Buffy and Spike sat in a shaded area of a Sunnydale alleyway. They knew the sun was coming up, hiding would become even more difficult now. They hoped they would hear from Giles soon, letting them know that the hideout was indeed safe. Across the alley stood the payphone Giles was supposed to ring twice if things were safe. It had sat silent for hours.
"Have you been thinking about him?", asked Spike.
Buffy just assumed he meant Mesmotto. He did.
"Yeah, but not as much. All the action of hiding, worrying about Giles, and so on, has kind of kept my mind off it.", Buffy answered, "It's hardest when I try to get myself to not think about him, or when I try to fight his power. Being distracted makes it easier"
"Like someone scaring the hiccups out of you"
"I guess"
"I never thought this could happen to you. I thought you were too.... nevermind"
"You thought I was too strong?", Buffy clarified.
"I don't mean to insult. You're dealing with enough."
"Don't worry about it. I would have thought the same thing myself.", Buffy admitted, "It wasn't like I thought it would be. He has so much power, you can feel him inside your mind, and it feels soo good. You have a burning desire to serve him, to obey him. It's all so erotic, more erotic than
anything I had ever known. I remember once just sitting in front of him, watching the golden pocket watch go back and forth, back and forth. I remember the hairs on the back of my neck standing up, and a tingle in my..., well let's just say it was like heaven going under into a hypnotic trance, you want nothing more than to go deeper and deeper....", Buffy said, then stopped realizing she was getting caught up,"I hope Giles calls soon."
"I do to", Spike said, feeling like he had opened a can of worms, "You know even if he does call at this point, how will we know that someone hasn't put the whammy on him?"
"I don't know. We're going to have to leave here soon though, the sun will be blasting."
"I'm beginning to think it is just the two of us now.", Spike said. Buffy just nodded.

 

 

"So you and Cassandra were locked up in your room all night last night, what were you doing?", Phoebe asked her sister with an air of suspicion.
Piper giggled.
"She was hypnotizing you, wasn't she?"
"Among other things, yes. What's the big deal? She is soo talented Phoebe, you should let her inside your head... and other areas.."
"It's not funny Pipe"
"What's the big deal Phoebe? I let her trance me, we fooled around a little, so what?"
"I don't know if I trust her. No one should be hypnotizing you other than Master. Where is she now, anyhow?"
"She's meeting with the victims and the detective from that thing yesterday. She's going to take control of them today. They will all be her devoted puppets."
"That's nice Piper, but is that going to get us any closer
to converting Pru into Master's devoted puppet, which, if you remember, is our true goal here"
"I know that, and yes it is. Cassandra is going to take the detective, and maybe a few others in the police force and have them concentrate on finding Pru. Meanwhile, she is going to research the Mummy thing a little further. If she could harness the power of the Mummy, think how unstoppable she would be!", Piper said cheerfully. She was obviously under Cassandra's
thrall. It was starting to make Phoebe nervous.
"You mean how unstoppable WE would be, under our Master, right Piper?", Phoebe asked.
"Of course, that's what I said", Piper responded, annoyed. Phoebe wondered if it was time to get some help. She was too afraid of Faith, but maybe the Sunnydale witches could help.

 

 

Priscilla met Mary at her house. They planned to drive down to the precinct together. When Priscilla arrived, she saw that their new friend Cassandra had already been speaking to Mary for a while. Priscilla was glad Cassandra was already there, she didn't want to discuss any developments in the case without her. As Priscilla approached, she saw that Mary looked odd, she had a sort of glassy eyed, spaced out smile. She looked like she had been doing drugs or something.
"Hello Priscilla", Cassandra said, staring into the approaching girls eyes. Prisicilla got the chills.
"H-Hi Cassandra, I'm glad you're here.", Priscilla said.
"Mary did the right thing and called me as soon as the appointment was made. I was hoping I would have heard from you too, Priscilla", Cassandra said.
Priscilla's heart sank as she realized she had disappointed her new friend.
"I was going to call, but I was sure Mary would so..."
"You shouldn't have assumed!", Mary sharply interrupted, "Cassandra's involvement in this case and in our lives is essential, she is our priority now!", Mary blasted.
Priscilla was a little upset, but she was surprised how upset Mary was. Mary looked like she wanted to punch her.
"Shhh. Relax Mary, I'm sure it was just a mistake on Priscilla's part, now let's go see Detective Howard, shall we?", Cassandra said. The three then went down to the precinct, where Det. Howard was expecting them.

 

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