Clocking myself in for the day I look at the tasks list to see what I have on my agenda when I hear the bang come from R and D followed shortly by the page.
“Would someone please report to the overlord’s office to replace the bulbs that just burned out?” Seeing my name get instantly assigned to this task I acknowledge the task and get the necessary Items as I page.
“I will be right there.” Small folding ladder and a box of bulbs I hurry over and upon arrival I knock
“Who is it?”
“It’s Dean, I’m here to replace the bulbs.”
“Come in.” Walking in to the room as they are opening the curtains I get right to work as they go back to their business with the smoker. “Sorry about the delay.”
“It’s all right.” Doing my best to get all the bulbs replaced and get out of their way I quickly get the ladder set up and hit the ceiling light getting the bad bulb out I pop in the new one and tune my face away from it.
“Okay, try it now.” Seeing the bulb light up the room I close the cover and start climbing down. Feeling my tail bump something on the way down. “Sorry.”
“It is okay.” Getting down to look at whom I bumped I stand facing Harvey Torn stole and all.
“I’m Sorry.”
“It is okay. May I ask if you condition?”
“I use a two in one.”
“Oh no you should take the extra time. Anyway… Overlord I think I may have a solution a counter offer how about a trade?”
“What?” feeling an arm around my shoulder
“You want to borrow my confidant?” Looking over to see him making puppy eyes. “I’ll take good care of him.”
“What would I be doing?”

“Just hanging around me at the club.”
“Hanging around your club.”
“See, he’s game.”
“Dean, um.” Hearing the tablet ping for the next task
“Sure it’s all set let’s let the kit get back to his rounds while we talk.” Being motioned that I am dismissed I grab my things and head out of the office. Heading to the next task I hear the tablet chime and see it be reassigned as are all of the rest of my tasks for the day. Only task is to head to the bookstore and ask for a velvet cover. Being directed to an office I sit and wait on a couch as my nerves begin to get to me. Feeling odd as a headache starts creeping in I curl up on the couch and flop a pillow over my face and try to relax.

“Dean? Dean?”
“I don’t feel well please leave me alone.”
“Dean, ah there you are.”
“Please.” Feeling someone grab my hands I am lightly drug out from under the pillow and helped to sit up.

“Up we go kit.” Lifted up off the couch to be draped over their shoulders.

“So we will return Percival to you soon.”
“Take as much time as you need.”
“Percival?” Being carried across the room we come to a stop in front of a mirror and begin to panic as he turns to bid goodbye.
Waking up to a presence ripping my hands away I find myself frozen, a scream caught in my throat, and unable to move. I take a breath and try again and again nothing. Beginning to panic and hyperventilate I squeak out a noise and my hands clench, sitting up trying to avoid flailing about in an undignified manner and swallow the scream. My hands tingling my body feeling like I’ve been worked over with what isn’t stiff hurting.

“Are you okay?
“Yeah, just give me a minute.”
“Let me know when you are ready to start the inventory. If you don’t mind me asking?”
“Sleep paralysis, it’s… Gosh it’s… words that I’d rather not say.” Looking at Percival for a moment I get to my feet.
“Are you sure you are okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay. Just scanning inventory?”
“Yes. Dare I ask what your nightmare was?”
“Percival and I had traded places and I just saw my reflection in the mirror,” gesturing at it “when I woke up and…”
“Saw me standing over you.”
“Pretty much. Okay I’ll get to work now.”
“Down the hall, first door on your left.”

Harvey Torn is of and art by
Dean is mine