Encounters With a Mythic: Three Degrees of Obsession

Chapter 2:

"Face it Michelle, this isn't the first time you thought you were going to die and it probably won't be the last." Finally back into her modestly sized office, Michelles eyes locked on to framed news paper articles hung on the opposing wall. Clippings she could recite by heart. The amount of money she poured into getting them printed would stagger any who didn't understand her need to remember every word. Those few paragraphs. Those violent headlines and stomach turning sentences that meant everything to her. The letters themselves like a little pieces of her soul on treeless paper. She exhaled slow. "Besides Michelle, you've got a new patient to prepare for. Should probably clean yourself up." She stood and looked her office over with a discerning eye. "Should probably clean this place up a bit too."

After realigning her degrees in psychology, criminology, and sociology, ever so slightly, she made her way in to the bathroom attached to her workspace. It's two bidet toilets nestled together to the right of the entrance whilst a line of sinks sat cleanly on the left attached to a wall to wall length mirror. Tiles in the shape of large honey combs complemented the matching ceiling with there faux wood panels, and black trim. Running some water and checking her reflection in the mirror she winced at the obvious bruises around her face and arms.

"Kyla, my toiletries." She beckoned.

"As you wish Ma'dam." Called back a soothing female voice from the speaker system. Once a few minutes had passed Michelle was then greeted by a woman holding a silver platter with a similar likeness and build to her own. Slender with raven hair and bright brown eyes. Lines of blue neon lights traced the contours of her face and physique in sharp angles. The vibrant pulsating beams some how more comforting than just being back in her office.

"Madam, I've also brought a change of clothing as yours appear to be tarnished. Would you like for me to mend those for you as well?" She sat the platter on the nearest sink and removed the lid. Within it, all of Michelle's favorite beauty products as well as gauze, bandages, choice pain relievers and a rectangular box in smooth black felt. A slight grin peaked from her as she gazed at the inventory.

"Thank you Kyla, but no. That won't be necessary. I believe these will be going straight into the threading bin." Michelle replied with a chuckle than began undressing as Kyla offered her the clothing dangling from her arm.

"To be wholly recycled. Of course madam. Is there anything else I can tend to for you?"

"No, Kyla. That will be all for now. Really, I hadn't planned to stay as long as I have. I just planned on picking up a few patient files and heading home. I'm sorry if I interrupted your charging." She slipped on the darkened green blouse with black trimming she was provided while doing her best to ignore the fiery twinges in her arms and legs.

"Nothing to apologize for madam. If that will be all." Kyla bowed her head with a genuine smile brushing her lips, but as she turned to exit the bathroom she paused to turn back once more. "Oh, madam. I noticed that you cleared your schedule for the entire weekend immediately after entering. Are you taking some unscheduled time off? And should I notify your employees that you will be unavailable for the duration?"

How to answer that one? Michelle thought. Hesitating on the zipper of her hip hugging mini skirt. Its faint green floral designs along the hem a perfect match for the top she'd adorned.

"Umm.. yeah I did clear my schedule. But it's due to a high profile client coming in tonight. I'm unclear as to how much time his particular-uh circumstances- will demand. And he has specifically asked me to assure him no one would know he were here. Which means-"

"Which means my services will also no longer be needed for the remainder of the weekend. I will notify your employees that you will be otherwise preoccupied and to hold all work related matters till Monday at opening. After I will place myself on my charging dock. I'm sure there are a few updates worth looking into and applying." Kyla took a step closure grabbing a rectangular box from off of the platter. Michelle smiled with adoration as Kyla opened it.