yeah, I see it,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Evelyn’s heart pounded in her chest. This was it—the moment when she could erase everything he knew, everything that made him who he was. “Now, Billy, I want you to listen very carefully,” she said, her voice low and steady. “In a moment, I’m going to count to three. When I reach three, I want you to imagine that door opening. And when it does, all those memories will fade away—every single one.”

Billy nodded again, his eyes closed tight as he focused on her voice. “Okay,” he said softly.

Evelyn took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around his shoulder. “One... two... three,” she counted softly.

Billy’s body tensed for a moment, then relaxed. Evelyn watched as his brow smoothed out and his breathing evened out. “Billy, when you open your eyes, you won’t remember anything about your past—about being anyone other than my loyal servant,” she said gently. “You’ll only know yourself as my helper, the person who takes care of me, who does everything I ask.”

Billy opened his eyes slowly, looking around as if he were waking from a deep sleep. “Mrs. Marsden?” he said, his voice shaky. “What just happened?”

Evelyn forced a smile, keeping her tone calm and reassuring. “You’re fine, Billy. Just relaxed, that’s all,” she said gently. “Everything’s fine. Now, why don’t we go make some cookies, just like always?”

Billy nodded, his expression still dazed. “Cookies sound good,” he said, his eyes unfocused.

Evelyn took his hand, guiding him out of the room and back into the kitchen. She had done it—she had erased his past. For now, anyway. But she knew it wouldn’t last forever. Sooner or later, he might start to question things—question why he felt the way he did about her, why he followed her every command without question.

As they baked cookies together, Evelyn couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. What if Billy started to remember? What if her control over him slipped? She had to keep him occupied, keep him focused on his role as her loyal servant. And for that, she knew she would have to continue her nightly hypnosis sessions, continue reinforcing her commands.

That evening, as they sat down to eat the cookies they had made, Evelyn decided to try something new—a different technique, one that could reinforce her control without the need for hypnosis. She reached for a small pendant she had hidden away—a pendant that she believed held a bit of her magic, a bit of her influence.

“Billy,” she said, her voice soft and calm, “I want you to hold this pendant for me. Just hold it, okay?”

Billy took the pendant in his hands, his eyes wide as he examined it. “What is it?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Evelyn smiled, her heart fluttering with anticipation. “It’s something to help you remember—something to keep you focused on your purpose,” she explained gently. “I want you to hold it and listen to my voice—my voice alone.”

Billy nodded, his fingers curling around the pendant as he looked up at her with wide, trusting eyes. “Okay, Mrs. Marsden.”

“Good,” Evelyn said, her voice steady. “Now, Billy, I want you to listen very carefully. This pendant will help you remember who you are—my loyal servant. It will remind you of your purpose, your role in my life.”

Billy held the pendant, his gaze locked on it as though it were the most important thing in the world. “I understand, Mrs. Marsden,” he said softly, his voice filled with a newfound determination.

Evelyn’s heart swelled with pride. She had found a way to reinforce her control—through magic, through subtle reminders. As long as Billy held that pendant, she was confident that she could keep him focused on his role as her loyal servant, her helper, her companion.

For now, at least, Evelyn felt secure in her control over Billy. She knew it wouldn’t be long before he started to ask questions, to wonder about his past, about who he was before. But until then, she had everything she needed—Billy’s loyalty, his unwavering devotion, and the knowledge that no matter what happened, she would always have a place for him in her life.

Evelyn took a deep breath as she watched Billy hold the pendant, still entranced by its magic. She knew this was the final step—the moment when she would make absolutely sure that Billy was hers, and hers alone. She had to erase his name, to remove any remnants of who he used to be.

“Billy,” she said softly, her voice calm and steady, “we need to take this a step further. From now on, you’re not just my loyal servant—you’re going to forget your past entirely.”

Billy looked up at her, his eyes still wide with trust. “Forget my past?” he echoed, his voice uncertain.

Evelyn nodded, keeping her tone gentle. “Yes, Billy,” she said, “we need to make sure that there’s nothing left—no memories, no ties to who you were before. From now on, you’re just a servant, nothing more, nothing less.”

