"Thanks for the lift." I tell Brittany, climbing out of her car.
"No problem," she says, her nose wrinkling up in disgust. "There are so many Prostands around, its sickening. Maybe I should stay out here and wait for you. A Standards pet is a Prostands snack." She laughs.
"I'm not your pet." I snap, then smile. "No, don't stay... won't they see you?"
"I won't let them." Brittany winks, then disappears.
Still smiling, I turn to Blake's apartment. "Here we go." I say.
****
"Thank you." I tell Blake, taking the coffee he offers.
"Yes, no worries." He smiles slightly, examining me, making me uncomfortable. "What can I do for you today...Macy?"
"Well," I start, "Like I said, I'm fairly close to some of your standards. And one in particular, I'm very worried about."
I stare into the face of this skinny, blonde haired, abnormally short twenty year old man. What is he? Four two? He deliberates what I told him, sipping his coffee. "Yes, that's why I let you in, child. I am curious and somewhat fascinated in what you have to say. So, why do you assume this concerns me?" He asks, unsure of how much I know.
"Sir, I uhm... My uh, knowledge of your well, lifestyle, per say, is large. Im currently engaged to one of your best Standards, Taylor. Taylor Lautner. You, as his master, Blake, should be concerned about his well- being. I'm afraid something is terribly wrong." I explain.
I guess Blake trusts me now, because he sits up straighter in his seat, asking, "And what is wrong? What do you think I can do about it?"
"Blake, I understand that Standards are very unlike normal human beings in nature. And I know you are the cause of that. Standards have certain powers and duties, specialized by you to help serve and protect humanity from your enemies. Prostands? Yes. They are like Standards but turned evil by a darker magic, one quite like yours. I'm here because Taylors powers are weakening greatly. And its affecting his normality, I think. He is acting so different. It may be a danger in a way that he may expose your secret. And I think you can help because I've heard you can strengthen powers of Standards. I need you to do this for Taylor."
"Macy, is it? Well, Macy, I'm sorry that Taylors powers are deteriorating. But why should I strengthen his powers? He is finished serving me, his duty is done, so he has no further use for them."
"I don't think you understand." I say, drinking my coffee. "His well being is decreasing as well. His sanity is... its going to shit, Blake. And he feels that for me to be with him he needs those powers. He has decided that he owns me, that the only way for me to be with him is if he is my master, like you are his. Taylor cannot function properly without his powers! Its unsafe, for him, me, everyone. Including you!" I explain.
Standing up, Blake puts his hands in his pockets. "I will not strengthen his powers, but perhaps if I wipe them out completely, they can be restored."
"Y-y-you can do that?" I stutter.
"Yes. I can give and take powers as well as strengthen and weaken them. I am every Standards master, I can do as I please."
"Well thank you. Really, thank you." I say, shocked. "He can then serve you again, as a thanks."
"Don't thank me, it was Abbie. She led me to my decision." He responds, then walks out of the room.
I sit there, dumbfounded. "Who?!" I yell out.
