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Okay, 6:15, still got twenty minutes before I need to worry, but I am feeling hungry.  Guess I'll go ahead and take off.  Then I can get breakfast before I need to clock in, definitely some coffee, need coffee, so pissed I'm out, how did I not notice?  Alright, double-check, got everything?  Keys, bag, phone, yep, okay, good to go.  WHAT THE F-

There is nothing there.  I should get in my car and leave.

Whoa… god, my imagination's working overtime this morning, scared the shit out of myself, what was I even thinking about?  Why is the backdoor o-

There is nothing in the car with me.  I should leave.

This… this is why coffee exists.  I must be hallucinating from a lack of caffeine.  Okay, take a second.  Focus.  Wake up.  Take a good look around.

There is nothing in the backseat.  I have no reason to look there.

See, just a normal day.  Without coffee.  Okay, yeah, time to get a move on.  I'll skip breakfast, pick up a muffin from Starbucks along with whatever the strongest thing is.  God, I hate Starbucks… Why can't they just say small, medium, large?  Why do they have to be so pretentious about everything?  And, of course, people buy right into it and pay the absolutely outrageous prices and everything, and now I can't get a decent cup of coffee without paying an arm and a leg.

I should not get on the highway.

But that's the best way to get to work?  Why wouldn't I take the high-

I want to avoid the traffic.  The ground roads will be faster.

Right, right, yeah, it gets ridiculous this time of day.  I'll just pull up my nav-

I don't need navigation.  I know the way.

Right, of course, stupid, you know the way.  We just need to hit Pea-

Take the freeway east.

Wait, but work is south.  Why would I go-

I will take the freeway east.  That will get me where I need to go.

Of course, right, I know where I'm going.  East.  That will get me… south…  What?  Wait, WHAT THE HELL IS-

There is nothing in the car with me.  I am not going to work.  I am going to visit my friend.  There is nothing to worry about.  I have been overworking myself.  I need a vacation and some time to relax.

Right.  God, I really must be overworking myself.  I feel like I'm seeing things, scaring the hell out of myself, and my mind feels so… fuzzy…  Ugh.  Dunkin' Donuts.  I'm getting some damn coffee.  And some donut holes…  Everyone likes donut holes, right?  I'll get two.  One for me, and one for… my friend.  How long has it been since I've seen… my friend?

It has been too long.  I really need to see a friendly face and relax.  Nothing else matters.

We're gonna just take it easy, and I can just let all this tension and pressure blow away.  Mmmmm… coffeeeeeeeee.  Yessssss.  Sweet, sweet, caffeine, you complete me.  You had me at hello.  Wait, is something in my car?  What-

There is nothing in the car.  I should continue.  My friend is waiting for me.  Then I can relax.

It'll be great to relax.  Work has been killing me.  I should call Jackson, make sure-

I do not need to call anyone.  They all know their duties.  No one will be affected by my absence.

But I still have to-

Everything will be taken care of.  All arrangements have been made.  I deserve this vacation and have made sure my tasks and duties will be seen to.

Right, how could I have forgotten?  More coffee.  Soak it in.  Oh, wow, I forgot how good donut holes are.  I need to hit up Dunkin' Donuts more often.  And the coffee isn't bad either.  Great way to start a great morning.  I've got… vacation… how long did I-

I will be on vacation for as long as want.  I have taken a leave of absence.  The stress was becoming too much for me.

All that pressure, all that stress.  I just need to take a breather, de-stress, get myself some space and distance.  Then I can go back refreshed and reenergized and ready to face the world again.  That reminds me, I should make sure Jackson knows to-

I do not need to contact anyone.  They all know what to do.  I have made sure all arrangements are taken care of.

Right, he knows what to do.  Of course.  If nothing else, there are plenty of other people he can ask.  He's been there long enough that he should know the job without someone looking over his shoulder constantly.  I hope...

It's been a long time since I've been this far out of the city.  It's almost like an entirely different place.  Big empty fields, big houses on big plots of land.  Oh, there's a subdivision being built.  I guess they're developing the area.  That'll bring in more businesses, more jobs.  People will want convenience close to home.  It's almost a shame, but that's progress for you.

Oof, there's the sun coming up.  Put the visor down.  I hate driving into the sun, glad I don't normally have to go east.  How long do-

Another five miles, then I will turn north.

That'll be a relief, at least, not having the sun in my eyes.  There's a reason statistics show the most traffic incidents during dawn and dusk.  The glare alone is enough to kill.  At least there's not much traffic.  Then again, there's not a whole hell of a lot out this way, is there?  I've been passing horses for the last twenty minutes, and I haven't seen a gas station since the one by the Dunkin' Donuts.

