{Ashley's POV}
There was something familiar about Hayden that I couldn't quite put my finger on. I had known this man for about three weeks, and I wasn't sure what to make of him. Hayden says that I know him, that we've been best friends since Pre-School, but I don't remember him, only his voice. I know that doesn't make sense, but it's all I had to go on right now. I recognized Hayden's calm voice, but I didn't know who he was or why I recalled his voice so well. Hayden had shown me pictures of us, told me stories, but nothing came forward. All I remember is being Virgil Grimborn's slave. I knew Hayden was not a cruel man. How many people out there would buy a girl from her master, then give her a warm bed, clothes, food, and assist them with a drug withdrawal? Not a big number for that tally. I could admit that while withdrawing from the drugs was a hell I never wanted to repeat, my mind was…clearer, and I felt like I had just a little freedom to think for myself. However, meeting Hayden that night in Fantasies, I couldn't stop feeling like I knew him, that there was something familiar about him. I keep thinking back to it, trying to place exactly what it was.
/Flashback/
"Let's go, Divine Beauty. You've got a customer," the cell door opened as I walked out, then was grabbed by the arm of the worker. "Fifteen minutes with a guy who lost his fiancé who apparently looks like you. Nothing sexual, only comfort. Understand?"
"Yes," I replied tonelessly. I was led to the door where my customer would be, then shoved inside. I laid eyes on the male. Auburn hair, emerald green eyes, a scar on the right side of his chin. This man couldn't have been any older than myself. I couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity being in his presence. The man eyed me carefully, looking surprised, but relieved.
"Ashley?" he said.
Why would he call me that? That wasn't my name. "I am Divine Beauty, sir," I informed respectfully.
"Ashley, snap out of it, please? It's me, Hayden Haddock; you're best friend," the male, Hayden, insisted. I didn't have friends; Master Virgil made that clear. Hayden continued to try to talk to me, and I kept to what I knew. I didn't know this man; he was just another client. My job was to comfort him, or I would be punished. "You asked me for help four years ago. I'm sorry it took so long, you aren't easy to track down. I'll get you out, I promise, and you know me, I never break them. Pinky promise, Asty," he held his pinky up to mine, and I had a sudden feeling of remembering. Asty? Why did he call me that? I recalled that nickname, from somewhere, but couldn't put a face to a name.
The guard came in, demanding that time was up. I watched Hayden protect me, and the sense of closeness returned as a blurred figure came to mind with one name. "Hic," I said as Hayden whirled around to look at me.
"What? What did you just say?" he asked quickly. My eyes met his.
"Hiccup," I don't know why I said it. That was the name that came to me when I thought about 'Asty.' I recalled this man's voice from the blurred figure who I couldn't make out. But this voice belonged to that person, and I wanted to know who he was to me because it was the safest I'd ever felt in the last four years.
/End Flashback/
I didn't remember anything from before I ended up at Fantasies, everything seemed to be a huge blur. I recalled the feelings of heartbreak, loneliness, sadness, and utter betrayal. Past that, there was nothing except pain and punishment. However, the night I met Hayden, and he called me Asty, something sprang forth. The name; Hiccup. Or rather, Hic. And one of those two versions was accompanied by the blurred figure in my mind, and an odd sense of security too. That night, Hayden talked to me, trying to convince me not go with Virgil, and that I'd be safe with him. Every time Hayden asked me to go with him before he purchased me, I faltered in knowing the price of disobedience, not caring because Hayden promised to protect me, and I believed him. For three weeks now, I've been with Hayden, and he has not once shown me cruelty. I didn't know what to make of him. Hayden said he was my friend, but I felt so scared of it being a ploy to lure me into a false sense of security. My brain said don't be fooled by him, but my heart said to trust him. How did I deal with that?
I suppose that all I could do for now was stick to what I'd been taught as a slave. I was good, so maybe that's why he was nice? However, if I acted up, would that change? Hayden didn't get upset with me during my drug withdrawal, though, I am confident I gave him a hard time, and many sleepless nights. Hayden had been…amazing to me, and I just wasn't sure how to respond to it, so I stuck with what I knew to avoid getting in trouble. Hayden gave me a warm bed, not just that, an entire room to myself. Hayden fed me every day, three meals, and snacks if I wanted them. On top of that, he let me decide what I wanted. And just last week, he sent me with his female friends; Hailey, Roxanne, and Alicia to get things I needed such as clothes, shoes, undergarments, and personal hygiene items. Hayden loaded a card with money from his account and sent me shopping. Upon returning to his home, he instructed the girls to help me put it all away, and then he just smiled at me, asking what I wanted for dinner because he was sure I was hungry after a few hours of shopping with the girls.
Hayden was back to work now, and I spent my days trying to do anything that would keep him happy. I couldn't rid myself of the feeling that the moment I dropped my guard, he would turn into someone like Virgil Grimborn. I made it my chores to do dishes, sweep, mop, dust, and vacuum. I would tidy up, get the mail, and prepare something for dinner when Hayden came home around 5:30-6 pm. I would also arise before he did to make breakfast before he left at 6:00 am. I guess the place he worked for opened at 7:30 am, so there was an hour and a half of prep time in the morning. I wanted to remember Hayden, whoever he was to me. Hayden said he was my friend and had been for years, so why didn't I remember him? Why couldn't I remember my life before Fantasies? I know that I had one, or Hayden wouldn't have pictures of us. Maybe Hayden was the key to remembering, or figuring it out. I would have to be extra good, and maybe he could tell me more about my life. I decided I would go all out today, and perhaps Hayden would be impressed? It was worth a shot.