Billy’s brow furrowed slightly, as if he were trying to comprehend what she was saying. “But… I thought I was always supposed to help you?” he asked, his voice filled with a hint of confusion.

Evelyn reached out and gently took the pendant from his hands, holding it in her own. “And you will,” she assured him, her voice unwavering. “But from now on, Billy, you won’t remember your old name, your old life. You’ll only know yourself as my servant, my helper.”

Billy nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving the pendant as if it held all the answers to his confusion. “Okay,” he said, his voice small. “What do I need to do?”

Evelyn took a deep breath and spoke slowly, carefully choosing her words. “Billy, listen to me very carefully,” she said. “I’m going to use this pendant to erase your name—to erase any memories of who you used to be. You’re going to forget everything about your past—about being someone other than my servant.”

Billy’s gaze remained fixed on the pendant as if it were the only thing that mattered. “Will it hurt?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Evelyn shook her head gently. “No, it won’t hurt,” she reassured him. “It will feel like you’re falling asleep—just relaxing and letting go of everything that’s not important anymore.”

She closed her eyes, focusing her energy on the pendant, allowing her magic to work its way into the pendant’s design. She could feel the power coursing through her veins, the connection between her and the pendant growing stronger with every beat of her heart.

“Billy,” she said softly, “when I say so, I want you to close your eyes and hold the pendant tightly. I’ll count to three, and when I do, you’ll forget everything—your old name, your old life. You’ll only remember being my loyal servant.”

Billy nodded, his eyes still fixed on the pendant. “Okay, Mrs. Marsden,” he said, his voice trembling slightly.

Evelyn took a deep breath and began to count. “One… two… three,” she said gently.

Billy closed his eyes, gripping the pendant tightly in his hands. For a moment, Evelyn felt the magic in the room intensify—her connection to the pendant stronger than ever. She watched as the pendant began to glow softly, the light illuminating Billy’s face.

“Let go of everything, Billy,” she said softly, her voice almost a whisper. “Forget your past, forget your name. Just be my servant.”

The light from the pendant grew brighter for a moment before fading, leaving Billy standing still, eyes still closed. Evelyn waited, holding her breath as the minutes ticked by, waiting for the moment when Billy would open his eyes and be her servant in every way.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Billy opened his eyes. He blinked a few times, looking around the room as if seeing it for the first time. “Mrs. Marsden?” he asked, his voice filled with confusion.

Evelyn’s heart clenched, but she forced a smile, keeping her tone calm and reassuring. “That’s right, Billy,” she said softly. “You’re here with me now—just my loyal servant.”

Billy’s brow furrowed as he looked at her, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. “But… I don’t remember anything,” he said slowly. “I don’t remember who I am.”

Evelyn’s smile widened slightly, a sense of triumph settling over her. “That’s right, Billy,” she said gently. “You’re just my servant now—no past, no name. Just you and me.”

Billy nodded, a small, dazed smile on his face. “Okay,” he said, his voice quiet. “I’m your servant, Mrs. Marsden.”

Evelyn’s heart swelled with satisfaction. She had done it—she had erased Billy’s past, erased his identity. Now, he was her loyal servant, her helper, her companion. As long as she held that pendant, she knew she would always have control over him—complete control.

“Good,” Evelyn said softly, her voice steady. “Now, let’s go make some dinner—your favorite, just like always.”

Billy nodded, still looking a bit lost, but with a glimmer of obedience in his eyes. “Okay, Mrs. Marsden,” he said, following her lead as they moved to the kitchen.

Evelyn couldn’t help but smile as she watched him, her heart at ease knowing that Billy was hers now—completely and utterly. No past, no future—just her loyal servant. For Evelyn, that was enough.

Evelyn led Billy into the kitchen, her heart heavy with the knowledge that she had completely erased his past. As they walked, she kept repeating the words “my loyal servant” under her breath, as if affirming her control over him with each step. The reality of what she had done settled in deeper with each passing moment.

“Come on, my loyal servant,” she said gently, her voice steady. “Let’s make dinner just like you used to—your favorite dish.”

