Tickling

Amelia stirred, slowly blinking awake as the weight of sleep melted from her body. For a moment, she felt like she was floating—wrapped in something impossibly warm, cocooned in softness. She let out a deep, contented sigh, stretching slightly before realizing that her arms were free. Her eyes widened. She sat up, the thick, plush blanket draped over her shoulders slipping slightly. As she clutched it to her chest, her gaze darted around, adjusting to the soft, golden lighting of the room. She could see. The blindfold was gone. The straitjacket was gone. Her feet, now warm and tingly from the lingering effects of the lotion, were no longer nestled in the stocks. She turned her head and— Vanessa. Sitting beside her, smiling, radiating warmth like she always did. The sight made Amelia’s heart ache in the strangest, most beautiful way. Vanessa giggled at Amelia’s sleepy expression. “Good morning, sunshine.” Amelia blinked. “I…” She swallowed, rubbing her eyes. “I feel amazing.” Vanessa

The office was eerily quiet in the early morning hours, the only sound the faint hum of computers left on overnight. The sun had barely begun its ascent, casting a soft golden glow through the high-rise windows. Emily, dressed in her usual sleek navy blazer and pencil skirt, strode through the rows of desks, sipping a fresh cup of coffee. She prided herself on arriving before the chaos of the workday began, using the time to catch up on emails and plan her strategy for the day. As she passed one of the cubicles, however, she halted mid-step. There, slumped over her desk, was Amelia. Emily frowned, setting her coffee down on the nearest surface. Amelia’s brown hair, usually styled in a crisp side part, was slightly disheveled, stray strands falling over her closed eyes. Her breathing was steady, her lips slightly parted in sleep. Her business suit—charcoal gray with a pristine white blouse underneath—was slightly wrinkled, her blazer draped over the back of her chair as if she had