I should take the next left turn.

I guess this is why they call it the freeway: you're free to take your life into your own hands trying to get off of it if you aren't making a right.  Who thought it was a bright idea to make you cross three lanes of traffic anyways?  At least they have a light, but does the sensor even work?  I've been sitting here for at least five minutes, and it's not like anyone else is coming.  Ugh, finally.

That's better at least.  Turn the other visor and put mine up.  Yeah, that's better.  No more sun glare.  This is really beautiful, though.  I wouldn't mind getting a place out here when I get older.  I'm sure as hell not going to be farming or ranching, but just a nice little place with a view out over all the rest of this.  Then again, this is kind of out there, so far from everything...

Maybe somewhere further south would be better, though.  I do like this wooded area a bit better, and that Spanish moss looks really beautiful with the sun streaming through it.  Yeah, somewhere further south, closer to the city but definitely outside of it.

I should take the next right.  It will be a dirt road.  I am almost there.  It will be two miles down.

Almost there.  Finally.  Bleh, coffee's gone cold.  Oh, well, it did its job.  At least it won't be much longer.  I hope… my friend… likes coffee?  Why don't I-

That doesn't matter.  I will just be glad to get there.  Then my journey is over.

Right.  They say the journey is more important than the destination, but that's usually bullshit.  The journey is usually shit no matter how you travel.  It's either hours in the car, hours on planes, or, god forbid, hours and hours on a bus.  Is that it coming up?  I think I-

I should park by the barn.  That is where I am expected.

Why would I be expected at the barn?  That doesn't-

I am expected at the barn.  That is normal.  That is where I should go.

Right, the barn.  I'll just pull in here.  Wow, the air smells really different out here.  I guess you just get used to the city smells.  It smells so… fresh.

The barn.  I need to go into the barn.  The small door on the right.

Right, the barn.  Wow, it's dark in here.  Wait, what- Oh my god!  What are those people…?  Shit, I need to get-

I need to stand very still and turn around.  I will not be afraid.

Oh, god, what is-

It is my Master.  I will not be afraid.

Master? But-

This is my Master.  He is of a very ancient and powerful race.  It is an honor that I am allowed to serve him.

Wait, serve?  No, no, n-

This is my place.  It is the place of every good pet.

Pet?  What?  I am not a-

Human being.  I am not a human being.  I am a pet.  I am a pet to my Master.  I belong to him.

But… I don't-

I am a pet.  I am my Master's pet.  This is my Master.  I am his pet.

His eyes are so deep, it's like I could fall into them forever…

A pet should not look too long into Master's eyes.  A pet could become lost in them forever.  Master would not like a mindless pet.

Right, look away, look down at- holy fuck!  What are-

Those are Master's other pets.  I am a pet.  They are pets.  We are the same.  What they do, I shall do, because Master wills it.

But I don't want-

My wants do not matter.  My needs do not matter.  My will does not matter.  Only Master's wants matter.  Only Master's needs matter.  Only Master's will matters.

But… but I…

Master is all that matters.  I live for Master.  I die for Master.  I serve Master.  I am his.

I…  I don't…

Master will care for me.  Master will protect me.  I have no more worries, now that I am with him.  I have no more fears, now that I am his.  All I need do is what Master desires of me.  All I need think of is Master's desires.

Master's… desires… But my family!  My friends!

Are of no consequence.  They do not matter.  Master is all that matters.  Master's other pets will be my new friends, my new family.  All united under Master.  All devoted to Master.

Devoted to Master…

Master is all.  I live for Master.

Live… for Master…

I should follow Master to my new home.

New home… but what about my apartment?

That was never my home.  That was only temporary until I could join Master.  Now I am with Master.  I have found my true home.

I am home…

I should kneel in Master's presence and bare myself to him.  Pets should never hide themselves from Master.  A pet's place is at Master's feet.  Pets are not equal.  Pets are below Master.  Pets are below everything.  I am a pet.

A pet… yes.  Yes, I should be bare before Master.  This is my place, at Master's feet.  This is where I belong, but why is he-

My collar is a gift from Master.  It marks me as Master's pet and property.  I must never remove it or allow it to be removed by anyone but Master.

Yes, my collar.  I am Master's.  I will never take it off.  I belong to Master.  This is my home.  This is where I belong.  I live for Master.

I should sleep.  Master will come for me later to begin my training.  I must be ready for him.

Yes… Sleep… Sleep for Master...