Billy followed her into the kitchen, his eyes still a little unfocused, as though he were trying to grasp onto the last remnants of who he used to be. “Yes, Mrs. Marsden,” he replied, his voice flat and obedient.

Evelyn set to work pulling ingredients from the fridge—carefully placing them on the counter in front of Billy as if he were a young child being taught how to cook. “Take these, my loyal servant,” she instructed, her tone firm but not unkind. “Chop the vegetables here, slice the meat there—just like I taught you.”

Billy moved to do as he was told, his movements mechanical, like a puppet following commands. Evelyn’s heart ached for what she had done, but she knew there was no turning back now. She had made her choice, and Billy was her servant—no name, no identity, only her will to guide him.

“Good,” Evelyn said, her voice softer now as she watched him work. “You’re doing such a good job, my loyal servant. Just keep going. This is what you were made for—to serve me, to obey me.”

Billy’s eyes stayed on the task at hand, his focus unwavering as he continued to follow her instructions. “Yes, Mrs. Marsden,” he murmured, barely above a whisper.

Evelyn’s heart clenched at the sight of him, his once vibrant eyes now dull and lifeless. She had robbed him of his past, of his name, of any semblance of a real identity. Now, all he was to her was a loyal servant—a tool for her convenience.

“Don’t worry, my loyal servant,” Evelyn said, her voice full of false cheer. “You’re safe with me. This is where you belong—serving me, taking care of me.”

Billy didn’t respond, just kept working, his hands moving deftly as he followed her instructions. Evelyn finished the dinner preparations, setting the table with a practiced ease, and then moved to the living room to light some candles and set the mood.

“Dinner’s ready, my loyal servant,” she called out, her voice laced with a false warmth. “Bring the plates in here and set the table, just like before.”

Billy appeared a moment later, carrying the plates and utensils with a mechanical precision. “Yes, Mrs. Marsden,” he replied, placing everything exactly as she had instructed.

Evelyn sat at the table, her heart heavy as she watched him—this boy who was once so full of life, now just a shadow of himself. “You’re doing so well, my loyal servant,” she said softly, her voice gentle. “This is your purpose now—to serve me, to be mine.”

Billy nodded, his eyes fixed on the table, not meeting her gaze. “Yes, Mrs. Marsden,” he said, his voice monotone.

As they ate dinner, Evelyn kept the conversation light, asking Billy about his day—questions she knew he couldn’t answer because he no longer had a past to draw from. “What did you do today, my loyal servant?” she asked, her tone sweet and maternal.

Billy hesitated, his fork hovering over his plate before he replied, “I… I helped make dinner, Mrs. Marsden.”

“Of course you did,” Evelyn said, smiling warmly. “You’re always so helpful—always here to take care of me.”

Billy nodded, his eyes still distant, still lacking any real connection to the world around him. Evelyn’s heart ached, but she pushed the feeling aside. This was what she wanted—control, power over another human being. She had created this reality, and she was going to make it work.

After dinner, Evelyn cleared the table and led Billy back to his room, making sure everything was in its place. “Time for bed, my loyal servant,” she said softly, her voice full of false affection. “You need your rest so you can take care of me tomorrow.”

Billy obediently followed her instructions, changing into his pajamas and getting into bed without a word. Evelyn tucked him in, her fingers brushing his hair back gently. “Sleep well, my loyal servant,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “You’re safe with me—always.”

As she left the room, she felt a strange mix of emotions—power, fear, sadness. She had erased Billy’s past, made him forget who he was, and now he was nothing more than her loyal servant. Evelyn knew this was just the beginning, that there would be more to do to maintain her control over him. But for now, she was content. She had what she wanted—a loyal servant who would do anything for her, no questions asked. And in that moment, that was enough.

As Evelyn settled into bed that night, the weight of what she had done pressed heavily on her heart. She had erased Billy’s identity—his past, his name, his memories. All that remained was the obedient boy who now only responded to being called her loyal servant.

When she woke up the next morning, the house felt eerily quiet. The sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over the room, but there was no sound of movement from Billy’s side. Evelyn padded quietly to his room, her heart sinking as she opened the door to find him sitting on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the floor.

