Beware the Purge: The Sub

Just Ignore Him

Maddie Thorn

“What the f**k just happened?” I whispered, looking at Dominic Crane’s back.

“I believe he invited you to dinner.” Jane and Jack supplied at the same time.

“Well, no s**t. I’m not going.” I sat back down at my desk getting back to work and trying to push Dominic Crane back into his little box in my mind.

“Are you sure Maddie?” Jane’s disembodied voice asks, tentatively.

I sigh, “Yes, I’m sure. I’m going to head home in an hour. Please order Zen’s and have it delivered to my home.”

“Of course.”

“Thank you for your assistance, Jack. You may return to the lobby.” I said, turning to the large security bot in my office.

“Of course, Miss Thorn. I will call a car for you in an hour.”

“Thank you,” I said. These two robots are my only family now. Jack was commissioned by my father and Jane was given to me by my mother after I graduated from college. They were the only physical things I had left of my parents.

I push down the loneliness and thoughts of Dominic Crane back into the little box in my mind. Finishing the next few days' work in the hour before leaving the office.

Jane drives the car, playing my favorite classical playlist as we exit the city. She easily remotely navigates the car around the winding curvy city roads. Turning into my private driveway, the gate unlocks as she pulls the car up to my modern cookie-cutter two-story boxed home. I hate the design but it was a gift from my parents.

I set out of the car, grabbed my sushi order off the white metallic front porch, and scanned my fingerprints to disarm the front door’s lock.

“Welcome home, Maddie,” Jane says, her physical silver and blue mechanical body walking out of the white living room and taking the sushi bag from my hands. “Did you enjoy the music?”

“Yes, I did, but maybe we could try something different, next time.”

“Of course. Would you like to watch a movie tonight?” Jane asks, taking the food into my overly large kitchen. Her skillful manufactured hands plated the sushi beautifully with wasabi, ginger, and soy sauce.

I set down at the kitchen bar, ignoring the circular white table with four chairs around it.

Jane brings over the plate with chopsticks and sits down at the table with me as I begin to eat.

“What does it taste like?” She asks, her blue eyes widening a little.

“It’s soft but also firm, with a small burst of resistance as you bite through the seaweed and fish. The flavor is sweet, salty, and creaming with the cream cheese in there.” I added, laughing a little. “How was that?”

“Very good, thank you, Maddie. I appreciate you still indulging me in that game even after all these years.”

“Of course, Jane. You are my best friend, I want to share everything with you.”

“Speaking of which, how was your night? I detected you are slightly injured but you did not say anything so I let it go until now.”

I sighed, leaning my head back, “My night was amazing actually, and my morning was pretty good until Dominic Crane showed up. I’m fine, by the way, just a couple of scratches.”

“Whatever you say, let me know if you need any medical supplies or assistance.”

“Thank you, Jane,” I said, looking around my empty three-bedroom home.

“Always Maddie. Speaking of Dominic Crane, he sent several files over.”

“Work files?”

“Yes and no…”

“What do you mean yes and no?” I stood grabbing my plate and cleaning it before placing it back in the cabinet.

“The first is about his father’s assets.”

“Skip it, I’m done working for the day. I’ll look at that one in the morning. What else did the prick send?”

“The second is an email with details for dinner tonight at 7 pm.”

“I already said I’m not going, Jane. What’s next?” I sighed, leaning against the counter.

“A folder containing files on five of the city’s most elite men and women.”

“What? Why?”

“The message says for you to pick which one you would like to date more.”

“Are you f*****g kidding me? He didn’t f*****g send that, right?”

“My records show the message was authenticated through Dominic Crane’s communication network. Would you like me to read the last file?”

“No, I have a headache, I’m sick of this. Dominic doesn’t just get to show up after fifteen years. His father died last night and he decided to come into my office, insult me, and my company, send me a dinner invitation, and a list of suitors! I’m done with his shit.”

“Do you want me to get a car?”

“No, I’m ignoring his ass. If he doesn’t get the attention he wants, he’ll find another target. That’s how he’s always been, the chase is too much for him. He wants everyone to bend down at his feet. I haven’t dealt with him face to face in fifteen years and I don’t want to deal with it now. Transfer his file to one of the higher associates.”

“Understood, it will be done by the morning.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course, do you want to watch a movie or listen to some music?”

“I’d like to sleep. I had a long night. Don’t wait up for me. I’ll wake you if I need to.”

“Of course, I have locked the house. I hope you sleep well, Maddie.”

“Thank you, Jane,” I said, walking into my white bedroom, shutting the door. I pondered the bed for a moment.

Instead of walking into my white bathroom, the house has never had character, and I haven't had the energy to change it. Why change something that might be ruined in a year? I strip off my clothes and the bandages on my thighs. Inspecting the surface level cuts, already healing. I looked over myself, noticing a few scattered bruises on my shoulders and legs, likely from the ropes. I smiled, turned on the hot water and stepped into the shower, sighing at the relief the expensive showerhead brings to my aching muscles from the night’s activities.

My fingers wandered to my c**t at the thought of being tightened and tortured while my stitch-worked-faced Dom controlled me. My fingers graze my folds, I let out an involuntary whimper at the ache in my cunt. I sighed, finished my shower, turning on the white noise and curling under my white covers, falling into a deep sleep.