I started with the bigger tasks. I went into Hayden's room to gather up his clothes in the basket; then I went to the laundry room to start a load. With that washing, I could do the other things. I emptied the trash bins from his room, and the bathroom, adding them to the garbage. I made Hayden's bed, then my own. I cleaned both rooms and vacuumed. After all that, it was time to switch the clothes out, so I moved to do that. With one load drying and another washing, I continued my pursuit around the house to keep cleaning. I checked the time; it was 4:50 pm. I finished off the bathroom, living room, then the kitchen, doing all the things necessary that would make everything clean and spotless. I continued doing laundry, mine followed in line with Hayden's. I pulled something out for dinner, then checked the time again. 5:28 PM. I gathered up both baskets of laundry, beginning to fold mine since I didn't have a lot, then I moved onto Hayden's. Little had I realized that Hayden was home, and just as I was in the middle of folding his things, he walked in the door.
"Ashley?" Hayden asked, looking at how clean everything was, and that I was folding his clothes. "Di-Did you do all this?" he inquired. I quickly stood, nodding to him.
"Yes, Hayden. I-I know you've been busy with work, and kept saying you needed to find time to clean. I figured I'd help you out. I did everything and pulled out dinner. I'm working on your clothes now," I responded, hoping I'd pleased him.
"Wow. I, uh, don't know what to say. I have a day off tomorrow; I was going to do it then. You just saved me hours of work. Um, thank you," Hayden stammered a bit, shocked by the sight of the house.
"You're welcome, Hayden. Ha-Have I made you happy?" I wondered.
"Exceptionally, but you didn't have to do all this. I do appreciate you doing it though. I can finish my laundry," Hayden offered.
"I insist you allow me to finish what I started," I said while grabbing a towel, and handing it to him. "I know you like your shower after work,"
"Yeah, I do. I guess I'll do that then. Thank you, Ashley," Hayden offered a smile, then he walked to the bathroom, still admiring everything. I smiled; I pleased him, and if I kept doing this, maybe he could tell me more about myself? I sat down on the couch, finishing his clothes, then taking the basket to his room, and putting it all away. After that, I did the same with my own. I felt good about today, and I hoped the feeling would last.
(Middle Of The Night)
{Normal POV}
The night was calm, about 2:34 am. Hayden had gotten up to use the bathroom, and after he was done, he passed Ashley's room. Much to his surprise, he heard her shifting around, and normally that wouldn't be a problem if not for the fact Hayden could make out the distinct sounds of whimpering. Silently, Hayden turned the handle and peered inside to see Ashley thrashing around.
"No, please! I-It wasn't…m-my fault!" she cried. Hayden's didn't like how this sounded; she had to be having a nightmare about the punishments. "Stop! It hurts! Please stop!" she screamed. Hayden couldn't stand it, so he rushed in to try and calm her down. "No! Let me go! Stop, please! I-I'll be good, Master! Please!" she pleaded when Hayden touched her to wake her. Hayden drew back quickly; how was he supposed to do this? "He-Help…me…Hayden. Please find me…Save me from this hell. I need you, Hic…I-I need my best friend," she whimpered helplessly.
Hayden steeled back, his eyes going as wide as saucers while nothing but fear, and utter guilt consumed his being. Ashley was reliving something those bastards had done to her, and she had been begging for him to save her, to find and save her from the abuse she endured. Hayden couldn't have saved her before anything bad happened is her bitch mother had spoken up! Hayden knew he should have tried harder; he should never have stopped looking and left it to the police! Hayden hated himself right now, but at the same time, he couldn't wallow in the anger or guilt he felt. Ashley needed him, and he would be there for her as he couldn't before. Hayden climbed into the bed and moved behind her gently.
"Ash? Hey, it's okay. Ssh now, I'm here," Hayden said softly. Ashley jerked a bit, still whimpering.
"Ha-Hayden?" Ashley asked, clearly still asleep and unaware that he was with her.
"It's alright. You're safe; I promise. I'm here; Hic is here is protect you. Rest now, and I swear I will still be here when you wake up," Hayden soothed. Ashley sniffled some, turning in his arms and snuggling up close. Hayden wrapped his arms around her figure tightly. "Everything is going to be okay now, Ashley. Your best friend is right here," he vowed. Soon, Ashley's trembling and crying had stopped. Hayden glanced down to see a small smile on her lips, and she was content where she was. Hayden wouldn't move her, how could he? No, he would stay right where he was with her, as he'd promised. Hayden all the confirmation he needed now; Ashley's one glimmer of hope to be saved was him from those monsters because he was the last person she ever messaged, asking for help. No matter what these people had done to her, Ashley's subconscious yearned for Hayden to rescue her because she needed him. Knowing this, Hayden knew that it would be a rough road, but he could bring her back because their bond would remind her who would always keep her safe, even if it was from her terrors of the night.
