Author's Note: This is the second chapter of an erotic re-imagining of a novel I have been trying to write for a few years. If you haven't read the first chapter, I recommend that you read it first (you can find it in my author profile) to understand the full context. I have at least two more chapters planned for a current total of four, but I will have to see where the story takes me to know for sure. And special thanks to Fidget for helping me proofread this chapter!
Disclaimer: This story contains graphic depictions of non-consensual sex, and is intended to be read only by adults of legal age in legal contexts. All characters depicted are over 18, and all events and people described are entirely fictional. Copyright 2021, Quiver. All rights reserved.
Empathic Echoes
by Quiver
Chapter 2: Surround Sound
Sienna and Jasper had spent the last two weeks together, holed up in his warehouse basement. Luckily, Sienna had been right about there being a bathroom down there. In fact, there was basically an industrial sprinkler that Jasper had turned into a relatively functional shower, complete with shampoo, soap, and even a razor.
Sienna was starting to feel more comfortable here. It helped that she had sent Jasper to grab a few things from her apartment. And with so few personal connections, and the freelance nature of her writing job, it was easy to slip away for a few weeks without anyone really noticing. It was so nice to feel safe from bombardment by the emotional states of passersby. Down in Jasper's abandoned basement, she was free to explore her own feelings again, without threat of becoming overwhelmed.
Jasper had helped her reignite the flame inside her. After the incident in the woods so many years ago, Sienna had reflexively shut herself off from the emotions of others, had created impenetrable walls of mental barriers and sealed herself away inside her own mind. She had been a husk of a person, unable to experience much of anything. Until Jasper came along.
He was so powerful, so vivid. He had pushed past her defenses so completely. It had frightened her. It brought up painful memories. But through that fear and swirling pain, Sienna had finally been able to remember what it was like to live. She never wanted to go back to that empty place, dull and cut off from everything around her. Sienna could almost taste the air around her now, it was so teeming with energy. Jasper's energy.
They had been going nearly non-stop, feeding off of one another's emotions and letting them build and build until Sienna thought she would burst. It hadn't all been sexual, though much of it was. Sometimes they would just stare into each others' eyes and watch as one feeling fueled the next.
Sienna lost track of how many times they had connected, lost track of whose mind had sparked each flame. She was content, happy to stay down here forever. Especially since the idea of leaving filled her with such dread. She tried not to think on it, but Jasper was quick to take note of her budding fear as the thought of leaving the warehouse needled into Sienna's mind. He walked over to her, approaching from behind.
She felt his hands brush pass between her arms and her waist and clasp together in front of her stomach. "What prompted that little treat?" he asked in a low whisper in her ear. The feeling of his breath on the back of her neck made Sienna's knees go weak as Jasper coaxed and prodded the fear within her mind.
"Nothing," Sienna replied. A spark of anger sliced through her.
"Don't lie to me," Jasper said coolly. "You know I can tell when you're lying."
Sienna shivered as the anger twisted into excitement. "It wasn't really a lie," she said carefully. "I just couldn't find the words."
"You can tell me anything, you know that," Jasper said, his hands now roaming over her hips as he twisted the excitement within her. "Now, what has my girl so afraid?"
"I was just thinking about how nice it is here. How I never want to leave. It's so wonderful, Jasper," Sienna began. "I want to stay here where it's safe." She turned in his arms to face him, looking up at him longingly as her own trepidation started to seep into her thoughts again.
"You're afraid you'll be overwhelmed if you get around other people," Jasper finished for her.
Sienna nodded, turning to place her cheek on Jasper's chest.
"You need to face your fear, Sienna," Jasper said quietly. Sienna's panic response activated again, and she felt Jasper's growing erection twitch against her hip as he played inside her mind. Her neck flushed as she felt his arousal as her own.
Brushing her hair gently, Jasper continued, "I'll help you. We can start slow. We can even stay in the warehouse at first. I can feel farther than you can on your own, but if you reach out for me I think you'll be able follow me. Maybe with me there to help amplify it you'll be able to feel some other people too." Jasper was clearly growing excited at the prospect of exploring outside minds again.
"It could even be fun," he continued, squeezing Sienna to press his erection harder against her.
Feeling Jasper's excitement mingled with her own cautious fears, Sienna thought about it. She could stay here, safe in the warehouse with only Jasper near her. And he could be her guide. Let her dip her toes into the water again, and maybe she'd actually be able to survive in the world again someday. Her excitement bubbling up, she looked up at Jasper again, and they both knew she was ready.