“Good morning, my loyal servant,” she greeted softly, hoping for a response, any sign of recognition.

Billy didn’t look up, didn’t respond with his usual, monotonous “Yes, Mrs. Marsden.” Instead, he stayed silent, his eyes lost in thought.

“Are you okay?” Evelyn asked gently, sitting beside him on the bed and placing a hand on his shoulder. “Do you need anything?”

Billy looked up at her then, his eyes unfocused, as if he were trying to remember something—anything—about who he used to be. “I… I don’t know,” he finally said, his voice barely a whisper.

Evelyn’s heart ached. She had expected complete obedience, complete loyalty, not this sense of confusion and loss. She wondered if maybe she had gone too far, if there was a way to bring back some semblance of Billy’s old self. But deep down, she knew there was no going back. She had crossed a line that couldn’t be uncrossed.

“Why don’t you come with me?” Evelyn suggested softly, helping Billy off the bed. “Let’s go make breakfast, just like we always do—just like you always used to.”

Billy nodded slowly, still looking uncertain, and followed her out to the kitchen. As they made breakfast together—pancakes and bacon, his favorite—Evelyn tried to keep the conversation light, to maintain the illusion that everything was normal.

“Do you remember how to flip the pancakes?” she asked, setting the pan on the stove and handing him the spatula. “You used to be so good at it.”

Billy hesitated, his eyes flicking to the spatula before he took it in his hands, his movements clumsy. “Yes, Mrs. Marsden,” he replied, his voice lacking the usual enthusiasm.

Evelyn watched him, her heart heavy with the knowledge that Billy wasn’t really there anymore—at least, not the Billy she had once known. “It’s okay,” she said softly, reaching out to take his hand. “Take your time, my loyal servant. We’ll get through this together.”

As they finished breakfast, Billy sat silently at the table, picking at his food rather than eating it. Evelyn sat across from him, her eyes filled with concern as she watched him closely. “Are you feeling okay, Billy?” she asked, her voice gentle.

“I don’t know,” he replied, still avoiding her gaze. “It’s all so… weird.”

Evelyn reached across the table and took his hands in hers, squeezing them gently. “I know it is, my loyal servant,” she said softly. “But it’s just the way things are now. You’re my servant, and we’re going to make the best of it.”

Billy looked up at her then, his eyes searching her face as if looking for answers. “But… what if I don’t want to be your servant?” he asked, his voice trembling.

Evelyn’s heart clenched at his words. She had hoped—vainly—that Billy would accept his new reality without question. “You don’t have a choice, my loyal servant,” she replied, her voice harder than she intended. “This is your purpose now—this is who you are.”

Billy dropped his gaze to the table, his hands clenching into fists. “But what if I don’t like it?” he whispered, his voice breaking.

Evelyn’s heart twisted. She had created this nightmare for him, and now he was asking questions—wanting to remember—to be more than just her servant. “You don’t get to choose, Billy,” she said, her voice steady but full of regret. “This is your life now—this is your purpose.”

Billy’s shoulders slumped, and he pulled his hands away from hers, his eyes closing as if to shut out the world. “I just want to go back,” he muttered, barely above a whisper.

Evelyn’s heart broke for him. She had made him into something he didn’t want to be—a shadow of his former self, trapped in a life he didn’t choose. But there was no undoing what had been done. All she could do was hold on tight, to make sure he was safe, to keep him as happy as possible in this new existence.

“Maybe someday,” she said softly, her voice filled with sorrow. “But for now, this is your life—your purpose. We’ll make it work, my loyal servant.”

Billy didn’t respond, just stared down at the table, lost in his own thoughts. Evelyn reached across the table and took his hand again, squeezing it tightly. “We’ll figure this out together,” she whispered, knowing deep down that there was no real solution—no way to make Billy’s life whole again.

As they finished breakfast, Evelyn cleaned up the dishes, her heart heavy with the weight of what she had done. She had created this reality—this cage for Billy—and now they had to live with it. There was no going back, no way to change the past. All she could do was try to make the future as bearable as possible for her loyal servant. And that was enough—for now.